AN INTRODUCTION TO
HIGHER EDUCATION
Choosing university courses and places
Andrea Bell
UK Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer
2
THINGS TO CONSIDER
• Choosing a course
• Choosing a University
• Russell Group universities
• Employability/links with industry
• League tables
• Student experience
3
CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY
700,000
450,000
70,000
350
plus applicants, chasing…
places, on over…
different degree courses at…
higher education institutions.
4
WHAT WILL UNIVERSITY MEAN TO YOU?
opportunity
for new
experiences
unlimited
academic
possibilities
independence
and freedom
an
investment
for the future
good nights
out
the most
exciting time
of your life…?
A great
graduate
job/career
55
THINGS TO CONSIDER…
Course
Career?
66
77
THINGS TO CONSIDER…
Course
Career?
What really interests you?
89
9
TEST DRIVE YOUR SUBJECTS
• What have you done to
develop your interest in
your subject area of
choice?
• MOOCs
• Journals
• Set texts
• EPQ
• Social media
10
WHAT CAN I DO WITH A DEGREE IN…
Art:
Biochemistry:
Biology:
Geography:
History:
Law:
Languages:
Media Studies:
Philosophy:
television, arts admin, web page design, tourism
forensic science, management, IT, sales
environmental consultancy, finance, marketing
journalism, banking, accountancy, law, sales
law, finance, IT, management, computing
accountancy, banking, the media, industry, sales
law, tourism, civil service, diplomatic service
personnel, marketing, public relations
law, finance, local government
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TARGETED BY TOP EMPLOYERS
“…last year, almost half our graduate recruits had degrees in arts and
humanities, science, law or social sciences.
Surprised ? Don’t be. We see your degree as just the start…”
The second largest professional services firm in the world, and is one of the Big Four auditors, along with Deloitte, EY and KPMG
12
TYPES OF COURSES AVAILABLE
• Single honours
• Joint honours
• Major/minor combinations
• Sandwich courses
• Bachelor’s degree
• Masters degree
12
BA HistoryBA History and PoliticsBA History with Politics
Study – Years 1 & 2
Study – Year 4
Placement Year
1313
1414
You can
search by
course,
location,
institution
You can
refine a
course
search
using the
filters
1515
THINGS TO CONSIDER…
Course
Career?
What really interests you?
What do you need to get on the course?
16
• What are they?
• Are they achievable?
• Are there any specific requirements?
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
17
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Are there any
additional
requirements such
as work experience –
particularly for
vocational or health-
related courses such
as Nursing or
Medicine, or
admissions tests?
18
WILL YOU BE QUALIFIED?
Section 1
Personal
details
Chosen
courses
Section 2
Your
qualifications
Grades
obtained
Predicted
grades
Section 3
Personal
Statement
Section 4
Reference
1919
THINGS TO CONSIDER…
Course
Career?
What really interests you?
What do you need to get on the course?
Reputation
Reputation of course and institution
Russell Group institution?
20
21
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MAKING AN EDUCATED CHOICE
• Doing the research and find the right university…
…offering you the right course
• The good news is the UK is one of the best places to study in
the world!
23
THE GLOBALISATION OF HE –
QS World Rankings 2018
23
USA - 31
UK - 16
Australia - 7
Canada - 4
Switzerland - 4Japan - 5
Hong Kong - 4
France - 2
Singapore - 2
Ireland - 1
South Korea - 4Netherlands - 2
China - 6
Denmark - 1
New Zealand - 1
Belgium - 1
Sweden - 2
Taiwan - 1
Germany - 3
Finland - 1
2411
Cambridge
Imperial
Oxford
Edinburgh
Manchester
Kings
Bristol
Warwick
LSE
Birmingham
Sheffield
GlasgowNottingham
Durham
RG universities in
World Top 100
QS World University Ranking 2017-18
UCL
GLOBAL GRADUATES
25
RESEARCH INTENSIVE UNIVERSITIES
national
reputation
international
reputation
highly
competitive
high grades
city
based
campus
based Research
Universities
26
THE RUSSELL GROUP
27
NOT ALL UNIVERSITIES ARE THE SAME
• The Russell Group represents 24 leading UK universities
• Committed to maintaining the very best research, and
offering outstanding teaching and learning experiences
• Strong links with business and the public sector
• “So should I just apply to Russell Group Universities?”
