Careers Information Evening Tuesday 14 th September 2010

1. Careers Information Evening Tuesday 14th September 2010

2. Format of the Evening • Welcome and Introduction – The Headmaster, Mr. T.D. Robinson • Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance in Lurgan College and Higher Education Applications – Head of Careers, Mr. D. Irvine • What happens when results come out in August? – Careers Teacher, Mr. G. Caldwell • Further Education – Department of Employment and Learning Careers Officer, Mrs. J. Fitzgerald • Student Finance – Student Finance Manager, Mrs. J. Montgomery

3. Mr. D. Irvine (Head of Careers) Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) in Lurgan College Higher Education Applications

4. Mr. D. Irvine (Head of Careers) • Some Background Information: • Careers Department • Mission Statement:“Pupils of Lurgan College will have access to the best possible programme of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). CEIAG will be child centred.” • Pupils have: • - CEIAG integrated into subject learning areas • - CEIAG as a discrete learning area (Careers Programme) • - CI (access to up to date and relevant information) • - CAG (access to careers advice and guidance from a • range of experts)

5. www.lurgancollege.co.uk/careers Login: lurgancollege Password: 1873

6. Higher Education Applications • Interview Skills Day: Thursday 18th November 2010 • Purpose • Format • Last Year: • Sentinus – facilitator Mrs. B. Hume • 27 External Advisors / Interviewers NB: Application Form (was due to be handed in yesterday!)

7. Higher Education Applications 1. UCAS (www.ucas.com) - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service UCAS Points N.B. Parents’ Section A.S. Level ---------------- A = 60 ------- B = 50 ------- C = 40 ------- D = 30 ------- E = 20 ------- A.2. Level A* = 140 A = 120 B = 100 C = 80 D = 60 E = 40 • UCAS Apply 2011 • Choices (5) NOT in Preference order • Personal Statement • Academic Reference • Predicted Grades • UCAS Deadlines • School Deadlines • Support • CF and CI (after all offers!) C.o.P.E. / Key Skills Level 3 / Music Grade 6 – 8 etc

8. Higher Education Applications NOT through UCAS • 2.Nursing Applications (Q.U.B.) • C.A.O. Applications – R.O.I. (Central Applications Office) • Belfast Met. / S.R.C etc

9. Higher Education Applications • Admission Tests: • UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test for Medical and Dental Degrees) • HPAT (Health Professions Admissions Test for degrees such as Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech and Language Therapy) • LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) • BMAT(Biomedical Admissions Test for Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at certain Universities e.g. Oxford and Cambridge • OXBRIDGE • INTERVIEWS – e.g. Stranmillis / Nursing / Social Work / Medicine

11. Mr. G. Caldwell (Careers Teacher) What happens when results come out in August?

12. August 2011 • 5 UCAS Choices • CF (firm) and CI (insurance) agreements • Importance of thinking through • CI typically lower e.g. BBB and BCC • No problems if grades meet university requirements • BBC asked for AAD unsuccessful (QUB Aug 10) • Read conditions of all choices carefully • UCAS communication very important

13. The Journey Course 1 Course 2 CF Course 3 CI Course 4 Course 5

14. Results Day • 7.00 a.m. log in on results day • University will place student • If grades don’t meet requirements don’t panic (not easy) but be proactive • “Decision Pending” “Waiting Game” • CF and CI rejection = ‘Clearing’ • University Open Days go and visit • Teacher and Student Information Lines • Keep Phoning (uni and school) UCAS track • Clearing courses picked up via UCAS track • Clearing lists on websites and newspapers • Change of Course return form option

15. Other Options • Quick Remark Option if just missed a grade • Honouring of offers • Belfast Metropolitan College • Part Time Study • 2009 introduction of ‘Upgrade’

16. CAREERS SERVICE NORTHERN IRELAND JOANNE FITZGERALD 2 ALEXANDER CRESCENT LURGAN CO. ARMAGH BT66 6BB Tel: 02838 313236 joanne.fitzgerald@delni.gov.uk www.careersserviceni.com

17. Formula For A Successful Career

18. Options After Year 14 • Acceptance onto (CF) Conditional Firm offer • Acceptance onto (CI) Conditional Insurance offer • Acceptance onto Clearing Choice • Foundation Degree at FE/HE College • HND at FE/HE College • Apprenticeship • Employment • GAP year to travel • Resits

19. Foundation Degrees • A Foundation Degree is a HE qualification which combines academic and work related learning. In N.Ireland foundation degrees can be studied in a wide range of subject areas e.g. • Engineering • Construction • Hospitality, Leisure, Travel & Tourism • Information & Communication • Usually lasts 2 years full-time or 3-4 years part-time.

20. Foundation Degrees A Foundation Degree is a qualification in its own right and you can go directly on to employment in your chosen area or you can progress to university to “top up” your qualification to an Honours Degree. Entry requirements will depend on the course and College or University.

21. Higher National Diploma A Higher National Diploma (HND) is a work-related course provided by higher and further education colleges. A HND takes two years to complete if studied full-time, but opportunities to study part-time are also available. HNDs are available in a wide range of subject areas and can be used as a route into employment or further study, with many students progressing on to the second year of a degree course in a related topic.

