Introduction
Welcome to the S6 Resource page! You will find recordings of our Transitions Programme, resources to support you applying to higher education, and external links to help you develop career management skills.
Transitions Programme
The S6 Transitions Programme is designed to help guide you through the college and university application process with 4 in-school sessions covering everything from UCAS and Personal statements, to budgeting and student accommodation.
Simply click on the buttons below to view resources for that session:
Session 1
Applying to Higher Education
Click hereSession 2
Your Personal Statement
Click hereSession 3
Personal Statement Drop-in
COMING SOONSession 4
Taking the Next Steps
COMING SOONTransitions Support Service
As an S6 LIFT OFF Core Pupil, you will also have access to the Transitions Support Service:
- You are entitled to send LIFT OFF up to 3 drafts of your Personal Statement.
- Simply email lift.off@abertay.ac.uk (include your name & school in the body of the email).
- A member of the LIFT OFF team will review and send back your Personal Statement with comments and advice.
- We can arrange a DM chat and/or phone call to discuss our feedback regarding your Personal Statement – simply request this in your email when you send us your draft.
- S6 Session 1, 2 & 4 is accompanied by twilight LIVE online Q&A events hosted on MS TEAMS.
- Designed to consolidate learning and offer an additional opportunity for Core Pupils to receive tailored information, advice and guidance
- Click on the buttons below to watch the recordings and view additional resources:
S6 LIVE: Workshop 1
S6 LIVE: Workshop 2
S6 LIVE: Workshop 4
Key Dates:
Find Your Campus
Introduction to Find Your Campus
This video is an introduction to the Find Your Campus Resource created collaboratively by SHEP programmes LIFT OFF and Aspire North.
Scroll down to use the resource.
Click on the icons to find out about the Higher Education institutions across Scotland.
- University
- College
- Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP)
S6 Session 1: Applying to Higher Education
Presentation
Session Outline:
- How to search the right course for you.
- How to apply to your chosen course.
- Tips to start planning your Personal Statement.
Things to remember when…
- Different Universities have different entry requirements & includes N5’s.
- Course detail – how is it taught? What would you be studying? How is it assessed?
- Think about where you would like to study / live.
- It’s not all academic, think about clubs, societies and additional activities you might like to take part in.
- Check the UCAS or College deadline for your course.
- Make your applications to College and University (and SAAS when it comes) using a professional, personal email (NOT GLOW!).
- Please disclose if you are care experienced, young carer or estranged. These are all positive disclosures and are there to provide you with more support.
- LIFT OFF Core Pupils can add us to the ‘Preparation for High Education’ section of UCAS.
- Just start it – be prepared to rewrite it A LOT!
- Let others read it and be open to help and advice.
- Make sure it is relevant to the subject you are applying for.
- Think about your experiences, the skills dervied from these expereinces and how these are relevant to the subject you want to study.
Session 1 Resources:
S6 LIVE: Workshop 1
Thursday 9th September
16:30-17:15
Workshop Outline:
- Introduce S6 Resource
- ‘Find Your Campus’ interactive map
- College + Articulation
- Q&A
Presenters:
Jack Nield
Helen King
Hannah Campbell
Workshop 1 Resources:
S6 Session 2: Your Personal Statement
Presentation
Session Outline:
- Understand the importance of a personal statement, how it is used and what admissions officers are looking for.
- How to begin structuring your statement.
- What makes an effective statement.
Things to remember…
Maintaining positivity throughout your statement is so important – in your statement you really need to focus on the personal skills, qualities and attributes that make you an ideal candidate for Higher Education.
Try our three section method!
Each section can, of course, be more than one paragraph and you don’t need to stick rigidly to these section divisions, but each personal statement should hit markers such as:
- your motivation to study.
- your knowledge of the course.
- your relevant skills and experience.
3 section method:
- Why you want to study the course?
- Demonstrate your knowledge of the course. Make clear why you are the ideal candidate for higher education.
- Detail your relevant experience outside the classroom which shows your dedication to your subject and to Higher Education.
Don’t be tempted to share or copy statements – all are passed through a plagiarism detection software.
Remember, use the LIFT OFF formula from our previous session to help you write an original personal statement.
This is VERY important – you don’t have a lot of space, so tick to the point!
TOP TIP: try removing any reference to the subject you are applying for from your statement. If it’s possible for someone to still guess the subject, your statement is clearly maintaining relevance throughout. If not, it might be worth doing another edit to focus your writing a bit more.
Let others read your personal statement and be open to help and advice.
Perhaps let a subject teacher read your statement, particularly if you are applying to study that subject at college/university.
Session 2 Resources:
S6 LIVE: Workshop 2
The recording of S6 LIVE Workshop 2 will be posted here after the event.
Workshop 2 Resources:
University Open Days
Choosing a university is just as important as finding the right subject. With so many different higher education experiences on offer, figuring out where to apply to can be overwhelming. An Open Day is the best way of getting a real taste of campus life.
As well as getting to see the facilities, an open day is a great opportunity to find out more about the different courses on offer from the people who live and breathe your subject – those who teach and study it, current students and academic staff.
Wherever you decide to study, it’s important to do as much research as possible so you make the choice that is right for you.
