An Introduction to Higher Education

AN INTRODUCTION TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Choosing university courses and places

Andrea Bell UK Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer THINGS TO CONSIDER

• Choosing a course • Choosing a University • Russell Group universities • Employability/links with industry • League tables • Student experience

2 CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY

700,000 plus applicants, chasing… 450,000 places, on over… 70,000 different degree courses at… 350 higher education institutions.

3 WHAT WILL UNIVERSITY MEAN TO YOU?

opportunity for new experiences

A great unlimited graduate academic job/career possibilities

the most exciting time independence of your life…? and freedom

an good nights investment out for the future 4 THINGS TO CONSIDER… Career? Course

5 5 6 6 THINGS TO CONSIDER… Career? Course What really interests you?

7 7 98 TEST DRIVE YOUR SUBJECTS

• What have you done to develop your interest in your subject area of choice? • MOOCs • Journals • Set texts • EPQ • Social media

9 WHAT CAN I DO WITH A DEGREE IN…

Art: television, arts admin, web page design, tourism Biochemistry: forensic science, management, IT, sales Biology: environmental consultancy, finance, marketing Geography: journalism, banking, accountancy, law, sales History: law, finance, IT, management, computing Law: accountancy, banking, the media, industry, sales Languages: law, tourism, civil service, diplomatic service Media Studies: personnel, marketing, public relations Philosophy: law, finance, local government 10 TARGETED BY TOP EMPLOYERS

“…last year, almost half our graduate recruits had degrees in arts and humanities, science, law or social sciences.

Surprised ? Don’t be. We see your degree as just the start…”

The second largest professional services firm in the world, and is one of the Big Four auditors, along with Deloitte, EY and KPMG 11 TYPES OF COURSES AVAILABLE • Single honours • Joint honours • Major/minor combinations Study – Years 1 & 2 • Sandwich courses

• Bachelor’s degree BABA History HistoryPlacementBA andHistory with Politics PoliticsYear • Masters degree

Study – Year 4

12 12 13 13 You can search by course, location, institution

You can refine a course search using the filters

14 14 THINGS TO CONSIDER… Career? Course What really interests you? What do you need to get on the course?

15 15 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• What are they?

• Are they achievable?

• Are there any specific requirements?

16 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Are there any additional requirements such as work experience – particularly for vocational or health- related courses such as Nursing or Medicine, or 17 admissions tests? WILL YOU BE QUALIFIED?

Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4

Personal Your Personal details qualifications Statement Reference

Chosen Grades courses obtained

Predicted grades

18 THINGS TO CONSIDER… Career? Course What really interests you? What do you need to get on the course?

Reputation of course and institution Reputation Russell Group institution?

19 19 20 21 MAKING AN EDUCATED CHOICE

• Doing the research and find the right university… …offering you the right course • The good news is the UK is one of the best places to study in the world!

22 THE GLOBALISATION OF HE – QS World Rankings 2018 Finland - 1 Sweden - 2 Denmark - 1 Ireland - 1 China - 6 Canada - 4 UK - 16 France - 2 Netherlands - 2 Switzerland - 4 South Korea - 4 Germany - 3 USA - 31 Belgium - 1 Japan - 5 Taiwan - 1 Hong Kong - 4 Singapore - 2

Australia - 7

New Zealand - 1

23 23 GLOBAL GRADUATES Bristol Durham Cambridge Birmingham Edinburgh

Kings Imperial

LSE Manchester

Nottingham Glasgow RG universities in World Top 100 Oxford QS World University Ranking 2017-18

UCL Warwick

Sheffield 1124 RESEARCH INTENSIVE UNIVERSITIES

national international reputation reputation

campus based Research highly Universities competitive

city based high grades

25 THE RUSSELL GROUP

26 NOT ALL UNIVERSITIES ARE THE SAME

• The Russell Group represents 24 leading UK universities • Committed to maintaining the very best research, and offering outstanding teaching and learning experiences • Strong links with business and the public sector

• “So should I just apply to Russell Group Universities?”

27 TARGETED BY TOP EMPLOYERS

28 THINGS TO CONSIDER… Career? Course What really interests you? What do you need to get on the course?

Reputation of course and institution

Reputation Russell Group institution?

Employability & Student Satisfaction

Academic facilities Student Extra-curricular offer Experience Support, social life, location

29 29 WHAT SIZE OF UNIVERSITY?

• Campus based – (10 –to 15,000 students) York, Durham, Oxford, Warwick, St Andrew’s...

• City/Campus-based – (20 –to 40,000 students) : Manchester, Southampton, Bristol, Newcastle, Leeds, Nottingham, Edinburgh...

30 IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE COURSE

Facilities: Accommodation, library, computer labs, teaching rooms - 24 hour access?

Social life: Cafes, restaurants, bars, night-clubs, sports, societies, shops, friends for life...

