An Introduction to Unit 3: Exploring your future
Dec 25, 2015
Unit 3 CATs
• CAT 3a: Complete table 3a in order of your top 5 UCAS choices
• Write an assignment to justify your top 2 choices (750 words)
• CAT 3b: Complete table 3b listing 2 career choices and 2 HE options
• Write an assignment to compare and contrast one of your career choices and one HE option.
Purpose of Unit 3
• Start to put your Career Action Plan into practice
• HE and career research and decision making
• Choosing the right path for you
• Gain better understanding of entry requirements – academic and other
• Enable you to be realistic and set achievable targets
• Develop your research skills
Some HE statistics
• More than 43,000 courses available in the UK
• More than 300 institutions to study in
• In 2013, 677,373 people applied to HE
• 495,596 got places
Why choose Higher Education?
• Academic interest
• Transferable skills
• Improve career prospects
• Earn more money – average graduate starting salary in UK is approximately £25,000 - £30,000
• Once in a lifetime opportunity, not to be missed!
Choosing the right course
• Familiar or new subject?
• Vocational or non-vocational?
• Level of qualification?
• Entry requirements?
• Career prospects?
• Assessment methods?
Understand and use the UCAS Tariff
A Level Grade A*/ A 140/120 pts
Grade B/C 100/80 pts
Grade D/E 60/40 pts
BTEC Diploma DDD 360 pts
MMM 240 pts
PPP 120 pts
Many other qualifications and grades – see UCAS website or back of UoH prospectus
Choosing a university
• Home or away/distance from home?• City or rural?• Campus or non-campus based?• Known for excellence in subject/department?• Accommodation?• Academic resources?• Sports and leisure facilities?• Nightlife and social scene?
Your Choices
• Be sure of what you want to study• Be realistic
- don’t price yourself out of the market
- but……don’t underestimate yourself either• Remember 5 courses, not 5 HEIs• Use the UCAS Website – www.ucas.com
Useful research tips
• Use the online Progression Module resources - web links
• Consider a range of factors: graduate employment stats, student satisfaction survey, as well as league table positioning
• Study prospectuses (paper copy and online)
• Talk to tutors, friends, family and current students
Final points to remember
• Use the writing frame in Unit 3 booklet as a guide
• Write at least 750 words
• Don’t copy and paste info from the web - plagiarism
• Unit 3 choices should link with Unit 1 CAP