Sandwell Academy6.1 University Information Evening 16.7.14

Overview of the Evening

ProgrammeParent Booklet

Applying to University

Where ?

What ?

When ?

Two stage process

Stages:

1. Research –

2. Self presentation (i.e. your UCAS application form) Internal Closing date for application forms 24.10.14

Friday before October half term.

UCAS Closing date 15 January 2015

UK higher education – key facts

372 UCAS providers 37,000 courses

At the heart of connecting people to higher education

The provision of higher education in the UK

▪Applicants in 2013

▪Acceptances in 2014474,310

489,940

(Source: UCAS end of cycle report 11/12 released December 2012)

Online research – where to go for useful information

▪ UCAS website

▪ UCAS Course Search

and Entry Profiles

▪ UCAS books

University websites

UCAS connect

▪ Unistats

▪ Which? University

At the heart of connecting people to higher education

UCAS Search tool▪ Search for Maths

courses in North West for 2014 for someone who normally lives in England

▪ 13 providers listed (104 courses)

▪ Can view info on HEI & explore courses offered by each one

▪ Can view all courses▪ Can view locations▪ Further filters

At the heart of connecting people to higher education

Search tool – subject clusters

Entry Profiles

▪Details presented within Course Search

▪Around 90% of courses have an Entry Profile

▪Provide clear, up to date information

▪Help you to make fully informed choices

▪Same course title – different experience

▪Bursary and scholarship information

At the heart of connecting people to higher education

Which? University

▪ Launched 2012▪ Free to use▪ Developed in association with NUS▪ Input from experts in

careers and HE▪ NSS▪ KIS▪ HE leavers destinations▪ HECSU graduate

employment analysis▪ HESA student record

http://university.which.co.uk▪ Search tool - may not cover all UCAS

HEPs (284) & courses (<31,000)

▪ Some well managed data:▫ % applicants who have received offers

and grades achieved on entry▫ League tables data▫ Extra-curricular strengths of HEIs▫ Student views on accommodation,

facilities, costs

At the heart of connecting people to higher education

Prospects ( www.prospects.ac.uk )

May 2014 slide 17

Visit, visit, visit.....

‘

2015 Apply

UCAS - key dates

1 September

15 October

15 January

24 March

30 June

First day for receipt of applications

Medicine, Veterinary and Dentistry

Oxford or Cambridge

‘On time’ applications

Remaining Art & Design Courses

Applications after this date held for Clearing

Key features of the UCAS scheme

Application is online

1 Choice - £12 2-5 Choices - £23

Maximum of 5 choices

Some choice restrictions:

Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry – max 4

Oxford or Cambridge

Simultaneous consideration

‘Invisibility’

Key facts about the UCAS scheme

Some subject restrictions:

Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry – max 4

choices Aptitude tests – Medicine/Veterinary = www.bmat.org.uk Medicine/Dentistry = www.ukcat.ac.uk Law = www.lnat.ac.uk

Personal Statement

Your personal statement

What’s special about the personal

statement? It’s the only part of the application where you

have the opportunity to bring yourself to life If done well, provides a 360º snapshot of you

as the applicant Must be honest and written in your own

words (not lifted off the internet!)

Your personal statement – What’s it for ?

Supports and amplifies your academic

achievement. Opportunity to explain more about your

current studies (e.g. if you are taking

Statistics as a unit of AS Maths) May replace or supplement an interview

(keep a copy!)

Your personal statement

What should go into it? Evidence to tell HE selector what you’re like i.e. your

personal characteristics and transferable skills: Committed and motivated Self reliant and well organised Interest in and aptitude for subject Good team worker etc

Evidence of relevant non qualification attainment: Interests, hobbies, sports Voluntary / work experience etc

Activity

Benefit

Course

Activity

Benefit

Course

What you’ve done

What skills it has given you

How these relate to your course

Personal Statement ABC Guide

Good

Better

Best

Structured, clear, concise, precise

Avoid waffle, slang and inappropriate language

Check GRAMMAR and SPELLING GRAMMAR SPELLING

Your personal statement

How should it be written? Reflective and insightful

What you’ve done What you’ve learned from it Why this is relevant to your chosen course / career

You can enter up to 4,000 characters (this includes

spaces) or 47 lines of text (this includes blank

lines).

Example format for a personal statement

Opening SectionProvide insightful reasons for choosing the subject

Demonstrate commitment to the subject

Middle SectionOpportunity for the writer to identify themselves

as a reflective and mature individual with appropriate skills,

knowledge and attitudes

Final SectionNeeds to be ‘punchy’ and leave the reader with a firm impression of a strong desire to

study the subject chosen

Common opening sentences

1. I am currently studying a BTEC National Diploma in..

2. From a young age I have always been interested in..

3. From an early age I have always been interested in..

4. Nursing is a very challenging and demanding career..

5. For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with...

6. “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only”...

7. Nursing is a profession I have always looked upon with...

8. For as long as I can remember I have been interested in...

9. I am an International Academy student and have been studying since.

10. Academically, I have always been a very determined and...

464

309

292

275

196

189

178

166

141

138

New Vocabulary

ExtraUCAS Tariff pointsClearingDeferred Entry/Gap Year

Decision making by institutions

An admissions tutor may initially make one of three decisions: Unconditional offer Conditional offer Unsuccessful

Or recommend: A place on an alternative course

Track

Enables you to follow the progress of your application (24/7, access via password)

Quickest way to find out about new offers

You can reply to offers online

Applicant replies to offers

Once the final decision has been received, a maximum of two offers may be

held

Applicants have a choice of three reply options:

Firm acceptance

Insurance acceptance

Decline the offer

Academy Website – www.sandwellacademy.com

Careers SoftwareFast Tomato (SAWB)

E-Clips (password 4705jan07)

Higher Ideas (Start Menu)

Stamford test – UCAS website

Next Steps

Register on the UCAS website and create an account with me on Friday 18 July 2014

HE Week 14 – 18 July 2014

1st Draft Personal Statement

Students given time to visit open day – need a release form from me.

UCASINO

12 2 23 5 372 140

14

37,000

1204

10047

4000 80120474,310

489,940

UCASINO

Contact details

Parents if you have any questions or wish to meet with me, please telephone me at the Academy

0121 525 1700 or e-mail scaddick@sandwellacademy.com

Students my door is always open.