28
TARGETED BY TOP EMPLOYERS
2929
THINGS TO CONSIDER…
Course
Career?
What really interests you?
What do you need to get on the course?
Academic facilities
Extra-curricular offer
Support, social life, location
Student
Experience
Reputation
Reputation of course and institution
Russell Group institution?
Employability & Student Satisfaction
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WHAT SIZE OF
UNIVERSITY?
• Campus based –
(10 –to 15,000 students)
York, Durham, Oxford,
Warwick, St Andrew’s...
• City/Campus-based –
(20 –to 40,000 students) :
Manchester, Southampton,
Bristol, Newcastle, Leeds,
Nottingham, Edinburgh...
31
IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE COURSE
Facilities:
Social life:
Accommodation, library, computer
labs, teaching rooms - 24 hour
access?
Cafes, restaurants, bars, night-clubs,
sports, societies, shops, friends for
life...
Opportunity to study abroad?
Work-placements? Sandwich year?
Contact hours? Class sizes?
Local area, transport links, distance from home
Other attractions:
32
Over 300 societies
Over 80 sports clubs
31 Performing Arts groups
33
AERIAL
SPORTS
SOCIETY
CHAMBER
OPERA
CHESS
CLUB
CHEERLEADING
COCKTAIL
SOCIETY
CYBER
SECRUITY
SOCIETY
DODGEBALL
DABKE
SOCIETY
POLITICS
SOCIETY
ENACTUS
FEMINIST
SOCIETY
MASONIC
SOCIETYMEDSOC
PAINTBALL
SOCIETY
POTTERY
SOCIETY
ROLLLBALL
CLUB
SAVING
FACES
FISH ON
TOAST
LABOUR
CLUB
CONTEMPORARY
DANCE SOCIETYWIRELESS
SOCIETY
JAZZMANIX
FIRST AID
SOCIETY
YOGA
SOCIETY
COMEDY
SOCIETY
SHOWSTOPPERS
SAILING
BHANGRA
BRASS
BAND
BELLY
DANCING MENTAL
HEALTH
CIRCUS
SOCIETY
ROWING
MAGIC
SOCIETY
QUIZ
SOCIETY
JAZZMANIXSTEAMPUNK
SOCIETY
BUDDHIST
MEDITATION
SOCIETY
ACROYOGA
KORFBALL
ROBOGALS
CAKE
DECORATING
SOCIETY
AMNESTY
INTERNATIONAL
LACROSSE
STRING
ORCHESTER
POLO
WESSEX
SAILING
CLUB
HYDRO
TEAM
BRASS
BAND
HACKASOTON
LANGUAGE
SOCIETY
MIXED
MARTIAL
ARTS
TRAVELLING
SOCIETY
TCHOUKBALL
CAMEROON
CATALYST
ART
SOCIETY
ROCK AND
METAL MUSIC
SOCIETY
HISTORY
SOCIETY
UNION
FILMS
MARINE
CONSERVATION
SOCIETY
IRISH
DANCING
AIKIDO
LUXURY
LIFESTYLE
SOCIETY
ZUMBA +
REAL ALE
AND CIDER
SOCIETY
BULGARIAN
SOCIETY
BALLET
SOCIETY
JIU-JITSU
QUIDDITCH
CLUB
WAKEBOARDING
34
START RESEARCHING
34
Southampton Rank Trend
25
22
18
28
22
24
19
14
16
35
23
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Rank Posit
ion
Guide Year
Southampton rank over time
• Source: Institutional Research, Guardian 2019
37
UCAS WEBSITE
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HOW DO YOU APPLY ?
• Get a signed up with UCAS Apply in school/college
• Apply to up to FIVE Universities (4 for some courses)
• UCAS deadline is January 15th
2019 (Oct 18 for Oxbridge)
• Universities offer places, conditional/unconditional
• UCAS Extra
• Deferred Entry – GAP Years
Universities & Colleges
Admissions Service
STANDING OUT FROM
THE CROWD
Advising students on excellent Personal Statements
Andrea Bell
Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer
June 2018
40
PLAY YOUR UNIVERSITY CARDS RIGHT!
