The Parents Guide To Higher Education 2017 Welcome
The University Application Process How to apply to University The Esher College system How we can help How to Choose a university Finance Questions
The application process Apply through UCAS Students need to choose a course(s) and 5 universities start doing this now! Complete the UCAS form which is then sent to the universities - Sept Dec 2017 Universities offer a place (or reject) by May 2018 Decide which 2 universities to accept May 2018 Get the grades in A2 exams August 2018 Go off to university October 2018
Step 1 Choosing your course and university Lots of web sites giving information Whatuni Unistats Which? UCAS
UCAS - Help A huge source of information Special students site and one for parents
4,406-6,194 Typical annual cost of university/college accommodation
Step 2 - Making the Application next September onwards Apply is the UCAS online application system. Every applicant has six sections to complete: Personal details Student finance (UK and EU only) Choices Education Employment Personal statement
Choices 5 choices except for medicine and vets (4 choices + 1 other if the student wishes) You cannot change your mind for any reason once the form is submitted Alphabetical order Invisibility of choice
Responsibility Students are responsible for choosing their own courses and institutions, entering them correctly on the form and ascertaining the entry requirements.
Supported by... A personal statement Only 1 personal statement no matter how many different courses you apply for and you cannot change it later! Statement is 47 lines approx. You need to sell yourself why are you better than the next person who has the same excellent qualifications?
The importance of the personal statement This is becoming one of the means of choosing between excellent candidates or those who have just missed their grades in clearing More advice in session at HE Day and After Esher Day (end of June)
Personal Statements (help sheet in pack) Personal statements are very important. 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?
Esher College Dates and Deadlines See pack Very important 3 deadlines (10 day turn round, end of term, Jan 15 th guarantees) Absolute deadline Friday 1 st December Lots of checking of the form Its not just as simple as adding a reference to the UCAS form and sending it off!
Step 3 - How do the universities choose? Universities and colleges will review: Personal statement Reference Qualifications Admissions test results Interviews Portfolios Auditions
How do the universities choose? as entry is competitive predicted grades which match or are higher than those required will not necessarily guarantee an interview or offer - University of Bristol
Offers Match your predicted grades with the course requirements see UCAS Whatever offer you receive you still do have to get the grades. Make sure you do want to go to that university
Refusals Sometimes students can get 5 refusals! Often apply too ambitiously Have a back up choice i.e. one lower than your predicted grades that you would be really happy to go to think about plan B It could be the statement does not show evidence Open Days they have lots of Open Days on Saturdays!
Offers/Final Choices Conditional Unconditional Unsuccessful The students choose a conditional firm and a conditional insurance CF and CI Very important to get the CI right
Help! There is lots of help if only the students will attend the sessions and ask for help!
Morning Subject Seminars Over 90 HE institutions represented 50 of our top 55! Higher Education Day Tuesday 21 st March Afternoon - 4 sessions Evening please return Tour of the Exhibition What s it like to be a student? How to choose How to research your options
I don t know what I want to study! Centigrade A computer generated analysis to help students choose a course Looks at interests/likes/dislikes Highly recommended Cost 22.00 which includes p and p Price includes free book and the report Details in your pack. Pay on WisePay and then Sally will email the link
CragRats Company Psychometric testing and competency questions Interview and presentation techniques After Esher Day Tuesday July 4 th 2017 2 programmes HE and employment Tutor interview Register with UCAS Master Class on Personal Statement Tutor session developing and recognising skills
Help with the statement It is the student s responsibility to make sure the statement is of a standard to access the universities and courses he/she is applying to Once the form is sent we will assume the student is happy with it Lots of help from tutors if only they will ask! Guidance appointments They need to come with a draft not an empty piece of paper!
Oxbridge applications Shaista Moghul special coordinator There will be a special presentation at the HE Exhibition on applying to Oxbridge at 7.30pm Early identification of potential students already taking place
In general we find that successful Oxbridge students have At least 8 A/A* GCSE An average of 90% on their AS papers NOT just grade A! Oxbridge isn t about getting A*: It s about being able to apply your knowledge/have opinions A different system they are interviewing for students who are likely to succeed in their system They have a lot of excellent candidates don t take it personally if refused!
Art / Art Foundation Applications Sara Kirby i/c For Art Foundation individual applications to each College Foundation course - a one year diagnostic predegree course to help art students decide on a specialist approach for study at degree level. This is a separate system to UCAS and students may apply to both. The advantage of Art Foundation courses is there are no tuition fees for under 19s.
