1. Year 14 Parents

2. Agenda 7.15 – 7.20pmWelcome, J Martin 7.20 – 7.50pmC Moore, Careers 7.50 – 8.05pmG Meehan, QUB 8.05 – 8.20pm J Holland, UU 8.20 – 8.45pmC Moore, Careers Question Session

3. The economic situation The economic situation The benefits of higher education The benefits of higher education Skills forecast Skills forecast Competitive degree subjects Competitive degree subjects The UCAS Process The UCAS Process The CAO Process The CAO Process

4. The economic situation “ One in four young people (21.1%) here can’t get a job because of the impact of the economic downturn on Northern Ireland ” Belfast Telegraph, May 2013  Unemployment rate is 6.9%  Young are people hit the hardest  More Public Service cuts on the way

5. Young people have been particularly affected by the downturn Increase in Youth Unemployment Since beginning of downturn Unemployment Rates in Northern Ireland (March 2012)

6. But..

7. N.I. graduates 3.5 years after graduation… 2006-07 cohort of graduates three and a half years after graduation: 83% in ‘full-time work only’ or ‘part-time work only’ compared with 69% six months after graduation 83% in ‘full-time work only’ or ‘part-time work only’ compared with 69% six months after graduation 2% “assumed to be unemployed’, compared with 4% six months after graduation 2% “assumed to be unemployed’, compared with 4% six months after graduation 82% of employed graduates are in graduate jobs compared with 75% at six months 82% of employed graduates are in graduate jobs compared with 75% at six months median salary of first degree leavers was £22,000 median salary of first degree leavers was £22,000 Source: Department of Employment and Learning Statistical Publication, 2011 Source: Department of Employment and Learning Statistical Publication, 2011

10. 2008-9 Leavers… 87.1% of UK domicile leavers surveyed were in employment 6.7% were in further study 87.1% of UK domicile leavers surveyed were in employment 6.7% were in further study 3.2% were unemployed 3.2% were unemployed When the same cohort were surveyed in 2010, 6 months after graduation, 73.4% were employed, 14.6% were in further study only and 7.2% were unemployed. When the same cohort were surveyed in 2010, 6 months after graduation, 73.4% were employed, 14.6% were in further study only and 7.2% were unemployed.

11. Satisfaction with career and course 83.5% said they were satisfied with their career to date 83.5% said they were satisfied with their career to date 74.8% thought that the course they had completed in 2008/09 had prepared them well for their career 74.8% thought that the course they had completed in 2008/09 had prepared them well for their career 65.9% agreed that their course had been good value for money 65.9% agreed that their course had been good value for money

12. Career Happiness Index 2013 Survey of 18-24 year olds 1. Scientific Research 2. Early Years and Childcare 3. Floristry and Gardening 4. Teaching 5. IT, Data Processing and Telecoms 6. Engineering 7. Nursing 8. Marking, PR, Advertising and Communications 9. Finance and Accountancy 10. Financial Services

14. Video

15. Average wage for all graduates (4 quarter average) by degree subject studied, aged 21-64, 2001-2011 UK, not seasonally adjusted Pounds Degree subject studied Median hourly earnings Medicine and dentistry 21.29 Mathematical sciences, engineering, technology and architecture 18.92 Physical or environmental sciences 17.74 Business 17.30 Education 16.97 Law 16.95 Social studies 16.33 Biological and agricultural sciences 15.83 Librarianship and languages 14.85 Medical related subjects 14.65 Humanities 14.63 Arts 12.06 All graduates 15.18 Non-graduates 8.92

16. Supply and Demand N.I. has an oversupply of graduates in: General Business General Business Humanities Humanities Subjects allied to Medicine Subjects allied to Medicine Education Education N.I may suffer a shortage of graduates in: Physical Sciences (Chemistry, Physics) Physical Sciences (Chemistry, Physics) Computer Science Computer Science Financial Services Financial Services Engineering & Technology Engineering & Technology Agri-Food Agri-Food Building Design & Planning Building Design & Planning Tourism Tourism

