Careers Information Evening Thursday 19 th September 2013

1. Careers Information Evening Thursday 19th September 2013

2. Careers Information Evening Thursday 19th September 2013 • Welcome and Introduction: The Headmaster, Mr. T.D. Robinson • Year 14 Careers Programme: Head of Careers (Lurgan College) Mr. D. Irvine • The UCAS process and Personal Statements: Dr. D. Rogers (Queen’s University, Belfast) • Student Finance: Student Finance Manager SELB, Mrs. J. Montgomery • Further Education: Department of Employment and Learning Careers Officer, Mrs. J. Fitzgerald

3. CEIAG at Lurgan College • Education • Information • Advice and Guidance

4. Extra Application Requirements • Admission Tests: • UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) for Medical and Dental Degrees • HPAT Ulster (Health Professions Admissions Test) for degrees such as Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech and Language Therapy • LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) for some Law courses on the mainland • BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test for Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at certain Universities e.g. Oxford and Cambridge • Entrance Exams e.g. Oxford and Cambridge • Interviews : e.g. Stranmillis / Nursing / Social Work / Medicine • Submission of work : e.g. Essays and Portfolios

5. Receiving Offers • 15th January – March • Conditional Offer or Unsuccessful • Conditions can be based on grades, points or a mixture of both • Grades offer : BBB / BBCb • Points offer : 260 points • Mix : 240 points to include grades CC UCAS Points AS A = 60 B = 50 C = 40 D = 30 E = 20 A2 A* = 140 A = 120 B = 100 C = 80 D = 60 E = 40 • Specific grades in certain subjects may also be part of a conditional offer e.g. grade B in GCSE Maths and grade C in A-level Chemistry.

6. Replying to Offers • From receive last offer / decision – around mid May • Accept as Firm (CF), accept as Insurance (CI) or decline • Insurance offer must have more attainable conditions

7. UCAS Application Process& The Personal StatementDr Donna RogersStudent Recruitment

8. UCAS Application System • Closing Dates • 15 October - Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary and Oxbridge • 15 January - All other courses • Web based application system • Important Sections • Choices - up to 5 choices - max. of 4 for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary • Exams - those already taken - those to be completed • Personal Statement • Reference

9. Subject of interest Potential careers with your degree of choice University Entry requirements – be realistic! Research, Research, Research…

10. Every course is different so check for: Length of course Study abroad opportunities Work placements Unique facilities, sports and social clubs Graduate Employment Even more Research….

11. Use your 5 choices wisely Have a trial run Follow UCAS ‘How to Apply’ instructions Make use of universities’ web sites for guidance List all qualifications in Section 7 Make sure name, school and date of birth are correct Only fill in date of first entry to the UK where necessary Be careful of spelling, punctuation and grammar Filling in your Form

12. serialkiller@ Applied for Nursing Murder_man2003@ Applied for Social Work Stalker_at_work@ Applied for Law Liam_turns_me_on@ Applicant was called Liam thongsonawashingline@ Beware of using personal email addresses

13. To help you to stand out from the crowd! Why do you have to fill out a Personal Statement?

14. Should be concise “Why should I be given a place to study x?” Should sell yourself Explain any unusual references or circumstances Be original The Personal Statement

15. Why have you chosen this subject? Which aspects of the course interest you? Show commitment to the subject Reading Work and/or voluntary experience Additional study What can you offer to the university? The Personal Statement: Why Me?

16. Relevant Experience… Describe work and/or voluntary experience: Where? How long? What did you learn? If you couldn’t get relevant experience, explain how you attempted to gain experience and outline any other efforts you have made Show Commitment

17. Look Ahead…. How has your experience to date helped you? How will the skills you have developed help you throughout your university studies? How will they help you in your chosen career? Where do you see yourself in years to come? Specialising in a particular area Working for a particular organisation Show Commitment

18. Extra – curricular activities Examples of teamwork and enthusiasm Outstanding Awards or Achievements Positions of Responsibility Skills you will take with you to University What can you offer the University?

19. Round up statement and end on a positive note “I hope that this personal statement demonstrates that I am an enthusiastic, disciplined and hard working student with a keen interest in current affairs, who would enjoy contributing to all aspects of university life” Summing Up

20. Relevant academic ability Motivation Skills Relevant experience Passion and dedication to the subject Originality Evidence of literacy Someone who will be interesting to teach What are universities looking for?

