In the first UCAS/DANCOP session with Rob in the afternoon on Tuesday 15th September we looked at the following things in the first part of the lesson before we went for our break:
What will we be covering
UCAS- Key points
The UCAS Process
Researching
Entry requirements
Registering on the UCAS website
Dates and deadlines
Alternatives to Full Time Higher Education
Apprenticeships- Higher and Degree level (www.getingofar.gov.uk, www.notgoingtouni.co.uk + employer websites
Work with training
Gap Year
Study Abroad
Volunteer
Applying to university through UCAS- www.ucas.com
UCAS Key Points
Online application system for all UK Universities
Up to 5 choices of course
College deadline 15th December
Narrow down to 2 choices- 1 Firm choice and 1 Insurance choice
The UCAS Process
Research
Complete application
Pay and send off (£20 or £25)
Referee adds reference and sends to UCAS
UCAS sends application to Universities
Universities make their decisions
Wait until ALL decisions have been made
You decide on Firm choice and Insurance choice
Meet entry requirements or go into Clearing (from July)
Research
UCAS Website
See university websites
University or College Prospectus
Visits and Open days
Virtual university tours/student blogs
Factors to consider when choosing a university/college
Cost
Size and location of the institution
Social and religious facilities
Geography- factor in your travel budget
Learning support facilities
Live at home or move away
Would you like a country or city location
Factors to consider when choosing a course
Is the course academic/vocational
How many taught hours
What are the compulsory elements
Have you looked at your choices in terms of modules
Work Experience (sandwich courses)
What career prospects are there?
What links with industry does it give you?
Types of Higher Education
Single Honours- one named subject
Joint Honours- two subjects
Combined Honours- three subjects usually within the framework of the faculty
Sandwich Courses- Study/Work Related
Foundation Degree
HND/HNC
Post graduate qualifications- eg. PGCE
Entry Requirements
UCAS Tariff UAL Extended Diploma
Distinction- 168 points
Merit- 120 points
Pass- 72 points
Courses often ask for set UCAS points
Many university courses require GCSE Maths and English at grade C
Subject requirement or certain grades in a particular subject
Register on the UCAS website
You need to press sign in button on the home page of the UCAS website (Student, 2020, Undergraduate, Register)
Register- Username and Password, Personal ID number, verify your email, accept terms and conditions (read them!), complete all required fields and use the buzzword Nottingham20
UCAS Application Process
Once you have registered for UCAS you will complete 8 different sections
Personal Details
Additional Information
Choices- up to 5 are available
Education- Include GCSE's achieved/predicted, functional skills and current course. You need to add each unit for the Level 3 BTEC.
Employment
Personal Statement
View all details
Pay and send
UCAS Dates
15th January- deadline for UCAS applications for most courses
25th February- Extra starts for those not holding any offers (ends 4th July)
5th May- decisions required by universities for all applications received by 15th January
30th June- Any applications received after this go straight into Clearing
We then had Amy come in who made us complete a questionnaire concerning UCAS and what our stances are on it and what we're planning to do after we leave college. After we did the questionnaire she answered any questions we had about UCAS/DANCOP, applying to university, apprenticeships, work with training, gap years, studying abroad etc and told us that she will do her best to guide us as well as she can.
After Amy left and after we had our break we moved onto personal statements with Rob and we received the information and advice below:
Stand out with your personal statement
Knowledge and enthusiasm for the course you are applying for
Career Aim
Work Experience
Hobbies and interests- including interests inside and outside of college
Gap Year (if you are taking one)
A good concluding sentence at the end
Font: Calibri or Arial
Font Size: 12
Line Spacing: 0.5
Types of Offers
Conditional offer- you have to get the grades required
Unconditional offer- you don't have to get the grades required if you get one because you're already in the university. They commonly give unconditional offers as long as they are a student's firm/top choice
Decline
Once you've heard back from all the 5 universities hopefully, you must confirm one as your FIRM choice and one as your INSURANCE choice.
Questions your Personal Statement needs to answer
Are you suited to the course you are applying for?
Are you passionate about the course and have a genuine desire to learn more about it?
Are you keen, willing to work hard and unlikely to drop out?
Can you work under the pressures of university?
Will you bring something valuable to the university socially: sport, musical instruments, languages?
Paragraph One
Why are you applying for your chosen course?
Relate what you say here to the course you have applied to. Talk about why the course appeals to you and what elements you are interested in most.
Include evidence of your understanding of the course.
Why are you suited to this course? What have you done to help you succeed on this course?
How does the course you are on now relate to the course at university?
Have you done any activities inside or outside of college that demonstrate your interest in the course?
Skills and Achievements
Transferable skills that relate to the course- e.g. team building, good communication skills, interpersonal skills.
Think of things you have done that you are proud of e.g. positions of responsibility you have held.
"As an ongoing student I was nominated as class representative for my tutor group, which gave me the opportunity to represent others in a responsible and fair manner. This has extended my communication skills through speaking and listening in a large group."
Future Plans
If you know what you want to do after you have completed your university education or if you have plans talk about them here.
Explain how you will use the knowledge you will gain on the course to get to your goal.
Talk about how the course will improve your experiences and how it fits into your future career plans.
Important Websites
www.ukcoursefinder.com (researching courses)
www.prospects.ac.uk (graduate careers site)
www.directgov.gov.uk (finance information- Student Loans)
http://www.applywithoscar.org/personal-statements/ (help with your personal statement)
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