August 16 th on holiday! And Finally. 2018 Results Day please don t go Clearing starts but don t expect many places due to EXTRA. Be prepared to visit universities We will be here to help
Choosing the right course and university Ellen Smith, Schools Liaison Officer
Choosing the right course
Key questions Which subjects does your son or daughter enjoy? What type of career would they like to pursue? How do they like to be assessed? Would they like to complete a placement year?
Course options How many undergraduate courses do you think are available? 52,268 You can search through these and find the right course through UCAS www.ucas.com
English Business Creative Management Writing and & English with Language Literature & and French Comparative Study Law & Abroad Communication Literature Year English
Which course? Done the right A- Levels? Subject you enjoy Single Honours? Attainable entry requirements Your perfect course Joint or Combined Honours? Academic or Vocational? 3 or 4 years? There are lots of courses to choose from!
Examples of Familiar Courses French Geography English History Maths Music
Examples of Unfamiliar Courses Digital Media Communications Petroleum Geology Zoology International Relations
Friday Thursda y Wednesda Tuesday Monday Sample English timetable 9.00 10.00 10.00 11.00 11.00 12.00 12.00 1.00 1.00 2.00 2.00 3.00 3.00 4.00 4.00 5.00 Inventing the novel (Lecture) Inventing the novel (Seminar) Creative writing (Seminar) Creative writing (Seminar) ysports & Activities Afternoon Introducing poetry (Seminar) 40
Friday Thursday Wednesday Tuesday Monday Sample Biochemistry timetable 9.00 10.00 10.00 11.00 11.00 12.00 12.00 1.00 1.00 2.00 2.00 3.00 3.00 4.00 4.00 5.00 Molecular Biosciences (Lecture) Molecular Biosciences (Lecture) Molecular Bioscience Labs Molecular Biosciences (Lecture) Molecular Biosciences (Lecture) Molecular Bioscience Labs Living systems (Lecture) Living systems (Lecture) Living systems Labs Sports & Activities Afternoon Living systems (Lecture) Living systems (Lecture) Cell Biology (Lecture) Cell Biology (Lecture) Cell Biology Labs 41
Friday Thursday Wednesda y Tuesday Monday Sample Geography timetable 9.00 10.00 10.00 11.00 11.00 12.00 12.00 1.00 1.00 2.00 2.00 3.00 3.00 4.00 4.00 5.00 Human Geography (Lecture) Physical Geography (Lecture) Geographical Techniques (Lecture) Human Geography (Lecture) Personal Tutorial Sports & Activities Afternoon Geographical Techniques: (Local Fieldwork, Laboratory Analysis, Research) Geographical Research & Field Methods (Lecture) Physical Geography (Lecture) Geographical Research & Field Methods (Seminar) 42
Which university?
There are over 150 institutions to choose from! 44
Which university is right for you? Choosing the right university is always a personal choice. Where in the country? In the city centre? Close to home? Far away from home? Out of the city? 45 On a campus?
Collegiate 46
City university 47
Campus 48
Using League Tables 49
Using League Tables http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings The best universities don t always have the highest student satisfaction 50
Other things to consider
Accommodation Catered vs Self-catered Expensive vs Cheap Shared bathroom vs Ensuite University accommodation vs Live at home On campus vs Off campus 52
Join a Band, Music Group or Drama Group Get involved in Volunteering and Charity Events Student life Are you a budding journalist? Become part of a Council or Committee Try a New Sport Fancy something a bit different? 53
Volunteering opportunities 54
Clubs and societies 55
Lab and field work
Study abroad and exchanges All undergraduate students at Royal Holloway have the opportunity to study overseas for either the summer vacation or a full academic year. Do a work placement abroad Study abroad at a partner university Teach English as a British Council Language Assistant (Language students) 57
Career opportunities 50% of graduate jobs do not specify any particular degree. You need to sell the knowledge, experience and skills you have gained from undertaking a degree. A narrow and vocational course could be constricting if you re not sure what career you want to go into. Taking a sandwich course, placement year or study abroad year may increase your chances of finding a graduate job soon after graduation. 58
The importance of work experience Degree classification is important, BUT A 1 st class degree means nothing without wider experience. Gain experience at university through placements, volunteering, societies and part time work. You will be a more well rounded graduate with these experiences. 59
Making Your Choice Distance How far do you want to move from home? Course Does the university offer the right course for you? Careers Does this university offer opportunities that will prepare you for graduate life? Location Is it located where you want to be? Social Life Can you access other activities? Comfort Do you feel comfortable in the environment?