• Let’s look at applications for some Russell
Group Universities for the 2016/17 entry year
41
PLAY YOUR UNIVERSITY CARDS RIGHT
41
Applications 2016 Acceptances 2016
Oxford
Cambridge
LSE
Southampton
York
Edinburgh
King’s College
Warwick
Durham
Liverpool
19,750 3,295
16,795 3,440
17,660 1,625
42,405 5,360
25,955 4,525
61,650 6,250
44,060 6,010
36,760 5,070
29,485 4,475
41,245 5,955
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WHAT ADMISSIONS TUTORS LOOK FOR
Section 1
Personal
details
Chosen
courses
Section 2
Your
qualifications
Grades
obtained
Predicted
grades
Section 3
Personal
Statement
Section 4
Reference
43
PERSONAL STATEMENTS
Why is Personal Statement important?
Standing out from
the competition
Will form the core of
questioning if interviewed
An ‘electronic’ interview?
Only chance to ‘talk’ directly with
admissions staff?
44
PERSONAL STATEMENT
• It’s talking about yourself and being persuasive.
• What do students really want to say?
• What do lots of students say?
• Is there a problem of sounding like everyone else…
45
THE RISK OF BEING FORMULAIC?
From a young age I’ve enjoyed studying my [subject]
I liked GCSEs and I’m doing okay in my A Levels
I enjoy socialising with my friends
I sometimes go to the theatre or a concert
I like reading
I have an elder brother at University
My teacher told me to say this…
… and I can’t think of anything else to say...
Basically, I have no friends...I’m…#tragic...
My teacher said I have to sound sophisticated...
….I’ve never read a book but I promise if you’ll just
give me a place at uni...
I hate him. He’s the real reason I have to apply, the swot!
46
IMAGINE YOU’RE BEING INTERVIEWED
• Personal Statements should answer this question:
“So: why do you want to study this subject, and what
makes you the right person for the course?”
• Remember: you can’t guarantee getting an interview –
your Personal Statement is your chance to say something.
• So say something
47
The Sutton Trust
“Students are losing out as teachers’ and university
tutors’ ideas about what makes a good personal
statement are a “world apart”
“Applicants should be asked to reflect on which attributes they
would bring to a course or university, rather than simply listing
their previous achievements.”
• Recommendations you can read here:
www.suttontrust.com/researcharchive/the-personal-statement/
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HOW DO YOU SOUND?
I feel I have several areas of interest that prepare me for university. I
am interested in travelling and go to Tuscany most years with my
family, where we have a small villa. I also enjoy sport and play football
for my school and golf for pleasure.
I enjoy socialising with my friends, listening to various forms of music,
and going to the cinema. I intend to take a GAP year and am hoping to
combine travelling through Asia with some voluntary work.
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PERSONAL STATEMENTS: A CHECKLIST
• Don’t repeat information -
it wastes space and suggests you
have nothing else to say...?
• Don’t offer an undeveloped list or use clichés
• Do think about spelling, grammar, vocabulary choices
• Do add comments, views, explanations where helpful
50
HINTS AND TIPS: POSITIVE PHRASING
At present, I am studying A2s in English Literature, French and
Media Studies. I cope with the work quite well and meet the
deadlines. I have learnt a variety of skills – French language
skills, and English has honed my analytical skills in analysing
poetry and prose.
51
HINTS AND TIPS: POSITIVE PHRASING
At present, I am studying A2s in English Literature, French and
Media Studies. I cope with the work quite well and meet the
deadlines. I have learnt a variety of skills – French language
skills, and English has honed my analytical skills in analysing
poetry and prose.
52
HINTS AND TIPS: POSITIVE PHRASING
At present, I am studying A2s in English Literature, French and
Media Studies. I cope with the work quite well and meet the
deadlines. I have learnt a variety of skills – French language
skills, and English has honed my analytical skills in analysing
poetry and prose.
