Guidance
If applying to university or college students will find the UCAS website essential in enabling them to find universities and colleges using Where to study. Students can research courses using Course Search, complete an application using Apply and check the progress of their completed application in Track.
UCAS also provide advice about subjects and qualifications through to funding studies and being prepared for any challenges that may arise.
Video explaining the application process: http://www.ucas.tv/ucas/video/LvWGy
Link below highlighting how to wrote Personal Statements: http://www.studential.com/guide/write_personal_statement.htm
For further information on the process, parents can visit http://www.ucas.com/
This website contains information on the National Apprenticeship Service, their aims and priorities as the organisation with responsibility for Apprenticeships.
You can also view the latest news stories and press releases as well as reading their e-Newsletter and publications.
http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/
If students are considering not going to a university or college then this site may be very helpful. The notgoingtouni team offer to provide students with the advice, inspiration and tools required to make an informed decision regarding possibilities for their future e.g. Distance Learning, Gap years, foundation degree programs, apprenticeship vacancies, gap year jobs, distance learning courses & distance learning UK, etc
http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/
National Careers Week is a celebration of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance. The purpose is to promote and share good quality careers resources amongst career professionals, job seekers, parents and students.
http://www.nationalcareersweek.com/
Myths, panic and confusion about the 2012 English student finance changes are widespread. This special guide by Martin Lewis aims to change that, with 20 key facts every potential student, parent and grandparent should know.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-tuition-fees-changes
Free Student Guide
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-guide
Click here for a free useful study guide for Sixth Form students:
http://www.careerssw.org/pdf/study_guide.pdf
In 2012, the Sutton Trust significantly expanded their free summer school programme to more than 1000 students.
Funded by the Sutton Trust with the generous support of its partners and host universities, the week long summer schools are designed to give bright students from non-privileged homes a taste of life at a leading university. The aim is to demystify elite universities and to equip students – most of whom will be the first in their families to go on to higher education – with the knowledge and insight to make high quality applications to prestigious universities.
http://www.suttontrust.com/summer-schools/
EDT is the largest provider of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) enrichment activities for UK youth.
Their range of work related learning schemes provide opportunities for 11-21 year olds to enhance their technical, personal and employability skills through industry-led projects, industrial placements and specialised courses.
Medlink is a four-day residential course held at the Nottingham University School of Medicine. Through a combination of presentations and practical sessions it introduces students to a range and depth of modern medicine. Additionally, valuable advice and support is offered by Medical School Deans, admissions tutors and medical students from a number of Medical Schools, on how to select and successfully apply to Medical School. Take a moment to view the additional options open to you and read about the Medlink Exhibition.
Russell International Excellence Group
The Russell Group represents 20 leading UK universities which are committed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience and unrivalled links with business and the public sector
http://russellgroup.ac.uk/informed-choices/
Established in 1994, the Group brings together nineteen internationally renowned, research-intensive universities. The Group provides a central vehicle to help members promote their common interests in higher education, respond efficiently to key policy issues, and share best methods and practice.
University League Tables
UK universities ranked by assessing their performance in nine quality factors
http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/
Site focusing on revision for GCSE, AS and A2 level studies; includes study help and downloads. Information is also provided regarding universities, jobs and apprenticeships.
Parents Guide to University Applications
Student Finance England
Whilst at university or college you’ll have two main costs – tuition fees and living costs; assistance in understanding this process is available via Student Finance England
http://www.sfengland.slc.co.uk/full-time-study.aspx
Users of this site are asked about their interests and qualifications and our partner universities, firms and not-for-profits partners are asked to categorise each of their opportunities correspondingly. They then find relevant opportunities and notify users by email, on an on-going basis.
There is no charge for students, teachers or parents to use this site as accessprofessions.com is a registered charity.
http://www.accessprofessions.com/
The Business Specialist Programmes are a wide range of talent programmes aimed at people who have completed A levels or equivalent qualifications. They’re all 2 year modular programmes that will allow you to rotate around business units within a division of the Lloyds group.
http://www.lloydsbankinggrouptalent.com/
LNAT was developed by a consortium of UK universities as a fair way to assess a candidate’s potential to study law at undergraduate level, regardless of their education or personal background.
The LNAT is designed to be a test of aptitude rather than educational achievement. The skills that candidates need to do well in the LNAT are also the skills that they need to do well in legal education.
It is used alongside standard methods of selection such as A Level (or their global equivalent) results, university applications, and admissions interviews, to give a more accurate and rounded impression of the student’s abilities.
http://www.lnat.ac.uk/lnat-exam.aspx
National Voice of Students
Apart from ‘Medlink’ (which you have to pay for) there is the possibility to work in a research laboratory over the summer holiday between year 12 and year 13. This is a particularly exciting possibility for scientists and people looking to apply for medical or veterinary degrees and involves applying for a ‘Nuffield Bursary (http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/science-bursaries-schools-and-colleges). Although only 1000 maximum of these bursaries are given out country wide, Bodmin College has had several successful applications recently.
MORE USEFUL WEBSITES
HIGHER EDUCATION:
Open Days – Higher Education Open days
Coursefinder – questionnaire to find the right subject
Push - find the right University
UKcat – Medicine & Dentistry
Quality Assurance Agency for HE – reports on quality of teaching and research in HE
Interactive map – Interactive map of the UK HEI’s
Unistats- National Student Survey Results
Direct.gov – LSC government webiste with loads of links/info regarding HE options/choices/finance etc.
FINANCE:
Bursary Map – official map or Universities and bursaries available
Scholarshipsearch – organising & managing funding for HE
NHS – NHS grants & bursaries
Money to Learn – 16-19 Bursary, Care to Learn, Dance & Drama Awards
HEALTH & LIFESTYLE:
Accommodation - UK student accommodation
NHSdirect - Health & Medical advice/information
NUS – National Union of Students
The Student Room – student discussion room
Youth Information – information toolkit for young people
EMPLOYMENT:
Jobcentreplus – help finding work and jobs to apply for
NHS Careers – NHS Careers & Training
Teacher Training – how to become a teacher
Connexions – Advice & Guidance
Futurewise – courses to help prepare for your career/university
Police Recruitment – Working for the Police Force
GAP YEAR:
The Year in Industry – Take a year out working in industry
Bunac – gap year with Bunac
Lattitude Global Volunteering – voluntary work overseas
Gap Year Advice – essential information
Camp America – working in the USA
Language Vacation – language immersion abroad
STUDY & WORK ABROAD:
EURES – European job and learning portal
ERASMUS – Study in Europe
Study Overseas – HE worldwide