Royal Conservatoire
Napier University
Glasgow Caledonian University
Dundee University
Queen Margaret University
University of the Highlands & Islands
Heriot-Watt University
Robert Gordan University
St Andrews University
Abertay University
Glasgow University
Strathclyde University
Aberdeen University
West of Scotland University
Edinburgh University
Stirling University
Support Toolkit
Supporting students with individual needs:
For some students, their individual circumstances can have a significant impact on their decision to go to university or college – and on their experience when they are there. Below are practical tips and useful resources to consider before, during and after you make an application to Higher Education.
Simply click the tab more information:
Many universities and colleges support in place to help students with care responsibilities. If you are responsible for providing unpaid care to a family member, partner or friend, you may be able receive extra support during your studies. This could include financial help, such as a bursary, support with managing your workload or even help with your own health and wellbeing.
More information about applying to university as a carer can be found HERE.
If you are aged 16-25 and have caring responsibility, you are considered to be a ‘young adult carer’.
What support is available?
If you are balancing your studies with the responsibility of caring for another person, this can be challenging. To help you manage this many universities and colleges have put support in place specifically to help students with caring responsibilities. This can include:
- Academic help – flexible deadlines, managing workload, priority access to academic or career opportunities.
- Financial help – bursaries and other financial support. You might be eligible for a scholarship, grant or bursary.
- Health and Wellbeing support – student support services on campus, induction days and visits, giving you a chance to discuss your support needs
The help varies between each institution, so do your research before you apply. Their website will provide more details, but you can always contact the student services team directly to find out more.
The UCAS application:
One of the questions will enable students with care responsibilities to self-declare their circumstances:
‘Do you have any care responsibilities? Y/N’
If you select ‘Yes’, your information will be treated in confidence, to help the university or college provide support for you.
Top tips:
Do your research – it’s a good idea to find out what support is available before you make your final decision.
Self-declare – tell the college/university about your circumstances. Knowing a prospective student has caring responsibilities allows them to put support in place, to make sure you get the most from your university experience. There are several ways you can tell the institution about your circumstances:
- Personal statement
- With your permission, your referee can mention your circumstances in the reference.
- Contact the institution directly – the contact details for student services will be on their website.
Use your personal statement – highlight the skills, strengths, and positive attributes your caring responsibility has allowed you to develop. Read more about advice for writing a personal statement as a carer HERE.
More information and help:
Clink the links below:
If you’re a refugee or asylum seeker applying to higher education, there may be support available to help you with finance and your studies. It is a good idea to contact course providers before you apply, to discuss if they can offer you support, and what this might be.
Tuition fees and financial help:
The financial help available will depend on your immigration status, and where you live (your residential status). In Scotland, please visit the UKCISA website for full details HERE
The UCAS application:
One of the questions will enable students who are asylum seekers or refugees to self-declare their circumstances:
‘Do you have official refugee status in the UK, or are you an asylum seeker’
- No
- I’m a refugee or have been awarded humanitarian protection
- I’m an asylum seeker or have limited or discretionary leave to remain
Select the option which most closely represents your circumstances. Your information will be treated in confidence, to help the university or college provide support for you.
Your Personal Statement:
UCAS in partnership with Student Action for Refugees (STAR) and their group of Equal Access Activists have created a resource to help you use the personal statement to identify your key strengths and transferable skills as you apply to university or college. You can access this HERE.
More information and help:
Click on the links below:
Every year, over 60,000 students with learning differences apply through UCAS to study at university or college in the UK, and access a range of support to help them succeed with their studies, day-to-day activities, travel and lifestyle.
Don’t forget to tell the university or college about any impairment or condition on your UCAS application – this helps to put the support in place ready for your arrival. This information is not used to make a decision on your application and it is only shared with those involved in supporting you, or making the arrangements for your support.
Do your research:
Research is vital to making your choices, and there is lots to think about. Never be put off by any assumptions about your impairment as most course can be made accessible with the appropriate support.
The providers website will be your starting point – easily find information and advice about learning and assessment methods, support provided, and the contact details for student support services.
Open Days:
Open Days are a valuable way to find out about a university or college first-hand – you can tour the facilities, speak to staff and current students, and really get a feel for whether you would like to study there. Click HERE on how to prepare for open days and visits.
The UCAS application:
The easiest way to let institutions know about your support needs is to use the question on the UCAS application – this will ask you to select your impairment(s) or condition(s), and you can give more information in the text box below if you wish. The information you provide is only used by student services team to arrange the support you may need before you arrive – it is never used to make an academic judgment on your application.
We recommend getting in touch with the college or university once you have accepted an offer to discuss the arrangements for your arrival. It’s is important to note that you are in full control of your support and if you decide you don’t need it, you don’t have to use it.
If you’re a care leaver or looked after child applying to Higher Education, there’s support available to help you with finance, settling in, and accommodation. Remember to tick the box on your UCAS application to let the university you’re applying to know you have been in care. UCAS have created a short guide on ‘Why Tick The Box’ In Apply?’ which can be viewed HERE.
