1. Choosing A University UCAS & Personal Statements

2. What Course do I want to do? 325 institutions in the UK offer HE courses Over 50,000 courses Subjects you enjoy at School or College Check out the UCAS website

3. Where do you want to do it? University F.E. College Correspondence Course Near home / as far away as possible. Abroad

4. How do you want to do it? Full-Time or Part Time Single, Major & Joint Honours Gap year Placement year

5. What do I need to do it? Entry requirements Enthusiasm & Drive Evidence of research or further reading Work experience Visa Funding

6. Course structure Old/new universities Entry requirements Reputation Location Facilities How to Choose a University

7. Entry Requirements What are they ? Are they achievable? Are there any specific requirements ? Try to have a range of targets Insurance choice with lower entry requirements

8. Facts & Figures League table positions Employability statistics Teaching Quality Assessments University Guides Reputation

9. Location City or rural Campus or non campus Size Split site Travel connections Distance from home

10. Facilities Programme Facilities (Music, Drama, Sciences) Accommodation Student Services Student’s Union The Town / Nightlife & Local Facilities Sports Transport Links IT

11. Is accommodation on or off campus? Mixed or Same Sex Catered or non catered? Shared or En-Suite Shared housing Accommodation

12. Prospectus Alternative Prospectus Internet & newspapers HE Fairs Visits & Open Days Talking to students The Detective Work

13. Conclusion Do a course that you want to do Research your course choices Go to a university you want to Research the university and city facilities Have a look at the universities & speak to students MAKE SURE ITS YOUR DECISION

14. UCAS and how to write a Personal Statement

15. Why it’s important Admissions officers are looking for reasons to reject, NOT accept applicants Many subjects have 10+ applicants per place who all have the required A levels Probably your only chance to ‘talk’ to the admissions officer Chance to persuade the admissions officer that you would be great on the course

16. When it’s Used When deciding whether to make an offer In interview When the A level results come out

17. What the admissions officer will be looking for Your motivation Your enthusiasm Your commitment to the subject Your ability to take advantage of university life

18. What you should include Why you want to study the subject: Prior knowledge Why it interests you What you are specifically looking forward to studying

19. Why the university should give YOU the offer Any qualifications not covered in other sections Any schemes you take part in Extra curricular activities Your work experience Responsibilities you hold Special achievements What you should include

20. How To Structure It 70% about the subject 30% about you Strong INTERESTING start No spelling or grammatical errors Easy to read

21. Enhancing Your Application Work experience Reading outside the syllabus Newspapers Journals

22. Specific Examples English –Well written, (organised, correctly spelt and punctuated with appropriate vocabulary and grammar) –Include description of literary interest, should be varied in period and type (not all modern) –Evidence of reading beyond set text –Reflective comments on interests or things read –For language include relevant reading, key areas or interest, project work if any –Interest associated with english – drama, theatre, creative writing, film,media etc –Do not need to be funny or eye catching or flashy, aim for competent, clear, well organised and evidenced

23. Specific Examples Politics Mainly outside interests – not organised by school Amnesty / political party Reading outside syllabus

24. Interviews Law – Medicine – Drama – Music Possible Questions: Why do you want to do the course? Why this University? What are your career plans? What qualities can you bring to the dept? What will you mostly enjoy? What do you think will be a challenge? Do you think you will get the grades?

25. Interviews When answering……….. Be positive Confident Well informed Focused Honest Calm Ask questions Sell yourself!!!

26. What Happens Next Their Decision: –Unconditional Offer –Conditional Offer –Reject Your decision: –Firm Choice –Insurance Choice

27. Conclusion Tutors looking for reasons to REJECT No mistakes YOUR APPLICATION not your parents / school Interested and Interesting Takes time to prepare and re-write Get someone to read it through