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Higher Education 2013. Sally Hayward Regional Director. Aim. To present an overview of the higher education scene To look at how the higher education system works. FAQs. How many courses can I apply for? Can I apply for more than one course at the same place?
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Higher Education 2013 Sally Hayward Regional Director
Aim • To present an overview of the higher education scene • To look at how the higher education system works
FAQs • How many courses can I apply for? • Can I apply for more than one course at the same place? • If I apply to Oxford will Durham reject me? • Which is the best university? • Do I need work experience? • Will I get a grant? • Can I apply to university after I’ve left school? • What can I do with a history degree? • Will a degree guarantee me a good job? • How do I apply to university in Australia/US/Europe? • Do I have to go to university – what else could I do?
Topical issues • University experience • Availability of university places • Costs • Overseas study • Graduate employment • Alternatives to higher education
Current UCAS application situation • Applications for undergraduate courses increased by 2.8% up to 15 January 2013 deadline – encouraging but not yet back to pre tuition fee increase levels. Last year’s intake went down sharply and many places were left unfilled. Tuition fee max remains at £9,000 pa • 559,000 applications so far – up 19,000 on last year • Some universities have reported substantial increases eg Surrey with particularly high demand for chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, biosciences, business, economics, English, law and politics • Unlimited recruitment of students achieving ABB grades • Widening participation initiatives • Graduate vacancies expected to rise by 2.7% in 2013
Why higher education…… • Personal fulfilment – is university right for me? • Why go? Springboard to opportunities, independence, meeting new people, explore a subject, gain a qualification, transferable skills, wider job choice, higher potential earnings • Half graduate jobs do not specify degree subject • Why not? Cost, no guarantee of graduate job, entry grades, alternative choices
Considering Higher Education? What do I need to do........ • Explore what is right for you • 2 stage process: • Research • Self presentation
Just tell me what & where! You have to do the research You will be studying your chosen course for 3 + years You will be living in the place you chose You will use this degree to find a job
Types of courses • Degree: BA. BSc. LLB. MEng. MMath. • Foundation Degree • Higher National Diploma / Certificate • Foundation courses • Talent based diplomas - audition • Part time / Distance learning
What to study? • No idea? Morrisby, www.ukcoursefinder.com • School subject – non vocational – generalist • Career related subject – generalist plus • Professional / vocational – specialist • New subject – Surf Science? American Studies? Forensic Computing? Disaster Management? Geology? Archaeology? Journalism? Food Science? Anthropology? Brewing? International Relations? • Spoilt for choice? 1100 subjects, 45,000 courses
Diversity of Related Courses The University of Manchester
Choosing a course - content/structure • Similar sounding courses may differ, core, options, opportunities • Single, combined, multi-disciplinary, sandwich, work placements, innovative • Professional accreditation and eligibility • Study abroad
Choosing a course • Teaching methods, lectures, tutorials, seminars, staff ratios, assessment methods • Teaching quality/employment destinations/student satisfaction www.unistats.com http://www.bestcourse4me.com/ • Popular courses, competition, selectors, recruiters
Which university or college? • ‘Best’ university - reputation, league tables http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/ • Teaching quality/employment destinations/student satisfaction www.unistats.gov.uk • Scholarships and bursaries • Where – local, how far away, look at map • Getting there – transport, travel time and costs • Environment – urban, rural, split, campus, size
Which university or college? • Academic facilities • Leisure facilities – sport, drama, music • Accommodation – what’s available, cost, type, catering, safety • Cost of living • City attractions • Try to visit – www.opendays.com • 300+ institutions
Be realistic! UCAS Tariff A levels A*=140 A = 120 B = 100 C = 80 D=60 E =40 AS = half Music/drama grades 6,7,8 – 5 to 75 Check GCSE requirements Entry Qualifications
What will employers look for? • Some careers/employers require specific degrees but many do not - vocational versus subject degrees • 1st Class degree or 2:i plus…… • Transferable skills • Personal attributes • Work experience
Team Working Communication Skills Customer Focus Problem Solving Managing own learning Networking Commercial insight Planning & time management Leadership Cultural sensitivity IT competent Project management Entrepreneurial Second language? What skills?
