An Introduction to Unit 3:

Exploring your future

Unit 3 CATs

• CAT 3a: Complete table 3a in order of your top 5 UCAS choices

• Write an assignment to justify your top 2 choices (750 words)

• CAT 3b: Complete table 3b listing 2 career choices and 2 HE options

• Write an assignment to compare and contrast one of your career choices and one HE option.

Purpose of Unit 3

• Start to put your Career Action Plan into practice

• HE and career research and decision making

• Choosing the right path for you

• Gain better understanding of entry requirements – academic and other

• Enable you to be realistic and set achievable targets

• Develop your research skills

Some HE statistics

• More than 43,000 courses available in the UK

• More than 300 institutions to study in

• In 2013, 677,373 people applied to HE

• 495,596 got places

Why choose Higher Education?

• Academic interest

• Transferable skills

• Improve career prospects

• Earn more money – average graduate starting salary in UK is approximately £25,000 - £30,000

• Once in a lifetime opportunity, not to be missed!

Choosing the right course

• Familiar or new subject?

• Vocational or non-vocational?

• Level of qualification?

• Entry requirements?

• Career prospects?

• Assessment methods?

Understand and use the UCAS Tariff

A Level Grade A*/ A 140/120 pts

Grade B/C 100/80 pts

Grade D/E 60/40 pts

BTEC Diploma DDD 360 pts

MMM 240 pts

PPP 120 pts

Many other qualifications and grades – see UCAS website or back of UoH prospectus

Choosing a university

• Home or away/distance from home?• City or rural?• Campus or non-campus based?• Known for excellence in subject/department?• Accommodation?• Academic resources?• Sports and leisure facilities?• Nightlife and social scene?

Your Choices

• Be sure of what you want to study• Be realistic

- don’t price yourself out of the market

- but……don’t underestimate yourself either• Remember 5 courses, not 5 HEIs• Use the UCAS Website – www.ucas.com

Useful research tips

• Use the online Progression Module resources - web links

• Consider a range of factors: graduate employment stats, student satisfaction survey, as well as league table positioning

• Study prospectuses (paper copy and online)

• Talk to tutors, friends, family and current students

Final points to remember

• Use the writing frame in Unit 3 booklet as a guide

• Write at least 750 words

• Don’t copy and paste info from the web - plagiarism

• Unit 3 choices should link with Unit 1 CAP

Final points to remember

• Use relevant websites and articles to inform your assignment (use online resources and links)

• Include a bibliography (at least 3 web sources – remember to bookmark your sources when researching)