Loreto College

(St Albans)

UCAS INFORMATION

BOOKLET FOR 2015-16

SIXTH FORM

Introduction

Over the next few months, we will be guiding you through the UCAS process. This can seem daunting, but we will help you at each stage. Timeline: Register for Apply 2016 June 2015

Higher Education Convention Monday 22nd June 2015

Parent Information Evening: UCAS process

Wednesday 8th July 2015

Personal Statement Workshop Thursday 9th July 2015

Write first draft of personal statement and hand to form tutors / subject staff for amendments

Friday 4th September 2015

Deadline for Oxbridge / Medicine / Dentistry applicants

Friday 18th September 2015

Deadline for all remaining applications Friday 9th October 2015

References written by members of the Senior Management Team

September / October 2015

Meeting with Mrs Lynch

September / October 2015

UCAS form is submitted

October 2015

It will be important that you keep to any deadlines set by the school. With so many of you applying, we will deal with each application in order of when we receive them. Universities start allocating places as soon as they receive applications, so it is worth getting your application in early. This guide has been produced to help you through the process.

THE UCAS PROCESS

UCAS Apply is the electronic university application system.

All Students wishing to attend university must apply via UCAS.

We encourage all students to register with UCAS, even those who think they do not want to apply to university as they often change their mind.

Apply 2016 will go live at the beginning of July 2015: www.ucas.com.

The fee for applications to a choice of five universities is £23 (to be confirmed). Payments should be made online after students have registered on the Apply 2016 system.

The fee for application to one university is £12 (to be confirmed).

The UCAS application form has five main sections:- 1. Personal details. 2. Educational qualifications:-

GCSE results, including exam boards. AS/A2 results: modular results may be included.

3. Course/university choices - 5 choices. 4. Personal Statement. 5. Reference, written by the school, including

A Level predicted grades. The majority of universities make offers purely based on this information.

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT COURSE?

The first step to choosing the right course is knowing your A2 PREDICTED GRADES in all subjects.

Universities make offers based on the grades the school predicts.

A2 predicted grades are always based on AS grades.

Universities may make offers in two ways:-

Tariff Points

AS

A2

140

A*

120

A

100

B

80

C

1. 2.

Specific subject grades, e.g. BCC, AAB, OR Tariff points, e.g. 260 points.

60

A

D

50

B

40

C

E

30

D

20

E

HIGH DEMAND COURSES Some universities are very oversubscribed, e.g. Bristol reports they receive an average of 13 applications per place. The odds get even worse for high demand courses, e.g.:-

Law at Durham: 18:1 Strategies:

Apply for some less popular courses:- o For law do a generic degree followed by a law conversion course; this

is a more expensive option! o Opt for a joint honours course. o Apply for similar courses at a ‘recruiter’ university.

Example: Geography Bsc honours at the University of Hertfordshire:-

260 tariff points – no subjects specified. Geography Bsc honours at the University of Sheffield:-

AAB, including a science subject. Other high demand courses include Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science, where three A grades will be required. Additional Qualifications

For some courses in Law, Medicine, Veterinary Science, aptitude tests are a part of the entry criteria. Check with your institution to see if you need to sit LNAT, UKCAT or BMAT tests.

For certain subjects at Oxford, e.g. English, there will be an aptitude test. You must enter for this by the appropriate deadline.

RESEARCH IS KEY!!

www.UCAS.com www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

LEAGUE TABLES AND GUIDES There are other sources of information available, including:-

Heap 2016: University Degree Course Offers: The Essential Guide to Winning Your Place at University.

Times Good University Guide 2016. These books and more are all available in the Sixth Form Careers’ section in the Parlour.

FINANCE

You will pay no up-front fees before you start a course in higher education! The cost

of studying at university will be paid back gradually month by month when you are

earning and will depend on how much you are earning. You will pay nothing when you

leave university unless you are earning £21,000 or above.

There are plenty of bursaries to give financial support to those from homes with lower

incomes. For some re-assuring independent financial advice go to:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-tuition-fees-changes#17

Staying at home and attending the local university is the cheapest option.

Accommodation costs in London are the highest in the UK.

Accommodation costs in the North of England may be 50% cheaper than London.

Loreto students will have a talk from a Student Finance representative who will explain the process.

COURSES

Single/joint/combined honours.

How is the course taught? Course content: modularity.

Sandwich course.

International component.

Types of assessment.

Are specialist subjects required?

Is there work experience as part of the course? If so, does the university arrange this or do you need to arrange it yourself?

