Choosing a Course
Deciding to study for a degree or other higher education qualification is often a life-changing moment for young people.
People go to university to boost their career prospects, improve skills and gain independence. As well as giving students a wealth of knowledge in their chosen subject area, university is also an opportunity to meet new people, try new things such as a variety of sporting and social activities, and make friendships that often last a lifetime.
A University degree can give graduates the edge in the jobs market, improve their earnings potential, and provide a hugely rewarding life experience. However, entering Higher Education demands careful thought to identify preferred universities and suitable courses. As a parent, you have a vital role to play in supporting your son or daughter through both the research and decision-making process.
Why Edge Hill University?
Edge Hill offers an outstanding university experience with a strong focus on the future careers of our students following graduation. Shortlisted for University of the Year 2011, the third nomination in five years, Edge Hill is one of the fastest growing universities in the UK.
- Top 2 in the North West for overall student satisfaction (National Student Survey, 2011);
- Top 2 in England for students' personal development (National Student Survey, 2011);
- Top 4 in England for graduate employment (Higher Education Statistics Agency, 2011);
- Grade 1 "Outstanding" results across all 33 areas covered by an Ofsted Initial Teacher Education inspection, 2011.
We offer one of the best campuses in UK higher education, with £130m invested over the last decade to ensure our diverse choice of high quality courses continue to be supported by state-of-the-art learning environments.
You will find Edge Hill home to a welcoming community of students of all ages and backgrounds, be taught by a team of research-active, qualified staff who are experts in their field, and be able to access comprehensive academic and pastoral support to help you succeed.
Which Programme?
With tens of thousands of undergraduate courses on offer across the UK, choosing the right course is often a complex decision. However, there are a number of ways that your son or daughter can narrow down their options:
- Use the Unistats website to compare subjects and universities, look at student satisfaction ratings and explore the figures about getting a graduate job after completing a course;
- Take the Stamford Test to match interests and abilities with possible subjects, remembering that courses with similar titles can often vary greatly in both their content and assessment methods;
- Research individual courses thoroughly to make sure each specific programme under consideration matches your son or daughter's expectations and preferences for studying that subject area;
- Give future career plans careful thought when choosing a course since some professions require particular subjects to be studied at higher education level. Icould.com is a non-commercial website rich with information about how to pursue chosen careers which your son or daughter may find useful.
You can access detailed information for all the programmes offered by Edge Hill University by browsing our list of subject areas or viewing the A-Z of courses.
Visiting Edge Hill University
As a degree will typically involve attending the University for at least three years, and in many cases moving away from home to do so, it's important that your son or daughter knows what to expect before they arrive. The best way to get a taste of the Edge Hill experience is to visit for an open day.
Open events at Edge Hill University give prospective students and their friends and family the chance to look around the award-winning Ormskirk Campus. Throughout the day there will be opportunities to attend subject presentations, speak with course tutors on an individual basis, view accommodation, and talk to our student guides.
Other events for prospective students include bi-monthly talks for prospective nursing and midwifery students, regular open evenings in the Faculty of Education and a programme of monthly campus tours.
There will also be opportunities to visit the university after applying, with interview days and visit days days arranged depending on the course. Interview days include the chance to have a look around the university and meet course tutors, while visit days include the option to sample an introductory lecture or seminar, meet academic staff and take a guided tour of any relevant departmental facilities.
Entry Requirements
Each higher education course has different requirements that applicants need to meet before they can start a course. These can be particular examination grades or non-academic criteria such as a medical or clearance to work with children and/or vulnerable adults.
Most universities including Edge Hill employ the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Tariff when considering students for the majority of undergraduate courses. This system allows candidates to accumulate points relative to the qualifications and grades they achieve, and are predicted to achieve, within post-16 education.
In Year 11, students wanting to go on to study at university should consider their next choices carefully by checking the entry criteria for any preferred courses to see if any specific subjects are required. Students do not necessarily need to have traditional A-levels, however, as we often consider alternative qualifications.
If your son or daughter is unsure as to whether or not they meet our entry criteria, or perhaps even whether Higher Education is for them, we offer a pre-entry advice and guidance service via telephone, e-mail and face-to-face.
Your son or daughter may also want to consider volunteering or gaining work experience to enhance their application, particularly for vocational courses such as teaching, nursing and social work. This can be a great way to build life skills while making informed decisions about the future.
