Brighouse Sixth Form College Helping students through the UCAS 2015 application cycle

Why choose Higher Education

Higher Education Week

Student Support in College

The applicant journey

Key dates and deadlines

Student Finance

How can parents help?

Why Higher Education? Increase your earning potential

Better career prospects It is beneficial for the wider community

Social and cultural reasons It can be immense fun!- Nightlife! Independence, self confidence and

responsibility Broaden or deepen your

interests/knowledge Help you develop your future and the

future of your children Transferable skills Personal challenge Continue learning

Higher Education Week 2014•Trip to UCAS conference at Hull university

•Registered online for UCAS 2015- started application

•How to choose a university & course?

•Understanding the process- now until results day August 2015

•The importance of research

•Support with personal statement

•Lots of resources

Key features of the UCAS scheme Only 1 x application each year/cycle Maximum of 5 choices for most applicants:

Medicine, Veterinary Science, Dentistry – max 4

Oxford or Cambridge Online application and management at

ucas.com Apply and Track

2015 fee - £23 Once the form is in you can’t make many

changes Simultaneous consideration & ‘Invisibility’ There are opportunities for other choices:

Extra, Adjustment & Clearing

The process 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 in early May 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 of 2 offers (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)

1 2 3 4 5 6

Choosing courses Applying Starting

Uni / CollegeNext stepsOffers Results

Universities selection tools Entry Profiles Personal statement Qualifications References Work experience Admissions tests Interviews Portfolios & Auditions

Online research UCAS.com Institutions’ sites Subject specific sites Unistats National press Journals Social media websites Government sites e.g.

GOV.uk, Student Finance England

www.ucas.com

www.university.which.co.uk

www.university.which.co.uk

www.ucas.com/students/

choosingcourses/choosinguni/opendays

orwww.opendays.com

Student Support in college

Work in Year 12 & 13 tutorials Higher Education Week University Open Days-plan sensibly Tutorial session once a week UCAS drop-in sessions every lunchtime

form September to January Thursday 23rd October another full day

of UCAS support Work Experience support for placements

See Heidi Haigh or Leanne Pryor in remaining 3 weeks if not already done

so

The next stage…. AS Results day-Thursday 14 August 2014 UCAS predicted grades-impact upon

course choices/tariff Send application-5 choices/aspirational &

realistic Receive offers (UCAS Extra if needed) Keep up to date with ‘track’ Make a Firm & Insurance choice May

2015 A2 Results day-Thursday 13 August 2015 Clearing if needed

Expectations of students Attend all tutorials Take advice from experienced

tutors/subject staff-use support systems

Be proactive & organised Draft a personal statement before end

of term Course search in detail/course content Attend Open Days Aim to send well before UCAS deadline

How can

parents

help?

How can you support the application process? Use the Parents section of the UCAS website where

you can sign up to the quarterly Parents’ Newsletter Download Parents’ Guides on UCAS site and Which

University Offer to attend open days – you may have a

different perspective & see different things! Support your son/daughter’s management of their

application-help them keep a UCAS filing system Make sure they read everything they are sent

carefully! Apply for student finance by deadline May 31st 2015

How can you support the application process?

Don’t book holidays at key times such as A2

results day

Prepare them for living away from home: Cost of living/budgeting – paying bills Independent living skills – cooking &

washing

Be there: Comforting, proof reading,

encouraging, testing, practising…………