2. Applying to university
Yvonne Williams

3. To cover….
Researching Higher Education
UCAS applications process
What Admissions Tutors are Looking
for
The Personal Statement Section

4. Research
The objective:
right course + right place =
great time + great career
Avoid being part of 7.1% that drop out
in first year
RESEARCH

5. Detective work
Where do you find this information?
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Prospectuses
Internet – University sites and UCAS
Social Media – Facebook/YouTube
Visits
Talking to people

6. Which course
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Over 50,000 different courses available
Have you studied the subject before or do you want to study something
new?
Look at course content and style
Career options
68% of job adverts aimed at graduates do not specify a degree subject

10. Which type of degree?
• Single
• Joint
• Major/minor
• Sandwich
• Study abroad
• Professional accreditation
• BA/BSc/BEng
• Masters

11. Choosing where to study
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Course
Entry requirements
Location
Facilities
Accommodation
Student life

12. Opportunities to
develop skills
Volunteering opportunities
Clubs and societies
Student Newspaper/Radio/TV
Sports Centre
Music/Drama

13. Careers Support and
employability
Internships and work placements
Careers awards – the PSA
Year in industry
Global challenge
Alumni mentoring
Subject specific careers advice
Employer fairs on campus

14. Open Days
 University websites
 www.opendays.com
 Fri 27, Sat 28 June 2014
Sat 13 September 2014
Sat 18 September 2014
 A great opportunity to discover
university life first-hand

15. UCAS – KEY DATES AND PROCEDURES
1 September
Opening Date
15 October
Deadline for Oxbridge applicants
15 October
Deadline for medicine, dentistry and vet
science applicants
15 January
Deadline for all other applicants

16. Key UCAS facts
•All applications made online
•Maximum of five choices
•Some choice restrictions:
- max 4 choices for Medicine,
Veterinary, Dentistry
- Oxford or Cambridge
•‘Invisibility’
•Conditional offers – 2 can be held,
one as a Firm choice and one as an
Insurance choice
•Unconditional offers

17. What universities look for
 Will you be able to cope with the academic
demands of the course
 Do you meet the entry requirements

18. Entry requirements
What are they?
Are they realistic?
Are there any specific requirements?
e.g.: GCSE; ‘AS’ and ‘A’ Levels; IB etc
Admissions tests
Work experience

20. Birmingham examples
Economics, AAA,
GCSE Mathematics grade A if not offered
at AS or A2
Physiotherapy, AAB, work experience
Applied Golf Management Studies, AAB, two
out of PE or Sports Studies, Business or
Economics, Design and Technology &
a Science
Meet a Golf handicap (4.4/6.4)
Satisfactory criminal records check

21. How is your application
assessed?
In general:
•Academic requirements
•School /college reference
•Personal statement

22. The personal
statement
The only opportunity to see the real you
Used to select between applicants
Replacement interview – or used as
basis for interview
Its difficult to write about yourself – good
assessment of candidates

23. Personal Statements
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Reasons for choosing the course or subject
- What is the background to your interest in this area?
- An understanding of the subject at degree level
- Interest in the subject matter beyond A Level or
equivalent
Career aspirations
Interests and hobbies
Positions of responsibility
Work experience or employment
Skills relevant to the course
Gap year information, if applicable
Motivation - commitment - enthusiasm

25. Find out more
 Visit the website
www.birmingham.ac.uk
• Attend an Open Day
Fri 27, Sat 28 June 2014
Sat 13 September 2014
Sat 18 September 2014
• Become a Birmingham VIP
www.birmingham.ac.uk/vip

26. Any questions?