• • • What subjects do you want to study?
    • What qualifications do you want to gain?
    • Where do you want to study?
    • What career might you want to do in the future?
    • Are you happy and settled at Crompton House?

Deciding to go to university is a huge decision and should not be a ‘last thought’. This is an opportunity that may result in you leaving home and starting a ‘new life’. Undertaking a course in higher education can benefit you in a number of ways.

Not only can university offer an environment rich in social and cultural experiences, but can also help further your career prospects by gaining valuable new skills sought by employers, which will open more doors to better jobs.

Getting a university qualification means you are less likely to be unemployed than non-graduates, so will always be extremely advantageous during your job search.

There are now around 50,000 courses available at universities and colleges across the UK, so there’s bound to be something that appeals to each of you. There are different flexible options for studying a higher education course: full-time, part-time and online distance learning, so you can fit it in around any commitments you may have. There are 3 key benefits of taking this future path;

1. 1. Better salaries

Although the monetary rewards vary greatly depending on ied, it has been shown that on average, graduates will earn significantly more in their lifetime than those with A levels and no degree qualification. The difference currently stands at around £100,000 before tax, and can rise to nearly £350,000 for medical graduates.

1. 2. Career prospects

Having a degree will improve the chances of gaining promotion, and help you progress up the career ladder more quickly and into your dream job. In addition to the academic side of university education, there will be social benefits too.

There is much more to higher education than just poring over textbooks and taking exams – all universities have a wide range of clubs and societies that you can become a part of, e.g. kayaking, rugby, chess, drama, photography, etc. This can provide valuable experiences that will look great on a CV when applying for jobs. Employers will see you as a more rounded person, having mixed with a variety of people from all walks of life, and developed important life skills such as communication and problem solving. The experiences should also give you more confidence, which will be obvious to employers.

1. 3. Independence

Attending university and living away from home gives you the chance to be completely independent. You will develop important skills that include cooking, cleaning and managing finances.

Of course, if you pick the right subject, there will also be the enjoyment in studying the course and expanding knowledge on something that interests you. Most graduates say they do not regret going to university or college and describe it as one of the best experiences of their life.

Students can apply for up to FIVE different courses. Use the five choices wisely. By this point, you should know the specific area of which you wish to study. Therefore, your course selections should all be within a similar field of subject matter. Course research must be done thoroughly. Look carefully at the subject entry requirements.  What makes a good application?

• • Good results and predicted grades.
  • Personal statement is well written, well structured and with correct grammar, etc.
  • Courses have been demonstrably well researched.
  • Work experience, hobbies, etc.
  • Wider reading, listening, interest in cinema, museums, art, etc. outside the specification.

Application sent – what happens next?

Students will receive either:

• • An unconditional offer
  • A conditional offer
  • Unsuccessful application

Accepting Offers

Once all offers have been received, you will then have to select one firm course and one as an insurance. The insurance, as mentioned above, is usually a fall-back option in the event that you do not reach your predicted grades.

https://www.ucas.com/

https://www.gov.uk/student-finance

Labour Market Information focuses on giving you information about the local area you live in:

• • Wage rates
  • Job availability
  • Skills gaps
  • Unemployment rates
  • Reports from professional bodies
  • Economic summaries from the local area
  • Labour Market Information ensures that young people are equipped with the information needed to make well informed realistic decisions.