ucas.com/exhibitions Prep Be prepared how to make the most of a UCAS exhibition

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1 ucas.com/exhibitions Prep Be prepared how to make the most of a UCAS exhibition MD-1381 May 2016

2 Get ready Thinking of going to university? It s a big decision which will affect the next few years of your life and your future after that so you need to find out as much as you can about your options before you decide. UCAS exhibitions bring together loads of universities and colleges, gap year providers, and employers in one place. Not only that, it s a person rather than a website, so if you have any questions you can just ask them. Whether you want to confirm your decision or you have no idea where to start, a UCAS exhibition can help you find the answers. Our exhibitions take place right across the UK, so there is bound to be one near you. Visit to find out more. What you need to do Once you ve found the exhibition you want to visit, book your place at You ll need to register online and print your ticket, which will be in your confirmation . Don t forget to take it with you, as you will need it to get into the event. Make sure you spend some time researching and preparing before you go to an exhibition to make the most of it. Jargon buster Confused by some of the jargon in this guide? Head to to get your head around the different terms you ll hear at an exhibition. Seminars Seminars are sessions that run throughout the day at most UCAS exhibitions. A wide range of subjects are covered topics range from writing your personal statement and student finance, through to specific courses and subjects. If you miss a seminar, or the exhibition you re attending is not running seminars, you can watch them online at

3 Start your research before you go There are over 37,000 undergraduate courses to choose from in the UCAS search tool. Head to search.ucas.com to research courses before you go to an event. To use the search tool First you ll need to tell us where you live, so the search results will only show the courses that are available to you. Next, either type a subject, university or college name (course provider), or location to search by. Alternatively, if you re not sure what you want to study, you can browse by subject instead Get set Once you ve booked your place and done your research, all that s left is to go and find out as much information as you can. Follow this checklist to help you get the most from your time at an exhibition. I know where the exhibition is being held. I know how I am getting to and from the exhibition. I have my ticket. I know what time it starts / I know when to meet at my school or college. I have downloaded the exhibitor list from I have downloaded the seminar programme from I have a strong bag to carry prospectuses in. I have a list of questions I want answered. Take a look at the Questions to ask section of this guide. If you haven t booked yet Book your place at

4 What other options are there? For some, university isn t the natural next step after school or college. Find out what other options are available to you. Apprenticeships apprentices earn money and work alongside staff to learn on the job. They also receive training towards nationally recognised qualifications. Find out more at Gap years taking a gap year gives you a fantastic chance to broaden your horizons, but it is important that you work out how you are going to pay for it our webiste has plenty of advice. Find out more at Internships a great option if you know what you want to do, but you will need to be able to demonstrate a real interest in the area of work to even be considered. Volunteering if your finances are in place, then volunteering could be an option. There are loads of volunteering organisations out there offering different types of work. Get a job sounds simple, but if you spend time pulling together a great CV, register with online jobsites, keep an eye on the local paper, and have a regular look at employers websites in your area, you ll give yourself the best possible chance. Find out more at Start your own business there s plenty of advice out there for budding entrepreneurs. Find out more at planning-your-future. Short course at a college a good option if you want to boost your experience before you apply for uni or a job. Your local college s prospectus will list all the short courses they offer. Study off campus distance learning means you may well be able to combine studying for a qualification and working. By selecting flexible under How you study in the UCAS search tool, you can see what is available. Find out more at www. ucas.com/how-to-study. Study abroad often a simple internet search will give you a range of options, but we have a few on our website to get you started. Find out more at