Thank you for listening. Any questions?
Student Finance Overview of: Tuition Fees Accommodation and living costs Student loans and repayments
Tuition Fees and Loans What s it for? Fees paid to the university to go towards the cost of the course Up to 9,250 each year How is this paid for? Loans available to cover the full costs Repayment starts after the course has finished Manchester University Who does this apply to? Students studying at a publicly-funded university or college in the UK. Loans up to 6,165 available for approved courses at private universities or colleges.
Accommodation Costs Costs vary: First year university accommodation En-suite and catered 6,500 each year Basic self catered 2,600 each year Living at home Don t forget peak time travel costs. Exeter
Other Living costs Food Books, equipment, printing Transport to and from university Transport at university Toiletries and clothes Laundry Phone/Internet Clubs/societies/sports Social life Contents insurance TV licence House deposit for second year Parties!!!!!!!!! Liverpool Total 4,000 to 5,000?
Maintenance Loan What s it for? It helps with living costs, such as rent, food, books, travel and other expenses. How much can be borrowed? The size of the loan depends on household income plus other factors: Where the student lives (at home or not) Location of university (students in London can borrow more) Overseas study as part of the course What about maintenance grants? Unfortunately these are no longer available.
Maintenance Loan Household Income Home Elsewhere London 25,000 & under 7,097 8,430 11,002 30,000 6,499 7,825 10,387 45,000 4,705 6,009 8,539 60,000 3,124 3,928 5,479 To get personalised estimates of the loans available go to: www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator
Maintenance Loan What about repayment? It is paid back in the same way as the tuition fee loan Repayments only start once the course has finished and when income is over 21,000 Anything else? The Maintenance Loan is paid straight into the student s bank account, usually in three instalments, one at the start of each term. Extra Maintenance Loan Students may qualify for other extra assistance. Read Student finance - how you're assessed and paid at the Student Finance Zone for more information.
Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs) What s it for? Disabled Students Allowances help with the extra essential costs arising as a direct result of disability, including mental-health conditions or specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia or dyspraxia. DSAs can help with the cost of having a person to give support, items of specialist equipment, travel and other study-related costs. It does not depend on household income and size of the allowance depends on individual needs.
Bursaries and Scholarships Bursaries and Scholarships Universities and colleges might have bursaries and scholarships to help pay for living costs. It s not always money, for example it could be a discount on accommodation. Check the university or college website for details. NHS bursaries will no longer be available from 2017/18. Every university offers them and some are easy to get!
Balancing the Budget Total accommodation and living costs will exceed the maximum maintenance loan for many students. Extra funds could come from: Part time jobs at university Savings Financial support from home There are excellent websites such as Brightside, which provides a free budget planner, and Save the Student which offers a wide range of tips and advice for undergraduates.
Student Finance Applications Each year thousands of students apply late for their finance and have no way to pay for their course or accommodation, some even have to drop out, so please apply on time! Apply early, as it can take up to six weeks to process an application The easiest way to apply is online at gov.uk/studentfinance Applications can be made before the university or college place is confirmed. Make the application for first choice university. Details can be changed later if needed.
Repaying the student loans Repayments only start once the student has finished or left the course and their income is over 21,000 a year (before tax). Employers will automatically take 9% of income above the threshold through the UK tax system (Pay As You Earn PAYE). Alternative arrangements are made for self employed or those working overseas. Repayments automatically stop if income falls below the threshold. Any loan remaining after 30 years is cancelled.
Repaying the student loans Tuition fees for 3 years: 9,250 per year Minimum maintenance loan for 3 years: 3,928 per year Total owed by end of course: 39,500 plus interest Income per year 9% of.. Monthly repayments Below 21,000 0 no repayments 25,000 4000 30 30,000 9000 67 60,000 39000 292
Interest Rate Interest rates applied to the loans: Whilst studying: RPI plus 3% Income below 21,000: RPI Income above 41,000: RPI plus 3% Sliding scale between these incomes RPI was 2.5% in December 2016
Repaying the student loans Mike Nicholson, Past Director of Undergraduate Admissions Oxford University In reality the government has accepted that graduates will never pay the debt off, graduates should consider it to be an additional tax and this should be the last loan anyone pays off!
Useful Information
Good luck!