Higher Education Information

POST-18 CHOICES

WHO’S INVOLVED? The Guidance Team M. Manville (UK & EU), L. Crumplin (US & Canada), G. Bates, D. Brown, S Pettifer J Williams, D. Chorley, K. Gorman Also: N Hammond

AIMS OF THIS EVENING •

Conversation

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Outline ‘the BSP context’; where do our students go?

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Outline our contribution; what does the school do?

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FAQs regarding university applications – no specific details about individual systems

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EU & North American applications

WHERE ARE STUDENTS GOING THIS YEAR? Academic year 2023 - 24 (current Y13) •

98% students applying to university

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86% of students applied to study at universities in the UK (including Oxford, Cambridge, Exeter, Bristol, Manchester, St Andrews, Durham, Imperial...)

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54% of students applying to study in universities outside the UK (including Netherlands, US, Canada, France, Italy, South Africa, Kenya..) with majority making applications through more than one system. Often UK + 1.

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Huge range of different courses being applied for (including Engineering, Medicine, Graphic Design, Real Estate Management, Film Production….)

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Y14: 3 students re-applying through BSP. (Our role is to support applications.

This continues until students are established on a suitable pathway.)

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A small number of deferrals.

WHAT DOES THE SCHOOL DO? YEAR 11 TIMELINE

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Sept - Easter: Careers as element of PSHE course

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Sept: Profiling interviews for all Y11 students (from profile test taken end Year 10): SPW Careers

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Feb: Parents’ Information Evening & A Level Options Evening: SPW Careers

WHAT DOES THE SCHOOL DO? YEAR 12 TIMELINE

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Profile testing/interviews for new Y12 students: SPW Careers

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Oct onwards: University visits to the BSP

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Feb: ‘launch’ of Post-18 Decisions guidance (with elements for ‘fast-track’, university and non-university pathways)

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End June: ‘What’s Next?’ course

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(Plus information evenings, university road-show, external speakers, events held in local schools, work experience support…)

WHAT DOES THE SCHOOL DO? YEAR 13 TIMELINE

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Sept: ‘Introduction to Year 13’ course

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From Sept: PSHE Careers programme & applications

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Oct onwards: University visits to the BSP. Deadline for ‘fasttrack’ applications UK.

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Dec/Jan: Mock interviews. Deadline for majority of applications

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Feb – May: Exams!

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August: Results & Clearing

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Ongoing support for ex-students.

EG: WHAT’S NEXT - JUNE 2023 •

Two-day programme

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Tailored workshops

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Topics included ‘Making the right Decision’, ‘Studying in the US’, ‘Studying in the EU’, ‘Writing a Personal Statement’ and ‘Starting your Application’

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7 members of staff, 5 ex-students.

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Up to date and interactive.

OUR STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCE 2023 •

Very successful for graduating BSP students: 95% first choice. 75% eventually chose to study in the UK.

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Demanding offers: eg Imperial – A*A*AA / A*A*A; Bath – A*AA; Southampton – A*AA. Increasing number of institutions introducing aptitude tests, interviews, portfolio requirements….

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Increasing numbers of students making multiple applications.

09/02/2024

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FAQS •

School has a supporting role – we provide guidance, answer questions and help process applications

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It’s their life! Please guide, take an interest and support, but allow them to take decisions about what and where they study.

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It’s their application; let your son or daughter complete it in their words. Universities will not discuss the details of applications with anyone other than the student concerned – they must therefore take early responsibility for research, decision-making and fulfilling selection requirements.

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Students should select course first, please be open-minded about institution. Don’t chase brand names as this can lead to disappointment.

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Encourage your son or daughter to stick to deadlines – adjustments take time. They should drive the process, no matter the application system. Early applications often get early decisions.

FAQS Predicted Grades: •

Our predicted grade policy is on the school’s website. Please read it.

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Choices should reflect predicted grades, rather than the other way round. 2 – 2 – 1 approach.

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Bear in mind the school typically communicates with students about grades, options and applications, not parents. We are available for meetings, conversations etc…..

Profile: •

Students taking more than 3 A Levels are the exception – French SO, Further Maths, EPQ… (MUCH better to gain fewer high grades)

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Non-academic is less important for the UK, BUT enrichment such as summer courses, work experience, reading, and a sustained participation in a small number of activities extremely useful for overall profile – please encourage a broad enthusiasm for subject

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Be open-minded about gap years/deferrals: these can be VERY beneficial (Business, Medicine, Vets, Languages...)

FAQs EU and beyond: •

A levels are acceptable ‘currency’ for applications around the world and are often advantageous.

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We do support ALL applications – although we have much less or no visibility for non-UK systems. Students must drive process.

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We recommend a maximum of two separate application systems.

‘Fast-Track’ (Oxbridge, Dentistry, Medicine, Vets, other highly selective universities) •

School should be aware EARLY to support – before summer of Year 12 (our programme of support starts in February Y12)

09/02/2024

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IMPORTANT FOR UK APPLICATIONS

NON-UNIVERSITY

Points to note for (EU) applications to the UK •

Brexit: major change is the fees and visa status for EU nationals. For all UK universities, EU nationals are now classed as ‘international students’ and higher tuition fees can apply. Tuition fee loans are no longer available. Many universities offering scholarship schemes.

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Home Fees students do have access to tuition fee AND maintenance loans. Until 2028.

British and Irish passport holders have to live within EU for 3 years prior to application.

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EU nationals will now need tier 4 visas – charge applies..

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EU nationals will also now face the ‘Health Surcharge’...

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IELTS/TOEFL for non-native English speakers. Needed for tier 4 visa application.

09/02/2024

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WHY DO BSP STUDENTS CHOOSE TO STUDY IN CANADA AND THE USA? •

Huge range of institutions

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The draw of US Ivy League level institutions

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Variety of courses: Liberal Arts in the US

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Excellent Canadian Universities

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Personal ‘fit’

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Adventure!

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Canada – 3 year ‘right to work’.

09/02/2024

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WHY DO BSP STUDENTS CHOOSE TO STUDY IN EU? •

Cost – tuition fees typically are lower than those of the UK (but not always the case!)

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Quality and Choice – excellent universities: Maastricht, Bocconi, Sciences Po, Parsons Art College…

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Language – increasing number of courses taught in English

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Distance – closer to ‘home’.

09/02/2024

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Frog

09/02/2024

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BEST CAREERS ADVICE EVER?

Q&A