The university application process Student finance 22 April 2017 The university application process Student finance Liam Dowson University of Bristol

What is university? Higher Education – study for a degree 22 April 2017 What is university? Higher Education – study for a degree Normally after you are 18 You have to pay to attend Choose what you study Many people move away from home

Who is it for? People like you! If you want it you can go 22 April 2017 Who is it for? People like you! If you want it you can go Something you choose to do Not the best option for everybody You shouldn’t be put off by the debt, there’s lots of help to cover the costs

22 April 2017 What can you study? Over 50,000 courses available at over 150 universities in the UK Subjects you have studied before e.g. Sciences, English, History, Geography Subjects you haven’t studied before e.g. Engineering, Geology, Law, Medicine

What are the benefits of going to university? 22 April 2017 What are the benefits of going to university? Chance to study a subject you’re passionate about Learn from the experts! Develop a range of new skills e.g. teamwork, communication, time management, leadership

What are the benefits of going to university? 22 April 2017 What are the benefits of going to university? Better chance of getting a job e.g. In 2011 86% of all graduates were in work compared with 72.3% of non-graduates Likely to earn a higher salary e.g. In 2011 the median hourly rate of pay for all graduates aged 21 to 64 was £15.18, 70% more than the non-graduate rate of £8.92 Source: The Graduates in the Labour Market 2012 report published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS)

What are the benefits of going to university? 22 April 2017 What are the benefits of going to university? Some careers demand an HE qualification More employers are expecting it 60% of graduate jobs don’t favour a particular subject

What are the benefits of going to university? 22 April 2017 What are the benefits of going to university? Meet a wide range of new people Live somewhere else, with friends Become independent Experience a whole new social life Sports and societies Opportunity for travel

How is university different to school? 22 April 2017 How is university different to school? Study just one or two subjects that you are interested in Taught in lectures and seminars, learn independently Much bigger – more than 3,500 students in the first year alone at University of Bristol No uniform and longer holidays!

Sounds great.... what happens next? 22 April 2017 RESEARCH! Sounds great.... what happens next?

This is a huge part of the 22 April 2017 You need to make decisions on: What course you want to study Where you want to study it This is a huge part of the application process!

Doing your research UCAS website UCAS conventions 22 April 2017 Doing your research UCAS website UCAS conventions University websites and prospectuses Open days League tables Key Information Sets – unistats.com Post-offer visit days

How to apply Online through UCAS (www.ucas.com) Write 1 application 22 April 2017 How to apply Online through UCAS (www.ucas.com) Write 1 application Send to up to 5 choices Apply during first term of year 13

Application timeline From now onwards – research and visit open days 22 April 2017 Application timeline From now onwards – research and visit open days School deadlines September 2015 – UCAS application opens 15 October 2015 – deadline for applications to Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science/Medicine 15 January 2015 – deadline for receipt of applications 24 March 2015 – deadline for some art and design courses May 2016 – all decisions made, decide firm and insurance Mid August – most results known, Confirmation and Clearing September/October – start at university!

The importance of applying early 22 April 2017 The importance of applying early Universities will start considering applications as soon as they receive them It may take some universities a long time to get back to you (it’s important that you wait until you have all your offers before you make any decisions) You can get all of the application angst out of the way early – you can concentrate on your studies!

The application Personal details Education and qualifications 22 April 2017 The application Personal details Education and qualifications Employment history Personal statement Teacher’s reference

What are universities looking for? 22 April 2017 What are universities looking for? Relevant academic ability Motivation to study Passion for the subject Relevant experience Study skills The whole person

The personal statement 22 April 2017 The personal statement Your one chance to sell yourself Tell the Admissions Tutor: Why you want to study the course at university Where your passion for the subject came from What aspects of the course you are interested in What have you done or seen outside the syllabus If you have any work experience or have attended masterclasses, summer schools etc

The personal statement 22 April 2017 The personal statement Only 4,000 characters or 47 lines Same one for each choice Spelling, punctuation and grammar Give yourself plenty of time Show everyone Check, check and check again Draft, redraft, and redraft again Must be your own work Check the UCAS guides

22 April 2017

The personal statement 22 April 2017 The personal statement About two thirds should be subject-based Passion and enthusiasm for the course Skills, knowledge and experience About one third should be about you as a person Hobbies and interests Jobs Any future plans

22 April 2017 SHOW not TELL

You’ve applied – what next? 22 April 2017 You’ve applied – what next? Applications are read by admissions tutors Possibility of interviews Invitation to visit day Decisions will come through at different times

Types of offer Two types of offer: Unconditional Conditional 22 April 2017 Types of offer Two types of offer: Unconditional (offer based on qualifications you already have) Conditional (offer conditional upon you gaining certain grades/points/marks, maybe in particular subjects)

You’ve been accepted – what next? 22 April 2017 You’ve been accepted – what next? Need to properly research the universities and courses you have been accepted onto Departmental open days/post-offer visit days Make two choices (all others you decline): Conditional firm (CF) Conditional insurance (CI)

What if things go wrong? Extra Clearing 22 April 2017 What if things go wrong? Extra If you don’t get any offers or you reject all your offers, this scheme allows you to have another choice before clearing. You can only apply to courses that still have places. Clearing If you don’t get the grades and your offer is not confirmed you can go through Clearing. This scheme helps students find places that are still available.

