Applying to University

Applying to university – student guide

APPLYING TO UNIVERSITY STUDENT GUIDE

FUTURE CAREERS

When you’re thinking about applying to university, it helps if you have some idea of the sort of career you would like after you have graduated. However, that is the best-case scenario and very few pupils actually have a firm idea about what areas they would eventually like to work in. Some do, of course, and some say they do, but frequently change their minds. Many students go to university to study a subject or combination of subjects that appeals to them, without any idea of future career prospects.

If you have no idea of possible careers you may like try the UCAS choosing courses, this will help you think about your interests and abilities in relation to subjects you might like to study at university.

Which Careers interest you?

Think about the jobs that appeal to you and start making notes, you also need to check what qualifications are needed. To help you talk to family and friends especially those who have gone to university, listen to their experiences. If you know someone who is doing a job that you may like, talk to them. Ask them what the job involves, duties, salary and where they studies, what degree.

St Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen Applying to university – student guide

Researching Careers

A good internet resource is the careers database on the Connexions Direct website. This groups careers into families, giving you a broad insight into the type of job available in each area.

What type of person are you?

Think about the type of person you are and the personal qualities you have – this will help you decide on what careers to aim for. Ask yourself the following questions:

Are you: . Artistic? . Creative? . Methodical? . A people’s person? . A problem solver? . An outdoor type? . Practical? . Self motivating? . Musical? . Patient? . Empathetic?

Do you: . Have the ability to communicate with different types of people? . Want to make a difference to other people’s lives? . Like working as part of a large team? . Enjoy working alone? . Take the initiative? . Inspire confidence? . Have good organisational skills? . Like working with children?

Involve your parents and family. Talk to them; tell them what careers you are considering.

Deciding which subjects to study

Its worth remembering that whatever you decide to study, it will be for the next three to four years, so it must be something you will enjoy and will allow you to reach your career goal. Although some students do manage to swap courses once they have started, this isn’t always the case, so you need to be as confident as you can be that the subject you choose is the one for you.

Here are some pointers for you to consider:

Vocational or non-vocations?

A vocational degree is one which leads to a career path – but not necessarily a job straightaway – once you have graduated. You need to have a very clear idea of the career you would like to follow if you choose a vocational degree. Alternatively you can follow the middle path and opt for a semi vocational course.

Examples of vocational degrees Dentistry, Nursing, Veterinary, Medical, Teaching.

Examples of non-vocational degrees Philosophy, Geography, History, English Literature.

Examples of semi-vocational degrees Business Management, IT, Economics, Engineering.

Should you opt for a subject you are already familiar with? If you love a subject and have always been good at it, it’s tempting to carry on with it at degree level. There is nothing wrong with this at all and thousands of students make this choice, but it could mean that you are missing out on the opportunity to study a completely new subject. This might be a subject that would be just as appealing, but is something you have never considered.

Competition for university courses

Some subjects are far more in demand than other and so the more popular the course, the more difficulty it may be to find a place, and the grades required may be much higher.

Some subjects become more or less popular in particular years. In N Ireland due to there only being two universities many good courses have high entry requirements compared to English universities.

Choosing your university

When you complete UCAS you have up to five choices. The institutions will be entered alphabetically, so you don’t have to say which is your first choice and they won’t know where else you have applied unless you are applying to study Art and Design through Route B.

Before you make your choices though, there are various points you should consider. Choosing where to live?

Studying and living at home

This is a very attractive option due to the financial savings of not having to pay for accommodation.

Points to consider Will you be able to study effectively? Will your parents expect you to be home by certain times? How independent will you be? How far do you have to travel?

Living away from home

Your will have two main choices, live on campus or in private rental housing. The idea of a campus close to the library, IT suites and the universities recreational facilities is paradise for some students, while others would prefer to be in the heart of the city centre and rubbing shoulders with other students.

Studying outside N Ireland

Many students travel form N. Ireland each year to study in universities in England, Wales and Scotland. For some this is a necessity as the course they want to study is not offered here. For others they want to study away from N Ireland and some are forced to go because the entry requirements in N Irelands two universities are too high. You need to ask yourself, would I like or not mind travelling to study, if the answer is yes you may want to consider choosing courses outside N Ireland.

Studying in the Rep of Ireland

You also have the option of studying in the republic. There are many universities there offering a wide range of courses. The main benefit is there are NO tuition fees, only a registration fee each year. This will save you thousands of pounds however the cost of living in Dublin is high especially the price of accommodation. To apply to southern universities you do so through CAO (Central Admissions Office), the deadline for this is in February, this can be done on-line or on paper, there is no personal statement on the application form.

Open Days You can find out the open days for universities by visiting their websites. You can visit the university at any time and take a walk around. It is also useful to talk to other people who are studying there or are past students, talk to them about their experiences of the university helping you to decide if you would like to spend 3/4 years of your life there.

While you are viewing a university you are usually offered the opportunity to see the type of student accommodation on offer. If they don’t mention this make sure you ask. Some halls are catered – they provide you with breakfast and dinner – and are therefore more expensive. Having your meals provided so that you don’t have to budget for food, may be appealing but if you are rarely awake in time for breakfast, or are involved in lots of evening activities this can be a waste of money.