21. Do Research your subjects and universities Tell the truth Give examples – show, not just tell Make sure it has structure – paragraphs, etc Check your statement….and check again. Personal Statement Do’s

22. Don’t Cover too much – keep it relevant Write it at the last minute Rely on spell check Repeat yourself Overuse quotations Use abbreviations, text talk or non-standard English Personal Statement Don’ts

23. Don’t Forget to demonstrate obvious subject interests Fail to make full use of the space provided Mention a particular university if applying to more than one Lie or plagiarise Use bullet points or lists Be too wacky Personal Statement Don’ts

24. Further Informationwww.qub.ac.uk/ www.ucas.co.uk

25. STUDENT FINANCE2014/15A guide for parents

26. Contents • Student Finance ni / Student Loans Company • Course costs • Types of support • Exceptions • How is support determined? • Repayments • Application process • Additional information • Help available

27. Student Finance ni / Student Loans Company Student Finance ni • 5 Education and Library Boards determine eligibility to support and amounts payable • Deals with detailed enquiries • Your local office – Charlemont Place, Armagh Student Loans Company • Pays support to students and administers repayments • Distributes notifications of entitlement • Call centre deals with general enquiries • Located in Glasgow

28. Course costs Two main areas of expenditure: • Tuition fees • Payable each year to the institution (chargeable each term) • Study in NI – £3685. Study in England, Scotland and Wales - max £9000 • No tuition fees for students at ROI institutions. Student Contribution charge of €2750 (loan available) • Students with ROI passport will be charged fees for study in Scotland • Living expenses • Accommodation (QUB Elms - £3279 - £3895 per year) • Food, clothes, books, travel • Social life

29. Types of support Tuition Fee Loan • Not means-tested on household income • Fee loan available to cover approved amounts charged • Reduced loan available for private institutions • If fee loan is requested, fees are paid to student’s institution by SLC • Repayment at completion of studies Payment of fees is responsibility of student if they are not eligible / do not request a fee loan

30. Types of support Maintenance Loan • Means-tested on household income • Maximum amounts: Lodgings £4840 Home £3750 London £6780 • Non means-tested amounts: Lodgings£3630 Home £2812 London £5085 • Parental contribution commences at £42,000 Loans are reduced if student receives a Maintenance grant

31. Types of support Maintenance grant / Special Support grant • Means-tested on household income • Non-repayable grant where household income < £41,065 • Maximum grant £3475 available where income < £19,203 • Special Support Grant payable where student has underlying eligibility to Social Security Agency or Housing Executive benefits e.g. student with child • Students at ROI institutions are eligible for the same levels of grant as students at UK institutions

32. Types of support Extra help with living expenses Students with Dependants • Parents’ Learning Allowance – maximum £1538 per year • Childcare Grant – maximum £148.75 a week for one child and £255 a week for two or more children • Adult Dependants’ Grant – maximum £2695

33. Types of support Extra help with living expenses Disabled Students’ Allowance – non means-tested help for students with disabilities • Equipment allowance – maximum £5266 for the whole course • Non-medical helpers’ allowance – maximum £20,938 per year • General allowance – maximum £1759 per year • Extra travel costs as a result of a disability Transition evening – November 2013 Disabled Students’ Officer – Janet McNally 028 37 512497

34. Types of support Extra help with living expenses Institutional bursaries • Institutions which charge the maximum fee must provide a bursary to students who are eligible for the full maintenance grant (currently £500 at QUB) • Non-repayable • Household income details on application form are shared with institution (not HMRC!) • Check with institution for full details

35. Exceptions • Health Professional degrees at NI institutions • Tuition fees paid in full • Income assessed bursary of £2355 plus reduced loan of £2370 (2013/14 rate) • Nursing degrees / diplomas at NI institutions • Not eligible for any Student Finance • Social Work degrees at NI institutions • Eligible for additional funding from DHSSPS of non-means tested bursary and contribution towards work based learning expenses

36. Exceptions Part-time study Students on part-time HE courses can apply for the following: • Means-tested Tuition Fee Grant, maximum £1230 • Means-tested Course Grant, maximum £265 • Disabled Students’ Allowance