22 April 2017 Adjustment Scheme to provide a bit of leeway for students who do much better than anticipated For students who meet and exceed the terms of their firm choice offer Applicants may make multiple enquiries but only one formal adjustment transaction Opens on A-level results day, until end of August

Useful resources www.ucas.com www.bristol.ac.uk www.unistats.com 22 April 2017 Useful resources www.ucas.com www.bristol.ac.uk www.unistats.com www.opendays.com www.studentfinanceengland.co.uk www.thestudentroom.co.uk

22 April 2017 Student finance

The costs of university 22 April 2017 The costs of university Tuition fees Universities are able to charge up to £9,000 per year Can charge less Sounds scary but… Living costs Everything it costs to live as a student E.g. food, travel, accommodation, bills & social activities

22 April 2017 There is lots of support available to help you meet these costs! Most support comes from the government, but also some from many other places

Tuition fee loan available to all; 22 April 2017 Tuition fees Tuition fee loan available to all; no ‘up front’ fees Covers full cost of tuition fees Loan isn’t compulsory (students can pay all or part of tuition fee upfront themselves) Paid directly to your university/college

The costs of university 22 April 2017 The costs of university Tuition fees Universities are able to charge up to £9,000 per year Can charge less Sounds scary but… Living costs Everything it costs to live as a student E.g. food, travel, accommodation, bills & social activities

22 April 2017 Living costs Government support comes in two forms: - Maintenance loan - Maintenance grant

Maintenance loan Maintenance loan available to all 22 April 2017 Maintenance loan Maintenance loan available to all Paid directly to student Not everybody gets same amount, depends on: - where you study and live - your parents’ (or household) income - full time or part time study

Maintenance grant A grant is money you don’t have to pay back 22 April 2017 Maintenance grant A grant is money you don’t have to pay back For 2014 you can get up to £3,387 per year as a grant This is dependent on household income: - full grant if under £25,000 - partial grant if between £25,001 and £42,620 - no grant if over £42,620

22 April 2017 Maintenance support Household Income Maintenance Grant Maintenance Loan Total £25,000 & under £3,387 £3,862 £7,249 £30,000 £2,441 £4,335 £6,776 £35,000 £1,494 £4,808 £6,302 £40,000 £547 £5,282 £5,829 £42,620 £50 £5,530 £5,580 £42,875 £0 £5,555 £50,000 £4,836 £62,132 & over £3,610 The amount of maintenance grant a student receives affects the amount of maintenance loan they can borrow.

22 April 2017 Maintenance support example demonstrates 2013 figures

22 April 2017 Repaying the loans Your tuition fee and maintenance loans are added together You only repay after you graduate You only repay if you have a job with a salary over £21,000 per year You pay 9% of any income over £21,000

22 April 2017 Repaying the loans If your salary drops below £21,000 a year you stop paying Not everybody pays it all back (you are not expected to!) Any remaining loan is wiped off after 30 years

Repaying the loans Income each year before tax 22 April 2017 Repaying the loans 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

Bursaries/scholarships 22 April 2017 Bursaries/scholarships All fee-charging universities must offer bursaries Like a grant, bursaries are yours to keep Universities also offer various scholarships, e.g. for excelling in a certain area www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk

Other sources of funding 22 April 2017 Other sources of funding The Access to Learning Fund - if you can demonstrate you are experiencing real financial hardship Specific grants - Disable Students’ Allowance, Adult Dependants’ Grant, Care Leavers Grant, Childcare Grant, Parents’ Learning Allowance NHS bursaries - Medical, dentistry or healthcare students Extra help for teacher training students Charities or employers Part-time work

22 April 2017 Summary University is expensive, but everybody is entitled to loans to cover these costs The expensive £9,000 per year is the easy bit The amount students repay depends on their salary; they only pay back their loans when they can afford to The debt doesn’t count against you in any way

22 April 2017 Any questions? www.bristol.ac.uk schools-colleges-liaison@bristol.ac.uk @ChooseBristolUG