Baverstock College

1. Baverstock College Higher Education Evening 2011 Mrs Linda Harris

2. Overview • Welcome – Mrs Linda Harris • 10 good reasons for applying to University • Student participation • UCAS • Countdown to university • Course/university selection • UCAS procedure • A gap year • Student finance • Parents – how can you help?

3. 10 Good reasons for going to university • Love of the subject, opportunities to learn from well qualified staff, use excellent facilities etc. • More likely to have a satisfying career and less likely to be unemployed. • More places are now available at university and the demand for graduates has grown.

4. 10 Good reasons for going to university (continued) • The average annual starting salary for a graduate is £29,600 • They are most likely to start their own business, invent new products and develop new ideas • Graduates experience more rapid career progression.

5. 10 Good reasons for going to university (continued) • An increasing number of careers are virtual no go areas without a HE qualification:- Medicine Architecture Business Administration Law Nursing Teaching The Media Engineering Social Work Sport and Leisure Management Physiotherapy Environmental Health

6. 10 Good reasons for going to university (continued) • An investment in your future – a foundation for a successful life • Retirement at 65, 70??? • Gain a wide range of transferable skills (ability to communicate, present a logical argument, IT skills, numeracy, team working, analytical and critical thinking skills etc) and experiences

7. UCAS Universities and Colleges Admissions Service www.ucas.com Application fee 1 Choice £11 2-5 choices £22

8. Countdown to universityJune & July • Research – courses/course requirements - universities – home or away? • Attend UCAS HE Convention – Birmingham University Thursday 30th June • Visit Open Days • Find out about admission tests Law – LNAT – National Admissions Test in Law, Medicine – BMAT-Bio-Medical Admissions Test, UKCAT-UK Clinical Aptitude Test

9. Countdown to universityAugust • LNAT Registration (Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Exeter, Glasgow, Nottingham, Oxford, UCL, King’s College London) www.lnat.ac.uk • Continue research • Prepare Personal Statement • Get some Work Experience • 18th - AS results – decide options for A2 courses

10. Countdown to universitySeptember • 1st September UCAS Applications Open • Make final choices • UCAS begin accepting applications • LNAT testing starts • Tutorial Programme • External speakers • Visit Open Days

11. Countdown to universityOctober - December • Complete UCAS forms on-line (Internal deadline) • 15th October – deadline for applications to: • Oxford and Cambridge • Study Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science • Interview preparation December • Interviews at Oxford and Cambridge

12. Countdown to universityJanuary, February • 15th January – final deadline for completed UCAS applications • Interviews • Throughout February offers continue to be made • 25th February UCAS Extra Opens

13. Countdown to universityMarch, April • During March you should receive replies from all universities and a reminder letter from UCAS to make final decisions • March is when you apply for financial support www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance • April – Do you need to use UCAS Extra?

14. Countdown to universityMay - August • May and June are the months for A2 exams and AS re-sits • 6th July UCAS Extra closes • 16th August – Exam results Celebrate or go through Clearing

15. Countdown to universitySeptember • Off to uni!

16. UCAS Application Procedure • Select five universities and/or courses of study What subject? Many courses allow you to study two or more subjects or put together a modular programme What level? Degrees – Usually 3 or 4 years HND’s/Dip HE’s – Usually 2 years

17. UCAS Tariff- Points system

18. Choosing your university • Home or Away? • Campus or Town? You must visit!! (www.opendays.com)

19. Unsure of which course? • Stamford Test (UCAS website) • Centigrade (Cambridge Occupational Analysts)

20. UCASProcedure • Complete the UCAS Application Form (Apply on-line) • Personal details • Choice of universities / courses • Examinations taken and results (GCSE, BTEC, AS) • Examinations to be taken • Personal statement (a crucial part of the application

21. Oxford and Cambridge (closing date 15th October) • Oxford – you also need to fill in a separate application card to Oxford Colleges Admissions • Cambridge – you also need to fill in a Preliminary Application form and send it to the Admissions Tutor of your first choice Cambridge college

22. Student Finance www.direct.gov/yourfuture

23. Gap Year

24. A Few Facts about money – the 2012 proposals • University fee cap increased to £9,000 per year for 2012 entry. Most expected to charge £7–9,000 to cover their costs • Government teaching funding to be cut for all courses, and by 100% for some subjects – to be replaced by Graduate contribution to fees • Fair access – NSP (National Scholarship Programme) • Grants for household incomes up to £42,000

25. Finance Overview • Tuition Fees • Maintenance Grant • Student Loans

26. Tuition Fees • Fees will be between £6-9,000 per year for new students starting in 2012. • No up front fees for ALL full-time undergraduate courses – students will not have to pay fees either before or during their course – paid directly to University on behalf of the student when they enrol • Fees capped as students progress through their degrees

27. Maintenance Allowance • Maintenance Grant per year • Maximum of £3,250 • Dependent on household income • How they spend the money is their choice (eg food, books, travel expenses)

28. Student Loans for Living Costs • How much can I borrow? • Students living away from parental home and studying: • In London £7,675 • Elsewhere £5,500 • Students living at parents’ home: £4,375 • Apply in good time Nov 2011 – April 2012

29. How would it be paid back?The “Graduate Contribution” • Only if Graduates are earning more than £21,000 per year • Graduate Leaver Salary Example:- • £21,000 and below – repay nothing • £25,000 - repay £30 per month • £30,000 - repay £68 per month • £50,000 – repay £218 per month • Tuition Loan + Student Loan. Could be as much as £40K. Written off after 30 years. • Collected by the Govt/Inland Revenue, interest only interest for most graduates

30. Spending it and making it last • Example only – Living away from home and outside London

31. Other Sources of Funding • Start saving now – even if its £10 per week • 13 weeks free in the summer, other long vacations - approx 20 weeks per year • Student union bar/shop, supermarkets, pubs, employment agencies • Students allowed to work term time – recommended no more than 15 hours per week (£70-£100 per week) • Sponsorships/bursaries (NSP & others)

32. Parents – How can you help? • Support and encouragement …. But it should be their decision • Open days and visits • Coping skills • Money management and support • Care with holiday plans • It’s a fantastic experience but it does have its ups and downs

33. Final Message • Higher Education will remain FREE at the point of access • Students don’t pay the fees, parents don’t pay, graduates contribute when they can afford to • Do your research wisely, be proactive, get involved take the opportunities on offer ie placement year/year abroad, don’t panic • Students – Don’t forget the graduation invite for the folks