Progression News
Important information for returning students:
A Level results day – Thurs 17th August 2017
The progression team will be in college during the week AS and A Level results are released. Students may need help and advice with regards to their UCAS applications and what they need to do if their exam results are not what they expected. On A Level results day itself, the progression team will be available for one to one guidance in college, supported by our own higher education adviser who can give advice about the college’s own university level courses.
Clearing
Students need to login in to UCAS Track to check their places for University.
If a student does not have a place at their first or insurance choice they will be able to enter Clearing from 18th August to find an alternative course.
Adjustment
If students achieve better grades than they expected for their firm offer eg AAB and above they are able to contact other Universities to discuss potential places. This process is called ‘adjustment.’
Year 12 – Results and Help
For those students receiving AS results there will be a range of support and guidance available between 17th-25th August and all AS students will receive a phone call from their year one tutor on the afternoon of 24th August to discuss their results.
Year 12 Students Applying for University in 2018 – What You Need to Do This Summer Holidays
1. Research Courses and Universities: Students should be researching what subject they want to study at what institution. Open Days are a great way to find out what a course at a specific university is really like and to visit the accommodation and student facilities too. Book on for Open days in September as these often fill up quickly.
Please click here to watch a Progression HE Info Event presentation about what you need to do now and what resources can help.
2. The Big Sell – The Personal Statement
Once your son, daughter or ward has chosen their course and 5 potential universities they need to write their personal statement over the summer. This may take a few drafts and there is lots of advice on the Ucas website to help them do this.
Please check your son, daughter or wards personal statement – does it make sense? Does it explain why they want to do the course and then provide evidence for why they are suitable for it?
Click here for advice from Ucas.
3. Get Help with Personal Statements
If your son, daughter or ward needs help with your personal statement then they can email: progressionteam@exe-coll.ac.uk and also bring along a draft statement to our term time lunch time drop in service between 12.15 – 14.15 Monday to Friday in the Progression Hub.
4. Looking for something Extra to Boost a Personal Statement Fast?
Some students last year signed up for FREE courses on Futurelearn over the Summer holidays and claimed this helped them get offers from competitive courses. There are courses about all sorts of subjects from different cancer treatments, to archaeology in Egypt. These courses can boost your UCAS form as they are run by Universities and show that you have taken the trouble to do further studying about a specific subject area you are claiming to be interested in!
September – Registering for UCAS.
Students register for UCAS in the first week back in September with their tutor groups and then can start to fill in the form. Student applications can be sent from September. Students must allow 10 working days processing time for a reference, predicted grades adding before the form is sent to UCAS. Universities make offers as soon as they receive forms and so make sure you get your form in by October half term to secure an offer on a competitive course.
Deadlines:
25th September – Students applying for Oxbridge, Medicine and Dentistry or Veterinary Science Courses must have completed their UCAS form by this date.
31st October – All applications for competitive courses and institutions should be completed by this date.
4th December – Internal College deadline for submission of completed applications to guarantee they are sent by deadline.
3rd January – Any form received after this date will not be sent before the UCAS deadline.
15th January – official UCAS deadline. Forms received after this date will not necessarily receive consideration.
Gap year Research
Is your son, daughter or ward interested in taking a Gap year after college? Check out this excellent website and database which links to trusted Gap year providers’ websites. It's not too early to start planning for this and can be a big post A level motivator!
http://www.independentgapadvice.org/
Do You want a Degree Without Fees? Apprenticeships for A level Students
Do you want to keep up to date with the rise of the new Higher and Degree Apprenticeships for A level leavers? Then check out the presentation below and also go here for a list of companies offering these for next year. Many of these companies will have early application dates.
http://www.careerpilot.org.uk/info/apprenticeships/new-degree-apprenticeships/
