Ralph Thoresby School Preparing for University Stewart McGill

Aims Introduce the benefits of Higher Education Understand key dates, including those for special courses Consider application requirements for students participating in additional programmes Begin to review the financial implications of going to university

Why go to University?

The earning potential 80% of jobs created in the last decade have been for graduates. Graduates are 50% more likely to be promoted and 50% less likely to become unemployed. Over 10 years, the average student earns £13,000 more.

The UCAS Process

Action Immediately Consider what degree you may like to do and use UCAS to search ALL universities that offer this. Only when you have a ‘long list’ should you begin to narrow this down. Consider a) the grade requirement, b) whether there are additional opportunities like a year in industry or abroad and c) consider the university style. Visit open days (You MUST book first).

You can apply to a maximum of 5 universities. search.ucas.com Quick Facts You can apply to a maximum of 5 universities. All universities see the same form (so don’t mention one of them in the personal statement). It costs £23.

Two ways different sets of entry requirements A given number of grades (e.g. AAB) A given number of UCAS points

UCAS Points (A brand new tariff) AS Levels If you take an AS course and drop it after Year 12, you will get 40% of the full A-Level points

Getting started on UCAS Students will be signed up to UCAS during the final week of term. They can complete any part of it, but cannot submit it until 1st September. School deadline is 15th October (which coincides with deadlines for medicine and dentistry as well as all courses at Oxford and Cambridge.

Seven Sections

The Personal Statement Up to 4,000 characters over a maximum of 47 lines. Why have you chosen the course? What do you hope to get out of university? What skills do you have now that will help? How can we help at home? Proof read it Ensure that students meet the initial deadline of 27th July Continue to encourage work on it over summer Be realistic about accomplishments NEVER COPY (TurnItIn knows)

Hearing Back from UCAS Conditional Offer Unconditional Offer Unsuccessful Withdrawn Your two replies A Firm B Insurance UCAS Extra Clearing

Medicine, Dentistry and Oxbridge Entrance Exams (BMAT, UKCAT, STEP)-Information on UCAS and the university webpage. Interviews (Support available in school).

Mentioning University Programmes Realising Opportunities Reach For Excellence-Access to Leeds Durham Supported Progression Sutton Trust (Summer Schools/Pathways to Law)

Student Finance

Myth Buster True False Universities can charge up to £9,000 a year for tuition. There is no longer a government grant. I have to pay for my university course up front. Everyone gets the same amount of money. Because the grant has disappeared, I will not be entitled to any money. I will have to start paying back my debt as soon as I finish university. My parents have a good income so I will not get any help. I want to go to London but will get the same amount of support at London universities.

Tuition Fees and Loans-How it works With tuition fees of up to £9,000, how can you afford to go to uni? Eligible students won’t have to pay any tuition fees up front. A Tuition Fee Loan is available to cover the fee charged by a university or college.* A Tuition Fee Loan doesn’t depend on household income. SFE pay the Tuition Fee Loan directly to your university or college. The loan is repayable, but only when your income is over £21,000 a year.

But what about living costs? A Maintenance Loan is available to help with your living costs while in higher education. All eligible students can get some Maintenance support. The amount of Maintenance Loan you can get depends on where you live and study. Maintenance Loan is paid directly into your bank account each term. Maintenance Loans have to be paid back but not until you’ve left university and you’re income is over £21,000 a year.

What’s the most I can receive for maintenance? Parental home Live at home while you study Up to £6,904 Elsewhere Live away from home & study outside London Up to £8,200 £ London Live away from home & study in London Up to £10,702 £

Our Household income means we would struggle to support our child financially 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 Sometimes an application is required and sometimes it isn’t. You must check on the university’s webpage for specific information. 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 (You typically have to apply)

Tips for Applying Each year thousands of students apply late for their finance and have no way to pay for their course or accommodation, some even have to drop out ...don’t let that be you! Apply online at gov.uk/studentfinance* Apply early to make sure your student finance is ready for the start of your course. You don’t need a confirmed place at university or college to apply. Apply with your preferred choice, you can change details later if required.

Paying it back You won’t make repayments until your income is over £21,000 a year. If you study a full-time course, you will be due to start repaying in the April after graduating or leaving higher education. You’ll repay 9% of your income over £21,000 and if you’re employed deductions will be made from your pay through the HMRC tax system.* If your income falls to £21,000 or below your repayments will stop. Any outstanding loan balance will be written off 30 years after entering repayment.

What does that look like? Income each year before tax 9% will be deducted from Monthly repayment (Approx) £21,000 £0 £30,000 £9,000 £67 £40,000 £19,000 £142 £50,000 £29,000 £217 £60,000 £39,000 £292

How much will I actually receive? Household Income Living Cost Loan £25,000 £8,200 £30,000 £7,612 £35,000 £7,023 £40,000 £6,434 £45,000 £5,845 £50,000 £5,256 Over £62,180 £3,821

Key Dates Registration for Open Days-Now Completion of the UCAS Form-Now UKCAT/BMAT (medical exams) registration-Now UCAS applications open-1st September Ralph Thoresby seadline-15th October Student Finance application opens-1st March Deadline for applications for bursaries (direct from university)-Varies Deadline for selection Firm and Insurance choices-4th May Deadline for completing finance applications-31st May Results Day-16th August Deadline for formally accepting an offer-Immediately after results Deadline for applying for university accommodation-Varies

Key Webpages www.ucas.com (for applications) search.ucas.com www.opendays.com https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-register-login https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-uk www.thestudentroom.co.uk