An introduction to higher education

Higher education: an investment

• Financial investment• Investment of your time• Committing to higher education for 3 years• Rewards are huge• Graduates earn 25% more than non-graduates• A worthwhile investment • However careful consideration is essential!

Why choose higher education?

• Financial advantages• Academic interests • Personal development • Career advantages• Career choices• Social life and new friends• Travel abroad• Broadens your horizons

What can I study?

• Over 50,000 courses on offer in the UK• 325 different institutions• Honours degrees• Single honours/joint honours• Full-time study• Sandwich courses

What can I study?

Choosing your course

What to consider:

• Which subjects interest you?• What are you good at? • Carry on with an A level subject or study something

new?• What course can help you achieve your career

aspirations?• What kind of knowledge and skills do you want to gain

from a course?• What degree courses are available to you?• What can you commit to for a minimum of 3 years?• Stamford Test – www.ucas.com

LLB Law – Nottingham Trent University

Modules

• Banking Law • Competition Law and

Policy • Evidence• Immigration and Race

Relations • Insurance Law • International Criminal

Law • Sexuality and the Law • Welfare Law

• Placement and fieldwork opportunities During the course students may apply undertake independent mini placements during vacations (amounting to at least ten weeks in total).

• Assessment There are diverse assessments including unseen examinations, problems, essays, oral communications, mooting, independent projects, case studies, group projects, negotiations, presentations, reports and reviews.

• Study abroad options There is the opportunity to take part in International Summer Schools in Strasbourg, Berlin, Tallinn, Geneva or Amsterdam.

LLB Law – The University of Nottingham

Modules• Child Law • Comparative Civil Liberties• Consumer Law • Foundations of International

Criminal Law• Public Procurement Law • Conflict of Laws • EU Employment Law • Mental Health Law and

Policy

• Assessment These include essays and exams.

• Study abroad options Students registered on the LLB Law degree may apply at the beginning of their second year to be transferred on to one of the four-year degrees. These enable students to study abroad for a year and include Law with…

– American Law– Australian Law– Chinese Law– European Law– New Zealand Law– South East Asian Law

What can I study?

• Over 50,000 courses on offer in the UK• 325 different institutions• Honours degrees• Single honours/joint honours• Full-time study• Sandwich courses

Key times…

• Now – Yr 11– Researching your options

• September – Yr 12– Researching your options

• March – June – Yr 12– Attend university open days– Attend HE Fairs– Narrow down your research

• June – July – Yr 12– Draft a personal statement

• September – December – Yr 13– Finalise your 5 university choices– Complete personal statement– Send your UCAS form

Key times…

• January – Yr 13– UCAS closes

• January – March – Yr 13– Interviews and offers– Firm and Insurance choices

• June onwards– Results and confirmations of place

The UCAS Process

UCAS

• Universities & Colleges Admissions Service• Central applications agency for HE applications in

England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland• UCAS operate on behalf of all full-time HE courses at

member institutions• Handles over 500,000 applications per year• www.ucas.com

Key facts about UCAS

• ‘Invisibility’• Maximum of five choices (some exceptions)• Simultaneous consideration (except for A&D Route B)• Conditional offers – 2 can be held• August – confirmation of offers• £21 Registration Fee

How do you apply?

ucasapply• 5 sections

– about you– choices– education– employment– personal

statement

UCASapply Personal details

UCASapply Choices

UCASapply Education

UCASapply Employment

UCASapply Personal statement

UCASapply Personal statement preview

Personal statement

• Most important element of the application form• Sells your skills and experience to the admissions tutor• 360 degree snapshot of you!• Must be completed by the applicant• Start early• Listen to advice• Be honest!

References

• Written by a member of staff at your school/college• Often written as a basis on AS study & performance • Make an appointment to see your referee and explain

why you have chosen your university/college choices• Final section of the application form

Top tips!

• Start early • Research thoroughly• Use the advice and guidance available• Websites, Open Days etc. • Ask questions• Get your application in on time• Make sure it is what you want to do• Be sure of your choices• Good luck!