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Choosing a Course & University

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What we will cover today: •Choosing your course•Choosing your university•Tools for research•UCAS tariff•Gap years•Hints and tips•Further sources of information

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Choosing your course• What interests you?• What subjects are you currently studying?• Jobs and careers you are interested in?• Do you want to study something completely

different?• What degree courses are available to you?• What can you commit to for a minimum of 3

years?• Gap year?

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Choosing your course: tools •UCAS course search•University websites and online prospectuses•Paper prospectuses•University guides both print and online•League tables?

Play your course right

How many courses are there relatedto…?

• •

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• English: • Biology:• Veterinary Medicine: 8 universities• History:• Dutch:• Sports Studies:

830650

• Footwear Design:

13887

2251

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Choosing your university•Course•Graduate destinations/ employability •Study abroad/industry placement options•Location and size

– city/campus university •Facilities including accommodation•Student life and support•The city/ surrounding area - part-time employment

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Choosing your university: tools •Prospectuses and university websites•UCAS higher education fairs (March-July)•Open days/taster days•Alternative prospectuses•Course/university leaflets and newsletters•Careers advisers/teachers

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Post-it is…or Post-it isn’t

Aberystwyth University

De Montfort

University

Bath Spa

University

University of Bristol

Newcastle

University

University of

Birmingham

University of Portsmouth

Coventry

University

Swansea

Metropolitan

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Things you should know about:

UCAS tariff• UCAS points score system for entry into HE

• Gives numerical values to qualifications

• Allows universities to compare applicants with different types of qualifications and achievements

• Some universities use the tariff system to make offers but not all

• HEI’s may ask for specific tariffs for entry to different courses, i.e. 300 points/160 points

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Things you should know about: UCAS tariff•There may be certain requirements, e.g. minimum of 2 A2 level subjects to be included as part of the score•GCSE requirements•A high tariff point/entry requirements often reflects the level of competition for that course•Be aware of different entry requirements for different universities!

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Things you should know about: Gap Years•Find out the university’s policy on gap years and deferred entry applications•If deferring your entry, ensure you include your plans for your gap year in your personal statement•Plan ahead

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Some hints and tipsDO:• be realistic• recognise the variation• do your research, go and visit• start the process early• consider any additional reading,

experience or admissions tests that may be required

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Some hints and tipsDON’T:

• panic!

• let competition scare you off

• just rely on your grades

• waste any of your choices

• be a sheep!

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Sources of information

•www.ucas.com•www.unistats.ac.uk•www.nhscareers.nhs.uk •www.qaa.ac.uk•www.opendays.com

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Questions?

Insert name, Insert job titleWant to know what it’s like to be a student? Find out at http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/studentlife

Not sure which university is for you? www.which.co.uk/university

UoNapplicants

The University of Nottingham

UoNapplicants

www.youtube.com/user/NottmUniversity