As we hurtle towards the end of the academic year

there are lots of things to think about. If you are

coming to the end of your first year at college you

will already have started work on your UCAS

workbook. The workbook is designed to help you

prepare for completing your university application

in September. All final year students are expected

to complete a UCAS application - this ensures that

you have at least one viable option when you leave

The Sixth Form College and gives you experience

of completing a comprehensive application form.

UCAS

WorkbookThings to

ConsiderKey Dates UCAS Extra

In this edition of the Higher Education Newsletter we will cover:

UCAS Workbook

Summer Edition 2015

It is essential that you dedicate time to researching your

university options – the workbook is simply the start of the

process. Use your time constructively by reading prospectuses,

attending university open days and, of course, by attending

the UCAS Open Day in Liverpool on 9th June.

It can be

immense

fun!

Broadens

interests &

knowledge

Increase

potential

earnings

Better health

Benefit

the wider

community

Social &

cultural

reasons Better career

prospects

More

independence,

confidence &

responsibility

Personal

challenge

AS Students

Course Choice

The important thing is to choose a subject that you

will enjoy and that will help you reach your goals.

If you are struggling to make a decision there are

lots of useful websites to help you. Try Higher Ideas

on Moodle or use the search tool on the UCAS

site - it is well worth familiarising yourself with the

UCAS website (www.ucas.com) as it really has

everything you need to make a good application.

Things to Consider

Location

Once you have decided on a subject you need to think

about where you want to study. Do you want to live at

home or are you keen to develop your independence and

move into university accommodation? Some students

choose to study in one of our local universities but opt to

live in halls of residence. Many really go for it and move

away to a different city.

Your tutors will encourage you to stretch yourself and

take all of the opportunities that university life offers –

moving out of home is often the best way to achieve

this!

After conducting initial research using university

websites and prospectuses the best way to really see

whether a particular university is for you is to pay them

a visit. UCAS has a ‘Find an Open Day’ facility that lists

all events for all universities – it couldn’t be easier!

THREE STEPSTO APPLYING

explore your options

requirements

decide on a subjectsearch for coursescheck entry

apply online

wait to hear backfrom course providers

reply to any o!ersyou get

see if you meet theconditions and getaccepted

make sure your "nanceis sorted

buy course materials

check social optionsand get ready to go!

If you are an A2 student you may well have received

decisions from all of your chosen universities,

although a number of universities and individual

faculties are yet to make their offers. Use the below

information to ensure that you make your firm and

insurance choices on time. You can double check the

date that you must reply by on UCAS Track.

Key Dates

Dates for your Diary

If you receive all decisions by 31 March, you must reply by

this date.

If you applied by the 15 January deadline and you’re

still waiting, universities will decide whether they’re

making an offer by now (otherwise those choices are

automatically made unsuccessful).

If you receive all decisions by 7 May, you must reply by

this date.

If you receive all decisions by 4 June, you must

reply by this date.

6th May

7th May

4th June

25th June

1

M T W T F S S M T W T F S S

2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

MAY JUNE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

A2 Students

Sources of information

Discover more online:

www.facebook.com/birkenhead

sixthformcollege @BSFCBSFC : Higher Education Newsletter :

Compiled by Joanne Wood (Personal & Guidance tutor)

https://www.ucas.com/

If you've received decisions from all five universities

or colleges and weren't accepted, or if you declined

the offers you received, you might be able to add

another choice through Extra.

Extra is a free service – available for you to apply to

one course at a time between 25 February and 2

July. If Extra is available to you, it'll show up as a

button when you log in to track your application.

See the UCAS website for further information.

UCAS Extra

Clearing

Clearing is how universities and colleges fill any

places they still have on their courses. It's an ideal

way for you to find a course if you do not receive

any offers, or if you have conditional offers that

you do not meet.

You can use Clearing from results day - so if your

results are not what you were hoping for, be prepared

to use the Clearing service on the same day.

If your exam results are reasonable and you're

flexible on subject/location, there's still a good

chance you'll find another course.

On a brighter note, if you’ve done better than

expected and have met and exceeded conditions

for your firm choice, you might be thinking about

looking for an alternative course. To do this click

Register for Adjustment in Track. Your confirmed

place will be held whilst you research and possibly

secure an alternative. This facility is available from

14 August.

Accommodation

When you have made your firm choice you can start to

consider accommodation. Your primary consideration

should be cost. A weekly difference of just £10 will make a

huge difference to your annual budget. The Student Room

website has lots more information and advice and you can

talk to students who are already at university about their

experiences.

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/

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