Applying to university HELP YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER THROUGH THE UCAS PROCESS

Applying to university HELP YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER THROUGH THE UCAS PROCESS

Why higher education? Increase potential earnings* Better career prospects Benefit the wider community Social and cultural reasons More independence, self-confidence and responsibility Personal challenge Broadens interests and knowledge Better health It can be immense fun! *Source: Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, 2006, in Universities UK, Research Report, The Economic Benefits of a Degree

Which course at university? There are as many courses on offer as you can think of and many more! Courses can be vocational e.g. Medicine or purely academic e.g. History Courses normally last three years but many sandwich courses last four years. Academic requirements vary greatly between courses and universities.

Which university? The course you want to do may restrict your choice of university. The type of place you want to live in and the distance from home will be important. The academic requirements for the same course e.g. History, will vary greatly between universities. Research is crucial.

Research it s free and important to do Start at www.ucas.com Find out the UCAS deadlines make sure your son or daughter knows which deadline is relevant to them. Research career options, universities, courses and minimum entry requirements. Attend a UCAS event even if your son or daughter doesn t know what they want to do, speaking to those in the know will help. Learn from others student videos are available to watch at ucas.tv.

Other things to consider Work experience professional bodies, charities or at events. Finance course fees, grants, travel and living costs. Travel to and from home. Living away from home... Accommodation uni halls or private residences?

What do you have to pay for at university? 1. Tuition Fees - People to teach me - Facilities to be taught in - Resources - Up to 9,000 per year of study - No up-front payment required - Tuition Fee Loan for all UK students 2. Living Costs - Everything else! - Rent, bills, clothes, laundry, social life, transport - Average cost of student living 9,250 per year - Maintenance Loan - Scholarships and Bursaries

Where does the money come from? The tuition fee loan is 9,000 per year (this is a virtual loan!) The loan is repayable, but linked to future earnings over 21,000 a year. The student loan for living costs depends on family income. Individual universities offer non repayable bursaries which usually depend on family income or academic achievement.

Available funding Maintenance Loan - All UK students entitled to a loan - The amount you get depends on: - where you study - where you live whilst studying - your household income - Apply online via Student Finance England - Paid directly to your bank account at the start of each term - Repayment starts in the April after graduation once earning above 21,000 per year

What could your package of support look like? Studying locally, living at home Studying away from home, outside London Studying away from home, in London 100% Guaranteed amount 6,904 3,039 8,200 3,821 10,702 5,330 www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator

2 STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENTS AN OVERVIEW You won t make repayments until your income is over 21,000 a year gross (before tax) Full-time students will be due to start repaying in the April after graduating from/leaving their higher education course You ll repay 9% of your income over 21,000 and if you re employed deductions will be made from your pay through the HMRC tax system If your income falls to 21,000 or below your repayments will stop Any outstanding loan balance will be written off 30 years after entering repayment

Interest on loans Interest is charged at the rate of inflation (RPI Retail Price Index) plus three per cent from the date you take out your loan to April after you have finished studying. From April you will be charged: the rate of inflation if you earn 21,000 or less the rate of inflation plus up to three per cent if you earn between 21,000-41,000 the rate of inflation plus three per cent if you earn over 41,000 Your repayments will be deducted automatically each month from your pay.

The UCAS journey

Choosing the right course Ten courses you might not know about: BA Animation BSc Audiology BSc Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism BA Arabic and Persian BA Special Effects BA Packaging design BA Playwork BSc Police Studies BSc Disaster management BA Viking studies

Questions to ask What am I interested in? What do I enjoy? Will it help me reach my goal? Do I want/ need to do work experience? Will I meet the entry requirements? https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/gettin g-started/what-study Make sure you do your research

University example: reference table Extended Project GCE & VCE AS- Levels GCE & VCE A- Levels Tariff BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma BTEC (QCF) Diploma BTEC (QCF) Subsidiary Diploma 168 D*D*D* 160 D*D*D 152 D*DD 144 DDD 128 DDM 112 DMM D*D* 104 D*D 96 MMM DD 80 MMP DM 64 MPP MM A* 56 D* A 48 PPP MP D B 40 C 32 PP M A* 28 D* A D 24 D B A 20 C B E 16 P M D C 12 D 10 E 8 P E 6 BTEC (QCF) Certificate 24/03/2016 16

Primary education Very competitive Suitable for students with A levels and/ or vocational qualifications Work experience essential Alternative courses may be an access route e.g. early childhood studies

An English degree There are 352 courses offering an English degree Entry requirements vary from 120 points (2 A levels grade D) for a foundation course to A*A*A in A levels + interview + submission of essays.