This information is confidential and won’t be used against you! It lets the right person at the college or university know that you might need financial or other support, and can help you put that in place before you start your course.
Finding Support:
To find out what the institution you’re applying to can offer, it’s best to contact them directly. You can visit their website or contact the student services team and talk to an advisor.
Scholarships, Grants and Bursaries – if you’ve spent time in care, there are specific scholarships, grants, and bursaries available to support you at university. More information can be found HERE.
The UCAS application:
The Care Leaver question:
‘Have you been in care? Y/N’
Select ‘Yes’ if you’ve ever lived in public care or as a looked-after child, including:
- With foster carers under local authority
- In a residential children’s home
- Being ‘looked after at home’ under a supervision order
- Living with friends or relatives in kinship care
You will then be able to select the amount of time you have spent in care.
More information and help:
Click the links below:
Universities and colleges welcome students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience. Students whose parent(s), carer(s) are current or former UK Armed Forces personnel may be able to get extra support from their chosen college or university.
Institutions understand that service children may experience disruption to their education, or may have been restricted in their course choices. They also take into consideration that young people can face additional challenges when a parent or carer is deployed. It is important to let them know your circumstances as it allows them to consider your academic achievements in context.
Access additional support:
Service children often develop highly valued, unique skills and strengths as a result of their circumstances, such as being an independent learner, or being able to adapt to different situations quickly.
You may be able to access additional support this can include financial help, mentoring, and study support. Before applying, it is recommended to contact student support services at the college or university to check what help is available, and to discuss your needs.
UCAS in partnership with Service Children’s Progression (SCiP) Alliance have created a guide for serivce children applying to university – read more HERE.
The UCAS Application:
Your UCAS application will allow Service children to self-declare their circumstances:
‘Do you have a parent or carer who currently serves in the UK Armed Forces, or who done so in the past’
- Yes
- No
This information will be treated in confidence, to help the university provide support for you.
More information and help:
Click the links below:
The UCAS Application:
One of the questions will enable students who are in receipt of free schools meals to self-declare their circumstances
‘Are you currently, or have you been, in receipt of free school meals during your secondary education’
- Yes
- No
- Don’t know
This information will be treated in confidence, to help the university provide support for you. If you are unsure, ask your school – they will be able to confirm this for you.
Please contact LIFT OFF if you have any questions related to your individual needs.
FAQs
You need to register with UCAS and complete the relevant application – there’s quite a lot to fill in but you don’t have to do it all at once. The UCAS website has lots of information on filling in an application: CLICK HERE.
Remember…different courses have different application deadlines.
Before you can send your UCAS application, you’ll need to pay an application fee
For courses starting September 2022:
1 course = £22
2-5 courses = £26.50
To maximise your chances of receiving an offer, LIFT OFF recommend using all 5 course choices (if possible).
Entry requirements vary between universities and colleges – a full list of universities and colleges and their minimum entry criteria can be found on the UCAS website.
If you are unsure you meet the Universities entry criteria, it is best to contact their admissions team for further guidance.
Absolutely!
Remember…as an S6 LIFT OFF Core Pupil, you have access to the S6 Transitions Support Service:
- You are entitled to send LIFT OFF up to 3 drafts of your Personal Statement
Visit the ‘Transitions Support Service’ section at the top of this page for more information.
It is important that your UCAS application contains a Personal Statement that is focused and relevant to the course and/or career you are interested in. It would be difficult to write a statement which blends your experiences, skills and knowledge of both Physics and Drama.
In this instance, you may also want to explore if one of your passions can be done as an extracurricular i.e. does the institution have a performing arts or drama society.
Some Universities offer Degree Flexibility/Degree Combinations. For example, Stirling University have over 220 single and combined courses to choose from. (for more information click HERE.)
The simple answer… NO. You do not have to study at a University in Scotland.
In Scotland, you do not have to pay tuition fees to the university yourself. Instead:
- You can apply for government funding to pay your fees.
- The government funding agency you applied to pays the university on your behalf.
In Scotland, you’ll apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland. You can find out more information about funding available at the SAAS website HERE.
We have lots of information about how to structure and what to include in a personal statement.
Have a look at ‘S6 Session 2: Your Personal Statement’ – watch the recording and have a look at our resources.
If you are applying through a school, your reference will be written for you by a teacher or tutor who knows you.
You won’t have access to this, so you won’t need to do anything for it, but you can request to read the reference.
“Every one of Scotland’s universities is committed to widening access to university to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from a higher education, irrespective of their background or economic circumstances.” (Universities Scotland)
Each University has its own widening access criteria and entry requirements. They will consider lots of different factors alongside your exam results.
The best way to find out if you meet the minimum entry requirements is to call the institution or visit their website and search for:
- Widening Access
- Minimum Entry Requirements
Edinburgh University for example may consider making you what they refer to as a ‘widening access offer’. These offers are different from their standard entry requirements (more info HERE).
Contact Us
As much information as this resource contains, we know sometimes you have specific questions that you would like to ask. The LIFT OFF team are here to help and would love to hear from you!
You can also arrange a meeting to chat with one of the LIFT OFF team. Meetings can be on the phone, in school, or online. Just use the contact form to arrange a meeting.
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