What career options are there? Universities all publish destination statistics – check them out.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER APPLICATION You will receive a welcome letter from UCAS confirming your details and courses

applied for, including an application number which will be required for tracking. Copies of your application will be sent to your choices. Do not consider any offer received from a university or college as official until you

have received the UCAS letter. Track your application. Accept offers:-

o One firm offer, plus o One ‘insurance’ offer.

THE LORETO PROCESS When students return from study leave on Monday, 8th June 2015, PSHE lessons

change into UCAS preparation lessons, where students are guided through the process of researching universities, completing the application and writing a personal statement.

At this point subject teachers write references for each student. When the subject references are completed they are collated and the Senior

Management Team start writing the full reference. At the beginning of the autumn term subject teachers complete the predicted grades

for each student.

INDEPENDENT ADVICE AND GUIDANCE (AIG) All students in Year 12 are invited to attend the Higher Education Convention at the University of Bedfordshire on the morning of Monday, 22nd June 2015. UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS: Please try to arrange University Open Day visits at the weekend: A maximum of 2 days will be permitted during term time!! (These must be agreed with Miss Ross in advance).

UCAS DEADLINES:- 15 October 2015: Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine. 15 January 2016: All other Route A Applications. 24 March 2016: Applications for some Art & Design courses. (Check course details – some have 15th January 2016 deadline).

18 August 2016: A2 and AS Level results published and UCAS Full Clearing Vacancy Information starts. 31 August 2016: Adjustment closes. LORETO DEADLINES:- Friday, 18th September 2016: Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science applications.

Friday, 9th October 2015: All remaining applications. ADVICE FOR OXBRIDGE CANDIDATES

Mr Hough will guide students through Oxbridge applications. The school will arrange Open Day visits.

Preparation for Oxbridge interviews will be provided by consultants who specialise

in this field.

GCE UNIT RESULTS (PAPER MARKS)

The minimum uniform marks required for each grade equivalent:

Unit Grade Equivalent A B C D E

where maximum uniform mark is 80 64 56 48 40 32

where maximum uniform mark is 90 72 63 54 45 36

where maximum uniform mark is 100 80 70 60 50 40

where maximum uniform mark is 105 84 74 63 53 42

where maximum uniform mark is 110 88 77 66 55 44

where maximum uniform mark is 120 96 84 72 60 48

where maximum uniform mark is 200 160 140 120 100 80

where maximum uniform mark is 300 240 210 180 150 120

GCE QUALIFICATION GRADES

The maximum uniform mark for the qualification and the minimum uniform mark required for

each grade:

Qualification Grade A B C D E

GCE Advanced Subsidiary (AS)

where maximum uniform mark is 200

160

140

120

100

80

GCE Advanced (A level)

where maximum uniform mark is 400

320

280

240

200

160

Maths and Sciences only

Qualification Grade A B C D E

GCE Advanced Subsidiary (AS)

where maximum uniform mark is 300

240

210

180

150

120

GCE Advanced (A level)

where maximum uniform mark is 600

480

420

360

300

240

WHAT IS THE PERSONAL STATEMENT AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

The Personal Statement is a very important part of your university application, around an A4 side in length. Many courses do not interview so the Personal Statement may be your only chance to impress selectors. It will be written between July of Year 12 with a final version in September/ October of Year 13 but if you know where you are going early in Year 12 it will help you to collect experiences and engage in enrichment activities so that you have something significant to write about when the time comes. The Personal Statement gives you an opportunity to:- Tell the universities and colleges why they should choose you.

Tell universities and colleges about your suitability for the course(s) that you hope to

study.

Demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment, and above all, ensure that you stand out from the crowd.

What should go into the Personal Statement? Some of the best advice on the Personal Statement comes from UCAS who suggest that at least two thirds of your personal statement should relate to the course you wish to study at university and your suitability for it. UCAS also give the following important pointers about what you should include in your Personal Statement:- 1. Why you are applying for the course you have chosen?

Why does the subject interest you? Include evidence that you understand what is required to study the course. What got you interested in the subject? What have you learnt about the subject? Any activities that demonstrate your interest in the course(s).

2. Why you are suitable for the course:-

Which skills and experience do you have that will help you succeed on the course.

What have you done to develop your knowledge of the subject? What evidence is there that you have read, studied, gained experiences outside

the confines of your A level courses?

