Preparation Day 2017

The Big 5 Questions WHY should you consider Higher Education? work? WHEN should you study? WHAT should you study? WHERE should you study? HOW does the application process work?

The Other Question HOW much will it cost?

Is Higher Education the right choice? Researchers at the LSE and London Institute of Education studied two groups of students through school and university and beyond. The graduates had higher employment rates They were healthier, happier, less likely to experience depression They were more likely to be politically active and less likely to be sexist or racist

Graduates live in homes of an average value of £153,000 compared with £101,000 for non-graduates Graduates own cars of an average value of £6,200 compared with £1,700 Graduates are more likely to have a sense of well being and positive feelings about themselves

Which course? 55,000+ UCAS Courses Accountancy at Aberdeen Zoology at Swansea

TYPES OF COURSE VOCATIONAL: prepares you for a specific career area such as Medicine or Law SEMI-VOCATIONAL: prepares you for a broad career area such as Business Studies NON-VOCATIONAL: has no particular connection with a career such as French, History or Sociology

TYPE OF QUALIFICATION DEGREES: usually last 3 or 4 years but could be longer eg Medicine, Architecture HND or DipHE or FOUNDATION DEGREE: usually last two years but can often be converted into a degree SPECIALIST QUALIFICATIONS: offered by, for example, music colleges

HOW TO FIND OUT MORE?

Narrowing down the choice of courses Which subject area? Why? Combined or single honours? Grade requirements?

THINGS TO REMEMBER Choose something you will enjoy studying for at least three years Check the content of the course carefully in the entry profile or on the university web-site as courses with the same name can have different content Look at what will be covered after the first year eg option courses Type of assessment How will the course affect your career plans?

The UCAS Tariff

IB

Where to get the information? Books : Careers Library Brian Heap, ‘Degree Course Offers’ Computer: Internet – www.ucas.com The Push Guide – www.push.co.uk www.unistats.direct.gov.uk UKCoursefinder Human: Caroline Tully (Careers consultant) Dr Stites (Head of Careers) Tutors Teachers

Process The 5 choices Electronic Application Our Deadline 19th December 2017

Transparent selection process GCSE results Other academic and vocational achievements Predicted grades Personal statement Reference Admissions tests Piece of written work Interview Portfolio Audition

Lawyers (Special Case No.3) – SF3 14:20 LNAT (lnat.ac.uk) 9 universities - Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Glasgow, Nottingham and Oxford, as well as King's College London, SOAS and UCL Register from 1st Aug, Testing from 1st Sept Oxbridge lawyers must register by 5th Oct and sit test by 20th Oct (last year’s date)

Medics/Vets/Dentists/ (Special Case No.1) – SF3 14:55 4 choices on UCAS form Work experience vital Interview likely Additional test (ukcat or bmat) NB ukcat registration now open Our deadline Sept 22nd

Oxbridge (Special Case No.2) – SF3 15:25 Oxford or Cambridge Possibility of TSA or other entrance tests All applicants interviewed Our deadline 22nd Sept

Artists (Special Case No.4) Usual route is via a college-based prep.course Usually require a portfolio of work Talk to Mr Reshad

Musicians (Special Case No.5) UCAS or CUKAS or both www.cukas.ac.uk Mid June– 1st October

The Final Decision Invisibility of choices Firm & insurance choice UCAS Extra (Spring 2018) Adjustment (August 2018) Clearing (August 2018)

How much will it cost? No.1 – Fees Universities are able to charge from £6000 to £9500 for tuition fees. Each university will make that decision themselves with those who wish to charge over £6000, having to ensure they provide a provision for equal access. Most will be £9500!!

Fee Loans Students do not have to pay course fees ‘up front’. Students can defer paying the fees by taking a fee loan. Interest will be charged at the rate of inflation.

How much will it cost? No.2 - Maintenance First Year: Average Expenditure Term-time costs over 3 terms in University catered accommodation… TOTAL £8,295

Breakdown of costs… Accommodation (av. £140 per week – 31 wks, catered) 4340 (Self catered would be around £1000 cheaper) Food and Drink (approx. £22 per week for 31 weeks) 682 Books & Equipment 330 Social Life (approx. £33 per week) 1023 Telephone & internet 330 Television license 150 Travel 220 Clothing 270 Toiletries & laundry costs 160 Clubs, Societies & Sports 270 Miscellaneous 220 Housing/Damage Deposit for next year 300

Maintenance Loans

i EXTRA SUPPORT BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS Many universities and colleges offer financial support to their students through bursaries and scholarships: Bursaries: linked to personal circumstances and often, household income awards can include discounted tuition fees, accommodation or cash Scholarships: linked to academic results or ability in an area such as sport or music can be subject specific and are usually limited in numbers Students should check university or college websites and ask at open days to see what they offer and how/when to apply. i

Oxford Example Oxford will Charge between £6,000 and £9,500 depending on household income. If H.I. Is less than £25,000, there will be a reduction in tuition fee. If H.I. Is less than £16,000 the tuition fee in the first year will be £6,000 Anyone with a H.I. of less than £42,875 will receive help from the university for the cost of living (on top of government grant) If H.I. Is less than £16,000, students will receive £3,700 each year.

All of this Information can be found at Repaying loans Fee loan and maintenance loan When? - After leaving course & earning £21,000+ pa. How? - Deductions directly from wages, like tax & NI  How much? - 9% of earnings over £21,000 pa. (£30 per month @ £25,000) (£75 per month @ £31,000) Interest is linked to the rate of inflation (RPI) <£21000 = RPI >£41000 = RPI + 3% or somewhere between Payment holidays of up to 5 years in total If earnings fall, contributions fall Can pay back more quickly if wished Outstanding debts written off after 30 years All of this Information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/overview

What should you be doing this term? Researching courses Visiting institutions ? Enhancing your application Sort out your application form

Higher Education Parents’ Evening 21st June 2017 at 7.00pm