Questions you might want to consider about student accommodation:

1. Do the halls offer free internet access? 2. What is the price? 3. Is the hall mixed or single sex? 4. Do rooms have en-suite facilities? 5. Do rooms have a hand basin? 6. What furniture comes with the room? 7. When are the rooms cleaned? 8. Is there a common room and common kitchen? 9. How many weeks are included?

You can also find out a huge amount of information about the university by visiting its website.

Types of Degree courses

You will graduate in one subject. In the 2nd and 3rd year of Single your course you can choose subject options. These vary slightly Honours according to the institution.

Joint This involves studying two subjects that may be related but can be Honours quite different.

Combined This involves two or three subjects, each of which is studied equally. Honours

Major/Minor You choose two subjects, one of which is studied over a longer period Courses than the other.

This involves alternating periods of study and work-related Sandwich experience, which usually means studying for four years.

Your UCAS Application

Entry into university courses is decided using the UCAS tariff system, and for successful entry you will be required to achieve a certain number of points or certain grades.

A* 56 points A 48 points B 40 points C 32 points D 24 points E 16 points

BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma

Module Results UCAS

POINTS Dis* 56 Dis 48 Merit 32 Pass 16

If you have an ‘AS’ grade, then it is half of ‘A’ Level. If you have other qualification for example in Music or Speech and Drama you may be able to get them credit for UCAS points.

To improve your chances of being offered a place at a university of your choice, you need to submit your application as soon as you can from September onwards and before 15 January. Your form must be completed to a high standard with no mistakes.

Making a good application

When you are completing your UCAS for its worth thinking about the people who will be reading it and making decisions about you. Most admission tutors are doing this work as well as their ‘normal’ busy teaching or research work, and they do not receive extra payment. Reading UCAS forms is time consuming – they are read in batches.

Decisions are made as and when forms are read, therefore you need to present yourself in the best possible light – spelling and grammatical errors could cost you a place. Your past examination results and personal statement are the main indicators that institutions will base their decision upon.

Before sending your application off, you should check again that you fulfil all the requirements and specifications. For example, if you do not have the correct number of GCSE passes at grade C or above, you will be rejected. Make sure you double check the entry requirements for each of the universities you are applying to.

Choosing five courses

You need to consider the grades asked for and the likelihood that you will achieve them.

Predicted grades – these are the grades your teachers think you will achieve.

Reflect on ‘AS’ grades, normally students do not achieve higher at ‘A’ Level.

Remember the university can change the entry requirements later.

Some universities also require you to take an admission test or interview. For teaching, nursing and social work you will be asked to attend an interview which you must pass. For Occupational Therapy and other health care courses you will have to sit the HPAT test.

UCAS references Your reference will be written by the Head of Careers, Mrs Begley. It will include a brief character reference, including details of how reliable and punctual you are, plus a short statement about your personality and suitability for your chosen courses.

Applying to study courses in Art and Design If you want to go on to study art and design you can apply in the same way as other courses (Route A) or you can follow Route B, which runs to a separate timetable and you follow a different application process.

Route A – Art and Design For Route A courses, you can list up to five choices in alphabetic order. Your application will be sent to each of your choices at the same time and should be received by UCAS before January 15. however, UCAS recommends you apply by mid-November to allow the university and colleges more time to ask to consider your portfolio.

Route B – Art and Design If you apply via Route B, you can choose up to three places and give you order of preference. Your application will then be sent to your first choice. You can apply between September and 24 March but you should really apply by 6 March to avoid the last minute rush of applicants.

Replying to an offer via Route B If you have only applied through Route B and you are invited for an interview and them offered a place, you must decide whether or not to accept it, if you decline, your application will be sent on to the next choice.

If you are unsuccessful with your first choice, your application will be automatically sent onto the next institution. Decisions must be made within 14 days and the reply by date will appear on TRACK. This allows you to follow the progress of your application online, reply to any offers received and make certain amendments, for example, change of address or email.

Route A with Route B applications If you have applied to both Route A and Route B course, you can choose to ‘keep’ a Route B offer, which means it will be held until all Route A decisions have been received by UCAS. Then you can reply to the offers you have received on Track.

Writing your Personal Statement The personal statement on your UCAS application is a very important section of the form. Must time and thought needs to be spent to ensure it is to a high standard. Your personal statement is your chance to

present yourself to the admission tutors as a rounded character. For most university courses you will not be invited to an interview so this is your only chance to ‘speak directly’ to the admissions department. Therefore make sure you make the best use of this space – it may gain or lose you a place.

Your personality should ‘shine through’ a personal statement, so ensure it mentions your passions, enthusiasms, interests, career aspirations and hobbies. You can also mention current affairs particularly if they are relevant to your degree choice.

You must be clear, concise, precise, structures and relevant, be positive/sell yourself. Avoid waffle and inappropriate language, do not repeat yourself, make your statement flow with no mistakes.

Structure of personal statement

1. Why you want your choice of courses a. Reasons for choosing your courses b. Background to your interest in the subject c. Show you understand what you are applying for d. Evidence that you have research your choices e. Any relevant work experience – this must be related to your choice of courses 2. Write about your school experience a. Refer to your ‘A’ Level subjects b. Aspects of your subjects you particularly enjoyed c. Any relevant work experience within your studies 3. Write about your skills and personal capabilities 4. Write about your interests and hobbies 5. Write about sporting involvement 6. Concluding statement

St Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen