Postschool destinations University College Modern Apprenticeships and Employment

Post-school destinations University, College, Modern Apprenticeships, and Employment

UCAS • Universities’ and Colleges’ Admissions Service • Established central role in UK admissions providing a wide -ranging, impartial service to schools, applicants and HEIs • Does not include most colleges in Scotland • Also now deals with applications to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland other conservatoires • www. ucas. com

UCAS • All students apply online • Support is given in school to register and complete application • Miss Siddall, Mrs Moran, and Mr Harrison help with personal statements • These staff put together a school reference based on staff comments • Miss Siddall “sends” application, until this point the application can be sent back to the student and changed. • Students can access in school/at home/any internet access • Students pay a fee online - £ 24 (£ 12 for only 1 course)

A good personal statement • The best personal statements are unique but not wacky, allowing personality and enthusiasm to come through. • What do you want to do and more importantly why? What are you long-term ambitions? • Commitment to the subject, your involvement in relevant activities outside the classroom. • Widening Access programmes and Open Days • Employment is particularly valuable evidence – independence, commitment, maturity, life experience. • Reflective – what have you learned / gained from various activities and experiences?

The bottom line • Start early • Be honest • Give evidence (e. g. “sitting 5 Highers in S 5 while working part-time as a swimming teacher means I have developed excellent time management skills. • Explain your transferable skills. • Get someone else to proof read it (teachers will do this)

IHS timeline for UCAS applications September 2016 – Register on UCAS, complete details, explore website for options and information, begin early drafts of personal statement, 1 -to-1 support sessions. October 2016 Confirm course choices, first draft of statement submitted. Closing date for small number of courses / institutions. Start of November 2016 – Second draft of personal statement submitted. Miss Siddall, Mr Harrison, and other staff begin writing references. Mid-December 2016 – Final draft of personal statement and reference completed. 15 th January 2017 – Deadline for applications to UCAS, though early applications can be beneficial. Responses from institutions can be received anytime after this.

What evidence do admissions tutors use? • • • Academic and vocational attainment Predicted grades Personal statement Reference Participation in widening access activities such as Focus West & Top-Up • Interview • Piece of written work • Admissions test

College • Research, particularly college websites • Could be a back-up plan or an alternative route into university. Some universities allow you to enter Year 3 of a degree from an HND course. • Apply online, not done through school but students are encouraged to ask for support. • Shorter personal statement but still very important. • Often an interview required • Need to apply to each separately, deadlines differ for each college, courses usually open Mid-January. • Courses can close when full, need to apply as soon as possible.

Funding • • SAAS – Students Awards Agency for Scotland Tuition fees, student loans, and bursarys for those eligible Students apply online Applications can be made from April 2107 for courses starting next year. • Can apply before a college or university place is confirmed • Courses eligible for funding – HNCs, HNDs, degrees, nursing and midwifery diplomas and degrees, and PDGEs • Students will receive more support on this during tutor in April 2017. • www. saas. gov. uk

Modern Apprenticeships • Work placement plus qualification (usually delivered at college) • Apply to place of work or college • Advice available directly from employers, colleges, and Elaine Morrison (Skills Development Scotland) • Vacancies advertised locally through school, Elaine Morrison, Ileach, and word-of-mouth. • If you are interested in an MA, consider approaching an employer directly. They may not have been planning to take on an apprentice but may consider you.

Employment • CV, application forms, letters – base this on the profile you produce during S 6 • Interview techniques • Career planning / management skills can be developed through appointments with Elaine Morrison (Skills Development Scotland) • Start looking early – after Easter can be too late. • A part-time job can often lead into a full-time opportunity.

Links • • • www. ucas. com www. saas. gov. uk www. focuspoint. org. uk www. focuswest. org. uk http: //www. myworldofwork. co. uk/ http: //www. scotlandinter. net/colleges. html