Life after Langley Grammar ....

Life after Langley Grammar ....

1. What are your options beyond the 6th Form?

2. How do you decide what to do next?

So, what are your options?

• University – UK, abroad or distance learning (OU)

• Employment (ideally with a qualification – i.e. an Apprenticeship or School Leaver Scheme)

• Gap year

University ….

…. or an Apprenticeship/

School Leaver Scheme? • Both offer paid employment +

opportunity to gain a qualification

• Apprenticeships tend to be shorter

• Higher Apprenticeships require A Levels; Advanced Apprenticeships require A*- C grade GCSEs

University PROS:

• Opportunity to spend 3 or 4 years studying something in depth that fascinates you

• Qualification at the end of it which will should help you get a good job

• Better promotion prospects and greater earning potential

• Make lifelong friends and professional contacts for the future

• A chance to experience some independence, move to a different part of the country and expand your horizons

CONS:

• Student debt

• 3 or 4 years when you could be earning money instead, working your way up in a career

• No guarantee that you’ll land a high-paying graduate job

• Could all be for nothing if you decide to go into a career where a degree isn’t essential, if you don’t get a good grade (often 2:1 or 1st) or you do a degree in something with poor job prospects

Apprenticeship/School Leaver Scheme

PROS:

• Combine getting a qualification with real hands-on experience plus earning a wage

• Qualifications gained vary from Foundation degree, HNC/HND to full undergraduate degree

• Can provide a quicker route to professional status (e.g. Chartered Accountant in 5 not 6 years)

• Training costs covered by employers plus being paid while learning = NO DEBT

• Available from increasing number of employers – e.g. Jaguar Land Rover, Lloyds Bank, EY, PwC, Sky, BBC, British Airways

CONS:

• Not all career paths/industries covered by this route

• Limited choice if your scheme involves a degree-level qualification

• Miss out on full university experience (i.e. social side + devoting yourself to full-time academic study)

• Need to decide on specific career area from the outset, so no opportunity to leave options open by studying a subject just because you enjoy it

• Over a working lifetime, non-graduate likely to earn £100k less than a graduate – but the gap is closing …...

To find out more about non-university options:

Careers News

www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

www.whatapprenticeship.co.uk

www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk

www.adviza.org.uk/who-am-i/young-

person/apprenticeship-vacancies/

www.lgs.slough.sch.uk/page/?title

=Careers+%26+HE&pid=86

University: where do you start?

37,000+ courses at 370+ providers in the UK

1. Choose your subject:

a. based on A Levels

b. based on a career interest

2. Choose your course

3. Then look at universities that offer that course

Reminder: if you completed Centigrade ….

Helped you to discover:

• which courses will suit you best based on your interests and abilities

• which universities offer your course(s) with the right entry requirements

N.B. Important to look at any Cautionary Notes (Section E)

1. Choose your subject: a. Based on A Levels

• Your favourite A Level subject: o Geography o Chemistry

• Combine two (or more) familiar subjects: o English + Drama o Business Studies + French

• Mix of familiar + new: o Psychology + Criminology o Biology + Ecology

• Something new but related to an area of interest: o Zoology (related to Biology & Chemistry) o International Relations (related to Economics,

History & Politics)

1. Choose your subject: a. Based on A Levels

Q: What could you study with your combination of A Levels?

A: Higher Ideas software

Laminated sheets with login information by computers in library & in 6th Form study room

1. Choose your subject: b. Based on a career interest

Some decisions are straightforward: • To be a Pharmacist, you need a Pharmacy degree • To be a Psychologist, you need a Psychology

degree

Other decisions are less so: • To be a Solicitor or a Barrister, you do not need a

Law degree • To be an Accountant, you do not need a Maths or

Accounting & Finance degree

Other related careers in a similar field may also interest you:

• For example, if you are considering Nursing, what about Physiotherapy, Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Midwifery, Radiography or Paramedical Science?

1. Choose your subject: b. Based on a career interest

Q: How do you know what degree subject you need to get into a particular career?

Q: How can you find out about other related careers?

A:

Laminated sheets with login information by computers in library & in 6th Form study room

University: where do you start?

