University Application Process Why? What? Where? How? How much?

Why? a strong academic interest in a subject social and academic experience Rich cultural and social scene and academically challenging employment prospects enhanced: flexibility, communication skills, self reliance, ability to learn graduates earn on average 17% - 25% higher salaries this is between £150,000 and £250,000 over a lifetime compared to A-Level students who do not go nothing better to do – High drop out rate !

What to Study? Over 5000 courses available subjects students currently studying subjects students have never studied e.g. Criminology, Law, Computer Science, American Studies combination of subjects e.g. Economics…. and French (50:50)…with French (66:33) vocational subjects e.g. Physiotherapy, Medicine, Accountancy, Architecture Is my degree choice my future?

Is your degree your future? Degree Subject American Studies American Studies Biology Computer Science Chemistry Geography Economics History and Politics History Maths Mechanical Engineer Theology Job – 15 years on TV producer Lawyer Management consultant Salesperson of windturbines Computer programmer Teacher of chemistry Teacher of geography Café owner and diving instructor Investment banker Economist Human resources manager at British Airways Policy-maker in the Home Office Manager of NHS hospital Accountant Aerospace engineer Fundraiser for charity

Where to Study? Over 300 institutions to choose from Location? Anywhere in the UK, stay at home in London (less choice), in a city, countryside, International Size of university? Manchester has 35,000 students, St Andrew’s 6,000 students Facilities available? Type of accommodation ? Halls of residence: Leicester £58-£120, London UCL £80-£260 Renting in the city: Leicester average £60, London UCL average £105 Cost of living? London: £ 260 a week vs Rest of UK: £220

How to Apply? Online application process through UCAS (www.ucas.com) Apply on-line to UCAS (the university application) Personal Details Education University Choices Personal Statement Student’s statement (up to 47 lines, 4000 characters) Why do you want to do these courses? Interests, Work Experience, Achievements Key skills Reference A written statement by the SCHOOL (up to 47 lines) Predicted Grades Comments from subject teachers Comments from form tutor and other teachers Contribution in and out of school Overview of your skills and personality

How to Apply – The Competition? More applications than places Over 718,400 applications last year and 183,200 students did not gain places BUT 94% of applicants were offered at least one place 57% of applicants were offered 4 or more places Popular courses can receive 50 applications per place Grade requirements reflect the quality and/or popularity of course e.g. Cambridge require A*AA or even A*A*A for some courses Medical courses require AAA and significant work experience Courses are available for a range of abilities e.g Law at Wolverhampton requires CCC, Law at LSE requires A*AA

Deferred Entry? Why deferred entry? However, Deferred Entry is applying now for a place the following year i.e. September 2019 Why deferred entry? Great opportunity to travel / work / have time out from study knowing you have a place at university However, Maths admissions tutors may be concerned about students ‘losing their sharpness’. Subjects with a strong maths content may want evidence of a relevant year our e.g engineer has a year placement Medicine/Dentistry should offer something constructive in a year out. Students wanting a year out can apply for deferred entry or apply during their gap year

The Offers The Offer Typical conditional offer is a three grade requirement (eg. ABC grades ) or points offer (e.g. 120 points). A*= 56 points, A=48 , B=40, C=32, D=24, E=16 Some offers have other specific requirements Post-Offer After receiving their offers students choose a ‘Firm’ and ‘Insurance’ Firm choice –students are agreeing to go if they meet the offer requirement Insurance choice – students are agreeing to go if they meet the offer, having missed out on their firm choice Students receiving no offers can apply to more courses - ‘UCAS Extra’

Results Day – 16thAugust 2018 Decisions by universities are confirmed on the day - ‘UCAS Track’ Students can use ‘Adjustment’ – if achieved higher grades than their Firm choice then able to look for a ‘better’ course CLEARING PROCESS On the day of the A Level results students who have not met their firm or insurance offers can ring and apply for any vacant university places available. DO NOT GO ON HOLIDAY OVER THIS PERIOD !!!!

How much does it cost? Tuition Fees – up to £9,250 a year Living Costs – £5000 - £15,000 a year The ‘average’ Non-London student spends £22,189 a year (London: £23,521) Average Annual Expenditure for Non-London Student – Source: National Union of Students

How much does it cost per week? Accommodation: £80 - £260 a week Food: £25 - £60 Electricity/Gas: £10 Study Materials: £5 - £10 Travel: £0- £30 TV Licence: £3 Mobile / Internet: £10 Entertainment: £20 - £50 Miscellaneous: £20 Living Costs: £153 - £453 per week

Can students get financial help? Tuition Fee Loan – SLC (Student Loans Company) pays the £9,250 a year Maintenance loan – SLC pays for living costs of up to £11,002 a year for students studying in London, £8,430 for students studying outside of London. A student’s level of entitlement is dependent on their household income i.e. full loan if under £25,000 Grant – non-repayable grant given to those who have a disability or with childcare costs. Universities may have a “Financial Hardship Fund” that low income students could access. The ‘average’ student receives £14,370 a year through loans and grants. There is an annual shortfall of over £7,000 !? (according to the NUS) ‘The ‘average’ student leaves with £42,000 of debt. Other financial Advice Parents……?! Bursaries?! Job…!? Spend Less..!?

Two types of loan for students SLC: Student Loans Company Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan Two types of loan for students Tuition Fee Loan Covers all tuition fees Paid directly to the University Maintenance Loan Day-to-day living costs Paid directly to student Three instalments After graduation Treated as a single loan 14

How much maintenance loan can I get? Full-year student Maximum loan HOME Live at home in London £7,097 Out of London Live away from home £8,430 London £11,002 *2017/18 entry figures ~ 50% of loan is means-tested: it is dependent on household income. i.e. If £25,000 or less then receive full loan, if £70,000 or more will receive the minimum loan, which is ~50%. If household income has changed then they should submit a Current Year Income Assessment Form which will assess income for current year 15

Interest Payable on student loan Still at university… …rate of inflation plus 3% Once left at university and earning… …less than £21,000 = the rate of inflation …between £21,000 and £41,000 = rate of inflation and up to 3% …over £41,000 = rate of inflation plus 3%

How do students pay it back? 9% of your earnings over £21,000 per year taken from salary Income each year before tax Income from which 9% is deducted Monthly Repayment (Approx) £21,000 £0 £25,000 £4,000 £30 £30,000 £9,000 £67 £35,000 £14,000 £105 £40,000 £19,000 £142 £45,000 £24,000 £180 £50,000 £29,000 £217 £60,000 £39,000 £292 Written off after 30 years if not paid back Example: If graduate is £50,000 in debt and starts a job on £40,000 a year and gets a pay rise which is inflation +2% every year…will not pay it back 17

Key Information Oxbridge applicants deadline is 15th Oct. (18.00) Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science applicants have an early deadline of 15th Oct. (18.00) All other courses have a UCAS deadline of 15th Jan. 2018 (18.00) but school deadline of 15th Dec. Some courses require further tests: i.e. Medicine applicant may need to take the UKCAT, BMAT Law applicant may need to take the LNAT Many Art and Design foundation courses require direct application to the college Gap Year students can either apply this year for deferred entry or apply from September 2018

What is the Support in School? Compulsory fortnightly Careers lessons from January until July Optional ‘Drop-in’ UCAS sessions in September (at least two a week) A full-day of UCAS in June/July Form Tutor sessions - offer advice and will check UCAS reference External Sixth Form Careers Advisor Recommended that students go on Open Days