Baverstock College

Higher Education Evening

2011

Mrs Linda Harris

Overview Welcome – Mrs Linda Harris 10 good reasons for applying to University Student participation UCAS Countdown to university Course/university selection UCAS procedure A gap year Student finance Parents – how can you help?

10 Good reasons for going to university

1.1. Love of the subjectLove of the subject, opportunities to learn from well qualified staff, use excellent facilities etc.

2. More likely to have a satisfying careersatisfying career and less likely to be unemployedless likely to be unemployed.

3.3. More places are now available at More places are now available at universityuniversity and the demand for the demand for graduates has grown.graduates has grown.

10 Good reasons for going to university (continued)

4. The average annual starting salary for a graduate is £29,600£29,600

5. They are most likely to start their own own businessbusiness, invent new productsnew products and develop new ideas

6. Graduates experience more rapid career more rapid career progressionprogression.

10 Good reasons for going to university (continued)

7.7. An increasing number of careers are virtual no go areas An increasing number of careers are virtual no go areas without a HE qualificationwithout a HE qualification:-

MedicineArchitectureBusiness AdministrationLawNursingTeachingThe MediaEngineeringSocial WorkSport and Leisure ManagementPhysiotherapyEnvironmental Health

10 Good reasons for going to university (continued)

8. An investment in your future – a foundation for a successful life

9. Retirement at 65, 70???

10. Gain a wide range of transferable wide range of transferable skillsskills (ability to communicate, present a logical argument, IT skills, numeracy, team working, analytical and critical thinking skills etc) and experiencesexperiences

UCASUUniversities andCCollegesAAdmissionsSService

www.ucas.comApplication fee1 Choice £112-5 choices £22

Countdown to universityJune & JulyJune & July

Research – courses/course requirements- universities – home or away?

Attend UCAS HE Convention – Birmingham University Thursday 30th June

Visit Open Days

Find out about admission tests Law – LNAT – National Admissions Test in Law,

Medicine – BMAT-Bio-Medical Admissions Test, UKCAT-UK Clinical Aptitude Test

Countdown to universityAugustAugust

LNAT Registration (Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Exeter, Glasgow, Nottingham, Oxford, UCL, King’s College London) www.lnat.ac.uk

Continue research Prepare Personal Statement Get some Work Experience 18th - AS results – decide options for A2

courses

Countdown to universitySeptemberSeptember

1st September UCAS Applications Open

Make final choices UCAS begin accepting applications LNAT testing starts Tutorial Programme External speakers Visit Open Days

Countdown to universityOctober - DecemberOctober - December

Complete UCAS forms on-line (Internal deadline)

15th October – deadline for applications to: Oxford and Cambridge Study Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science

Interview preparation

DecemberDecember Interviews at Oxford and Cambridge

Countdown to universityJanuary, FebruaryJanuary, February

15th January – final deadline for completed UCAS applications

Interviews

Throughout February offers continue to be made

25th February UCAS Extra Opens

Countdown to universityMarch, AprilMarch, April

During March you should receive replies from all universities and a reminder letter from UCAS to make final decisions

March is when you apply for financial support

www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance April – Do you need to use UCAS Extra?

Countdown to universityMay - AugustMay - August

May and June are the months for A2 exams and AS re-sits

6th July UCAS Extra closes

16th August – Exam resultsCelebrate or go through

Clearing

Countdown to universitySeptemberSeptember

Off to uni!

UCAS Application UCAS Application ProcedureProcedure

A. Select five universities and/or courses of study

What subject?Many courses allow you to study two or more subjects or put together a modular programme

What level?Degrees – Usually 3 or 4 yearsHND’s/Dip HE’s – Usually 2 years

UCAS Tariff- Points system

AS level

A2 Level

BTEC National Certificate

Points Score

DD 240

220

DM 200

180

MM 160

140

A MP 120

B 100

C PP 80

A D 60

B 50

C E 40

D 30

E 20

Choosing your university

Home or Away?

