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UCAS Information Evening

UCAS Information Evening. Nicholas Quaile Head of CEIAG. Outline of Presentation. Post A-Level Options Importance of Year 14 Choosing a Course The UCAS System Finances. University. Colleges of F&HE. Self Employment. After A-Levels. Employment. Higher Apprenticeships. Repeat

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UCAS Information Evening

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  1. UCAS Information Evening Nicholas Quaile Head of CEIAG

  2. Outline of Presentation • Post A-Level Options • Importance of Year 14 • Choosing a Course • The UCAS System • Finances

  3. University Colleges of F&HE Self Employment After A-Levels Employment Higher Apprenticeships Repeat A-Levels Post A-Level Options

  4. Importance of Year 14 • Sacrifice • Relaxation • Organised Study • Decisions • Personal Action Planning

  5. List 1: Personal Subjects and Activities In School and Outside Work Experience Show Strengths and Achievements Build on what you are good at List 2: Planning Goals for the future HE/FE/Employment? Degree not always necessary! What do they want out of this? Progression beyond degree Personal Action Planning

  6. Other Options • Go directly into employment/Self-Employment • Work and part-time study combination • NVQ/BTec/Foundation Degree leading to degree level • Modern Apprenticeships

  7. Choosing A Higher Education Course

  8. Labour Market Information • Important to be aware of where the jobs are going to be • STEM • Areas of Economic Priority • Implications for Choices • Information available from the CSNI website: www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers

  9. Benefits of Broader Courses • Try something new, interesting and challenging • Keeps more options open • Flexibility to change career path later on • Not necessary to specialise until Post-Graduate level • You aren’t necessarily tied to a degree because of A-Level choices!

  10. Other Considerations when Choosing Universities and Courses • Teaching Methods: Class based, Lab work, Field Work, Assignment Weightings, etc • Where to Study: Type of Institution, Specialist or Multi-Faculty, Size, Location, Accommodation, Social Life, Work Load • Identify the correct route rather than follow the crowd! • It is important to feel comfortable in your surroundings and enjoy your time at university

  11. Taking Action • Talk to Friends, Teachers, Family, Careers Staff • Research career guidance books, university prospectuses, online resources • Note the entry requirements and be realistic! • Consider financial impact of choices • Keep in mind that it is more than just the grades in the prospectus

  12. Higher Apprenticeships • Work & Study combination • Large employers: PwC, Kainos, KPMG • Entry is around degree standard: 240-300 points • Full training and experience • University level education but no university debt • www.nidirect.gov.uk/apprenticeships • www.pwc.co.uk

  13. How This All Fits Together

  14. The UCAS System • Role: UCAS facilitates the admission of students to Higher Education • It is purely an administrative body and makes no decisions on the suitability of candidates for a course • Deals with c.700,000 applications per year

  15. The Application System • Use of apply web based application • Single form used for all applications • Completed on screen over the internet • Forms then electronically transmitted to UCAS • After processing student receives an applicant number • Students can track application progress on-line

  16. The Scheme • Student completes form in Autumn term, before October Half Term • Oxbridge, medicine, dentistry, veterinary and Stranmillis must be completed earlier • Electronic payment made and forms sent to UCAS • UCAS sends one copy to each institution named on the form • Offers come back in Spring term directly to student

  17. Conditional Offer Unsuccessful Types Of Offers Unconditional Offer Grades/Points

  18. Replying to Offers • Final reply date is indicated in Track after ALL offers are received: May onward • Failure to reply will lead to loss of all offers • The student can only hold TWO, a firm and an insurance

  19. Firm Acceptance: A Warning • Once done the student cannot change their minds on the firm unless they withdraw from the scheme • An INSURANCE is taken in case the firm is missed • Again the student is committed to this should they miss their firm • All other offers must then be DECLINED

  20. Results Day • If the student receives the required grades for the firm then they are committed to that • If they miss the firm but meet the insurance then they are committed to that • Applicants who miss both offers go automatically into CLEARING

  21. UCAS Extra • Runs between March and June • Allows for late FIRST TIME applications • OR re-application by those who get no offers AND have used ALL applications

  22. Clearing: August/September • The system is there to match unsuccessful candidates to places still available after confirmation • Those who did not apply earlier may do so through clearing • Students must be proactive here. Check the clearing lists, phone the universities and secure a place

  23. CAO: Irish Universities • This system is separate from UCAS and starts in November • Students can make up to 10 applications which must be in genuine order of preference • Offers are not made until results are published in August • Places are offered based on a mathematical formula

  24. Student Finances • Fees, Loans & Grant Rates in line with inflation • Income assessment for parents • ‘Cohabiting partner/spouse’ income assessed • Costs & Help Available • Parental Contributions • Other Financial Help

  25. Steps to Application • Applications are made in February/March • Combined Financial Assessment Form & Student Loan Form: PN1 • Student Finance NI officers are brought in to guide students in completion and check forms

  26. Costs & Help Available • There are 2 main costs: Fees & Living Costs • Support for Fees: Fee Loan • Support for Living Costs available from: • Loans • Grants • Scholarships • Bursaries

  27. Variable Fees (2013) FEES: Completely new system in England & Wales: Up to £9,000 pa: Several charge from £6,500pa Similar in Scotland, with universities charging fees up to £9,000pa for 4 years, e.g. Edinburgh Northern Ireland: Fees maintained at c.£3,465pa ALL students now pay this regardless of income: Use of Fee Loan These are deferred until the April aftergraduation, so nothing payable ‘up-front’: anyone can go to university Must be earning more than £21,000pa to start paying back Repayment is 8% of monthly earnings

  28. Living Expenses • Student Loans (2012/13 figures) • Max. Available is £4,840 • (£6,780 for London/£3,750 for home students) • 75% automatic/25% means tested

  29. Grants • Income less than £19,203: FULL GRANT • NI: £3,475: Student Loan REDUCED by this • Sliding scale to £41,065+: NO GRANT and only 75% available from loan • Universities must also contribute: • Bursaries & Scholarships • Varies from place to place: see web sites

  30. School Website • Curriculum • Departments • CEIAG (Careers) • Latest News • Careers Calendar • Presentations & Documents

  31. Some Useful Web Sites • www.ucas.com • www.qaa.ac.uk • www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers • www.tqi.ac.uk • www.studentfinanceni.co.uk • www.ulster.ac.uk • www.qub.ac.uk

  32. Thank You Any Questions?

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