DECISIONS ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION

 

• to study law, social sciences or psychology
   
• to follow-up a keen interest eg. in languages, geography or politics by reading these subjects to degree level.

However, there are other reasons such as fulfilling a family ambition or following a trend set by your peers in going on to a degree course. Such reasons often suggest external pressure rather than a conscious choice. Be sure that the ambition you are fulfilling is your own!

What kind of job have you in mind after higher education

It is not important to have an exact answer to the question at this stage. However it is very useful to have decided on a general area of employment. This will help you to select a relevant degree and give added incentive to your studies.

If you do not have a clear idea about what you want to do after sixth form, ask for an interview with a careers teacher or careers officer. They may suggest Kudos, Odyssey or Centrigrade to stimulate career ideas. 

How will higher education improve your job prospects 

Some years ago having a higher education qualification implied that you had ‘potential’ and would merit employment. Today employers are looking for special qualities as well as a qualification – qualities like energy, initiative, leadership and communication skills.  Interests pursued during student years – in addition to the content of degrees – impress employers at interview (travel, student union involvement, work experience or voluntary work). Students should make best use of opportunities to develop their aptitudes and abilities. 

CHOOSING 

The following sections relate to choosing. Points are given on the importance of making the right choice by gaining the necessary information early on. 

Choosing a Subject 

The range of subjects offered by a university or college is much wider than that taught in any school. So it is essential to find out what is available in Higher Education rather than simply choosing a  subject on the basis of having enjoyed it in sixth form. 

To get an idea of the subjects offered, have a look through the index of reference books eg. ‘University and College Entrance – Official Guide’. 

Choosing a Course 

Choosing a subject is not the same as choosing a course. Potential students who have settled on one of the more popular subjects may find a hugh choice of courses – full time or sandwich; specialising in one subject or combined with others in a variety of patterns; offering a number of options in the first year to students wishing to defer choices. 

The detailed syllabuses of courses, entrance requirements, methods of teaching and assessment, are available in the prospectus published by individual colleges. Always check the course and entry requirements in the prospectus before applying for admission. JobCentres hold copies of most HE prospectuses – for reference only. If you want a copy of your own write directly to the Institution. 

The following books are also useful: 

• Degree Course Guides : for comparing courses in the same subject offered by different universities and colleges, a good quick reference book is the Degree Course Guide in that subject. It contains a chapter detailing differences in character and content of courses and frequently differences and options are set out in table form. 

• Degree Course Offers : potential students should assess their predicted examination results and the likely offers that an institution will make for a particular course. Brian Heap’s “Degree Course Offers” sets out the offers made by universities and colleges in the previous year. However, it should be used with caution, for some rather low offers for courses have probably been made to applicants with relevant experience or to mature students. A good rule, therefore,is to follow the higher of two offers where more than one is given. 

• Alternative Prospectuses : produced by some universities and colleges to supplement information provided in the official handbooks by presenting the consumer view of what it is really like to be a student at that institution. Although they differ widely in style and emphasis they all contain general information on admission, accommodation, the union, student life,
changing course, assessment and an impression of the town or city where the college is situated. Applicants should contact the students’union of prospective colleges to see if one is produced. 

Choosing a University or College 

Since a student will spend at least three years at a higher education institution, the location and atmosphere are almost as important as academic factors when deciding where to go. 

The best way to explore any place is to go there. Open days and sixth form conferences give regular opportunities for visits. Details of open days and visiting arrangements are given in “The Sixth Formers Guide to Visiting Universities and Colleges”.  

• Home or Away? Moving away from home gives you independence and self-sufficiency but may prove more expensive. Discuss the implications with your family before accepting offers of university/college places. Some students feel homesick at first but remember everyone else is probably feeling just the same! Making new friends and meeting new people is an important aspect of HE, whether you are studying locally or away from home. 

• Campus or City : a campus may be remote from other social or cultural outlets so students depend on the resources of the college. In this case, it is vital to check whether or not your particular leisure interest is available, eg. music, a field sport, climbing, drama or archaeology. Accommodation may be difficult to find near a City University – check this out. 

• Living in : it is advisable to choose institutions that guarantee places in their halls of residence to first year students, if applying to places other than local universities. There is no quicker way of becoming part of a college and making new friends than living in ‘halls’. You may also find journeys to campus much easier. The student in ‘digs’ or a flat may live further out in the suburbs and feel more isolated. 

