Journey to University Rebecca Avery Collaborative Outreach Manager (NNCO)

Who we are..... Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) University Centre Peterborough (UCP) The College of West Anglia (CWA) The Skills Service

Introduction Benefits of Higher Education: -Why go? - Choosing a University UCAS Student Finance University Life Your Journey starts…now..!

What even is Higher Education (HE)? Age 18 + After school, Sixth Form or College 35-40,000 courses in the UK alone 150 (Approx) Universities 150 other places to study HE e.g. College / Higher Apprenticeship

Why go? The benefits of University The three main reasons people choose to go to university: 1. Study something you love 2. Employability/Career Goals 3. Social Life and independence

Freedom! Independent learning Looking after yourself! Budgeting! Clubs and societies: Cheerleading, Doctor Who, Kickboxing, Equestrian, Film & Arts…

Financial Benefits Average graduate starting salary £30k* Most generous mean salaries of 2015*: Investment banks £45k Law firms £40k Banking & Finance £36.5k Oil & Energy companies £32.5k 25% more average lifetime earnings compared to non-grads with 2 A levels * High Fliers Research Limited ‘The Graduate Market in 2015’

School study vs HE study Full time / Part time / Distance Learning Campus or city Higher Apprenticeships Internships / Work experience / Placement / Year abroad Live on campus or live at home Types of learning and types of assessment

How to choose… What do you want to study? Which Universities offer the best course for that subject? University itself: - How far away from home do you want to travel? - City, Campus or Collegic? - Size of the Student Population - Cost of living?/Student Support and Bursaries - Study Abroad and Placement Opportunities Research Research!!!!

Unistats.direct.gov.uk

After research Open Days: is useful - Open days provide an opportunity to attend subject talks, view accommodation and meet staff and students - Take a family member or a friend with you for a second opinion – ultimately though, it is you who must be happy there.

At an Open Day ask questions/look at everything! Ask lecturers what the courses are like Ask them questions related to their fields Ask students/ambassadors what they like about the place Ask what other support is available 1.Look at accommodations 2.Check out the facilities that matter to you; library, gym etc. 3.What travel would you have to do there 4.If you have time look at the town/city it is in

Admissions: What do we need to think about? Subject specific requirements at AS / A2 and GCSE level? Entry Requirements: UCAS Tariff/Grades Hint: find the Work experience (subject specific) Entrance exams/Interviews / Portfolios ….If in doubt, check with the University!

UCAS Universities (&) Colleges Admissions Service

UCAS and applying UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service) Choose 5 courses Apply online Personal Statement Academic Reference £13/£24

Personal Statement!!!!

Looks Great!!!

UCAS and applying UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service) Choose 5 courses Apply online Personal Statement Academic Reference £13/£24

Important Dates 1 September – UCAS Apply available 15 October – Closing date for Oxford/Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science 15 January – Closing date for all other courses.

Student Finance Rebecca Avery Collaborative Outreach Manager (NNCO)

Support available Student Finance England Tuition fee loan Maintenance loan Repayments Additional support NHS Students**

Tuition fee loans No upfront fee Covers the full cost of your course Paid directly to your university Student Finance England

Maintenance loan Part income assessed part not Paid in three instalments Max entitlement £8,430 per year (If moving away outside of London) IS repayable Student Finance England

Maintenance loan

What you pay depends on how much you earn not how much you owe! You only pay back once you’re earning over £21,000 per year The loan is cleared after 30 years Won’t affect your credit rating** Student Loan Repayment Repayments

Student Life!!

Example timetable: Forensic Science MON Lecture TUES Computer workshop Lecture WEDS Lab Practical THURS Seminar FRI Lecture

Example timetable: Nursing MON Facilitated Group work Lecture TUES Lecture WEDS THURS LectureFacilitated Group Work FRI

Example timetable: Film and Television Production MONLecture TUESPractical: TV Studios Seminar WEDS THURSPractical: Editing Suite Seminar FRISeminar

A day in the life… A typical day… Wake up and get ready for the day Lecture Study in the library Lunch and watch TV at home Food shopping with flat mates Seminar Dinner Swimming Print off lecture notes for tomorrow Comedy Night 23.00Back home and off to sleep!

Social Life You will discover a lot of different things to do that will take up your spare time: Sports – rugby, swimming, snow sports, football, Frisbee, netball Societies – Mario Kart, volunteer, movie night, subject socs, religious Work. Not all students get a job for money reasons, some are trying to build up their work experience.

Any Questions?