The University of East Anglia

UCASInformationEvening The University of East Anglia Kevin Loughton Assistant Director of Studies

UCAS Information Evening • Welcome • Presentation: The UCAS Application Process • (45 minutes) • Question-and-Answer Session (15 minutes) • www.haileybury.com/academics/life-after-haileybury • E-mail: k.loughton@haileybury.com The University of East Anglia

U.K. Universities - Overview • Competition for places at U.K. universities is intense • UCAS applications have increased by almost 10% in the last three years alone • This increase has not just been for places at Russell Group universities (top 20+ U.K. universities) • Applications for less prestigious universities have also increased dramatically • In each of the last two years 30%ofapplicants for U.K. universities did not attain a place The University of East Anglia

Competition for Places UCAS APPLICATIONS 2009-2011 200920102011 Applicants 633,592697,351 700,161 Accepted 477,277487,329 492,030 Unplaced 156,315 210,022 208,131 % Accepted 75.3% 69.9% 70.3% Source: Mary Curnock-Cook, Chief Executive, UCAS The University of East Anglia

Competition for Places Applications/Places Ratios Nottingham UniversityRatio Economics 10:1 History 20:1 English 22:1 Psychology 9:1 Medicine 12:1 Law 9:1 Source: Brian Heap, ‘Degree Course Offers 2012’ The University of East Anglia

Haileybury Applications • Haileybury has an excellent record of pupils attaining places at their chosen U.K. universities • On average over the past three years... • 76% of our pupils have attained places at their ‘firm’ choice of university • 94% of our pupils have attained places at their ‘firm’ or ‘insurance’ choices of university • This year 8 pupils have gained Oxbridge offers (8 offers/23 applicants = 35% success rate) The University of East Anglia

Oxbridge Applications • Applications-Offers %-ages • School%-age • Charterhouse 25% • Haileybury 35% • Harrow 27% • Oundle 26% • Radley 33% • Rugby 23% • Uppingham 28% • Wellington 29% • Source: Rugby Group Oxbridge Statistics 2011-12 The University of East Anglia

Universities and Careers DepartmentHead of UniversitiesMr Loughtonand CareersUniversity AdvisorsMr Irving (Natural Sciences) Mr Hunter (Humanities) Mr Loughton (Human Sciences)Oxbridge AdvisorsMr Blair (Oxbridge Advisor) Mrs Bradley (Cambridge-Maths/Science) Mr Pitchford (Cambridge-Humanities) Dr Johnson (Oxford)U.S. and Canadian University AdvisorMr LoughtonM.D.V. AdvisorsMr Taylor, Mr Williams, Mr Woodburn(Medics/Dentists/Vets)Careers AdvisorMr Turnbull

Haileybury UCAS Timeline May 6th– L6th UCAS Information Evening July 2nd – L6th UCAS Research Day Summer Term/– Complete initial research and Holidaysdraft personal statement August 29th – Start of Autumn Term Ready to complete UCAS online application October 15th– UCAS Deadline Oxbridge, Medics, Dentists, Vets applications October 19th– School Deadline ALL UCAS applications The University of East Anglia

Initial Research • You should focus on four key questions... • Which subject or course will you study? • Which universities will you apply to? • Will you take a gap year? • How will you finance your university studies? • EFFECTIVE RESEARCH IS ESSENTIAL The University of East Anglia

Initial Research (1) • What subject or course? • Will you study a school subject/subjects at university? • Which subject/subjects have you most enjoyed studying at school? • In which subject/subjects have you attained your best academic results? • Will you study a non-school subject/subjects? • Do you have the commitment to study your chosen subject/subjects for at least three years? The University of East Anglia

Initial Research (2) • Which universities? • Which universities offer your course? • Where are these universities? • What is the university/course reputation? • What is the course content/structure? • How is the course taught and assessed? • Are there opportunities for a year abroad or in industry? • Will you meet the entry requirements? The University of East Anglia

Initial Research (3) • Taking a Gap Year? • Do you intend to take a gap year? If so, why? • What will you do during a gap year? • Does your university course require any specific work experience? • What relevant experience and/or skills will you develop during a gap year? • How will you fund a gap year? • Haileybury Youth Trust – Mr Matcham The University of East Anglia

