Where can DS1 find out about university?

[unknownrebelbang]

DS1, just 13, spent the day at a local university on Wednesday. He had a great day and is full of questions now. It is predicted that he will attend university eventually.

I don't know where to start in answering his questions. Obviously he can ask questions at school, but where else can he find information?

I didn't go to university so have no idea really, and although DH did, it was as a mature student on a part-time basis whilst working full-time, so not the same thing.

Help! please.

TIA.

You apply to university through UCAS

Also, universities have their own websites, you can google them to find out more about each institution & the courses it offers.

When I was a teenager I sent off for university brochures - now I would look at the university internet sites (and the students' unions sites). When you are visiting other parts of the country, make a detour to visit university towns so that DS can get some idea of what they look like and where they are. Your DS may qualify to go on special visits run by the Sutton Trust or similar organisations.

Does he have any idea already of what he might want to study later....
He could look at all the different University websites and see what courses are on offer (although, you got to keep in mind that this could change over the next few years)

I found \link{ www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/p!eLaXi\ this website} really good aswell, as you can look up different Jobs and it then explains which degrees would be good for that career, etc...

UCAS has already been mentioned...

this website

School should be his first port of call, there should be masses of info there. Our school has a careers library where pupils of any age are welcome to browse. So lots of info on particular places and courses, but also general stuff on different careers and how to make choices. Also, from Yr9 onwards they have occasional careers lessons as part of PSRE.

Otherwise, just browse around different higher education websites (both general ones about going to university and specific institutions), and get a feel for what's about and what is needed to get into different places.

Thanks everyone.

Not sure he'd qualify for the Sutton Trust stuff, although looks very good.

He doesn't really know what he wants to do yet. That job/degree website should be useful.

I'm sure school will have loads of information - they set up the day at Keele last week. It's me (and dh) that haven't a clue - eg which university is better and why, etc etc. At this point in time I don't even know about the reputation of our two local universities!

.

I know people who lecture at both. it really depends on his subject. Staffs uni is one of the old polys, nothing wrong wioth that at all mind. It does offer a lot of more vocational courses.

Keele is quite science based but also does good music courses, has a medical school etc. I thinnk it has a good reputation.

To be honest you need to pick your course, then chose the uni. for example locally anyone wanting to teach would probably look at Crewe & Alsager (part of Manchester Met)

Some universities are considered better than others and will attract the candidates with the highest A Level scores and will also attract employers at the other end. If you look at the Sunday Times University Guide or the ones in the Times or Guardian you will see various rankings. That doesn't mean that you can't also get a worthwhile course or degree at a newer (post 1992) university. One of the most important things you can do now is to ensure that he chooses GCSE courses that will be of value when he applies to university. These should include: English (preferably both English and English Literature), Maths (preferably at higher level), Double Science or Triple Science, a modern foreign language and at least one humanities subject, preferably History or Geography. Many able students are coerced into taking subjects that are of little interest to better universities instead of concentrating on traditional core subjects.

Lol, Islands, I worked temporarily at Staffs when it was North Staffs Poly, obviously a long long time ago.

I agree, he needs to pick his course first, and take it from there, and there's plenty of time, he just threw me with his questions.

Thanks for that lilymaid. He will be choosing his options soonish, and from conversations he/we've had with the school, it would seem that he will be doing the traditional core subjects, so that's a step in the right direction.