Summary Use the UCAS website to search for courses Visit
opendays.com for a list of visiting opportunities Do something you
enjoy but think ahead Dont do something or go somewhere unless your
100% sure Be true to yourself!
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CHOOSING THE RIGHT COURSE AND UNIVERSITY
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Todays talk Entering the workplace Benefits of going to
university Choosing the right course Choosing the right university
An introduction to the UCAS website
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Entering the workplace Many professions have become graduates
only and require a degree A more competitive job market A graduate
is likely to earn 100,000 more over their working life (compared to
someone who leaves with 2 or more A levels).
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Benefits of university Study Increase your knowledge Time
management Employability Earn more Enjoy your job Transferrable
skills Self development Make new friends
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So where do you start?
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Types of courses Foundation degree Fast track honours degree
Honours degree BA, BSc, BEd, BEng, BMBS 3 years or 4 years sandwich
degree Some are 5+ years Can progress onto Masters degree or
PhD
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A variety of courses to suit every interest Theatre and
Performance Robotics Media Arts Architecture Wildlife Conservation
Nursing Mechanical Engineering Illustration Environmental science
Marketing
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Choosing the right course Over 39,000 courses at over 300
institutions in the UK Specialise in one or several of your A level
subjects Try something new Pursue a passion
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Career vs. Passion Vocational courses Nursing, Architecture,
Teaching Learn specialist skills Placement focussed Lead into
specific careers Non vocational courses Humanities, Business No
specific career path Transferrable skills for employment
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Things to consider Do I know enough about the course? Will I
enjoy studying the course? What are the teaching and assessment
methods? What job can I get at the end of it? Can I meet the entry
requirements? Can I study a minor? How many places are
available?
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Choosing the right university What are the three most important
things to consider when choosing a university?
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Top answers Location It has the right course for me A nice
campus Good facilities Good reputation It has a wide range of clubs
and societies Its close to home/its far from home! Great atmosphere
Nice accommodation
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Research you can do UCAS website University websites UCAS
convention UK course finder (www.ukcoursefinder.com) Prospectus
Open days Word of mouth Careers library League tables Student
satisfaction survey Online blogs/networking sites
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Using the UCAS website
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Searching for courses
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Top tips for getting it right! Start thinking now about what
you want to do in the future Look online for entry requirements for
jobs that interest you Do research about the degree/industry you
are interested in Pursue your interests not others!
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UCAS AND PERSONAL STATEMENTS
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Todays talk o Information on the UCAS process o Using the UCAS
website o Tips for writing your personal statement
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What is UCAS? o Universities and Colleges Admission Service o
UCAS is the go between between the institution and the applicant o
UCAS records all decisions made about you o Online service so can
be accessed from any computer
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What are the UCAS deadlines? 15 th OctoberOxford/Cambridge
Medicine Dentistry Veterinary Science 15 th JanuaryAll other
applications October - DecemberInternal school/college
deadline
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How can I prepare to apply? Year 12Year 13 Start thinking about
courses and universities Choose up to 5 courses Attend open
daysFinish writing personal statement Start planning personal
statementDont leave things until the last minute! Get a summer job
/ voluntary experience Attend preview days
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What happens to my application? If applying to Plymouth you
will receive an automated email response - this will detail what
happens next. Check email account regularly to check for important
communication.
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Your application form
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Course choices
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The personal statement
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Where should I start? o Firstly, everyone is different! o Think
honestly about yourself what makes you special, interesting or
unique? o Map out your ideas then build up paragraphs o Writing
about yourself is not something you do often o Expect to write
several drafts
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What should I put in it? 75% covering academic interests,
motivation and strengths 25% covering the skills developed that are
not directly relevant to the course Personal Statement Reasons for
academic subject choice Qualifications Career goals Work experience
Personal achievement life skills, strengths Taking a year out?
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How should I structure it? o Think of ABC when writing: o
Activity Benefit Course o Activity: being a peer mentor o Benefit:
Teamwork, communication skills, leadership, commitment, time
management o Course: Group assignments, putting across your ideas,
good time keeping for lectures and fieldtrips, work/life balance,
responsibility
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What do I have to offer? ACTIVITYEXAMPLES OF SKILLS/QUALITIES
DEVELOPED Work ExperienceResponsibility, punctuality, team work,
enthusiasm, ideas person, communication D of E, Mentor, Prefect,
Ten Tors Communication, confidence, leadership, reliability,
motivation, problem solving, decision making Relevant recent study
Subject knowledge, passion for subject, enthusiasm, willingness to
learn Hobbies and volunteering Commitment, motivation, sense of
achievement, time management, social skills Travel and
holidaysResearch, planning, budgeting, organisation, patience,
independence
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What are universities looking for? A well structured and
thought out personal statement Why you are suitable for the subject
area and what sort of person you are Evidence for the things that
you say about yourself, always related back to your course choice
Examples that show you have motivation and commitment to complete
your course
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Top 10 opening sentences through UCAS 2010 1.I am currently
studying a BTEC National Diploma in.. 2.From a young age I have
always been interested in.. 3.From an early age I have always been
interested in.. 4.Nursing is a very challenging and demanding
career.. 5.For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated
with... 6.Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only...
7.Nursing is a profession I have always looked upon with... 8.For
as long as I can remember I have been interested in... 9.I am an
International Academy student and have been studying since..
10.Academically, I have always been a very determined and...
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Opening sentence I first became interested in Physiotherapy
when I was sat in the waiting room of the West Cornwall A&E
after my sister was recovering from a broken pelvis Seeing a Reef
Shark off the coast of Australia first sparked my passion for
anything from the marine world. Instead of swimming away I swam
closer, I was fascinated Lights, camera, action! just saying the
words sends me into a whirl of excitement about all the
possibilities that await me after studying Film
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Final tips Admissions tutors are very busy people Be factual,
concise and relevant Get it proof read Be interesting and
passionate Sell yourself on paper, many wont get a course interview
The best applicant is an early applicant
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Finishing your application Reference Check all details Cannot
continue to the pay/send section until you have completed all other
sections 22 for 2 to 5 choices 11 for 1 choice Keep a hard copy
Apply for your financial support
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UCAS track You will need your Personal ID and the same username
and password you used in Apply Enables you to follow the progress
of your application 24/7 It is the quickest way to find out about
new offers You can reply to offers online
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Decisions Applicants can then keep a maximum of two offers:
Firm choice Insurance choice Any remaining offers must be declined
Admissions tutors can make one of three decisions: Conditional
offer Unconditional offer Unsuccessful
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UCAS extra If you have used all 5 choices and arent holding any
offers you can apply for a course (if there are vacancies) through
UCAS Extra This will appear on UCAS Track Apply from end of
February until the end of June The course search will tell you
which courses have vacancies Contact the university/college first
to see if they will consider your application Once a course is
chosen, enter details into Track and UCAS will send your
application direct to the institution.
www.ucas.com/students/offers/extra
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Results day! Check UCAS track to confirm your place You can
call your university to confirm your place Clearing: opens on A
level results day in August Re-sits
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Further information www.ucas.com www.ucas.tv
www.plymouth.ac.uk/applicantjourney