University and Higher Education

Making your choices Powerpoint

The sites below will help you with:

choosing universities and courses,
writing your personal statement,
preparing for interviews,
working out your finances,
thinking about a gap year

Choosing a University, a course (and other student life)

	Accurate information to help you make subject, uni and career choices. It looks at A level subjects and grades students on specific course have (as opposed to what the unis say they are looking for) and projects through to lifetime earnings graphs.
	A totally independent guide to UK universities, student life, gap years, open days, student finance and all things student-ish. Helps you find the right course for you.
	Site produce by the consumer magazine Which? You can search for courses via expected grades, subject interests, fees and other key stats. There's also advice about budgeting, student views of universities, personal statements and more.
	Lots of useful advice for those considering university with sections on applying, fees and finance, personal statements, courses, university guides and open days.
	The Guardian's online guide to helping you choose the right university for you.
	RealUni.com provides free student-written advice and information on all aspects of applying for University, builds profiles of Universities, and allows you to contact Uni students across the country.
	Compare the best University & degree courses - Degree course rankings, student university reviews, degree course details, university profiles to help you decide where to apply to. Has sections on the best route to your dream job, what students who did the same A levels as you are doing. You will also find blogs, advice and videos.
	The official website for comparing UK higher education course data. Includes official data for undergraduate courses on each university and college's satisfaction scores in the National Student Survey, jobs and salaries after study and other key information for prospective students.
	The Times Good University Guide - Find out where your chioces are in the university rankings and get detailed information about courses and localities. Also has lots of information aobut uni life, finance etc.
	There are over 1,000 articles on Bright Knowledge giving you independent, impartial and informed advice on topics like: EDUCATION. All you need to know about different courses and qualifications, and applying to university. CAREERS. Interviews with professionals giving insider advice on how you can follow in their footsteps. Plus, tried-and-tested tips for the perfect CV and interview success. SUBJECT LIBRARIES. Covering everything from arts to architecture and media to medicine, our articles and revision guides are there to inspire and support your studies. MONEY. Learn how to manage your money and where to get financial support. INDEPENDENT LIVING. Practical advice on everything from finding accommodation to cooking on a budget
	Get ideas about what student accomodation is like and what the costs are.
	On Unitasterdays.com you can search and book opportunities to try life at university - try before you buy for free!

Applying to University

	This is the site you use to apply to university - it's packed with information about individual subjects and universities as well as things like finance. It has separate sections for young people and parents/carers.	Uni Leap game
	Information for higher education students and those thinking of applying to university or college.
	Personal statement help Lots of tips for writing a good personal statement, including examples, from Applytouni.com
	This link takes you straight to the section of the website about 'Getting a Place at Uni'. There are sections about interviews, the applications process and tips on personal statements, getting in to Oxbridge, applying for art and design courses, vocational courses vs non vocational courses and jobs you definitely don't need a degree for!

Money and Finance

	Student Finance All the forms info, eligibility etc along with both a repayment calculator and a student finance calculator.
	The company that provide the student loans.
	This link takes you straight to the finance section of the Apply to Uni website.
	Lots of tips and advice on fees, student loans and making your money go further.
	If you are thinking of heading to uni but are confused or worried about whether you can afford it, Brightside has also created the free online Student Calculator so you can work out how much uni will really cost. By entering your details into the calculator you’ll be able to discover: how much student finance support you’re entitled to, and how to claim it how much you’re likely to spend on rent, food and other costs tips on part-time jobs and other money saving ideas to make sure your income and expenditure balance out. You’ll get a personalised budget tailored to your own situation which you can save and return to at any time, making the student calculator the quickest and easiest way to manage your money at uni.
	Takes you straight to the finance section of The Student Room with all sorts of information and guidance about student finance.
	Find scholarships for courses at UK unis.
	Search for UK scholarships, grants or bursaries for university on their comprehensive database of funding for UK/EU undergraduates and postgraduates and reduce your student debts.
	The Power Academy has been established to address the looming skills shortage in power engineering through a combination of financial support and workplace mentoring for students. A number of scholarships are awarded each year to students at participating universities.
	This covers the main issues that can challenge students aiming to access higher education, such as; living independently, managing your finances, disability/SEN, mixing degrees and work, Foundation Degrees, routes into uni from apprenticeships. This link takes you to the money section.
	This link takes you straight to the Money Zone section of the website.
	From the Telegraph - Student finance: top 5 student budget apps.

Other

	Has links and advice on gap year opportunities.
	Go straight to the Gap Year section of the PUSH website. It has articles on advice on taking a gap year, the costs of taking a gap year and the dangers of taking a gap year. The Gap Year Resources link takes you to lots of other useful gap year websites.
	This organisation organises au pair opportunities in the USA. You have to commit for at least one year. You would live with an American host family and care for their children.
	Explore all the options - it maybe that university isn't the only route in to your dream job. You could be earing money whilst you gain qualifications - typical salaries for Higher Apprenticeships (those requiring A levels are between £12,000 and £18,000, but I have seen them as high as £23,000. From apprenticeships to debt-free education, there are literally thousands of other opportunities out there. The Not Going to Uni team are here to help you find apprenticeships, college courses or work experience to start building your future. Not Going to Uni – the one stop site for apprenticeships, gap years, distance learning and jobs
	Links through to professional associations and gives advice on entry routes, salaries, work experience and internships as well as vocational entry routes.
	Promoting career opportunities in science and maths.
	What do graduates do? presents findings from the Higher Education Statistics Agency's Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey (DLHE). It examines first degree graduate destinations six months after they graduated. The publication is produced by HECSU and AGCAS.

Published on January 19th, 2021