Starting to think about Uni - where to find info?

[homebythesea]

My Lower 6th Former has been asked to think about what he might want to do next.

Is there a website where you can say my likely A level grades are XYZ, and I want to study Serbo Croat Womens Studies (or whatever ) and it will give you a list of Unis with courses??

Can't bear the thought of trawling through zillions of sites for Unis that are unrealistic in terms of entrance requirements.

Also which ex-Polys are well thought of these days - I'm afraid I'm old enough to be a bit snobby about institutions that used to be considered second tier, and I want to make sure that we don't choose one that is still considered to be less than best by employers. I think Nottingham Trent and Oxford Brookes are well thought of - are there any others?

In terms of web sites, your dc could try UK Coursefinder. You can't search by grades as such, but you can narrow down your search by tariff points.

Though IMO it should be your dc doing all the leg work and trawling through web sites, making enquiries and so forth. Part of the idea of going to university is that they need to be self-motivated and be able to work independently.

Thanks mrs squirrel! I kind of agree with you but he doesn't get home from school till after 6pm and then has prep to do, while I'm at home all day. On this occasion I think it would be churlish to stand on principles.....

OK, fair enough, you have the time and he doesn't.

I was just thinking of my niece, whose parents pushed her to go to uni and did most of the legwork. She barely lasted a year on her course.

university.which.co.uk/

Has lots of different filters

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/

bit league tabley, well lots of league tables - but gives a sense of how things are viewed. Be aware the entry points are achieved not offered UCAS points

Lots of good threads in Higher Education sub-section (of Education)

Try Best course for me - search the App Store!

There are lots of open days on over the next month. If you have a local uni then go and have a look round and go to a few talks. I did this with both my 2 DDs at a similar stage and it did seem to motivate them.

Thanks all! It's all very bewildering but I think we have a vague idea now- it wasn't so much what he wants to study but where, with us not knowing really what to expect/ aspire to in terms of results when he's only just started his AS courses!!

Should you start looking at Unis at the beginning of year 12? I've not booked to see any as I thought it was too early.

The Times has a good university guide I think out next week. Will tell you on their website (caught half the advert on the radio this morning!)

Dodo - we are not physically looking - the school has asked the kids to fill in a form to be handed in by half term identifying what they want to study and 3 possible Uni's, in order to give the staff an idea of what they are aiming at (and I suppose to give them an opportunity to dish out some reality checks!!). It has actually been quite a useful exercise just in vaguely considering what's out there- the big unknown is what sort of grades he might get and therefore the sort of level he could aim at

Lots of advice on the Higher Education threads OP.
I have one just about to start uni and DS2 just started year 12.

I think it's a little early. A few months into the AS levels they will have some mock exams and a track record in their subjects and they will be in a much better position to know what the possibilities are.

DS1 was certain at the start of Year 12 that he wanted to do Physics.Three months on and he switched his choice to Maths, which is what he is doing.

Without visiting a university it seems a bit pointless to say you want to go there.

Secret- I entirely agree. This is a task set by the school not by parents!