Graduate salaries • 2012 starting salaries - median £29,000 • Most generous salaries: • Investment Banks £40,000 • Law firms £38,400 • Consulting firms £35,000 • Universities most often targeted by top graduate employers: • London (Imperial, UCL, LSE) • Manchester • Nottingham • Oxford and Cambridge • Warwick
Top tips to be a top graduate • Choose your course and university carefully • Don’t delay thinking about what you will do when you graduate • Make early use of university careers service • Seek support, learn how to market yourself • Learn how to manage your time, budget and learning • Deepen work experience/volunteering • Network and Reflect/ Awareness
‘A degree is no longer a meal ticket to your future but merely a licence to hunt’ Linsey Perry, Head of Graduate Recruitment, Network Rail
Questions to ask at Open Days • Specific features of course • Tutorials / seminars / lectures / laboratory work • Assessments - projects / exams / practicals • Student/lecturer ratios; support available • Teaching by academic staff versus post graduate students • Student achievements/career destinations • Facilities • Are entry requirements as advertised – any changes pending?
Choices • Look widely before deciding • Short list > 5 choices • Choose courses with a similar theme – be consistent • Apply for a range in terms of grades, for popular courses include cautious choices • No order of preference
How to Apply • www.ucas.com/apply • 5 choices listed alphabetically • Restrictions – 4 medicine/dentistry/vet + 1 from other subject • Oxford/Cambridge – apply for one course at either Oxford or Cambridge (new this year) • Separate system for music - conservatoires http://www.cukas.ac.uk/ • Direct application -some dance/drama, part time/distance courses/overseas universities
The Application Process • UCAS Apply - register – password, user name and user ID • online application form – personal details, education, qualifications, choices, employment • Personal statement – clear, correct, enthusiastic, informed, persuasive, your own work • Reference – predictions, comments, support • Fee £23/£12 • Universities cannot see other choices • Track - Interviews/open days/ offers/ decisions/ reply/ hold 2 places - firm + insurance • Extra, Confirmation, Clearing, Adjustment
Time Scale and Deadlines • UCAS Applications – registration opens late June - can apply from 1 September • October 15 – Oxford, Cambridge and all medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses • January 15 – all UCAS courses except some art courses (24 March) • CUKAS(1 October) • Popular courses fill quickly > School Policy > internal deadline • Late applications • Offers normally through by March/April
Post application • When applicants have received decisions from ALL of their choices, if they have offers they will be asked to make replies (and given a date to reply by on Track) • If an applicant does not receive any offers they can make an additional choice through the Extra scheme • UCAS will send reminders – but if applicants fail to reply to offers by the date, offers will be automatically declined! • Applicants can now hold a maximum of2offers (others declined) • Firm(if you meet the conditions you will be placed) • Insurance(only comes into play if you are not placed with your Firm choice
Additional Entry Tests • UKCAT – medicine/dentistry - register online by 20 September, sat by 4 October – www.ukcat.ac.uk • BMAT – medicine/vet – register at school before 1 October – exam in school on 7 November – http://www.bmat.org.uk/ • LNAT – law at 8 universities including Durham – register online and sit before university closing dates www.lnat.ac.uk • Oxford and Cambridge - 20 subjects at Cambridge and 39 at Oxford require additional entry tests. See university websites for information
More admissions requirements for some subjects/universities • Interviews – individual and group • Audition – music and performing arts • Portfolio – art and design, architecture • Submission of written work
How Year 12 can help you get into university • Research • Extra reading and practice tests • Broaden your outlook • Get involved • Open Days / Convention • Taster courses – ISCO, Workshop, London, Headstart • Relevant work experience • Draft personal statement
What and Where? • Choose a course you will enjoy • In a place where you will be happy • You’ll be there for 3 years ( at least ) (hopefully) • Make the most of it …
What will it cost in 2013? • Tuition fees up to £9000pa – varies between universities and even courses – check direct and online • Student loans for fees and maintenance • Student maintenance grant • https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
Fee Loan • Loan for AMOUNT of fees charged • Paid by Student Loan Company DIRECT to university • Repayment via tax system from April AFTER graduation • 9% above salary of £21,000pa – what you earn not what you owe • Interest Tapered RPI + up to 3% £21K/£41K • Written off after 30 years (excluding arrears)
Maintenance loan • Paid to you – in instalments • Access to 65% of amount – remainder means tested • Living at home £4375 • Living away (not London) £5500 • Away in London approx £7675 • Repayments same as fee loan