A Parent’s Guide to Higher Education

Kirsty Matthews: Head of Sixth Form

Objectives

After this presentation you will:

Have an overview of a variety of Higher Education routes

Have considered Higher Education costs and sources of funding

Understand basic UCAS (University and College Admissions Service)

application processes, key dates and services

Know where to find out more detailed information about UCAS

Have insight into the importance of the applicant’s personal statement

Main options for getting a degree

• Full-time university courses (3 years +) – over 100 institutions in the UK.

• Foundation degrees (usually 2 years) – at universities and Further Education courses, including Exeter College and South Devon College.

• Distance learning (get a job plus study at your own pace, module by module) – mainly through the Open University.

• Employer-sponsored degrees – some organisations will pay for their employees to complete university courses

How much does HE cost?

• From September 2012, universities will be able to charge up to £9000 per year in tuition fees.

• This does not include living costs such as accommodation, food, textbooks and social life.

• The following example is based on estimates by Exeter University.

One year at university...

£9000 tuition fees

£4500 room in catered hall of residence

£300 books/equipment

£900 food & drink, toiletries, haircuts

£190 clubs, societies, sports

£200 clothing

£150 TV licence

£150 travelling

£300 telephone, internet

£1085 socialising!

Total = £16775

However...• Tuition fees do not have to be paid upfront• Students take out a tuition fee loan, to cover the full

yearly amount• They only pay this back once they are in

employment and earning over £21000* per year (*subject to parliament approval)

• There are also loans available for living costs (amounts depend on parental income)

• Grants are also available for some students- these do not need to be repaid.

• Universities may give out grants, bursaries and scholarships – check each university website.

South Dartmoor Community College Guide to UCAS

The role of UCAS

UCAS exists to bring clarity and cohesion to the process of applying for a full-time UK HE course

UCAS is also an important source of factual information about choosing what and where to study

Electronic research

UCAS website can help with:

Stamford Test

Course Search Entry Profiles Entry Requirements Bursary and scholarship comparator

Links to HE websites

www.ucas.com

Entry Profiles

Provide clear, up to date information about undergraduate courses

Same course title (e.g. nursing) – different experience

Invaluable source of information about entry requirements

Bursary and scholarship comparator

Key features of admissions scheme

Number of choices

• Every applicant may make up to five choices for standard registration fee of £21.00

• Some subject restrictions:

Dentistry, Medicine or

Veterinary - max. 4 choices

Key features of admissions scheme

When to apply

1 September - Annual opening date for applications

15 October - Closing date for Oxbridge/DentistryMedicine & Veterinary

15 January - Advisory closingdate for UK students

24 March - Closing date for some Art and Design Courses

Apply

Key features of admissions scheme

University and college decisions

• Admissions tutors can make one of three decisions:

Conditional Offer Unconditional Offer Unsuccessful

Key features of admissions scheme

Conditional offers

Expressed in:

UCAS Tariff pointsorgrades e.g. BCC in A levels, or MPP in BTEC NDor a combination of both (e.g. 260 points, including a B

in Mathematics)

Key features of admissions scheme

Replying to offers

• A maximum of two offers may be held after all final decisions have been made

• Applicant can make one of three replies:

F = firm acceptance

I = insurance acceptance

D = decline

Key features of admissions scheme

If an applicant has no offers…

Two further stages to gain a place:

• UCAS Extra (mid-March – end of June)

• Clearing (mid-August onwards, for A level students)

Key features of admissions scheme

Track

Enables students to follow the progress of their

applications (access via password)

Quickest way to find out about new offers

Students can reply to offers online

Key feature of admissions system

Confirmation

1. Exam results are issued (e.g. A levels mid-August, BTEC ND in July)

2. Admissions staff check if applicant has matched the conditions of the offer

3. If yes, the student will be sent an official confirmation of their place

Time to celebrate!!

The personal statement

The only part of the application where applicants have the

freedom to tell the HE selector:

all about themselves

in their own words

compete with other applicants

The personal statement

Extra evidence to help HE selectors make decisions …

… and hence make an offer

Important for both selecting and recruiting courses

Assume that admissions tutors will read it

In many cases it will substitute for an interview

The personal statement

Refer to proposed career

Indicate relevant experience, work, skills and interests – emphasis on what they have got out of the experience

List achievement of all kinds not listed as qualifications eg sports, Duke of Edinburgh, adventure activities,HE summer school,Young Enterprise

Can optionally give unit information

Support resources for students and parents

• South Dartmoor Community College Help Pack, Summer 2011. Available via website and moodle 6th form general resources page

• 6th form tutors, deputy head of 6th form, head of 6th form and leader of post 16 entitlement

• Connexions and careers library

• UCAS website: www.ucas.com and university websites

• University open days

• University admissions departments

• HE notice board at Place House

• Be wary of website offering help with personal statements! UCAS run sophisticated software to detect plaigarism.

Questions