Post-18 Pathways Monday 23 rd April 2018
APPLYING TO UNIVERSITY FOR ENTRY IN 2018
Where are we? o There has been a 2% fall in applications to university 590,270 students have applied. The number of 18 year olds applying is static at 230,320, despite a 2.3% fall in the 18 year old population o Funding for universities is under pressure, Brexit is causing uncertainty in terms of projected income for them. Fees for 2018 are a maximum of 9,250 o The number of university offers made 2017 has been increased by 3.1% to 532,300 o 85% of applicants got a place at university last year o Top universities have unlimited numbers if student achieves A,B,B offer o Some courses may ask you to take admissions tests or attend interviews
What does this all mean? Admissions tutors will not take risks Entry requirements for top universities / competitive courses are likely to be 128 points, (ABB) The new tariff is: A* - 56 A - 48 B - 40 C - 32 D - 24 E - 16 The most popular subjects like Nursing, Psychology, Law, Medicine, English, Teaching, are still competitive
What does this all mean? Work experience, the Extended Project, (EPQ), and supercurricular activities are important to differentiate your application. Just because they aren t part of the offer doesn t mean that they aren t part of the decision making process Top universities are likely to interview you, or ask for examples of your work, or set you extra work to submit / bring with you to interview
Higher Education Plus side Use Academic Talents in Work rewarding / fulfilment High Employability Graduate Salary Prospects The Student Life New Place, New People Independence
Higher Education - Minuses Cost Payment of Fees up to 9250 pounds a year Debt during and after Course Top-up Fees and Student Loans; some Means Tested Grants Need to do Paid Work But: Repayment is at moderate interest rate 3/4 Years of Study Will I get a Job when I graduate?
Choice of Institutions Local Further Education Colleges Former University Colleges New Universities (after 1992) Russell Group Collegiate
Types of degree Single Honours Joint Honours (applicable particularly to Language courses) Combined Subjects Rare courses can also help access competitive uni s at lower tariffs
Sandwich Courses Thick 2 years study - 1 year work - 1 year study Thin Several Short Periods of Work Advantages Pay for Work, Chance of Later Employment
Considerations Personal Choice you have the live there Accommodation: Halls, Flats, Houses Facilities: Computers, Libraries, Sports, Bars... Atmosphere Bursary and scholarship availability Reputation League Tables, Parents, Friends...
From Now On? Research Check Grades Required Choose Sensibly Apply Early Work Hard Build a CV of work experience / volunteering
Early Applicants 15 th OCTOBER is the last entry date for all Oxbridge courses, medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses Please note there is NO extension to this deadline
Support Small group mentoring at registration time to discuss future choices Visit to the Northwest Oxbridge conference at Haydock at Easter time Talks from ex-pupils Interview practice Evening meeting with the school liaison officers from Oxbridge
www.ucas.com Course Search Entry Profile Institution Search Links to University Web Sites Apply Online Track Application Progress
Making The Application UCAS: Universities & Colleges Admissions System Between September 5th and January 15 th By October 15th for Oxbridge, Medicine, Vet Science & Dentistry Online - www.ucas.com 24 Fee (subject to change) Payable before application is sent to UCAS ( by debit/credit card) Students WILL be asked to pay and send before the application is complete, this is to streamline the process.
Electronic Apply System Complete the form online Almost impossible to make mistakes other than typing errors Controls presentation Plenty of room for personal statement Processed quickly by UCAS
WWW - Useful web-sites Unifrog launch with students tomorrow. opendays.com prospects.ac.uk EducationGuardian.co.uk ukcoursefinder.com gapyear.com push.co.uk
The UCAS Application Form Individual Details Five Course Choices GCSE Exam Results Personal Statement Predicted Grades Reference
The Personal Statement Reasons for choosing the subject passion! Work experience and responsibility linked to the chosen degree Activities in school especially super-curricular and leadership roles Leisure interests and activities BRIEFLY Future aims Have it ready in advance Special training in school Advice from Form / Subject Tutors and the Directorate
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) Students taking this in Year 12. A stand alone qualification at A Level standard Highly regarded by universities Can be a formal essay, performance piece or artefact Promotes skills such as planning, academic research, time management, presentation skills Can be on virtually any topic you chose, although sensible to be linked with future aspirations
The School s Reference Based on Teachers and Tutors reports Includes Predicted Grades based on ongoing assessment Supportive Truthful
Stages of UCAS Application April to July - Course Research and Completion of Personal Statement and UCAS Form. September to November-Application (can send as early as 05/09)/Processing November to March - Candidate Days / Interviews November to May - Offers/Rejections. Final applications 15/01/19 April/May - Final Decisions 4 th July last date to apply to UCAS Extra, clearing opens 5/07/19 Mid-August - Exam Results August/September - 15 th Aug A level Results Day - Confirmation September/October - Start University
Student Finance
What to Apply For Tuition Fee Loans get full amount for your course and it goes straight to the university. Pay back once earning over threshold. Maintenance Loans (up to 8430) Go to you directly and are deposited in your account over three payments, one per term. Means tested household income. Less in final year. Pay back once earning above the threshold.
Why Bother? Tuition Fees up to a maximum of 9,250 per year Those that charge over 6,000 will need to ensure that students from all income groups can access their courses Don t repay till you earn 25,000 pa - comes straight out of your pay. Pay 9% of earnings over 25000 e.g. earn 27000 will pay 180 = 15 p.m. Interest is base rate +3% on outstanding loan amount.
Higher Apprenticeship Every year students secure highly competitive Higher Apprenticeships and Degree Apprenticeships. Higher Apprenticeships at Airbus, BAE, BBC, PWC, KPMG, and local firms. One-to-one interviews with Head of Year Referral to Connexions and workshops No set plan as every student is different personalised programme is necessary applications open throughout the year. This option is a viable option for some students: degree qualification, no fees, work experience and sometimes guaranteed employment.
Finally! Commitment Barriers Competition