Initial Research (4) • Financing your university studies? • As of 2012 entry, U.K. university tuition fees have increased significantly – from c.£3,000 per year to a maximum of £9,000 per year • What are the costs likely to be at your chosen universities (tuition fees, living costs, travel etc.)? • How will you finance all this? • What funding is available? • (Student Finance England/University/UCAS websites) The University of East Anglia

Initial Research • Internal Resources • The Universities & Careers Team • The School Library (Mrs Harvey/Universities Section) • HoD’s; Subject Teachers (Subject Specific) • HM’s; Tutors; U6th pupils (General/Subject Specific) • Shared Documents at: J:\Pupils\Universities • ISCO/Futurewise Morrisby Report The University of East Anglia

Initial Research • External Resources • UCAS Website (Pupils and Parents) • Heap: ‘Choosing your Degree Course and University’ • ‘Degree Course Offers’ • M.P.W.: ‘Getting Into’ Series (Medicine/Law/Dentistry/Veterinary) • Good University Guides (The Times, Guardian etc.) • University Open Days (2-3 each academic term) The University of East Anglia

The UCAS Website www.ucas.com • Course Search – Course Finder (Pilot) • 50,000+ U.K. university courses listed • Advice for Pupils – All aspects of UCAS application process • Twitter, Facebook, You-Tube, Blogs etc. • Advice for Parents – All aspects of UCAS application process • ‘Apply’ Online Facility • ‘Track’ Facility The University of East Anglia

UCAS ‘Course Search’ • To search for a university course online via UCAS... • Go to the UCAS Home Page at: • www.ucas.com • Click onto ‘Course Search’ • Then follow the links to individual courses • COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS • You must check these VERY carefully The University of East Anglia

A-Level and A*s • A new A* grade was introduced for A-level qualifications in 2010 • To gain an A* grade you must attain an average of 90%+ in all modules of your A2 exams • An increasing number of universities now include A* grades in their entry requirements – especially in relevant subjects • Particularly high-demand courses at Russell Group universities (more than one A* may be required). • No changes to I.B. points entry requirements The University of East Anglia

A-Level Entry Requirements Bath - Economics Typical Offer (subjects and grades): GCE AS level: AAA GCE A-level: A*AA Subjects and Grades required: Mathematics at Grade A and Economics at Grade A Excluded Subjects: General Studies and Critical Thinking The University of East Anglia

I.B. Entry Requirements Bath - Economics Typical Offer (subjects and grades): 38 points with grades of 7, 6 and 6 in a combination of 3 subjects at Higher Level Mathematics and Economics at Higher Level are essential. Due to the applied nature of the course preference will be given to students offering Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Modern Languages as third subjects at Higher Level The University of East Anglia

UCAS Online Applications • You apply online at: • www.ucas.com/apply • You register with UCAS before beginning your online application (L6th UCAS Research Day) • Each school has a ‘buzzword’ – you need this to register as a Haileybury applicant (Mr Athey) • You must make a note of your password, user name and personal identification number • E-mail addresses – sensible ones only! The University of East Anglia

UCAS Online Applications • Personal Details • Course Choices • Educational Qualifications • Education (3 most recent schools/colleges) • Employment (relevant to your course) • Personal Statement • Academic Reference (completed by your HM) The University of East Anglia

Course Choices • You have five university choices • Make sure there is a good spread of entry requirements in your chosen universities • Be realistic about what grades you are likely to attain in your A-level or I.B. exams • Use your teachers’ predicted grades to guide you (Progress, End of Term, UCAS reports) • Choose one university that is slightly higher, two that are in line with and two that are below your predicted grades • Seek advice before you make your choices The University of East Anglia

Course Choices • A-Level Example • Application for Ancient History • Pupil’s predicted A-level grades = ABB • Pupil’s university choices were: • Exeter AAA • Nottingham ABB • Birmingham ABB • Manchester BBB • Cardiff BBB The University of East Anglia

Course Choices • I.B. Example • Application for Molecular Biology • Pupil’s predicted I.B. points = 36 points • (6/6/5 H.L.) • Pupil’s university choices were: • Imperial 38 points (6/6/6 at H.L.) • U.C.L. 36 points (6/6/5 at H.L.) • Bath 34 points (6/6/5 at H.L.) • K.C.L. 34 points (5/5/5 at H.L.) • Sussex 32 points The University of East Anglia

