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Making the right university application…
Aims of the session
• Context: the current HE landscape
• Share some ideas
• Explore new research sources
• Look at common application mistakes
• Identify how the University can help
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Making the right application
What does it mean?
• Making an informed decision
• Choosing the right university
• Choosing the right course
• Going for all the right reasons
• Preparation and research are key
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
The current HE landscape
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Applications by volume
2011 2012 Difference
Applications 583,546 540,073 -7.4%
Choices 2,547,983 2,368,535 -7.0%
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
• Drop not as severe as originally expected
• Third highest year for applications
• Students making more use of their five choices
Applications by gender
2011 2012 Difference
Female 331,801 309,731 -6.7%
Male 251,745 230,342 -8.5%
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
• Gap widening between the genders?
• 22,070 fewer females applying
• 21,403 fewer males
Applications by age
2011 2012 Difference
<20 458,596 428,842 -6.5%
21 – 24 62,615 55,671 -11.1%
25 – 39 50,725 45,173 -11.0%
40+ 11,610 10,387 -10.5%
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
• Slight decline in 18 year old demographic
• Bigger percentage drop in mature students
Degrees – top 10 most popular
Nursing – 174,594
Law – 86,412
Psychology – 83,848
Medicine – 81,839
Design Studies – 78,741
Business and Admin Studies – 61,153
Management Studies – 57,827
English – 49,969
Teacher Training – 49,864
Computer Science – 49,462
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Top 10 winners
Nursing: +28.3%
Anthropology: +23.9%
Biotechnology: +20.4%
Chemical Engineering: +12.4%
Molecular Biology, Biochem, Biophysics: +12.2%
Astronomy: +10.1%
Genetics: +9.7%
Geology: +9.3%
Physics: +8.3%
Medical Technology: +7.6%
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Top 10 losers
American Studies: -24%
German Studies: -23%
Information Systems: -21%
Arts & Humanities combined: -20.9%
Science/Engineering with A&H: -20.8%
Fine Art: -19.9%
Social Work: -19.5%
Journalism: -19.4%
Dance: -19.3%
Philosophy: -17%
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Research: Sources of information
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Research
• So much information being pumped out
• Not matched in guidance provision
• What is a “credible” source?
• Where do students get their information?
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Discuss…
Where do you direct your students to gather
information on higher education?
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
UCAS Course Finder
www.ucas.com/coursefinderpilot
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
KIS • Key Information Sets
• From September 2012
• Info includes:
• Student Satisfaction
• Course information
• Employment prospects
• Salary data
• Accommodation costs
• Tuition fees
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Which?
• No longer just for cars or kitchen appliances
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
• Free • Not-for-profit • Not a league table • Independent and fair
Launching in Autumn 2012
Application mistakes
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Pre-application
• Research
• Details of the course – modules etc…
• Open Days
• Unrealistic regarding grades
• Just looking at one course / university
• High risk
• Look at universities they are never going to go to
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
One of the biggest mistakes…
Students tend not to believe you!
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Personal Statements
• No one size fits all
• Some courses will use the statement more than others
• We are looking out for RELEVANT information and details
• We want to see students demonstrating their interest / passion / enthusiasm
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Application mistakes
• No reflection
• I have read a book…
• I have seen a film…
• I subscribe to this magazine…
• I have done the Duke of Edinburgh Award…
• I have done some work experience…
• I do this and I do that…
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Application mistakes
• A lack of research and knowledge
• Not knowing what the course is all about
• Topics / modules covered
• Talking about things that are not studied
• Not looking beyond the prospectus
• Not knowing what the subject is
• Especially if they are picking up a new subject
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Application mistakes
• Clarity
• We cannot read a student’s mind
• Does the statement say what it should / needs to?
“I have always been fascinated by evolution and this especially appeals to me in an aquatic environment, which I believe I will be very suited to after my studies in Australia have taken place.”
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Application mistakes
• Intellectual language
• Not all students are like those on University Challenge!
• We don’t need to see words lifted from a Thesaurus
“My reasons for this year out were to give me a little more
time to choose the correct university course for me and to
consider the ramifications…”
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Application mistakes
• Telling us things we don’t need to know
• Not relating prior achievements to the course, department or university
• Socialising
• We know young people go out!
• We want to know that students will turn up for lectures
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Some key messages for students
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
Some key messages
• It’s competitive out there
• Do the research
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions
• Don’t rush or be pressured into anything
• Visit universities to get a feel for the place
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
We are here to help you…
www.sheffield.ac.uk/schools
0114 222 9872
27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield
To Discover And Understand.