CHOOSING THE RIGHT COURSE AND UNIVERSITY
TODAYS TALK
• Choosing the right course
• Choosing the right university
• An introduction to the UCAS website
• How much does it cost?
WHERE DO YOU START?
A VARIETY OF COURSES TO SUIT EVERY INTEREST
• 39,000• 300• Specialise• Try
something new
Guess the Degree
• Vernon Kay • Vernon Kay
Vernon Kay Harry Hill Sacha Baron Cohen
Environmental Science
Medicine History
Guess the Degree
• Vernon Kay • Vernon Kay
Chris MartinJK Rowling Jimmy Carr
Greek & Latin French Political Science
THINGS TO CONSIDER
• Entry requirements
• Course• Assessment• Student life• Employment
CHOOSING THE RIGHT UNIVERSITY
What to contemplate when choosing a University?
• Location • It has the right
course• A nice campus • Good facilities • Good reputation • The clubs/societies
it has• It’s close to
home/it’s far from home!
• Great atmosphere • Nice
accommodation
Top answers
1. The number of scheduled teaching hours
2. The demographic of people who go there
3. The learning and assessment style
4. The financial support on offer at the university
5. Degree classes awarded
http://university.which.co.uk/
FIVE THINGS STUDENTS WISH THEY’D CONSIDERED
Accommodation type Halls of Residence Shared House Cluster flats
Weekly price Standard room: £81 – £92
En suite room: £110 – £118Studio flat:
£133
£65 – £85(doesn’t necessarily
include bills)
Standard room: £97
En suite room: £108
Studio flat: £129
Positives • On or close to campus
• Lots of students
• More space for less money
• Car parking
Same as Halls of Residence
Negatives • Expensive • Small rooms
• Not all bills are included in rent
• Neighbours that complain about
noise
Same as Halls of Residence
TYPICAL WEEKLY PRICES OF STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I DO WHILST AT UNIVERSITY?
• Transferable skills
• Volunteering• Work
experience• Clubs/
societies• Get involved!
Graduate employability
• Careers team in student gateway
• Student jobs• Support after
graduation
RESEARCH YOU CAN DO
• Internet• Prospectus• Open days• League tables
USING THE UCAS WEBSITE
SEARCHING FOR COURSES
SEARCHING FOR A COURSE
SEARCHING FOR A COURSE
SEARCHING FOR A COURSE
• Tuition fees• There is repayable and non repayable support available• Bursaries and scholarships are available: some of which has been made
possible by the generosity of our alumni
- Care leavers bursary (£2,000 a year) - Drake gold and silver awards - Academic scholarships - Including Academic Excellence Awards
• Access to Learning Fund
• Plymouth University Retention Fund: this is money released from the tuition fees to support students whilst they study with us.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
TIPS FOR GETTING IT RIGHT!
• Start thinking now!
• Interests• Research• Requirements• Pursue your
interests
• Use the UCAS website to search for courses
• Visit opendays.com for a list of visiting opportunities
• Do something you enjoy but think ahead
• Don’t do something or go somewhere unless your 100% sure
Summary
OPEN DAYS:WEDNESDAY 25 JUNESATURDAY 11 OCTOBER