Applying for Art and Design Courses You can apply directly for art and design courses at university Or you may take a Foundation course first All students are called for interview for which a portfolio is required.

The Medic Offered at 24 universities Predicted grades must be at least 3 As (must include Chemistry and usually Biology) Applications must be processed by 15 October Additional admissions tests are taken BMAT; UKCAT Work experience is essential

Oxbridge Oxford and Cambridge are seen as the most prestigious universities A substantial number of A*s at GCSE, at least 3 As predicted at A level and an excellent personal statement should get you an interview Applications must be processed by October 15 th A range of admission tests are administered by the universities. Some are taken in school some during the interview process.

The application process All university applications are done online at www.ucas.co.uk. Applications are processed through school by using the buzzword Applications are checked and references added by form tutors and myself The UCAS application currently costs 23 and has to be paid by credit or debit card online

UCAS a wide range of information

Making the application Apply is the UCAS online application system. Each applicant has six sections to complete: personal details student finance (UK and EU only) choices education employment personal statement Once a student submits their application, the reference is added and it is sent to UCAS who pass it on to the university

Personal statement start early Personal statements are so important, make sure your son or daughter includes: academic achievements, past and present interests in the chosen subject area knowledge of the subject and enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus what they enjoy about studying details of their independent study skills The questions universities and colleges will ask: Have they chosen the right subject for the right reasons? Do they have a range of interests? Does the personal statement confirm their interest in the subject? Have they studied independently? Are they motivated and committed? Do they possess good numeracy and literacy skills? Personal statements should stand out tutors receive 200 per week!

The personal statement Why you want to do the course Which subjects you are studying to support the course Work experience Contribution to school life Activities outside school The final sentence

The reference Written by the form tutor Introducing the student Using information from subject staff Giving predicted grades Commenting on contribution to school life (using the student profile card). Commenting on personal details if asked

Decision-making by course providers Universities and colleges will review: personal statement reference qualifications admissions test results interviews portfolios auditions An admissions tutor may make one of three decisions: Providers may also offer a place on an alternative course unconditional offer conditional offer unsuccessful

Tracking applications Track will allow your son or daughter to: follow the progress of their application 24/7 see their choices and personal information display their offers reply to offers online Track is our online system that allows students to follow the progress of their applications

Replying to offers When your son or daughter receives decisions from all of their choices they will need to make their replies by a set date. They can then hold a maximum of two offers:. Firm their first choice. If they meet the conditions of the offer they will be placed insurance acts as a back-up choice and only comes into play if they are not placed with their firm choice If they do not receive any offers they can make an additional choice through the Extra scheme

Extra If all five choices have been used and no offers have been made additional choices can be made through Extra on the ucas website. Extra operates from mid March to the end of June All offers and acceptances can be made through and seen on track

Confirmation Exam results are published many are passed electronically to universities by UCAS. Admissions staff check if the applicant has met the conditions of the offer. There are four possibilities: 1. If a student meets the conditions of their firm choice. It s time to celebrate! 2. If a student doesn t meet the conditions of their firm choice, but meets the conditions of their insurance choice (which should be lower), they will be placed at their insurance choice. It s also time to celebrate! 3. If a student has not met the conditions of their firm or insurance choice (or no insurance), they will be entered into a process known as Clearing. 4. If a student meets and exceeds the conditions of their offer, they are eligible for Adjustment. This provides an opportunity for them to reconsider where and what to study whilst still holding their firm offer.

The Clearing process Applicant contacts university or college to discuss vacancies Applicant enters choice details in Track Clearing If unsuccessful applicant can start again University or college will make a decision If successfully placed celebrate!

Key dates and deadlines Mid-June Applicants can register and start to complete their application. Mid- September 15 October Schools can start to submit completed applications to UCAS. Most medicine, dentistry, veterinary sci/med and Oxford or Cambridge. 15 January Application deadline for most courses. 24 March Many art & design courses (check each course for deadline). 30 June Applications after this date held for Clearing.

Other sources of information University league tables www.timesonline.co.uk/life_and_style/education/go od_university_guide www.education.guardian.co.uk/universityguid www.thegooduniversityguide.org.uk/league www.push.co.uk everything from the best accommodation to the cheapest pint Degree course offers by Brian Heap The Times Good University guide And don t forget Open Days

Supporting the students Horizontal tutor period in subject groups. Start on UCAS applications at the beginning of June Support with choices and personal statement Friday 24 th June University of Birmingham Open Day UCAS goes live mid June September 1 st UCAS accepts applications All UCAS forms checked.