DIDCOT SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
DIDCOT SIXTH FORM COLLEGE. Higher Education The Application Process. KEY QUESTIONS. Why go to university? Which course? Which university? How to apply?. WHY GO TO UNIVERSITY?. Explore a personal interest in a subject Gain a qualification towards career progression
DIDCOT SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
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DIDCOT SIXTH FORM COLLEGE Higher Education The Application Process
KEY QUESTIONS • Why go to university? • Which course? • Which university? • How to apply?
WHY GO TO UNIVERSITY? • Explore a personal interest in a subject • Gain a qualification towards career progression • Gain transferable skills • Independence • Experience a different part of the country (or world) • Meet people
Which course? Over 50,000 courses to choose from
Which course? Honours Degree: single/joint • 3 or 4 years; longer for Medicine; Vet. Science; Architecture Diploma of Higher Education • Diploma in Children’s Nursing HND – Higher National Diploma • Two years which can lead on to degree Foundation Course - One year: Foundation Art and Design
How to choose? Favourite subject Other interests Vocational/ career interests: www.prospects.ac.uk 40-50% of graduate vacancies are open to graduates of any discipline
How to choose? Things to consider: • Length of course • Practical/theory balance • Teaching/assessment styles • Career destinations • Entry requirements • Professional accreditations • Work placements.
Where to find information? • UCAS web site: www.ucas.com
Where to find information? • UCAS web site: www.ucas.com • University guides: Times/Guardian • Education.guardian.co.uk – league tables • Prospectuses and university web sites • Open days
Location, location, location • Things to consider: • Distance from home • Transport links • Number of sites • Rural or urban campus • Cost of living • Style of facilities • City attractions • Safety
The Next Steps • Research – subjects • Identify 5 – 10 institutions that offer courses • Send for prospectuses; visit web sites; look for open days • Work with tutors and subject staff – predicted grades • Focus on up to 5 institutions
The Application • Up to 5 choices • On-line application • Personal statement • Academic reference
Types of offer • Conditional offer • Unconditional offer • Alternative course offer • Unsuccessful • Offers may be expressed in either grades or UCAS points, for example, BBB or 300 UCAS points
The Application FINAL CHOICE: • FIRM ACCEPTANCE • INSURANCE CHOICE
UCAS EXTRA • No offers • All offers declined An opportunity to apply to new courses before results/clearing.
CLEARING The process of matching unplaced university candidates with suitable vacancies on courses. UCAS supplies information with results.
STRAIGHT-A STUDENTS POSE SELECTION HEADACHE FOR UNIVERSITIES Leading universities are being forced to set their own entrance tests following a rise in the number of students applying with straight As. Cambridge to use controversial A* A-level University will use new selection criteria from next year
Universities Admissions Tests Selecting universities/ selecting courses: to distinguish the top candidates. BMAT UKCAT - medicine LNAT – Law HAT- History aptitude test OXFORD – subject tests – History; Maths; Physics; Computer Science; English; PPE (Tests done at interview) Cost Registration and timing
The Time Scale • Summer – research; registering online • September onwards: personal statement/ predicted grades • October 15th: deadline for Oxbridge/ Medicine/ Veterinary Science • Beginning of Autumn Term 2 – completed applications preferred • December 6th – school deadline • January 15th – UCAS deadline • December/January: Art Foundation applications