Other attractions: Opportunity to study abroad? Work-placements? Sandwich year? Contact hours? Class sizes? Local area, transport links, distance from home

31 Over 300 societies

Over 80 sports clubs

31 Performing Arts groups 32 DABKE FISH ON BUDDHIST LACROSSE AERIAL COMEDY BELLY SOCIETY TOAST MEDITATION SPORTS SOCIETY ROBOGALS DANCING SOCIETY SOCIETY YOGA MENTAL TRAVELLING ENACTUS SOCIETY HEALTH AIKIDO BULGARIAN SOCIETY ROWING SOCIETY MAGIC POTTERY CAKE MARINE ROLLLBALL ART SOCIETY SOCIETY DECORATINGCONSERVATION CLUB SOCIETY JAZZMANIX SOCIETY SOCIETY HISTORY CYBER CHAMBER SOCIETY SECRUITY OPERA BRASS JIU-JITSU CHEERLEADING QUIDDITCH CAMEROON QUIZ SOCIETY BAND LANGUAGEPOLO CLUB CATALYST SOCIETY DODGEBALL SOCIETY LABOUR SHOWSTOPPERS BALLET ZUMBA + BRASS CLUB SOCIETY HYDRO WAKEBOARDING BAND CIRCUS MASONIC TEAM MEDSOC SOCIETY SOCIETY ACROYOGA IRISH LUXURY CHESS DANCINGSTEAMPUNKLIFESTYLE JAZZMANIXCLUB AMNESTY CONTEMPORARY SAILING SOCIETYSOCIETY INTERNATIONAL WIRELESS DANCE SOCIETY WESSEX MIXED SOCIETY POLITICS REAL ALE SAILING MARTIAL COCKTAIL BHANGRA KORFBALL SOCIETY AND CIDER CLUB ARTS FEMINIST SOCIETY ROCK PAINTBALLAND SOCIETY SOCIETY FIRST AID UNION SAVING METAL MUSICSOCIETY TCHOUKBALL STRING HACKASOTON SOCIETY FILMSORCHESTER FACES SOCIETY 33 START RESEARCHING

34 34 35 35 Southampton Rank Trend

Southampton rank over time

Guide Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

14 16 18 19 22 22 23 25 24

28 Rank Position Rank

• Source: Institutional Research, Guardian 2019 UCAS WEBSITE

37 HOW DO YOU APPLY ?

• Get a signed up with UCAS Apply in school/college

Universities & Colleges Admissions Service

• Apply to up to FIVE Universities (4 for some courses)

• UCAS deadline is January 15th 2019 (Oct 18 for Oxbridge)

• Universities offer places, conditional/unconditional

• UCAS Extra

• Deferred Entry – GAP Years 38 STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD

Advising students on excellent Personal Statements

Andrea Bell Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer June 2018 PLAY YOUR UNIVERSITY CARDS RIGHT!

• Let’s look at applications for some Russell Group Universities for the 2016/17 entry year

40 PLAY YOUR UNIVERSITY CARDS RIGHT Applications 2016 Acceptances 2016 Oxford 19,750 3,295 Cambridge 16,795 3,440 LSE 17,660 1,625 Southampton 42,405 5,360 York 25,955 4,525 Edinburgh 61,650 6,250 King’s College 44,060 6,010 Warwick 36,760 5,070 Durham 29,485 4,475 Liverpool 41,245 5,955

41 41 WHAT ADMISSIONS TUTORS LOOK FOR

Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4

Personal Your Personal details qualifications Statement Reference

Chosen Grades courses obtained

Predicted grades

42 PERSONAL STATEMENTS

Only chance to ‘talk’ directly with admissions staff? An ‘electronic’ interview?

Why is Personal Statement important?

Standing out from Will form the core of the competition questioning if interviewed

43 PERSONAL STATEMENT

• It’s talking about yourself and being persuasive.

• What do students really want to say?

• What do lots of students say?

• Is there a problem of sounding like everyone else…

44 THE RISK OF BEING FORMULAIC? From a young age I’ve enjoyed studying my [subject] My teacher told me to say this… I liked GCSEs and I’m doing okay in my A Levels … and I can’t think of anything else to say... I enjoy socialising with my friends Basically, I have no friends...I’m…#tragic... I sometimes go to the theatre or a concert My teacher said I have to sound sophisticated... I like reading ….I’ve never read a book but I promise if you’ll just give me a place at uni...

I have an elder brother at University

I hate him. He’s the real reason I have to apply, the swot! 45 IMAGINE YOU’RE BEING INTERVIEWED

• Personal Statements should answer this question:

“So: why do you want to study this subject, and what makes you the right person for the course?”

• Remember: you can’t guarantee getting an interview – your Personal Statement is your chance to say something.

• So say something

46 The Sutton Trust

“Students are losing out as teachers’ and university tutors’ ideas about what makes a good personal statement are a “world apart”

“Applicants should be asked to reflect on which attributes they would bring to a course or university, rather than simply listing their previous achievements.”

• Recommendations you can read here:

www.suttontrust.com/researcharchive/the-personal-statement/

47 HOW DO YOU SOUND?

I feel I have several areas of interest that prepare me for university. I am interested in travelling and go to Tuscany most years with my family, where we have a small villa. I also enjoy sport and play football for my school and golf for pleasure. I enjoy socialising with my friends, listening to various forms of music, and going to the cinema. I intend to take a GAP year and am hoping to combine travelling through Asia with some voluntary work.

