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

2. 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 !

3. 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?

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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’

10. 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 !!!!

11. How much does it cost? Tuition Fees – up to £9,250 a year
Living Costs – £ £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

12. 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

13. 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..!?

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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%

17. 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

18. 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 (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

19. 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