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Welcome to UCAS Wider Picture - our 2011-12 consultancy, training and staff development programme

This year's programme builds on the considerable success of previous years, which we have delivered in hundreds of different organisational settings across the UK.

Delivered by highly experienced officers in the Professional Development Team within UCAS, and offered within UK locations of your choosing, we deliver engaging workshops, seminars and keynote presentations to advisers, teachers, students and parents.

Who should attend?

  • Schools - heads of sixth form, sixth form teachers and tutors, careers staff, curriculum managers, members of senior management teams, Aimhigher coordinators.
  • Colleges - tutors, guidance staff, Aimhigher coordinators, curriculum managers, members of senior management teams.
  • Connexions/careers companies - personal advisers, guidance officers, managers.
  • Professional bodies - staff involved with qualifications and progression.
  • Employers - staff involved with recruitment policy and practice, and training.
  • Students and parents.

What sort of topics can we cover?

Fair admissions and widening participation

Outlining areas of good practice; how the development of Entry Profiles, including information on fees and bursaries, support the transparency agenda; options for assessing merit; Aimhigher, compact arrangements & summer schools.

The UCAS Tariff

Understanding how the Tariff works; what additional qualifications will be included for 2012 entry. How the Tariff is used and understanding conditional offers.

Tools for differentiation

Admissions tests, interviews, impact of the A* and the provision of unit information.

Applicant journey

Highly visual session giving clear structure and guidance on the entire application and admissions process to HE.

Reference writing

Adviser and teacher interactive session covering the whole process of writing UCAS references from the unique viewpoint of UCAS presenters who have an informed position working at the centre of the higher education admissions process.

Qualifications update

Demystifying current vocational qualifications. GCSEs and GCEs in applied subjects, BTEC/OCR Nationals, Diplomas, Foundation Degrees, Apprenticeships and NVQs and their value as a tool for HE progression.

Progression to art & design

Overview of HE subject choice in art & design, the important role of art foundation programmes, portfolio compilation and interview process.

UCAS updates

One of the most popular Wider Picture sessions. Get firsthand, the authoritative voice on the latest picture on admissions to HE and all the relevant updates on process, policy and best practice.

Personal statements

Student / teacher / adviser presentation or interactive workshop, on the purpose, background and best practice of writing a highly effective personal statement. Delivered with the authoritative voice of UCAS who have an informed position working at the centre of the higher education admissions process.

Mature entry to HE

Advice for guidance and education liaison staff; proposed QA framework for recognising post-19 achievement; new age legislation implications; proposed introduction of a credit system.

Factors for successful applications

Writing references and personal statements; strategies for making students discerning consumers of HE (how to undertake effective pre-application research utilising UCAS electronic services). Very useful as an induction for those new to pastoral care.

Session fees

  • £300 plus VAT per session (maximum 2 hours)
  • £125 plus VAT per additional session on the same day (maximum 2 hours)

Additional costs

UCAS operates as a not for profit organisation and it is necessary to work on the basis of cost recovery for all services. Travel, accommodation and subsistence will therefore be charged as follows:

  • Travel: 45p per mile for the return journey from UCAS HQ Cheltenham (or the exact cost of standard rail fare as incurred).
  • Accommodation costs will be charged as incurred to the following maximums: £85 outside London, £150 London. Accommodation costs will only apply if return travel cannot be comfortably undertaken within one day.
  • Subsistence costs will be charged as incurred to the following daily maximums: £6 lunch, £20 evening meal.

We do not deliver sessions outside of the UK on a face-to-face basis, but would consider contributing to events by webinar or videoconference. Further details can be obtained on enquiry.

These consultancy sessions are extremely popular and it is always beneficial to make your booking at least two months in advance to avoid disappointment.

Make an enquiry or book a session

If you have any queries regarding the Wider Picture consultancy service then please contact the Professional Development Team on 01242 545712.

The booking form for this programme is available as a PDF file for you to download and print out. Please indicate when making a booking which of the above topics you wish to select as the focus for your UCAS Wider Picture presentation.

What do our customers say about us?

"Thank you very much for an excellent session. We will certainly rebook next year."
Head of Sixth Form, Berkshire

"I think the fact that the students were so engrossed for an hour and half is the best example of how important and useful they found the session - they are really focused and motivated to build on what they learned - thank you very much!"
Director of Sixth Form, Salford

"The session was both enjoyable and informative. The pace was just right and presented in a way that makes the subject matter easily digestible."
Nextstep Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

"I enclose the evaluation form with a huge thank you from myself and the delegates. Your session went down very well and I know that we will be asking for a repeat performance next year."
Regional Director, ISCO

"Thank you very much for coming down and for giving us two such excellent sessions. You certainly hit the mark. The Head was delighted. Senior management felt it was absolutely on target and I have had an enormous amount of feedback, all very positive, from the staff who felt that you made the material accessible, interesting and relevant. Many thanks indeed."
Sixth Form Coordinator, Dorset

"Many thanks for your contribution to the event and helping to make it a success. The initial feedback is very positive with the majority of delegates finding the presentations and workshops highly relevant and informative. I hope we have the opportunity to work together on future projects."
Royal Society of Chemistry