Planning for Higher Education
This year there are major changes to accessing Higher Education in the UK.
English students are now facing high fees to attend university. There are likely to be more changes in the near future.
In these fast-moving times, it is more important than ever that you take advantage of educational opportunities.
For many students this will still involve going to university. Start planning early for the best results.
Year 12/College First Year
- Spring – Get advice from friends, family, your Connexions PA and school or college staff about what and where to study. Research courses and institutions using reference books, prospectuses and the internet. Order prospectuses from any place that interests you.
- Summer – Attend HE events, open days and taster courses. Try to get relevant work experience. Start to put your Personal Statement together. Prepare applications for sponsorship. Read the prospectuses and use the UCAS website to gather information. Prune your shortlist to five. If you want to take a gap year, start making plans now as some gap year schemes have early closing dates.
CRUCIAL: With high tuition fees and living expenses, you will need financial aid to attend higher education. The Student Finance on DirectGov is the place to get started.
Year 13/College Second year
- 1 Oct – Deadline for applications to CUKAS (Music Conservatoires UK Admissions Service)
- 15 Oct – Deadline for applications to medical, dentistry or veterinary science courses and Oxford and Cambridge.
- 15 Jan – Closing date for all other UCAS applications including Art & Design Route A.
- 24 Feb – If you are eligible to use Extra, you can refer yourself to another choice from now until July
- 24 Mar – Deadline for Art & Design Route B applications.
- June/Jul – Publication of BTEC results.
- Mid Aug – Publication of AS/A results.
- Aug-Sept – UCAS Clearing matches anyone still looking for a HE place to any unfilled university vacancies.
CRUCIAL: Keeping calm through this process can be difficult. Don't let stress get the better of you.
Disabled students
It is a good idea to first draw up a shortlist of institutions that offer the course you want and then to consider the support offered to disabled students: access, staff attitudes, suitable accommodation, support services and so on.
Most universities can offer suitable support for disabled students. There may also be specific financial help available.
Try to visit an institution to see first-hand whether it meets your needs. Many universities have a disabled students adviser or other designated staff to contact for information.
Checking on the institution's website is a good start.
Experience
We're currently looking for a student's story to put here. If you've recently been through application, clearing, or getting onto an HE course, we would like to hear from you. Please email mystory@spired.com
Links
These websites will help you find information advice and guidance around careers and choices online:
- Directgov/uni
The government's higher education portal - UCAS
Processes all full-time applications to university courses - Directgov/studentfinance
All about funding for Higher Education
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