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INTRODUCTION
Embarking upon the university entrance process can be both daunting and confusing. There is an array of acronyms ranging from A Levels and UCAS, as well as specialist terms like Clearing, Adjustment, Apply Extra, collegiate system, Joint Honours, and Modular courses.
This guide is an attempt to help both parent and student navigate the winding pathway that leads to Higher Education in the United Kingdom. Many things, I hope, will be explained and much of the jargon will be ‘busted.’ The guide is based upon information available at the present time which may of course be subject to change.
The value of this publication will vary according to parent and student. I am aware that many of you have had older children/siblings who have already succeeded in securing a place at university. For you, the guide will act more as a reminder of what needs to be done but it may also contain new information as the system can change each year. In addition, much will have changed from the days when parents of Year 12 students may have been at university themselves, so advice and guidance might need to be updated and reconsidered.
For parents, the process that your child will shortly undertake is both time-consuming and pressured. In order that you can support her/him effectively, may I offer the following advice for your consideration:
• Be mindful of the pressures that your child is under from this process and the examination system that they endure. • Encourage your child to complete the UCAS application early! (Our internal deadlines look to assist with this). • Take a positive interest but, at times, hover in the background.
• Offer opinions by all means, but they are best offered when they are sought. • Conduct research for your child but encourage her/him to take the lead throughout the process. • Understand that the reputation of some universities may have changed over time. • Be realistic about the options pursued by your child; unrealistic ambition is unhelpful. • Realise that competition for places is fierce and there is no guarantee of success. • Visit universities with your child and offer lifts to others if possible (particularly boarders), and where possible undertake this during holiday periods or on weekends.
Where universities are running virtual open days, please encourage your daughter/son to attend. • Please proof-read their personal statements and offer suggestions for improvement. • Insist (gently) that your child keeps you informed of developments. • Seek advice from others and from the school, if you are in doubt and concerned. • Try to ensure that students are not away on holiday when A Level results are published in
August at the end of Year 13. • Encourage work experience. This is recommended for all applicants, and is absolutely vital for potential lawyers, teachers, medics and vets. It is clear from surveys of graduate employers that work experience is an essential feature of a successful job application, and serves to provide excellent evidence of many of the desirable qualities sought by universities and employers. • If your child in fact decides that university is not a pathway they wish to take, please do listen to them and explore the various alternatives with them. We have already introduced to them information about such alternatives, and there is considerable support available from us to help guide them.
I have also included in this guide a section entitled Alternatives to Higher Education. Apprenticeships, including Degree Apprenticeships, which is a pathway a number of our students annually consider, with some excellent opportunities available to them. We are keen to support all our students, whether it be via the traditional route to university, or an alternative such as directly into employment. We offer considerable support to students wishing to explore this area further and, in this guide, (pages 39-44) I hope you find some useful information.
For students, I hope that this guide will help develop your understanding of the process of applying to Higher Education courses and will prove a useful aid during the year ahead. Please keep discussing your options with your teachers, tutor, parents, friends and relatives, however do remember that the ultimate decision should be yours.
If you have any further queries, or would like to have seen other topic areas included in this guide, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Mr J Alderson
