Applying to competitive Universities Post-16 Widening Participation & Outreach Charlotte Stone
Aims of the session ▪ Overview of Post-18 options
▪ Understand the term ‘competitive university’ ▪ Understand the university application process ▪ Explore personal statements
Key info
Top 100 Global University
Award-winning campuses 22 Green Flag Awards for our green spaces
QS World University Rankings 2024
Sports University No. 2 in the UK No. 7 in the UK for top for research of the employers Year 2024 The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide
High Fliers Graduate Report 2023
Research Excellence Framework 2021
Our UK campuses University Park Campus Jubilee Campus Jubilee Campus
4 Sutton Bonington
Our campuses China Campus
Malaysia Campus
Post-18 Options
Post 18 options Employment with training
Higher education Employment
Gap year
Travel Opportunities
Higher level or degree apprenticeship
▪ Essential for some professions
Why go to university?
▪ Internationally recognised qualification ▪ Develop expertise ▪ Challenge yourself
▪ Invest in your future
What are your options? ▪ Over 52,000 courses offered in UK
▪ Over 8,00 Apprenticeship courses ▪ Over 400 UK providers ▪ Variety of institution types
▪ Options overseas
Making choices
UCAS Application process Year 11 & Year 12
Yr 12: May
Yr 13: September
October
Research courses & universities
UCAS applications open*
Applications can be sent off
Early deadline
Results day!
Universities deadline for offers
UCAS closes
Possible invites to interview
August
May
January
Dec-March
What makes a course/university competitive?
Volume of applications
Reputation
Leading to a profession
League tables
Requirements ▪ Academic achievements ▪ Compelling personal statement ▪ Strong teacher reference Variable Requirements: ▪ Volunteer/Work experience ▪ National admissions test ▪ Interview ▪ Portfolio
National admissions tests ▪ UCAT, BMAT*, LNAT, STEP
▪ Subject/University specific tests ▪ Tests your aptitude
▪ Tests skills such as verbal reasoning ▪ Must be completed within set deadlines *BMAT is being discontinued as of 2024
Career
Quizzes
Current subjects
How can I support them in deciding what to study?
Something new
Facilities
Location Study abroad
Employability City/Campus Student life Ranking
Size
How can UCAS help? ▪ UCAS Hub: Course finder ▪ Open Day information
▪ Key dates ▪ Entry requirements
Personal Statements
Four key ideals for Personal Statements ▪ A genuine interest for the subject(s)
▪ Intellectual curiosity ▪ Engagement with the subject outside of the curriculum ▪ A well-rounded individual (extra/super-curriculars)
▪ Read by admissions staff and/or academics
Personal statement
▪ One statement for all five choices
▪ Opportunity to explain and demonstrate suitability ▪ Character limit of 4000 (47 lines) ▪ Must be concise 20
A genuine interest for the subject(s) Intellectual curiosity
Suitable skill set
What are universities looking for? A well-rounded individual Engagement with the subject outside of the curriculum
70-80%
Structure Introduction
20-30%
Analysis of academic activities
Wider skills
Analysis of extra-curricular activities
A-Z University services
Other support at University
▪
Personal tutors
▪
ResX Team
▪
Money advice
▪
Cripps Health Centre
▪
Careers Service
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
ADHD support Directions, maps Let’s be clear on consent Part-time jobs Racism, resits
Unifrog ▪ Supports students to make impartial decisions ▪ How to pick 5 universities for UCAS application ▪ Partnered with schools
Accept feedback redraft Top Tips from&UCAS Start research early
UCAS Hub
Know the deadlines
Read about SFE Check entry requirements
Understand Extra and Clearing
Accept feedback & redraft
How did I do?
Thank-You!
Applying to competitive universities
Any questions? Follow us on Social Media: @UniofNottingham
Charlotte Stone