Course Choices • Admissions Tests • UKCAT (Medicine/Dentistry– Most universities) • BMAT(Medicine/Veterinary – Some universities) • LNAT(Law - Some universities) • TSA(Various Courses – Some universities) • STEP (Maths/Engineering – Some universities) • Oxford University (Tests for most Courses) • All Admissions Tests are ‘flagged up’ in the Course Choices section of the online application • If you need to sit an Admissions Test – speak to HoD’s/Subject Teachers/University Advisor The University of East Anglia

The Personal Statement • An important part of UCAS applications – often pupils find this difficult to complete well • One ‘tool’ university Admissions Tutors use in their selection process • Helps you to distinguish yourself from other applicants who have similar predicted grades • Your chance to impress Admissions Tutors – convince them you are right for the course • You must have a polished ‘working draft’ completed by the start of your U6th year • GET A FIRST DRAFT DONE EARLY The University of East Anglia

The Academic Reference • Written by your HM it includes… • Comments from your subject teachers – detailed in relevant subjects • Your predicted A-Level or I.B. grades • Your involvement in school co-curricular activities • Your suitability for higher education and, more specifically, your chosen course • It will be positive, supportive...and true! The University of East Anglia

UCAS ‘Track’ • Completed online applications are sent to UCAS by your HM • UCAS then send your application to your chosen universities • UCAS register you on their ‘Track’ facility • You can monitor the progress of your application online – offers and/or rejections from your chosen universities • You make your ‘firm’ and ‘insurance’ choices on ‘Track’ The University of East Anglia

What Happens Next? • Universities will either… • Make you an offer • Invite you to interview • Reject your application The University of East Anglia • You must wait until you have heard from ALLof your chosen universities • You then accept one offer as your ‘firm’ choice and one as your ‘insurance’ choice • Wait for your I.B. or A-level results

UCAS ‘Extra’ • You become eligible for UCAS ‘Extra’ if... • You receive no offers from any of your five universities • You decline all offers which you do receive from your five universities • UCAS will advise on eligibility – via UCAS ‘Track’ – from mid-March to the end of June • You then apply to one university at a time until you receive an offer – your ‘firm’ offer • If you receive no offers in ‘Extra’ you become eligible for UCAS ‘Clearing’ The University of East Anglia

Accepting Offers • A-Level Example • Application for Ancient History • Pupil’s predicted A-level grades = ABB • University offers received were: • Exeter AAA • Nottingham ABB‘FIRM’ • Birmingham ABB • Manchester BBB • Cardiff BBB‘INSURANCE’ The University of East Anglia

Accepting Offers • I.B. Example • Application for Molecular Biology this year • Pupil’s predicted I.B. points = 36 points • (6/6/5 HL) • University offers received were: • Imperial38 (6/6/6 at H.L.)‘FIRM’ • U.C.L. 36 (6/6/5 at H.L.) • Bath 34 (6/6/5 at H.L.) • K.C.L.34 (5/5/5 at H.L.)‘INSURE’ • Sussex 32 The University of East Anglia

A-Level Results Day • Universities will then... • Confirm you have met your ‘firm’ or ‘insurance’ offer and have gained a university place • May offer you a place on an alternative course if ‘firm’ and/or ‘insurance’ offers have not been met • Inform you that ‘firm’ and ‘insurance’ offers have not been met and your application has been unsuccessful • You can monitor the status of your application via UCAS ‘Track’ • University advice is available from HM’s and Mr Loughton on A-level results day The University of East Anglia

UCAS ‘Clearing’ • For applicants who have not met the entry requirements of their ‘firm’ or ‘insurance’ universities… • Starts when A-Level results are published in mid-August • If eligible, you will be informed that you can enter ‘Clearing’ via UCAS ‘Track’ • You then telephone Admissions Tutors at universities to seek a university place • Increasingly difficult to find a place through ‘Clearing’ – over 200,000 applicants failed to do so in each of the last two years! The University of East Anglia

UCAS ‘Adjustment’ • If you have exceeded the entry requirements of your ‘firm’ university offer… • You will be informed of your eligibility for ‘Adjustment’ via UCAS ‘Track’ • You then contact university Admissions Tutors to ask if they will offer you a place (one at a time) • You have a five-day ‘window’ to gain a place at a higher-ranking university than your ‘firm’ offer • Your ‘firm’ offer is retained during the ‘Adjustment’ period The University of East Anglia

Questions? The University of East Anglia Kevin Loughton Assistant Director of Studies k.loughton@haileybury.com

The University of East Anglia