your journey to university · prepare for your journey to uni by reading through the steps you’ll...

Guide 2019

Your journey to university

We understand that choosing what you want to study at university is a big decision, and not always an easy one to make. Coming to uni opens up so much for you. It’s about getting more than a qualification. You get to study something you are interested in, gain skills and connections for your future career and find a new social life and interests alongside your course.

Prepare for your journey to uni by reading through the steps you’ll take to get there.

Welcome

ContentsChoosing a course 5Choosing a university 7How to apply 9Jargon Buster 11

Your journey to university Discover more

Middlesex University2 Middlesex University 3

There are thousands of university courses available throughout the UK and finding the right course for you can be quite a daunting process, so we advise that you start your research as early as possible. With so many courses on offer, it is worth taking time out to think about any subjects that you are passionate about, as it will really help you stay motivated if you study a subject that you really enjoy. You may also want to consider studying a particular course, so you can pursue a career path within a specific industry. Here are some points for you to consider when deciding on a course.

Course contentDon’t make assumptions about what the course will entail, courses with the same title can vary from university to university. Always take time out to read the course description carefully and review the breakdown of the individual modules within the course to discover what you will be learning over the next 3 or 4 years.

Entry requirementsEntry requirements vary depending on the university or the course, so make sure you check out the course page to understand what will be expected of you before you apply.

Work placement and studying abroadTaking up the opportunity of a work placement or studying abroad will help to enrich your experience and can be a huge benefit to you when it comes to job-hunting after graduating from university.

Professional accreditationSome professions may require you to have completed a degree that is professionally accredited, so it’s important to consider a course that will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to be successful within your sector.

AssessmentSome courses are assessed through exams, others with a course of project work - it’s worth considering which would suit your style of learning best.

TutorsSpend some time researching your future lecturers. Do you have similar interests? Have they worked in the industry you are trying to break into? Remember to take the opportunity to meet them at an open day and ask them any questions you might have about the course.

Choosing a course



Choosing a universityThink about where you would like to study to narrow down your choice and get a shortlist of possible universities. Make sure to visit as many open days as possible, it will really help you to come up with your final five choices.

AccommodationThinking about moving away? Living on your own is a great way to gain independence and make lifelong friends. During an open day, make sure to take a tour of the halls of residences on offer and have a think about the type of room you want, location, rent and security. If you would rather commute, don’t forget to find out ways you can save money on the cost of travel.

Course content and facilitiesWith so many choices on offer, it is important that you take time to familiarise yourself with the content of your chosen course. The facilities of a university can make or break your decision to study there; whether its checking if the labs are up to industry standards or making sure that the library has access to all the resources you need.

Financial support From accommodation to everyday living costs, as well as all those extras you didn’t budget for- it all starts to add up. Find out if the universities you have shortlisted offer any financial support, this ranges from scholarships, bursaries and financial assistance to help alleviate unexpected financial hardship.

Clubs, societies and sportsUniversity isn’t just about studying, it’s the ideal place to meet new people, learn different skills or even a find a new hobby. Make sure you find out how you can get involved in the university of your choice, to ensure you are able to make memories that will last a lifetime.

LocationWhere would you like to be? In the city, by the coast, close to home or overseas? Do you want to live at home or move away and if so how far away do you want to be? Asking yourself these questions will help you come up with a realistic list of the universities that will be best suited to you.



How to applyYou will apply for universities online by submitting information such as education history, previous qualification, employment history (includes unpaid or voluntary) and a personal statement through the UCAS online application form. You will make up to five choices. UCAS will send your application to each university and you can track your progress on UCAS Track.

Personal statementA key part of your application, this is what can make you really stand out from other applicants. Be honest, sell yourself and explain why you are a good applicant for the university and course. Remember to give examples and evidence.

Interview/AuditionThe hard work is done. Now you need to wait for universities to respond to your application. Depending on where and what you have applied for, you may be invited for an interview or audition. Although it sounds obvious, make sure you’re aware of what’s involved on the day to give you an idea of what you need to prepare beforehand.

OffersYou will receive either a conditional (subject to achieving certain exam grades) or an unconditional offer (all entry criteria have already been met). Once all your offers have been received, you must choose one firm and one insurance option, and, as a result, decline all other offers. It’s a good idea to select an insurance choice with lower entry requirements or conditions than your firm choice.

UCAS application deadlines

Closing date for all other applications (apart from art and design courses with the 24 March deadline)

15 January

24 March

Art and design courses (apart from those which had a 15 January deadline)

— Dentistry — Medicine — Veterinary Science — Oxford and Cambridge

15 October



Jargon busterBelow we have explained some of the most common terms that you might come across whilst applying to universities:

Conditional Offer:

An offer made to a student subject to meeting the conditions of the course, usually related to exam results.

Foundation Degree:Foundation degrees are ideal if you’re unsure about taking a full degree or if you want to study while you work. When you finish you foundation degree you can start work or ‘top up’ your qualification to an undergraduate degree.

Joint Honours/Combined Honours: An undergraduate degree in which students study more than one subject.

Maintenance Loan: You can apply for a maintenance loan through Student Finance England to cover your living costs, paid directly to you in three instalments across the academic year.

Module: A short course within a degree programme. Some are compulsory and others you can pick to focus on your interests.

Sandwich Degree: This is a course which includes an additional year working in the industry, giving you the opportunity to put what you have learned into practice and develop your skills.

Scholarships and Bursaries: These are non-repayable grants awarded to students through a university. Scholarships are awarded based on excellence in achievement- be it academic, sporting or other talents. Bursaries are usually awarded based on personal circumstances.

Tariff:The UCAS Tariff is the system for allocating points to the different qualifications you can use to get onto an undergraduate degree course.

Tuition Fee Loan:

You can apply for a tuition fee loan through Student Finance England to cover the cost of your tuition fees, paid directly to the university.

Firm Choice:This is a type of reply you can make to an offer, to confirm it is your first choice. If it’s an unconditional offer, your place is guaranteed. If it is conditional, you will need to meet the conditions of the offer.

Insurance: This is a type of reply you can make to an offer, to confirm it is your second choice. In case you do not meet the criteria of your first choice, this is your back up choice.

Undergraduate: Refers to the first level of study in higher education.Personal Statement:

A personal statement is the most important part of your application to university. It is about 4000 characters/47 lines and explains who you are, why you think you are a good applicant and why you want to study the course you have chosen.

Single Honours: An undergraduate degree in which students study a single subject.

We hope this has been useful and has provided you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. Good luck!

UCAS:

Abbreviation for Universities and Colleges Admission Service. It is the organisation that handles most applications for undergraduate courses in the UK.

Unconditional Offer: An offer made to a student who has already met the entry requirements of the course.



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