48 PERSONAL STATEMENTS: A CHECKLIST

• Don’t repeat information - it wastes space and suggests you have nothing else to say...?

• Don’t offer an undeveloped list or use clichés

• Do think about spelling, grammar, vocabulary choices

• Do add comments, views, explanations where helpful

49 HINTS AND TIPS: POSITIVE PHRASING

At present, I am studying A2s in English Literature, French and Media Studies. I cope with the work quite well and meet the deadlines. I have learnt a variety of skills – French language skills, and English has honed my analytical skills in analysing poetry and prose.

50 HINTS AND TIPS: POSITIVE PHRASING

51 HINTS AND TIPS: POSITIVE PHRASING

Furthermore Enabled me In addition Use my initiative Thrive Strengthen Enhance Explored Gained Participated Learnt from Reinforced Furthered Commitment Taking part Efficiently Hard work Interested Acquired Broadening Improved Passion Developed Rewarding

52 WRITING YOUR STATEMENT

• Rule One: draft and redraft. Then…

redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft … • Keep editing until it is as good as it possibly can be!

53 STOP PROCRASTINATING: START WRITING

• You only write x 1statement for up to five courses

• UCAS limit the length of text you can submit – 47 lines of text, approx.600 words

• You’re aiming for x 1 side of typed A4 of about 4 paragraphs

54 PERSONAL STATEMENT STRUCTURE

65 – 70% academic content

Additional experience and skills

Hobbies and interests

Summary – i.e. why you’d be a good choice

55 WHAT ABOUT THE STRUCTURE

• Paragraph 1: Introduction

• What was your personal trigger?

• How does your subject relate to society or current affairs?

• Which aspects of the course are you really looking forward to studying in more detail and why?

56 WHAT ABOUT THE STRUCTURE

• Paragraph 2: Your interest in the subject

• What have you done in school/college to develop your interest in the subject? (trips/books/wider reading documentaries...)

• What have you done outside school or college you can link to your subject? (work experience, volunteering, part-time job...)

• Do you have a career aspiration?

57 WHAT ABOUT THE STRUCTURE

• Paragraph 3: Wider skills

• Give an account of your non-academic achievements

• Talk about what skills you’ve gained (team building, leadership, MOOC, EPQ, research skills, confidence)

• Gap Year – are you taking a year out? If so, why – what are the benefits?

58 ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS Write a list of everything you have done over the last two or three years including: Paid Volunteering Travel employment Extra curricular Student Work groups paper experience Student Union Prefect

For each one consider: • What did you learn? • Does it relate to your subject in some way? • What transferable skills did you gain? • Can they be useful to you in university life? 59 TRANSFERABLE SKILLS Business Presenting acumen Networking Self-awareness

Time Response to a management challenge Flexibility Communication Proactivity Intellectual flexibility Team work Enthusiasm

Decision Initiative Commitment making Attention Research Skills to detail

Independent Problem Analysis thinking solving Leadership Motivation Foreign Numeracy Critical 60 thinking language HOBBIES AND INTERESTS Avoid a list of hobbies, e.g. ‘reading’, ‘socialising with friends’, ‘going to the cinema’, ‘hanging out in town’

61 Activity (what have you done)

Benefit (skills its given you)

Course (how it relates to the course) WHAT ABOUT THE STRUCTURE

• Paragraph 4: Summary

• Finish with a one or two line summary recapping why you want to go to university and study the course

• Why do you deserve to be offered a place?

63 BE ORIGINAL…

“I want you to tell me about you as a real, three-dimensional person.” Dr Jon Scott, University of Leicester

“Be yourself; it's a pleasure (though a surprisingly rare one) to read a statement where the candidate's own voice comes over clearly.”

University of Southampton English Department http://www.southampton.ac.uk/english/undergraduate/ucas_application.page

“It is important that you write it in your own style rather than trying to conform to what someone else thinks is right.”

University of Bristol UCAS application dos and don’ts www.bristol.ac.uk/study/schools/factsheets 64 BUT DON’T GO OVERBOARD…

“I tackle the tasks presented to me with wisdom and sincerity”

“In my part time job – everything I touch turns to SOLD”

You are applying for University, not the Apprentice!

65 RESOURCES

• UCAS – worksheets, videos, mind maps, top tips

66 SOME FINAL ADVICE

• Start early

• Make use of the resources: UCAS/Student Room

• Plan out the structure with bullet points and headings, then turn these into full sentences and paragraphs

• Draft in Microsoft Word, spell check AND proof read it before you paste it into UCAS

• Keep a copy in case you are called to interview • Don’t plagiarise

67 68 AND REMEMBER… IT’S PERSONAL!

• It’s all about you – use your voice and be persuasive

• There’s no such thing as the perfect statement

• Show an interest, Personal insight, Sell yourself

69 Good Luck with your applications