37,000+ courses at 370+ providers in the UK

1. Choose your subject:

a. based on A Levels

b. based on a career interest

2. Choose your course

3. Then look at universities that offer that course

2. Choose your course: e.g. Engineering?

• Broad based (General/Combined) Engineering • Specialism – e.g. Mechanical Engineering • 3 year BEng (Bachelors) or 4 year MEng (Masters) • Preliminary or Foundation year • Year in Industry or Professional Development • Year studying abroad • Accredited for Chartered (CEng) or Incorporated

(IEng) status • Add another subject : joint 50:50 (i.e. and) or

major/minor 75:25 (i.e. with) – e.g. Business (13), Management (11)

2. Choose your course: e.g. Psychology?

• Single honours BSc or BA Psychology • Specialism – e.g. Forensic Psychology • 3 year BSc/BA (Bachelors) or 4 year MSc/MA (Masters) • Preliminary or Foundation year • Year in Industry or Professional Development • Year studying abroad • Accreditation by British Psychological Society - required

for future Chartered status to work as a professional Psychologist

• Add another subject (145 options): joint 50:50 (i.e. and) or major/minor 75:25 (i.e. with) – from Accounting (3) to Youth Work (1); Criminology (83); Sociology (67)

University: where do you start?

37,000+ courses at 370+ providers in the UK

1. Choose your subject:

a. based on A Levels

b. based on a career interest

2. Choose your course

3. Then look at universities that offer that course …. with “attainable” entry requirements

Researching universities & courses

• Use UCAS course search tool at www.ucas.com

• Research university prospectuses (2016 versions now in library) & websites

• Revisit your Centigrade report & Degree Course Descriptions

• Refer to Heap’s Degree Course Offers in library for entry requirements

• Visit www.university.which.co.uk

Shortlisting universities

Q: What factors do you need to consider when coming up with your shortlist of universities?

Shortlisting universities

• Campus or city?

• Big or small?

• Commutable from home, within 1-2 hours or as far away as possible?

• Sports facilities? Nightlife? Male/female ratio?

• Accommodation?

• Cost of living?

• Bursaries?

• Reputation? Popularity? Applicants per place?

How do you decide? • Look at alternative prospectuses – e.g. push.co.uk

• Attend open days - www.opendays.com

• Compare courses on unistats.direct.gov.uk

• Refer to league tables (with caution) – e.g. Times, Guardian

The Open University

• Courses taught via distance learning

• Can combine with work and/or other commitments

• Full and part time

• Voted top university for student satisfaction 3 years running

• www.open.ac.uk

Studying abroad

Top 5 destinations: • USA 33% • Australia 9% • France 5% • Germany 5% • Canada 4% (2012) www.fulbright.org.uk – USA www.eunicas.ie – Europe www.studyoptions.com – Australia/NZ www.astarfuture.co.uk

Skills & knowledge:

• Flexibility to see issues from different perspectives

• Cultural awareness

• Language skills

• Confidence to deal with unforeseen challenges

Studying abroad

Disadvantages:

• Poverty

• Homesickness

• Loneliness

• Difficulties with language

• May not be eligible to practise in UK

Other options:

• Erasmus scheme: 3-12 months at European university

• Year abroad as part of your course – can search on UCAS

How about a gap year?

• Do something worthwhile

• For most Art/Design related degrees, need one-year Art Foundation course

• Gap year experiences can provide evidence to impress on CVs, personal statements & job applications

• Opportunity to improve grades, learn new skills (e.g. TEFL) or take a break from studying altogether

• Enough time to travel as well as get a paid job

If you’re still clueless ….! • Complete a general interests questionnaire

– My Career Springboard: www.mycareerspringboard.org

– Career Wizard on eCLIPS: www.eclips-online.co.uk

– Fast Tomato (in school from Sept)

• Complete an HE-specific questionnaire – UK Coursefinder: www.ukcoursefinder.com

– Spartan Test: http://sacu-student.com/?page_id=2850

• Attend taster courses/subject specific events – e.g. www.london.ac.uk/tasters

• Get more work experience

• Watch video case studies – www.icould.com and www.careerplayer.com

Before the end of term …. 18/19 June UCAS Information Evening for parents followed by

Y12 assembly Mrs Golding available for booked appointments

From 22 June Register on UCAS site with tutors Applying for Medicine & Personal Statement

presentations

1 July Trip to Oxford University open day 3 July ‘Towards the Future’ Careers & HE Conference with: - seminars from Apprenticeship providers & School

Leaver Schemes plus studying abroad & benefits of a gap year

- exhibition including gap year providers, resources to help with HE research & finding work experience

Life after Langley Grammar ....