37. Exceptions Further Education Awards • Courses with an entry requirement of fewer than 5 GCSE passes e.g. GNVQ • Must be vocational courses listed on the National Database of Approved Qualifications (NDAQ) • Separate application form required • Students eligible for approved Tuition fees and means tested maintenance grant • Possible closing dates: Full-time – 29 August 2014 Part-time - 30 September 2014 • Apply to Student Finance ni, 1 Hospital Road, Omagh

38. How is support determined? Student Finance ni uses household income which includes: • Gross taxable income of the student, excluding any earnings; • Plus gross taxable income of parent(s) / partners / step-parents; • Less deductions for payments into pension funds and £1153 for each dependant child Household income assessment does not apply to single independent students

39. Repayments • Student Loans incur interest charges • Student Loans (Fees and Maintenance) are only repayable when students have completed their courses and are earning > £16,910 • Debt belongs to student, not parents • Repayments based on earnings (9% of gross salary above £16,910) • Deducted from salary via tax system • Balance is cancelled after 25 years • Current interest rate = 1.5% • Grants are not repayable unless a student withdraws or a re-assessment is carried out due to a change in circumstances

40. Application process February / March 2014 • Presentation in school • Student Finance assists students with non-financial sections of form April 2014 • Return application to Armagh with proof of identity and income May / June 2014 • SLC sends student details of payment dates / support due July 2014 • SLC sends reminder to student/parents re: missing details August 2014 • Student confirms any change of course and /or institution after results • SLC confirms payment dates and support due for new course September 2014 • Student takes notification to enrolment for confirmation of Tuition Fee payment • Maintenance Loan and grant (if applicable) is paid directly into student’s nominated bank/building society account at start of course.

41. Additional information • Students must reapply each year • Support can be reassessed if there is a drop in household income (income for year ended 5/04/15 instead of 5/04/13) • All income must be verified in first year. Spot checks in remaining years • Students must inform us if they have suspended/withdrawn • Repeat study/change of course may leave students ineligible for fee and grant support • An additional year’s support may be paid if a student needs to repeat due to illness or other extenuating circumstances • If grant is paid and subsequently not due, repayment must be made immediately to SLC • Students progressing from HND/Foundation degree to year 1 of a degree will be ineligible for fee and grant support for year 1 and grant support for part of new course • Students on a year abroad/placement may only be entitled to a reduced loan and fees

42. Help available • Parents! • School • Student Finance • Telephone: 0845 6000 662 (Glasgow) • Visit without appointment: 3 Charlemont Place, The Mall, Armagh • Web-site: www.studentfinanceni.co.uk • Institution: Financial Adviser

43. CAREERS SERVICE NORTHERN IRELAND JOANNE FITZGERALD 2 ALEXANDER CRESCENT LURGAN CO. ARMAGH BT66 6BB Tel: 0300 200 7820 joanne.fitzgerald@delni.gov.uk www.nidirect.gov.uk/careersserviceni

44. Role of Careers Adviser To assist year 14 students with identifying: UCAS course choices, if needed; alternatives to university, if appropriate; and viable backup plans CAREERS SERVICE NORTHERN IRELAND

45. Role of Careers Adviser Students in Year 14 can request a careers guidance interview either in school or the careers office to discuss their career plan. CAREERS SERVICE NORTHERN IRELAND

46. Formula For A Successful Career • Well researched choices • Course content • Location • Duration • Funding • Entry requirements • Added value/experience • Progression routes • Labour market information • Trends • Skills shortages • Plan B?

47. Up-skilling and qualifications The more qualifications you have the better chance you will have of finding a job. QUALIFICATIONCHANCE OF FINDING EMPLOYMENT Degree or equivalent 90% GCE A Level or equivalent 77% GCSE Grade A-C or equivalent 73% Other qualification 70% No qualification 47% [JK1] Source

48. Labour Market Information

49. Options After Year 14 • Acceptance onto (CF) Conditional Firm offer • Acceptance onto (CI) Conditional Insurance offer • Acceptance onto Clearing Choice • Resits • Part-time Degree at University • Foundation Degree at FE/HE College • HND at FE/HE College • Apprenticeship • Employment • GAP year to travel Careers Teachers Careers Service Information, Advice & Guidance

50. Part-Time Degrees Some degrees at a range of universities can be studied on a part-time basis. Flexible part-time study could allow you to fit your work/life commitments around your course. Entry requirements, duration and course fees can be found on university websites and should be researched thoroughly. Transfer to full-time courses may be an option but is not guaranteed. Application is made directly to the university and not through UCAS and application deadlines can vary.