Higher Education Evening. Choosing a Course Choosing a University How universities choose What happens after the application is sent in How BHASVIC helps.

Higher Education Evening

• Choosing a Course• Choosing a University• How universities choose• What happens after the application

is sent in• How BHASVIC helps• Common mistakes

Higher Education

Where do you get information from…

ucas.comucas.com/parents

National newspaper league tables

The Complete University Guide (website)

Brian Heap: Degree Course Offers

University prospectuses

Open Days

Interest and enjoyment Professional; academic Employment Single, joint, major/minor Content and Structure Assessment

Required subjects Grades in specific subjects

or overall points score Entrance test Non academic requirements,

e.g. work experience

Generally speaking all A levels are acceptable for University entry but it can depend on the course or individual university.

A ‘spread’ of courses is fine e.g. Biology, Maths, Drama would be fine as 2 courses are regarded as being strong academically.

But Drama, Music and Film Studies would be excellent for any performance related degree

Also a pass in Drama will be worth more than a fail in Maths!

Some universities ask for grades, including ‘*’ e.g. Chemistry at Cambridge requires A*AA

Most do not ask for A* grades e.g. Brighton requires BBC

Some ask for points e.g. Chemistry at Nottingham Trent requires 260 points

Points are calculated using the UCAS Tarrif The UCAS Tariff also gives details of the

points allocated to L3 BTEC qualifications.

There are break-out sessions regarding these more specialist applications later

Excellent GCSE results are expected; since 2010 BHASVIC students who went to Oxford or Cambridge had an average GCSE profile of 8 A*.

GradeA2 (A Level)

A/S Level

A 120 60

B 100 50

C 80 40

D 60 30

E 40 20

BTEC qualifications have their own UCAS points attached to them.

The Sports Science course at BHASVIC is a double course and so a double Distinction would be 240 points (2 A equivalent), a double Merit would be 160 points (2 C equivalent).

The right course, quality of facilities, provision

Type and size, quality of accommodation

Distance from home

• Reputation league tables, employer links, word of mouth

• Scholarships and bursaries

• Learning Support

• Student mix state school/private/mature students/ international students/diversity

Some degrees at UK universities will offer a year abroad, typically languages or American (or other cultural) Studies.

A student could think about studying their entire degree abroad and this now has greater relevance given the recent rise in tuition fees.

This year BHASVIC students have applied to U.S, Holland and Australia and we are building up a comprehensive guide for students thinking of this route, as well as offering direct support.

Using UCAS Apply

Once student has decided on potential courses and universities, they apply to them using ucas.apply

UCAS: universities central admissions system, not a decision making body.

Handles applications for all full time first degree higher education courses.

www.ucas.com

January onwards Interviews Students can track Offers madeapplication using ucas track

May (or earlier) Students respond to

offers(one firm choiceone insurance

choice)

If no offers are made, students can make further choices through UCAS Extra

18 August Exam Results (A level)Confirmation of offers or

clearing period of Adjustment

A student

• January - May: Students update themselves on what Universities have made them offers/rejected them using UCAS track

• Usually students will have all their decisions by March and can then decide on which they want as a firm offer and which as an insurance

• If a student receives no offers at all they can use UCAS Extra to find courses which still may have places on them. UCAS Track will prompt students to do this.

March 16th Tutors begin discussing next year’s options with their Tutor Groups.

March 14th Parents Information Eveningand 20nd

March 21st Higher Education Information Day at Sussex university

May 15th Gap Year Fair

June 18th Progression EventWriting Personal StatementsPersonal FinanceUsing ucas apply

June onwards: BHASVIC gives students support in using ucas apply and writing personal statements

Students can apply for five courses (unless applying for medicine/veterinary science)

Applications begin in September Deadline for Oxbridge, Medicine, Veterinary

Science and Dentistry - 15 OCTOBER Students who have not made 5 choices can,

if they wish, add a further choice before the January 15th deadline.

Deadline for all other students - 15 JANUARY Internal deadlines are earlier

1. A student will have to have the grades – AS Grades are crucial as these will be what an Admissions officer will regard as an accurate prediction of A level grades or BTEC levels of achievement.

2. The student’s personal statement

Student’s enthusiasm and motivation for course. Why they want to do it?

Student’s understanding of the course What students have gained from their current

courses (specific interests, skills)? Additional reading Evidence of special commitment, work

experience, attendance at lectures, organising clubs

3. Reference – written in collaboration between all teachers and Tutor

4. Tests (BMAT, LNAT, HAT) where appropriate

5. Interview (where invited)

6. Widening Participation and the Office for Fair Access

Lack of research - Applying for courses without the right qualifications/subjects

Applying to courses whose entry requirements are higher than AS grades

Applying for extremely diverse courses Leaving writing a Personal Statement until

the last minute Applying to universities they do not want to

go to Not having a proper insurance offer Applying for courses they do not want to do Handing in final ucas form for checking the

day before the deadline