Campus or Town?

You must visit!!(www.opendays.com)

Unsure of which course?

Stamford Test(UCAS website)

Centigrade(Cambridge Occupational Analysts)

UCASUCASProcedureProcedure

B. Complete the UCAS Application Form (Apply on-line)

Personal details Choice of universities / courses Examinations taken and results (GCSE,

BTEC, AS) Examinations to be taken Personal statement (a crucial part of the

application

Oxford and Cambridge Oxford and Cambridge (closing date 15th October)

OxfordOxford – you also need to fill in a separate application card to Oxford Colleges Admissions

CambridgeCambridge – you also need to fill in a Preliminary Application form and send it to the Admissions Tutor of your first choice Cambridge college

Student Finance

www.direct.gov/yourfuture

Gap Year

A Few Facts about money – the 2012 proposals University fee cap increased to £9,000 per

year for 2012 entry. Most expected to charge £7–9,000 to cover their costs

Government teaching funding to be cut for all courses, and by 100% for some subjects – to be replaced by Graduate contribution to fees

Fair access – NSP (National Scholarship Programme)

Grants for household incomes up to £42,000

Finance Overview

Tuition Fees

Maintenance Grant

Student Loans

Tuition Fees Fees will be between £6-9,000 per year

for new students starting in 2012. No up front feesNo up front fees for ALL full-time

undergraduate courses – students will not have to pay fees either before or during their course – paid directly to University on behalf of the student when they enrol

Fees capped as students progress through their degrees

Maintenance Allowance

Maintenance Grant per year Maximum of £3,250 Dependent on

household income How they spend the

money is their choice (eg food, books, travel expenses)

Household Income

Govt Grant Available

£25,000 or less

Maximum £3,250

£25,000 - £42,000

Between £3,250 and £50

Over £42,000 No Grant

Student Loans for Living Costs How much can I borrow?

Students living away from parental home and studying:

In London £7,675 Elsewhere £5,500

Students living at parents’ home: £4,375

Apply in good time Nov 2011 – April 2012

How would it be paid back?The “Graduate Contribution” Only if Graduates are earning more than £21,000 per

year

Graduate Leaver Salary Example:- £21,000 and below – repay nothing £25,000 - repay £30 per month £30,000 - repay £68 per month £50,000 – repay £218 per month

Tuition Loan + Student Loan. Could be as much as £40K. Written off after 30 years.

Collected by the Govt/Inland Revenue, interest only interest for most graduates

Spending it and making it last

Example only – Living away from home and outside London

Income Income – 39 Weeks Expenditure Expenditure – 39 Weeks

Typical living costs loan and/or grant c£5,300

Student accommodation – self-catering halls c£2900

Bank overdraft £500 Gas £nil

Food (£40 per week) £1560

Total c£5,800 Laundry (£2-3 per week) £100

Leaves a surplus of £940 Books & Equipment £300

Minus entertainment @ £40 pw?! - £1560

Total c£4860

Minus ‘personal costs’ @ £25 pm?! - £975

£940 – (£1560+£975) =

Shortfall of £1595= £40 per week over 39 weeks

Other Sources of Funding Start saving now – even if its £10 per

week 13 weeks free in the summer, other long

vacations - approx 20 weeks per year Student union bar/shop, supermarkets,

pubs, employment agencies Students allowed to work term time –

recommended no more than 15 hours per week (£70-£100 per week)

Sponsorships/bursaries (NSP & others)

Parents – How can you help?

Support and encouragement …. But it should be their decision

Open days and visits Coping skills Money management and support Care with holiday plans It’s a fantastic experience but it does

have its ups and downs

Final Message Higher Education will remain FREE at

the point of access Students don’t pay the fees, parents

don’t pay, graduates contribute when they can afford to

Do your research wisely, be proactive, get involved take the opportunities on offer ie placement year/year abroad, don’t panic

Students – Don’t forget the graduation invite for the folks