Choosing a Course and a Choosing a Course and a UniversityUniversity

Mrs S BainesMrs S Baines

Director of Learning Sixth Director of Learning Sixth FormForm

The Royal Latin SchoolThe Royal Latin School

Choosing a courseThere are over 50,000 courses on offer!

Think about what you enjoy and do well, both at school and outside.

These tips may help you to decide.

Do you want to:• Continue with a favourite subject?• Develop an out of school interest? E.g., film sport, media• Try something completely new? E.g., architecture, History of Art• Do you have a career in mind? E.g., vet, teacher, psychologist

Write down a list of jobs you’d like to do and why• Discuss your options with teachers, career advisers, family and

friends• Whatever your interests, it’s essential that you do lots of research.

How do I find out about courses?

• UCAS Directory to search for particular subjects and courses: www.ucas.com

• Higher education fairs where you can meet representatives from universities

• University websites

• University prospectuses and course leaflets

• Independent university guides such as Virgin Alternative Guide, Times Guide, Push Guide, ‘Choosing Your Degree Course and University’, ‘HEAP: Degree course offers’

• League tables to help you investigate which universities are best for particular courses:

http://education.guardian.co.uk/ and www.timesonline.co.uk/education

• National Student survey: National Student survey: http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/page/0,,2167598,00.htmlhttp://education.guardian.co.uk/students/page/0,,2167598,00.html

• Teaching quality information is available from www.tqi.ac.uk

• Visit universities to get an idea of what courses involve. Most universities hold open days, master classes and taster sessions.

• Talk to people who are already studying the subject.

• Careers in the professions: http://www.insidecareers.co.uk/

Points to remember when researching courses

1 What are the course options?

2 How does the course content vary between universities?

3 How long is the course?

4 How is the course assessed?

5 How is the course taught?

6 Are there opportunities to do a work placement or study abroad for part of your course?

7 Is it possible to study more than one subject (combined degree) or study a few modules from other courses, for example languages or IT?

8 What sorts of jobs do graduates from the course go on to do?

9 What are the entry requirements?

10Once you have chosen a course you can look at universities offering the course.

Unusual Courses!Unusual Courses!

• Equine ScienceEquine Science

• AnthropologyAnthropology

• Surf ScienceSurf Science

• Brewing and DistillingBrewing and Distilling

• Golf ManagementGolf Management

• Gambling and Leisure Gambling and Leisure ManagementManagement

• Tourism and PhilosophyTourism and Philosophy

• Pop Music and TheologyPop Music and Theology

• Nottingham TrentNottingham Trent

• Warwick UniversityWarwick University

• University of PlymouthUniversity of Plymouth

• Heriot-Watt UniversityHeriot-Watt University

• University of University of BirminghamBirmingham

• University of SalfordUniversity of Salford

• University of University of HertfordshireHertfordshire

• University of ChesterUniversity of Chester50% graduate vacancies are open to graduates of any

discipline

Choosing a UniversityChoosing a University

• By deciding on a course you’ll have narrowed down the choices available. However, there may be many universities or colleges that offer a course that appeals to you, especially if you are considering a popular subject such as English or history.

• Most students have some idea of the location they want to be in – whether it’s in the south of England, by the sea, miles away or close to home. Many opt for somewhere that’s far enough away from their families to be independent but not too far to get home in a crisis, usually two-three hours drive.

• When you’ve found five to ten universities that appeal to you, you’ll need to find out more about them.

How do I find out about universities?•Websites and prospectuses •Visits•Open Days •Interviews/Visit days•Firm and insurance choices

Questions to answer when researching universities

Where to go?Where to go?

• Entry requirementsEntry requirements

• LocationLocation

• SizeSize

• FacilitiesFacilities

• BursariesBursaries

• ReputationReputation

LocationLocation

• How far from home?How far from home?

• Transport linksTransport links

• Campus or town based?Campus or town based?

• Large city or country town?Large city or country town?

• AccommodationAccommodation

FacilitiesFacilities

•Libraries and Computers

•Bursaries

•Student Union services

•Bars and Club nights

•Sports facilities

•SU societies

•Part- time work?

So, to summariseSo, to summarise

• Research! 50,000+ coursesResearch! 50,000+ courses• Need to choose up to 5 choicesNeed to choose up to 5 choices• Research year before applying (i.e.Year 12 Research year before applying (i.e.Year 12

if applying in Year 13)if applying in Year 13)• Match grades required to predicted gradesMatch grades required to predicted grades• Consider course contentConsider course content• Consider where and social aspectsConsider where and social aspects• Visit Visit • Accept two offers – Firm and InsuranceAccept two offers – Firm and Insurance

Help!Help!

• School staff: your subject teachers, your form School staff: your subject teachers, your form tutors, and the the KS 5 team: Mrs Baines, and tutors, and the the KS 5 team: Mrs Baines, and the Heads of Year Mr Leyland and Mrs Exelbythe Heads of Year Mr Leyland and Mrs Exelby

• Connexions Personal Adviser: Lucy GoodyearConnexions Personal Adviser: Lucy Goodyear

• Websites (especially www.ucas.com)Websites (especially www.ucas.com)

• Books – the Librarian Mrs Reading has a large Books – the Librarian Mrs Reading has a large selectionselection

• University brochures and departmental staff.University brochures and departmental staff.

How Do Parents Help?How Do Parents Help?

• Stay CalmStay Calm• Be aware of deadlinesBe aware of deadlines

• Encourage realismEncourage realism• Offer practical support – help with research, and Offer practical support – help with research, and

go on Open Days with your sons and daughtersgo on Open Days with your sons and daughters• Talk about moneyTalk about money

• Remember sources of information Remember sources of information

And after ……….And after ……….• Enjoy the peace and quiet!Enjoy the peace and quiet!