Applications, Admissions and Finance Amy Wigham Education Liaison Officer

1. Applications, Admissions and Finance Amy Wigham Education Liaison Officer @UniofReading|www.reading.ac.uk

2. Why go to University? • You need a degree for some jobs • Study something you enjoy • Better career prospects and earning potential • Transferable skills • Social opportunities • Meet new people • Develop confidence and independence

3. What can you study? • Traditional subjects- English Literature, Maths, Geography • Vocational-Teaching, Pharmacy, Social Work • Unusual courses- Theatre Arts, Education and Deaf Studies, Meteorology, International Football Management • Combined Courses – Music and Maths, Management and French

4. Remember every course is different... • Course requirements • Course content • Accreditations • Number of contact hours • Student/staff ratios • Assessment – exams/ coursework • Support available • Opportunity for work placements • Study abroad • Teaching facilities- labs, lecture theatres, computer rooms etc.

5. How to choose a university

6. How to choose? • Prospectuses and subject brochures • Websites • University guides and websites (Times, Guardian, Unistats, The Student Room, Complete University Guide)

7. Open Days and campus tours • Check dates and if you have to book • Make a plan for the day • Visit your Department of interest first • Decide on your other priorities: accommodation, sport, social facilities • Ask lots of questions Does it feel right???

8. The admission procedure • UCAS is a central clearing house • Online application • 5 choices - Invisibility of choice • Consistent and Realistic choices • References • Decisions are made by universities • Post application visit days • Interviews vary between institutions

9. When do I apply? • September 2013 Applications for 2014 entry begin • 15 October 2013 Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, Dentistry, Medicine and Vet Science • 15 January 2014 Closing date for 2014 applications. • End March 2014 Majority of decisions made • Early May 2014 Deadline for applicants to make replies to offers

10. What do Universities look for? Motivation Commitment Experience Knowledge Technical Skill Inter-personal Skills Academic potential Enthusiasm Dedication Tenacity Intellect Aspirations

11. Applying to university What could be included? • Why you are interested in the subject • Details of your key skills • Any work experience • Other achievements • Your future plans • Tasters and Masterclasses • Any sponsorship/placements you have applied for • If you taking a year out, your reasons why • Your social, sports or leisure interests

12. Student Finance Tuition Fees for 2013 Entry • Full-time UK/EU undergraduates will be charged a tuition fee up to £9,000 for 2013/14 • This tuition fee will not have to be paid upfront if students take out a non-income assessed tuition fee loan from Student Finance England • Tuition fee loans • Paid directly to the University • Repayment until after graduation when the graduate is earning more than £21,000 • Maintenance Loans • Dependent on place of study and where student will be living • All loans have a variable interest of RPI plus up to 3% • Maintenance Grants and grants available to help students with disabilities or dependents (non repayable) • University bursaries and scholarships (non repayable)

13. Maintenance Loan: UK students Everyone is entitled to a loan to cover living costs. 35% of the maximum loan amount students receive depends on their parental/household income. Repayments start after the student is earning over £21, 000.

14. What about repayment?www.studentloanrepayment.co.uk • Repayments start the April after they leave/graduate after the student is earning over £21,000 pa (£1,750 per month) gross • Any loans ( tuition and living cost) combined for one single monthly repayment taken out of their salary. • They repay 9% of what they earn above £21,000 • Repayments are collected by HMRC • A student loan is very unlikely to affect a students ability to get a mortgage (The Council for Mortgage Lenders) • Outstanding balances are written off after 30 years • No penalties for early repayment

15. Loan RepaymentComparison

16. Student Finance Maintenance Grants for 2013 Sliding scale will be: £42, 611 income and over: Receive no grant Between c.£25,001 and c.£42,611 Receive some grant c.£25,000 income and below: Receive full grant • Extra help with living costs for some students • Maximum non repayable grant in 2013 will be £3,354

17. The Paperwork! • They can estimate how much support they can get online: www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator • Start research early . Application is online via Student Finance England ( or paper PN1 form). • Apply from early www.gov.uk/student-finance. Applications being accepted now • Deadline for application to ensure that loans are received by the beginning of the course is 31st May 2013 • Do not wait until they have a confirmed place – students can always amend their finance application later on via ‘My Account’ • Send in any evidence we request straight away recorded delivery • Make sure you ‘consent to share’ your information. Otherwise, your university may not be able to make its own assessments for financial support.

18. Student Spending £70 - £170 £30 £5 -£10 £5 - £10 £10 £2-£5 £10 £30+ £10 - upwards £25 - upwards • Accommodation • Bills ( not in halls) • Toiletries • Laundry • Phones • Stationery/photocopying • Transport/travel (local) • Food • Sports/societies • Socialising Total Approx £255+ (30 weeks=£7650) Student spend will vary depending on course, location and spending habits of the individual ( full loan Elsewhere £5, 500)

19. Student Finance Other sources of income • Scholarships / bursaries – all Universities will have different packages • Part-time work Term-time (recommended maximum - 16 hours per week!!) Vacation Professional placement • Sponsorship • Parents • Campus banks

20. University of Reading National Scholarship Programme Universities charging over £6,000 must participate by providing matched funding to support students from with a household income of less than £25,000 • Music Scholarships & Sports Scholarships (Up to £800 towards specialist music tuition & awards of up to £2,000 towards sports membership) • Pre – entry travel bursaries - Return travel to Visit Day or Interview. HEFCE-defined UK areas of low participation in HE • Pre-Application Bursary - UK students with a disability • Access to Learning Fund (Hardship Fund) Awards (usually non-repayable) can help with emergency expenditure or unexpected shortfalls in living costs • Hardship Fund A University fund for enrolled EU and overseas students

21. How to save money • Buy used textbooks • Apply for relevant scholarships/bursaries • Self-catered rooms/ Avoid en-suite/double rooms • Use bike as transportation • Book any travel early with discount • Buy non-branded products • Choose best mobile phone plan • Avoid gym membership • Go to “University Nights” rather than town • Shop around for discounts

22. Conclusions • Investment in your education and your future • University can be expensive but rewarding • It’s all about proper budgeting and time management • Write a budget and stick to it! • Get a job (income + skills) • Enjoy your time at University • Apply early for finance.

23. Further Information Useful Websites www.gov.uk/student-finance www.studentfinanceengland.co.uk/ www.thestudentroom.co.uk/ ( finance and university choices) www.ucas.co.uk www.reading.ac.uk/studentfinance twitter.com/sf_england facebook.com/SFEngland

24. Any Questions • Come visit us ! • Open days • Saturday 21st September • Saturday 26th October • Wednesday afternoon campus tours • Email: student.recruitment@reading.ac.uk @UniofReading|www.reading.ac.uk