1. Preparation Day 2017

4. 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?

5. The Other Question
HOW much will it cost?

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. HOW TO FIND OUT MORE?

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

23. 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?

24. The UCAS Tariff

25. IB

26. Where to get the information?
Books :
Careers Library
Brian Heap, ‘Degree Course Offers’
Computer:
Internet –
The Push Guide –
UKCoursefinder
Human:
Caroline Tully (Careers consultant)
Dr Stites (Head of Careers)
Tutors
Teachers

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

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

29. 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)

30. 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

31. 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

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

33. Musicians (Special Case No.5)
UCAS or CUKAS or both
Mid June– 1st October

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

35. 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!!

36. 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.

37. 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

38. 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)
Books & Equipment
Social Life (approx. £33 per week)
Telephone & internet
Television license
Travel
Clothing
Toiletries & laundry costs
Clubs, Societies & Sports
Miscellaneous
Housing/Damage Deposit for next year

39. Maintenance Loans

41. 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

43. 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.

44. 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 £25,000)
(£75 per £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

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

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