Why go to University?

• A degree opens up significantly more job opportunities.

• One quarter of the current job market demands a degree.

• Graduates are less likely to be unemployed.

• Graduates are better paid.

• It is great opportunity to make friends.

• It is a stepping stone away from home.

• It is fun!

Which subject?

“When I grow up, I want to be a ...”

“Dr Rae has bought Chemistry alive for me! It

has to be Chemistry!”

“I’ve just always been fascinated by

mummies...”

Which course?

“I got 3 Bs in my PR test – which course should I go for?”

1 aspirational 3 probable1 “uh – oh”

“For over £9000 a year I want to see my tutor!”

Grades (BBC) vs Points (112)

TariffsGrade EPQ A level

A* 28 56

A 24 48

B 20 40

C 16 32

D 12 24

E 8 16

Grade Certificate Subsidiary

Diploma

D* 28 56

D 24 48

M 16 32

P 8 16

Which uni?

“My mom’s my best friend!” “When a man is

tired of London, he is tired of

life.”“Oh, I do like to be

beside the sea-side...”

“How much...?!”

“It just feels right...”

Key Dates

June – application form opens. Begin your Personal Statement.

September - applications can be sent to UCAS.

15th October – deadline for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine and Oxford and Cambridge.

15th December – deadline for all other applications.

May – final choices.

The role of the personal statement

“the three crucial factors admissions tutors look at in the application are: Exam results & predictions; the school reference and the personal statement”

• Make it relevant to all your universities choices

• Have consistency in your course choices

• If applying for a joint course you should explain why

you are interested in both courses

• Everyone has aspects to their personality that makes

them interesting, its just putting them into words. Ask for

help from relative or teacher

• Remember a good closing statement

You only write one personal statement…

What should you put in it?

Paragraph 1 – Why you want to do the course.

• What you know about the subject.

• What got you first interested in it.

• Why you have chosen that specific subject.

• WHY DO YOU CARE ABOUT THAT SUBJECT?

What should you put in it?

Paragraph 2 – Show your suitability.

• What have you read? Books, journals, articles.

• What have you done? Work experience.

• Must go beyond the spec.

What should you put in it?

Paragraph 3 – Why should they choose you?

• What are you going to bring to the university / faculty?

• Why choose you over anyone else?

• Include other interests / achievements but link them to the course.

What should you put in it?

Paragraph 4 – What will you do with it?

• What long term career plans do you have?

• What will you do with this degree?

Final killer paragraph

• Bring it back to the subject and your desire to study it.

What can you do now?

• Start thinking about courses – use Unifrog to see what is available.

• Start thinking about Universities – use TopUniversities.com to see rankings.

• Discuss ideas with others – teachers, friends, family, students – use The Student Room.

What can you do now?

Public lectures at

your local

university, library,

museum etc.

Foreign Language

Films, books or

newspapers.