17. Competition for university places “University places fill at record pace amid clearing competition” Reasons: THE ECONOMIC SITUATION THE ECONOMIC SITUATION University Fees University Fees Public finance cuts Public finance cuts “Universities raise entrance criteria for 2014” New ABB rules in England New ABB rules in England Increase in EU & International applicants Increase in EU & International applicants Repeat applicants Repeat applicants

18. Competitive degrees Medicine Medicine Dentistry Dentistry Pharmacy Pharmacy Veterinary medicine Veterinary medicine Health Professions and Nursing Health Professions and Nursing Sport (in N.I.) Sport (in N.I.) Psychology (in N.I.) Psychology (in N.I.) Teacher Training Teacher Training Social Work Social Work Law Law Accounting Accounting Economics Economics RUSSELL GROUP UNIVERSITIES RUSSELL GROUP UNIVERSITIES

19. Russell Group Universities Top 24 UK universities for research Top 24 UK universities for research Competitive entrance to all degree programmes Competitive entrance to all degree programmes Queen’s University Belfast became the newest member in 2006 Queen’s University Belfast became the newest member in 2006 A Level grades, GCSE grades, Personal Statement considered A Level grades, GCSE grades, Personal Statement considered http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk

20. The UCAS System UCAS = University & Colleges Admissions System An online application system An online application system School co-ordinates applications School co-ordinates applications Each student completes his own application online Each student completes his own application online There are approximately 30,000 courses at 300 institutions to choose from There are approximately 30,000 courses at 300 institutions to choose from Students can apply for 5 courses Students can apply for 5 courses UCAS fee payable to the school UCAS fee payable to the school

21. What goes into the UCAS Application? Personal Details Personal Details Additional Information (data to monitor applications for Equal Opportunity reasons) Additional Information (data to monitor applications for Equal Opportunity reasons) Choices (up to 5) Choices (up to 5) Education Education Employment Employment Personal Statement Personal Statement Reference Reference

22. UCAS/School Process What happens? When? Students register on UCAS Apply. Early applicants guided. September 2013 August – Early October Career Classes commence 2nd September Student deadline 8th November 2013 References added (predicted grades) November - December Applications sent to UCAS When complete (UCAS deadline:15th January 2014) Offers issued December - March Students make replies Before 9 th May 2014

23. UCAS University Decisions Offers are conditional for those with pending results Offers are conditional for those with pending results The conditions are specific to each course and each university The conditions are specific to each course and each university Students must make one Firm and one Insurance reply Students must make one Firm and one Insurance reply The Insurance should have lower entrance criteria The Insurance should have lower entrance criteria The replies are very important for August – they need careful consideration and cannot be changed once made. The replies are very important for August – they need careful consideration and cannot be changed once made.

24. August Results UCAS and universities receive A Level results directly from the examination body (not St Mary’s University…) UCAS and universities receive A Level results directly from the examination body (not St Mary’s University…) If conditions of the Firm or Insurance are met no action needs to be taken If conditions of the Firm or Insurance are met no action needs to be taken If students drop 1 grade they may need to await a university decision If students drop 1 grade they may need to await a university decision Universities correspond directly with students using method indicated by the student on UCAS Apply Universities correspond directly with students using method indicated by the student on UCAS Apply QUB and UU hold Information Days QUB and UU hold Information Days Clearing…..? Clearing…..?

25. The CAO Process Application system for universities and colleges in RoI Application system for universities and colleges in RoI Help Session offered to students in November/December Help Session offered to students in November/December Choose courses online – apply for up to 10 “Level 6/7” and up to 10 “Level 8” in order of preference Choose courses online – apply for up to 10 “Level 6/7” and up to 10 “Level 8” in order of preference Complete online application form before 1 st February 2014 Complete online application form before 1 st February 2014 Send proof of GCSE or AS results to CAO Send proof of GCSE or AS results to CAO Application fee of 40 Euro, paid directly to CAO Application fee of 40 Euro, paid directly to CAO Offers made after the publication of results Offers made after the publication of results