Open days and tasters - a way to find out more
Check out the UCAS tariff - available on the UCAS website to see how many UCAS points your advanced level qualification is likely to be worth.- Get hold of prospectuses and course leaflets to find out more detail.
- For information on entry tests including dates go to the UCAS website and check the admissions tests pages.
- You can also use the course search function on the UCAS website to check out entry-profiles including the entry requirements, national student satisfaction results and employability. This also gives information on whether interviews, a portfolio or other evidence is required.
Most important of all - get out there and ask lots of questions! You may be able to do some of this online by emailing tutors and requesting more information but the best way is to go and have a look at places and meet staff from the universities and colleges that interest you.
Take advantage of:
- UCAS HE Conventions. Your local one will be at University College Worcester on Friday March 12th 2010 (9.30am - 3.00pm). If you are not going along with your school or college you can just turn up - you'll be able to talk to UCAS and around 130 universities and colleges. Get prepared before you go though.
- Enrol on taster courses. These are popular, free and a brilliant way of spending from a day to a week at a university or college discovering what it is really like on a course - so book early to get a place.
- Go to Open Days. A prospectus and course leaflet will give you information but going there will give you a real feel for the place. You'll have a chance to look right round the place including the student union, library, teaching areas and on-site accommodation. You may be able to meet up with tutors and chat with students on the courses you're interested in.
- You may be able to set up your own informal visit - especially if you have special needs or you can't make the formal open day, for example if it clashes with an important assesment. E-mail or telephone the admissions tutor of the course you are interested in and ask if it would be possible. If you have special needs it may be a good idea to arrange to talk to the special needs co-ordinator as well.
- Keep asking yourself questions - Would I enjoy that? Will I be interested in all aspects fo the course? Just what am I looking for from my course and my time at university or college?
- Once you done all this you should then be able to draw up a much shorter list to use on your application form. It is often a good idea to revisit the places that interest you most.
How to Apply for Higher Education