Furthermore Enabled me In addition
Use my initiative Thrive Strengthen
Enhance Explored Gained
Participated Learnt from Reinforced
Furthered Commitment Taking part
Efficiently Hard work Interested
Acquired Broadening Improved
Passion Developed Rewarding
53
WRITING YOUR STATEMENT
• Rule One: draft and redraft. Then…
redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft,
redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft,
redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft,
redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft,
redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft, redraft …
• Keep editing until it is as good as it possibly can be!
54
STOP PROCRASTINATING: START WRITING
• You only write x 1statement for up
to five courses
• UCAS limit the length of text you
can submit – 47 lines of text,
approx.600 words
• You’re aiming for x 1 side of typed
A4 of about 4 paragraphs
55
PERSONAL STATEMENT STRUCTURE
65 – 70% academic content
Additional experience and skills
Hobbies and interests
Summary – i.e. why you’d be a good choice
56
WHAT ABOUT THE STRUCTURE
• Paragraph 1: Introduction
• What was your personal trigger?
• How does your subject relate to society or current affairs?
• Which aspects of the course are you really looking forward to
studying in more detail and why?
57
WHAT ABOUT THE STRUCTURE
• Paragraph 2: Your interest in the subject
• What have you done in school/college to develop your interest
in the subject? (trips/books/wider reading documentaries...)
• What have you done outside school or college you can link to
your subject? (work experience, volunteering, part-time job...)
• Do you have a career aspiration?
58
WHAT ABOUT THE STRUCTURE
• Paragraph 3: Wider skills
• Give an account of your non-academic achievements
• Talk about what skills you’ve gained (team building,
leadership, MOOC, EPQ, research skills, confidence)
• Gap Year – are you taking a year out? If so, why – what are the
benefits?
59
Write a list of everything you have done over the last two or
three years including:
VolunteeringPaid
employmentExtra curricular
groups
Travel
Work
experience
For each one consider:
• What did you learn?
• Does it relate to your subject in some way?
• What transferable skills did you gain?
• Can they be useful to you in university life?
Student Union
Student
paper
Prefect
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
60
Proactivity
Commitment
Independent
thinking
Initiative
Intellectual
flexibility
Decision
making
Problem
solving
Time
management
Enthusiasm
Response to a
challenge
Analysis
Research Skills
Team work
Leadership
Communication
PresentingBusiness
acumen Networking
Self-awareness
Foreign
languageNumeracy
Attention
to detail
Flexibility
Critical
thinking
Motivation
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
61
Avoid a list of hobbies, e.g. ‘reading’, ‘socialising
with friends’, ‘going to the cinema’, ‘hanging out in
town’
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
Activity (what have you done)
Benefit (skills its given you)
Course (how it relates to the course)
63
WHAT ABOUT THE STRUCTURE
• Paragraph 4: Summary
• Finish with a one or two line summary recapping why you want
to go to university and study the course
• Why do you deserve to be offered a place?
64
BE ORIGINAL…
“I want you to tell me about you as a real,
three-dimensional person.”
Dr Jon Scott, University of Leicester
“It is important that you write it in
your own style rather than trying to conform to what
someone else thinks is right.”
University of Bristol UCAS application dos and don’ts www.bristol.ac.uk/study/schools/factsheets
“Be yourself; it's a pleasure (though a surprisingly rare
one) to read a statement where the candidate's own
voice comes over clearly.”
University of Southampton English Department http://www.southampton.ac.uk/english/undergraduate/ucas_application.page
“I tackle the tasks presented to me with wisdom and sincerity”
“In my part time job – everything I touch turns to SOLD”
You are applying for University, not the Apprentice!
65
BUT DON’T GO OVERBOARD…
66
RESOURCES
• UCAS – worksheets, videos,
mind maps, top tips
67
SOME FINAL ADVICE
• Start early
• Make use of the resources: UCAS/Student Room
• Plan out the structure with bullet points and headings, then
turn these into full sentences and paragraphs
• Draft in Microsoft Word, spell check AND proof read it before
you paste it into UCAS
• Keep a copy in case you are called to interview
• Don’t plagiarise
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AND REMEMBER…
IT’S PERSONAL!
• It’s all about you – use your voice and be persuasive
• There’s no such thing as the perfect statement
• Show an interest, Personal insight, Sell yourself
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Good Luck with your applications