22. Example FOUNDATION DEGREE IN SPORT, EXERCISE AND FITNESS

23. HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE (CARE PRACTICE)

24. Apprenticeships As an employee you earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain your apprenticeship. Off-the-job training, usually on a day-release basis with a Training Supplier who is contracted by the Department for Employment & Learning, (DEL) Apprentices receive training towards recognised qualifications (NVQs). The Training Supplier provides the knowledge and skills while the employer provides the hands on practical experience. The cost of the off-the-job training is met by DEL. Apprenticeships NI offers Apprenticeships in many occupational areas, including carpentry, engineering, childcare, sport and recreation.

25. Apprenticeships • In addition, some companies offer apprenticeships, including • British Telecom www.bt.com • Northern Ireland Electricity www.nie.co.uk • Engineering Training Council www.etcni.org.uk • Bombardier Aerospace www.theflightexperience.com • Transport Training Services www.transport-training.co.uk • Santander/Abbey Bank www.santander.co.uk • NI Civil Service www.nicsrecruitment.gov.uk

26. Other Options Employment GAP year to travel Resits Request a careers interview for assistance Speak to school staff for assistance

27. Formula For A Successful Career Well researched Careers ideas Successful outcome Continued hard work Viable Back up Plan

28. Success is a journey, not a destination. Author Unknown

29. Mrs. J. MontgomeryStudent Finance Manager

30. STUDENT FINANCE 2011/12A guide for parents

31. Contents • Student Finance ni / Student Loans Company • Course costs • Types of support • Exceptions • How is support determined? • How to apply • What happens next? • Help available • Time Line

32. Student Finance ni / Student Loans Company Student Finance ni • Your local office – Armagh • Employees from the 5 Education and Library Boards who determine whether students are eligible for finance and if so, how much. Student Loans Company – Glasgow • Works in partnership with Student Finance ni to pay support to students and deal with recovery process • Responsible for the Call centre which deals with general enquiries

33. Course costs There are two main areas of expenditure: • Tuition fees • Payable each year to the institution - £3290 for 2010/11 (lower in Scotland) • Fees vary between courses and institutions • No fees for students at ROI institutions. Registration fee of €1500 payable by Student Finance • Living expenses • Accommodation (QUB Elms - £3000 - £3564 per year) • Food • Clothes • Books • Travel • Social Life

34. Types of support Tuition Fee Loan • Not means-tested on household income • 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

35. Types of support Maintenance Loan • Means-tested on household income • Maximum amounts (2010/11 rates): Lodgings £4840 Home £3750 London £6780 • Non means-tested amounts (2010/11 rates): Lodgings £3630 Home £2812 London £5085 • Parental contribution commences at £42,000 • Loans are reduced if student receives a Maintenance grant

36. Types of support Maintenance grant / Special Support grant • Means-tested on household income • Non-repayable grant where household income < £41,065 (2010/11 rates) • Maximum grant available - £3475 (income below £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 HE Bursary, maximum amount £2000 (income below £23,065)

37. Types of support Extra help with living expenses • 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

38. 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

39. Types of support Extra help with living expenses Institutional bursaries • Institutions which charge the maximum fee of £3290 must provide a bursary of at least £329 to students who are eligible for the full maintenance grant • Non-repayable • Household income details on application form are shared with institution • Enquire at institution for full details

40. Exceptions • Health Professional degrees at NI institutions • Tuition fees paid in full • Income assessed bursary of £2360 plus reduced loan of £2370 • 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

41. Exceptions Part-time study Students can follow part-time HE courses and apply for support as follows: • Means-tested Tuition Fee Grant, maximum £1230 • Means-tested Course Grant, maximum £265 • Disabled Students’ Allowance

42. 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, maximum £930 and means-tested maintenance grant £2092 (2010/11 rates) • Closing dates: Full-time - 30 June 2011 Part-time - 31 October 2011 • Apply to Student Finance ni, 1 Hospital Road, Omagh

43. 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

44. How to apply Forms should be returned to Student Finance with the following information: • Original birth certificate or passport. Birth certificate must be accompanied by a declaration from the school confirming identity • Student’s national insurance number • Student’s bank / building society details • Verification of student’s income and household income for 2009/10 financial year.

45. What happens next? • Student Finance determines eligibility to support based on residence, course and institution to be attended • Student Finance determines entitlement based on household income, where student will be living etc • SLC sends notification of entitlement and payment dates • Student advises Student Finance of any change in circumstances i.e. • Change of course / institution • Change in parental circumstances (reduction in income due to retirement, redundancy) • Student is paid termly by BACS

46. What happens next? Repayments • Student Loans (for Fees and Maintenance) are only repayable once students have completed their courses and are earning > £15,000 a year • Debt belongs to student, not parents • Repayments are based on earnings (9% of gross salary above £15,000) • Deducted from salary via tax system • Balance is cancelled after 25 years • Grants are not repayable unless a student withdraws or a re-assessment is carried out due to a change in circumstances

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

48. Time Line February / March 2011 • Presentation to students in school • Student Finance assist students with completion of non-financial sections of the form April 2011 • Return completed application form to Student Finance ni (Armagh) May / June 2011 • Student receives correspondence from Student Loans Company confirming the amount of support due and when it will be paid into student’s account July 2011 • Reminders sent to student/parents by Student Loans Company re: any missing details August 2011 • Student contacts Student Finance after A level results re: a change in course and /or institution • Student receives additional correspondence from SLC confirming amount and dates of support for new course September 2011 • Student takes notification to institution at 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.

49. Thank you for attending this very important careers information event. Any Questions? Please feel free to speak to any member of staff present here this evening. In order to assist us with improving this event please complete your evaluation sheet and leave it on your chair.