WHAT NEXT??WHAT NEXT??

Finding out About UniversityFinding out About UniversityCirencester College & Beyond Cirencester College & Beyond

2010…2010…

Time to Act!Time to Act!If you want to go to university, you’ll If you want to go to university, you’ll need to have a good idea what you need to have a good idea what you want to apply for by the beginning of want to apply for by the beginning of next yearnext yearYour application should be filled out Your application should be filled out and sent during the first half-term of and sent during the first half-term of Y2Y2So you need to start thinking, talking So you need to start thinking, talking to people, & doing research NOWto people, & doing research NOW

Time to Act…Time to Act…There is a programme of events coming There is a programme of events coming

up, including: up, including: Bristol UCAS Convention March 18Bristol UCAS Convention March 18thth– – nearly all universities will be there with nearly all universities will be there with information & staff to talk to information & staff to talk to Organised visits to University Open Days Organised visits to University Open Days June 18June 18thth (Reading) & June 25 (Reading) & June 25thth (Bristol) (Bristol)Our own Futures Days on June 21Our own Futures Days on June 21stst & & 2222ndnd

yougoyougoSign up to the UCAS service ‘yougo’ Sign up to the UCAS service ‘yougo’ on on yougofurther.co.ukyougofurther.co.uk ‘‘yougo’ combines information about yougo’ combines information about universities with chat forums, the universities with chat forums, the ability to meet other students ability to meet other students choosing the same universities as choosing the same universities as you, and much more you, and much more

More to think about Than You More to think about Than You Imagine!Imagine!

Over 40,000 different courses to choose Over 40,000 different courses to choose fromfromStay near home or go far away?Stay near home or go far away?‘‘Practical’ or ‘Academic’ course?Practical’ or ‘Academic’ course?New or old university?New or old university?City or countryside?City or countryside?Live-in or find your own accommodation?Live-in or find your own accommodation?One subject or a combination?One subject or a combination?Sandwich – a year in industry? Or abroad?Sandwich – a year in industry? Or abroad?Exams or coursework?Exams or coursework?

Places to StartPlaces to StartCollege Library Careers resourcesCollege Library Careers resourcesPersonal Tutors & Information on College Personal Tutors & Information on College Intranet under UCAS ApplicationsIntranet under UCAS ApplicationsUCAS has fantastic search facilities:UCAS has fantastic search facilities:www.ucas.comAsk your subject teachers for adviceAsk your subject teachers for adviceLeague tables e.g. Times University GuideLeague tables e.g. Times University GuideCheck university websites for informationCheck university websites for informationVisit universities you might apply toVisit universities you might apply toSearch for ‘unofficial’ and ‘Student Union’ Search for ‘unofficial’ and ‘Student Union’ guides for the inside story guides for the inside story

Focus On...Focus On...What evidence can you present to What evidence can you present to show that you have the right skills show that you have the right skills and motivation for the course?and motivation for the course?Checking ‘Entry Profiles’ on the UCAS Checking ‘Entry Profiles’ on the UCAS site or on University websites: site or on University websites: – Universities make offers on the basis of UCAS Universities make offers on the basis of UCAS

Tariff Points or A-level gradesTariff Points or A-level grades– Check against your predicted grades and make Check against your predicted grades and make

sure you’re not setting your sights too high or sure you’re not setting your sights too high or too lowtoo low

Concerned?Concerned?If you’re worried about what it will all cost you, If you’re worried about what it will all cost you, look at look at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinanceThe recession means that university places are The recession means that university places are being cut while at the same time more people being cut while at the same time more people are applying – getting a good place is are applying – getting a good place is becoming more competitive, so do plan early becoming more competitive, so do plan early and plan well for your application.and plan well for your application.Other worries? Talk to us or to the Connexions Other worries? Talk to us or to the Connexions advisors – there’s a lot of help available. advisors – there’s a lot of help available.

Do It Now!!Do It Now!!Should you arrange some work experience Should you arrange some work experience this summer to support your application?this summer to support your application?Or would it be a good idea to get involved Or would it be a good idea to get involved with a sport, a charity, a neighbourhood with a sport, a charity, a neighbourhood project etc to show you have skills and project etc to show you have skills and interests to support your application?interests to support your application?Start thinking through what you want to Start thinking through what you want to do and researching what’s available.do and researching what’s available.Think about Quality – look for the good Think about Quality – look for the good universities; aim for the best! universities; aim for the best!