Applying to University: UCAS, Personal Statements and Student Finance Louise Carr School and College Liaison Officer

UCAS UCAS Process Researching your choices The UCAS time-line Making your application Writing your personal statement Student Finance

Researching your Choices

What type of course? Professional eg. Medicine / Engineering / Law Vocational eg. Management / Biochemistry / Media Academic eg. American Studies / Geography / History of Art

Keep in mind… Enjoyment Courses at different universities do not necessarily contain the same content or are taught in the same way Vast range available so if you narrow your choice in your research stage it will be easier to write your Personal Statement

What can you study? American Studies Archaeology and Ancient History Biological Sciences Chemistry Computer Science Criminology Economics Education Engineering English Geography Geology Historical Studies History of Art and Film Interdisciplinary Science Law Management Mathematics Media and Communication Medicine Modern Languages Museum Studies Physics and Astronomy Politics and International Relations Psychology Sociology

League tables The Times / Sunday Times / THE The Guardian The Complete University Guide World Rankings

Guides and other Websites (NSS) & University websites

Social networking

The UCAS Time-line

APPLY 15 th Oct DECIDE 9 May Must tell UCAS which course you select. If not they will decline all your offers. Research Prospectuses Open Days UCAS Conventions APPLY 15 th Jan All courses (except 15 Oct & 24 Mar exceptions) 24 Mar Some Art/Design March – Sept Results Dentistry Medicine Vet Science Oxford Cambridge Interviews/offers & Visit Days OctoberJanuaryMay16 AugustOctober Start

Making your Application

UCAS Application Universities & Colleges Admissions Service Applications are done online in collaboration with your School/College –You don’t have to do it all at once! –Keep track of your applications Register at: Space for 5 courses (4 for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science/Medicine)

Gap Years? Can be a great option if you are still uncertain about university Not all courses/universities look favourably on gap years If you wish to take a gap year you can apply for deferred entry –You still get the benefit of applying with support from your college If you take more than one year out it can be difficult to get an academic reference

Personal Statement

Your opportunity to say why you should be considered A clearly structured and well written statement Academic ability Enthusiasm – clear reasons for wanting to study the subject An understanding of the subject Check UCAS website entry profiles for required skills Include relevant work experience and/or social activities Link to school reference if possible

Entry Profile Archaeology at Leicester No prior knowledge or experience of Archaeology is required, although any knowledge of the subject that you do have will be valuable. Previous experience of archaeological fieldwork and self- directed reading about the subject are particularly welcomed. Successful students display a wide variety of key skills. These include excellent written and oral communication skills, a capacity to think critically, time management and the ability to learn independently. In addition to academic ability, successful students will be highly motivated and self-disciplined and will be original and innovative thinkers.

“From watching and reading Sherlock Holmes, Cracker, CSI and Crime Watch, my interest in criminology has developed. Criminology has always had a glamorous image but it is more than that it deals with criminals and supports the justice system. Criminology is all about crime and punishment. It is an exciting inter- disciplinary subject which draws on Sociology, Psychology and Law to help examine how crime is defined, why people commit crimes, and how society responds to crimes.” Criminology

“Examination of any quality newspaper will probably demonstrate that more of the headlines address economic problems than any other topic. The importance and relevance of economics and related disciplines to the modern world have led me to want to pursue the study of the subject at a higher level. I am particularly interested in the behaviour of firms and organizations from an economic standpoint. During my study, I have come across many real life complexities and, while attempting to apply theoretical ideas, I have developed a keen interest in analyzing and understanding how the world of business is influenced by economics.” Economics

Don’t cheat 5% of applicants “borrow” from websites 800 applicants - “a dramatic chemistry set incident aged 8” 234 applicants – “a fascination with the human body”! 175 applicants – “an elderly or infirm grandfather” You WILL be caught!

In summary Do your research –the right course & uni for you –talk to advisors and professional associations –visit Open Days and Applicant Visit Days Well structured and reflective personal statement Keep deadlines in mind Make an independent choice … and then do well in your exams Good luck!

Student Finance How it works & what you can get Case studies Budgeting and money management

How to apply Apply through Student Finance England online Means testing based on previous tax year (i.e. April April 2012) Can apply for “Current Income Assessment” if income changes (more than 15%) Link to UCAS application

Funding Student Finance Tuition Fee Loan Maintenance Grant Maintenance Loan Additional Support University of Leicester Scholarships

Tuition Fees The standard tuition fee for all undergraduate courses at Leicester is £9,000 per year Government will provide full Tuition Fee Loans directly to universities for eligible students Students/parents do not pay fees – Graduates do

Tuition Fees - Special cases at Leicester Foundation year - £6,000 Erasmus year - £1,250 Other year abroad - £1,000 Year in industry - £1,000 M Level degree final year - £7,000

Maintenance Support Maintenance loan and grant Paid by Student Finance England to the student Means-tested based on household income Influenced by where the student studies –London –Staying at home –Elsewhere

Maintenance Loans/Grants Household Income GrantLoanTOTAL £25,000 or less£3,354£3,823£7,177 £30,000£2,416£4,292£6,708 £35,000£1,478£4,761£6,239 £40,000£540£5,230£5,770 £45,000£0£5,288 £50,000£0£4,788 £55,000£0£4,288 £60,000£0£3,788 Over £62,125£0£3,575

Loan Repayments Eligible to start repaying the April after you graduate No repayments until you are earning above £21,000 Repayment = 9% of income above £21,000 Any outstanding repayments will be written off after 30 years

Loan Repayments - Examples There will be no penalty fees for early repayment SalaryAmount above £21,000Monthly repayment £21,000£0 £22,000£1,000£7.50 £25,000£4,000£30.00 £30,000£9,000£67.50 £40,000£19,000£142.50

Additional support Disabled Students’ Allowances –Additional grant Help for students with children –Childcare grant –Parents’ Learning Allowance Adult Dependants’ Grant Access to Learning Fund –Financial hardship

Recap on funding Student Finance Tuition Fee Loan Maintenance Grant Maintenance Loan Additional Support University of Leicester Scholarships

Scholarships at Leicester Chancellor’s Scholarship –£2,000 annual fee waiver –AAA at A-level (or equivalent) Departmental Scholarship –£1,250 annual fee waiver –Varying academic criteria

Scholarships at Leicester – cont. Leicester National Scholarship Programme –£2,000 annual fee waiver –£1,000 annual cash award For students who have academic ability and whose household income falls below £25,000 are eligible to apply Latest scholarship information:

Case Study A: Anjali, Leicester Household income £25,000, away from home Tuition Fee Loan = £9,000 Maintenance Loan = £3,823 Maintenance Grant = £3,354 £ per week for 39 weeks Earning £24,000 = repayments of £22.50 per month / £5.63 per week

Case Study B: Mark, Leicester Household income £62,500, away from home Tuition Fee Loan = £9,000 Maintenance Loan = £3,575 Maintenance Grant = £0 £91 per week for 39 weeks Earning £19,695* = repayments of £0 per month / £0 per week * Average Graduate wage (1st year after uni) – prospects.ac.uk

Budgeting VariableFixed RENT/bills Academic Transport Food SOCIAL Clothing Toiletries Stuff

Budgeting

Will students have enough money? Part time job Full time job during the summer Parents/family/savings Student bank account Credit card?

Any questions?