5 Go! Going to a UCAS exhibition should be great fun and provide you with lots to think about. Getting onto the course How many places are available on the course and how many applications are received each year for it? What qualities and skills do you look for when considering applicants? For art and design courses, is an art foundation course necessary? Will I have need to sit an admissions test? Interviews Is an interview part of the selection process? What is the purpose of the interview, how important is it, and what form does it take? The course itself How is the course assessed? How flexible is the course? How is the course taught through lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratory work, or via another method? What is the staff to student ratio? Will I be expected to buy materials or equipment? A year out Is taking a year out acceptable or encouraged? Should I apply during the last year of my current studies for deferred entry, or should I apply during my year out? The university or college Is the campus based on one site? Can all first years be accommodated in halls of residence? How far away is the accommodation from the campus? What is the typical cost of accommodation? Can I keep a car / motorbike / bicycle? Is public transport available from the halls of residence to the campus? Student facilities Can you tell me about your student services, students union, clubs, job shop, societies, and sports / recreation facilities? What support services are provided (e.g. careers service, counselling, finance, medical, and for students with additional needs)? The future Where are graduates from this course likely to find employment? What s the graduate employment rate from this course? Financial support What sponsorships and bursaries do you offer? Finding out more If I have any questions after the exhibition, who should I contact at your university? What are the arrangements for attending an open day or making a personal visit? Don t worry if you still have questions after the exhibition; there are many ways to find out the answers. Visit for help with all stages of applying, plus videos, case studies, blogs, and web chats. Don t forget friends, family, and school teachers are there to help you make those important decisions. You may be surprised what you find out just by talking things through.

6 The US-UK Fulbright Commission is your official source of US study in the UK. Their team of EducationUSA advisors offer information, events and guidance as you search for higher education institutions in the United States that fit your needs. Your 5 Steps to US Study Pearson College London doesn t feel like your typical university. It s more than just having lectures and seminars. We have other exciting experiences like industry events and workshops that help broaden our knowledge. LEAH OBUYA, current student. 1. Research Your Options 2. Finance Your Studies 3. Complete Your Application 4. Apply for Your Student Visa 5. Prepare for Your Departure Why study in the US? Explore your academic interests. Internationalise your CV. Experience US campus life and culture. Take advantage of funding opportunities. Choose from a wide range of institutions on offer. US-UK Fulbright Commission Undergraduate Resources DESIGNED & DELIVERED WITH INDUSTRY At Pearson College London you ll discover and delivered by leading academics and learning powered by industry. We offer industry experts to give you the best business and creative degrees in the heart chance of career success in the real world. of London - our programmes are designed pearsoncollegelondon.ac.uk USA College Day: the largest American university fair in the UK! Sutton Trust US Programme: an all-expenses expenses-paid paid university experience Admission seminars & webinars Monthly e-newsletter e Step-by by-step online guides to US study Follow for advice, info and events across the UK.

7 UCAS video wall 2 & 3-year degrees. Greenford and Greenwich Campuses. Degrees awarded by Plymouth University, ranked 4th modern UK University * * Times Higher Education Over 1,000 videos on applying, careers, finance, and fun stuff Accounting & Finance Business Management Business Management with Creative Industries Business Management with E-commerce Economics Enterprise & Small Business Development Events & Entertainment Management Human Resources with Management Marketing Oil & Gas Management Professional Management Travel & Tourism Law Visit gsm.org.uk/fairs for a list of events outreach.services@gsm.org.uk Call UCAS code G74

8 CareerZone At the London, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham exhibitions, there will be an area dedicated to UK employers called CareerZone. Each employer has a graduate employment route, so can answer your questions about how to get a job after your degree. Talk to employers about internships, sponsored degree programmes, gap year schemes, or apprenticeships. Exhibitors in the CareerZone will be attending from the following sectors: Accounting Consulting, Banking & Financial Services Engineering Law, Technology, Government / Public Sector Property Retail Supply Chain Just some of the companies you ll see are: Accenture Deloitte DSTL EY PwC QinetiQ Rolls Royce Smith & Williamson We ll see you there!

9 LET YOUR CREATIVITY Be in the know. Download the UCAS app. Visit us at our stand to learn more about your creative future 2 year degree animation our alumni audio music business f ilm mark paterson Audio Engineer Academy Award winner for his work in Les Misérables RODEO WHITER FILM MAKER Owner and Film Director at Rodeax.com billy butler lead modeler Part of the Academy Award winning team on Gravity games web study in: oxford london liverpool glasgow

10 Be bold. Be brave. Go far. My notes... Sam Lawson, UCS Sport Science Graduate. Now Director of Performance Analysis in the US. How far could you go? Visit our website to find out more. #UCSgofar