The Kings of Wessex Higher Education Conference III Thursday 3 April 2014 Why go on to higher education? • • • • • • • Gold standard Independence Opportunities Employability Stretch and challenge World class competition Fun What you should do • • • • • • • • • You should be making your choices now - prospectuses Look at Open Days now – competition for places Type of course Distance from home Assessment methods Modules Admission tests Work experience Look at bursaries and scholarships – free money but only if you apply Preparing for your application • • • • • • • • Results are key Passion for subject - evidence Wider reading Check the university entry profiles on UCAS site against your personal statement (job spec and letter of application) – SELL YOURSELF Volunteering Work Related Learning Leadership Participation What does “university” mean for you? Train for a particular career Passion for subject To gain knowledge and skills New experiences Academic excellence Personal growth To get a good job Social life To realise an ambition Graduate employment "A degree alone is not a passport into a graduate job and it isn't right for everyone.... .... the job prospects of graduates - and especially those who take advantage of some of the many opportunities both within and outside the curriculum to gain experience and learn relevant skills - are much rosier than those of 16 and 18 year old job seekers, and look certain to remain so”. AGCAS President, Anne-Marie Martin, 2011 What do employers want? Subject knowledge? • For work-related (vocational) courses - Yes • 60-70% graduate jobs do not specify subject SKILLS – Top 10 from graduate recruiters 2011 • Commercial awareness, Communication, Teamwork, Negotiation, Problem solving, Leadership, Organisation, Perseverance, Work under pressure, Confidence From your degree and.....EXPERIENCE • PT work/work placement, volunteer, extracurricular, gap year • EVIDENCE for skills First degree choice (BA, BSc, LLB etc) Spectrum of subjects Academic Semi-vocational Vocational Old - e.g. English e.g. Business Studies e.g. Medicine New - e.g. Japanese e.g. Environmental Science e.g. Architecture Most don’t directly use their degree... ...PLAN... Most do use their degree in job... • 1,800 degree subjects • 40,000 degree courses • 300 universities and colleges in UK What are “graduate” jobs Type % Examples Traditional 25 Barrister, doctor, engineer, architect Modern New 42 Niche skills Non-graduate 33 Management, accountancy, IT, journalism Marketing, Advertising, Nursing, Physiotherapy Hotel & Leisure centre manager, retail manager Degree not necessarily a requirement (but it may give you a head start) What are the subject options? Subject area e.g. Options.....do your research Business & Administration e.g. International Relations, Marketing Social Sciences and Law e.g. Applied Economics, Social Work Medicine & Health e.g. Audiology, Optometry, Radiography Science e.g. Cell Biology, Polymer Chemistry, Sports Science Maths, IT & Computing e.g. Artificial Intelligence, Mathematical Modelling Engineering & Building Management e.g Building Surveying, Geotechnical Engineering Arts and Creative Arts e.g. Multimedia Design, Calligraphy Arts, Humanities & Languages e.g. Chinese History, Ancient Greek, Japanese EXPLORE the options...but ...what do graduates from that course do? How to choose a degree • Entry requirements – check! - GCSE, AL grades, work experience, tests • Course content – in detail, all different • Course structure – Foundation, Bachelor’s degree (BA, BSc, MD LLB, MEng etc) – Single, Joint, Combined Honours • • • • • Work (sandwich) placement – good for employability Teaching quality www.qaa.ac.uk and department facilities Research quality www.rae.ac.uk and department facilities Year abroad – study, work, language Destination statistics (DHLE)- employment after 6 months Grades or points? The UCAS tariff A Level A* = 140 A = 120 B = 100 C = 80 D = 60 E = 40 AS Level (A* = 70 for EPQ only) A = 60 B = 50 C = 40 D = 30 E = 20 www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/tarifftables/  Points can be awarded for other recognised exams  e.g. Music grades 6+, British Horse Society, Sports Leaders UK  Points offers vary depending on course/institution, may also specify points from particular subject(s)  Extended Project Qualification equivalent to an AS (A*-E) How to choose a university • • • • • • Campus, collegiate, city or smaller town, new, old... Teaching style – lectures, tutorials, contact time, labs Assessment – exam or continuous assessment/course work Facilities – e.g. Student’s Union, Sports, Arts Tuition fees - £9000 (or less?) and living costs University scholarships and bursaries How to decide: • Do your research – for an informed choice • Open days – you do need to visit • Taster days or Summer schools • League tables and comparison websites Strategies for Success (1) 1. “Vocational specialist” e.g. Health, engineering, technology, technical services – Reputation with employers > important than uni – BEWARE pseudo-/semi-vocational courses E.g. Music Production, Media Studies – check course employability before you apply if you want a job in the sector – Can be hard to research the possibilities – Large range of opportunities for graduates – “Easiest” route to employment? Strategies for success (2) 2. “Good all-rounder” – – – – – – First or 2i from a top university (i.e. best uni, best degree) Employer will accept “any degree subject” Lots of work experience Plenty of extra-curricular activities Strong commercial and personal skills Demonstrate interest in chosen job/sector – Best choice if you are “not sure”? “Make the most of your 1000 days” To leave with a DEGREE (taught) and a JOB (up to you!)! • Start thinking about your future career options as soon as you start your degree (or even before) • Get involved in plenty of extra-curricular activities • Organise work experience with different employers (in the future recruiters may just recruit through internships) – gap year, internships, placement year • Develop as many business skills as you can • Research employers and prepare applications early Concerned about £ cost ? • NHS Health and Social Work courses – NHS Student or Social Work Bursary for some courses - www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students.aspx • Scholarships and bursaries – universities and charities – £millions unclaimed • Sponsorship – Companies, armed forces, merchant navy, apprenticeships • Work-related or distance learning Useful websites Information about university and student life • www.brightknowledge.org/ • www.thestudentroom.co.uk/ Course choice • www.ucas.com Course Search • www.ukcoursefinder.com Power search & Questionnaire • www.centigradeonline.co.uk Centigrade online £20 What do graduates do ..and what can I do with ......? • www.hecsu.ac.uk/assets/assets/documents/WDGD_Sept_2013.pdf www.prospects.ac.uk Careers Advice/Options with your Subject Comparison – universities/courses • http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/ • www.bestcourse4me.com League tables • The Times, The Guardian, The Complete University Guide The application process  Decide on courses (multiple hours)  Draft personal statement (use others’ but don’t plagiarise) 4000 characters including spaces (3 hours)  Register on UCAS site – login & password (10 mins)  Complete personal details and education - apart from AS results (2 hours)  Enter AS results (10 mins)  Enter choices (1 hour)  Finalise personal statement (2 hours)  Check (2 hours)  Pay and send (2 mins)  October half term deadline  We write your reference and send to UCAS University Challenge! 1. Which degree can’t you study in UK? A. Chinese Medicine B. Watersports Technology C. Equine Science 2. Which is the largest university in the UK? A. Manchester C. Open University B. London D.UWE (West of England) 2. Which is the oldest university in the UK? A. Oxford B. Cambridge C. Durham