Deferred entry 

Studying for a third level qualification requires a lot of hard work. Anyone doubtful of having the necessary interest and enthusiasm for at least three years of study, straight after school or college might consider taking a year off from study. This pre-supposes that your results are good enough to re-apply the following year – some institutions may allow you to defer entry for one year. To make the most of such “a year out”, quite a lot of research and planning is needed. Discuss this with your Careers Adviser /Careers Teacher. 



A CHECKLIST OF QUESTIONS 

The following checklist of questions is suggested as an aid to reaching decisions. The publications listed below contain relevant information. 

Some of the questions will best be answered through a combination of researching the relevant facts and discussing them with a careers adviser.

• Course Subject: 

Which subjects are open to me with my Advanced GCE/Advanced Subsidiary or equivalent qualifications eg. Advanced GNVQ (now referred to as Vocational A level), BTEC National Diploma? Do I wish to study one of my subjects because it seems safe or because of a real interest in the subject at the higher level? 

Would I prefer to take up a new subject? 

Have I really made sure that the new subject is what I believe it to be? 

• Course Structure 

What are the options within the course –   alternatives outside ‘core’ area?  

What are the opportunities to specialise in an area of particular interest? 

Is it possible to transfer to another course or to defer a choice of main subject until the end of the first year? 

Is it possible to transfer from a HND programme to a degree course in the same subject? 

Would I prefer a specialised or a broadly-based course? 

How do modular courses work? 

• Course Type 

Would I prefer a full-time course of study? 

Am I more interested in following a single subject, combined or sandwich course? 

Is company sponsorship available for this type of course?  

How much field and practical work is there in the course?  

Does the course include a placement abroad?  

•  Entry Requirements 

Do my qualifications satisfy the general entrance requirements? 

Do my qualifications satisfy the course entrance requirements? 

Is there a preferred combination of subjects for my course? 

Are any subjects essential? 

Is there any special requirement for supporting GCSE subjects (mathematics, English language, science or a foreign language)? 

• Competition 

How popular is this college for my subject 

Which grades will normally be expected? 

Which course should I consider as a ‘safety net’in case I am not accepted for my first choice? 

• Teaching and Examination Methods 

Am I happy to be taught mainly by lectures? 

Would I prefer to participate actively in seminar groups or tutorials by a combination of above methods? 

Or 

Do I wish my degree to be awarded only on examination performance or to involve some continuous assessment? 

• Academic Resources 

What is the size of the department? 

What is the extent of the library facilities? 

 • Career Implications 

Am I looking for vocational training along with my degree, eg. pharmacy? 

Which careers would be open to me afterwards? 

What further study or training may be required? 

Do I accept that I may not use my degree subjects in a career? 

• Size and Location 

Would I prefer to go to a large or a small college? 

How far from home am I prepared to travel? 

Do I wish to study in a city centre college or be situated in rural surroundings? 

• Accommodation and Leisure Facilities 

What proportion of students find college accommodation? 

Are first year students guaranteed a place in a hall of residence? 

Do clubs and societies cater for my interests? 

What sports facilities are available nearby?
                              





 

Publication

Remarks

The Student Book Publisher – Trotman Publishing (as above)     CRAC Degree Course Guides From – Trotman Publishing (as above)     CRAC Which Degree Series From – Trotman Publishing (as above) Sixth Formers Guide to Visiting Universities & Colleges Publishers – ISCO Careers Information Service,                     12a Princess Way, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3SP                     Tel: (01276) 21188   CAO Handbook From – Central Applications Office, Tower House,              Eglinton Street, Galway              Tel: 00 353 9156 1668   NB:  Always use an up-to-date reference book

Applying and obtaining a place, surviving the first year, details of the universities and colleges, subject/place index and description of subjects.   A series of booklets on particular academic fields, comparing/surveying the various courses within each area. Contains useful backup information.   Detailed information on courses – divided into titles, which can be bought separately or as a complete set. Grouped by a study field.  Gives details of open days and visiting arrangements. Useful interview checklist at the back.       Explains Central Applications Office procedure for institutions of Higher Education in the Republic of Ireland.