NEXT STEPS

It is important to realise that when the institutions receive copies of the UCAS form it is reduced by half. It is, therefore, very important to write clearly or to use a clear type – Arial font size 12 is ideal. Your personal statement will be checked for spelling, grammar and a general sense of interest. Generally, it is recommended that you avoid humour, aiming instead for sincerity. It is a very difficult task and often people lapse into flowery, over-elaborate language that they would not normally use. The most successful personal statements are those which really make your personality and love for a subject shine through. Too often words are repeated such as "interesting" and "enjoyable" without any substantiation. The main things that must be demonstrated by a personal statement are:

Why do you want to study that particular subject? Give evidence to support enthusiasm, e.g. visits, conferences, fieldwork, work-related placements and Community Action, extra reading, favourite authors/psychologists/scientists etc. and why, current affairs (especially for Law, Politics and Economics) and coursework topics.

Levels should be referred to, particularly where the content or skills are relevant to the chosen degree course.

Knowledge of the structure of degree courses and possible options and reasons for attraction (you won’t be tied to following them but it shows research).

It could refer to career aspirations.

After the bulk of the statement has dealt with the degree course, the rest of the statement ought to concentrate on your personality, general interests, out of school hobbies, clubs, positions of responsibility, evidence of teamwork, leadership, Community Action, key skills, etc. You may wish to include a final summing up paragraph or sentence related to the first paragraph.

NON UNIVERSITY OPTIONS

It is important to state that there are a huge number of other options available to Post-18 students.

Apprenticeships

There are a huge number of apprenticeships available for students to apply for. There are many opportunities for professional qualifications and career development. A new website was introduced in December 2014: http://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship. Students can search for available apprenticeships and start applying for them. Other good websites include:- http://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk http://www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk http://apprenticeeye.co.uk http://careermap.co.uk http://www.careersworld.co.uk/london/home School Leaver Programmes

There are also a number of companies who offer school leaver programmes. These provide training and additional qualifications. Many of these seem to be in the finance sector. Many seem to be very competitive, but are worth looking into if you are interested in finance in particular.

If you are interested in a school leaver programme, start doing some research. Decide which industry you want to work in. School leaver programmes are available in a range of different sectors, from engineering, retail and defence to construction, PR and accounting.

You need to think hard about your skills and interests and find an industry that will match them perfectly. If you need help, have a look at the Types of School Leaver Programme article, which explains the different kinds of programmes available in different industries. This is on www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk.

There is also a careers test on this website. Based on your answers, it’ll learn more about your personality, skills and interests and recommend five industry sectors which you should explore in more detail.

Useful websites about school leavers programme are:- www.notgoingtouni.co.uk www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/alternatives-higher-education http://www.studentladder.co.uk/School-Leaver-Programmes/school-leaver-programmes.html Grades demanded are often relatively high (sometimes 240 UCAS points). There is a multi-stage application process with online psychometrics process. Alternative Study Options There are also alternative ways of studying:-

• Full time/part time • Year out/placement/sandwich • Distance Learning • Sponsored Degrees • Foundation Degrees • Art Foundation Courses • Specialist Institutions • Overseas Study

Part time/distance learning The Open University is attracting younger students. Other universities are also offering distance / part time options. This can provide far more flexibility in terms of work and study. UCAS: https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/flexible-and-part-

time-study

Sponsored Degrees There are some opportunities for degrees to be sponsored, sometimes by the Armed Forces. There are a small number of opportunities in finance and business. http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/category/sponsored-degrees http://www.studentladder.co.uk/Study-Work-Options/study-work-options.html Foundation Degrees These are often shorter (usually 2 years full time). There are lower grade requirements and often a more vocational focus. This is a pathway to a full degree. “… degree level qualifications designed in association with employers – combining academic skills and knowledge with workplace performance and productivity. They’re ideal if you’re unsure about taking a full degree or if you want to study while you work. (UCAS)” Art Foundation Courses This is the traditional pathway to art and design courses and careers. It is an opportunity to develop their creativity and develop their portfolio. It is widely available in Art, Further Education and general colleges. Specialist Institutions Primarily performing arts: music, drama, dance:- Drama: http://www.dramauk.co.uk Dance: http://www.cdet.org.uk Music: https://www.careersinmusic.com/music-schools-united-kingdom Internships https://www.studentjob.co.uk/internship http://www.milkround.com http://www.ratemyplacement.co.uk/internships http://www.etrust.org.uk/the-year-in-industry/about-yini http://www.internwise.co.uk http://www.inspiringinterns.com/interns/london

Enquiries to:-

Mrs T Bray

Sixth Form Secretary

Loreto College (St Albans)

Hatfield Road

St Albans

Hertfordshire AL1 3RQ

Email: tbray@loreto.herts.sch.uk Telephone No.: 01727 856206