1. Kes Academy Higher Education Evening

2. Programme for the evening
Introduction and key dates
Choosing courses and Universities
A guide to Personal Statements
Student Finance
Higher Education at COWA

3. Key Dates 17th June – Collapsed day for all year 12 students
4th July – Students should give the first draft of personal statement to their form tutors for review
8th July – Tutor references written for students
6th September – Completed applications can be submitted to UCAS
15th October - Deadlines for applications to Oxford and Cambridge and most courses in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science
15th January 2017 – Deadline for the majority of undergraduate courses
25th February 2017 – Extra options opens for those students not currently holding any offers

4. Choosing courses and universities
What you should think about...

5. Every course and every university is different and each student wants different things.
YOU must decide what is important to YOU.
Do you want the best course or one that is quite good but offers the options you really want?
Do you want the ideal work placement or the course with the least continuous assessment?
Do you want to live in a city or on a campus?
It is all a matter of YOUR priorities

6. So how do you go about choosing a university?
The choice of subject and type of course may narrow down the number of possibilities to just a few;
for Veterinary Medicine there are only 10 choices,
for others such as law, chemistry, history there are more than 30 similar courses.
The course you choose
must depend on who you are.
The course you choose must reflect
your capabilities.

7. Do your research
The more research you put into the process the more likely you are to make the right decision. Doing your homework will pay-off.
Once you have done all the reading, visiting and talking to teachers you trust and people at open days you can complete your UCAS application in the full knowledge that you have made a fully informed
choice that you are happy with.

8. Checklist – choosing a university
Which universities offer your chosen subject?
Where are they ranked in the Complete University Guide League Tables?
How far away from home do you want to go?
Which facilities are important to you?
Have you looked at the website?
Have you got a copy of the prospectus(es)?
Is there an Open Day you can attend?
What are the costs of going to university?
Does the university cater for your hobbies or interests?
What are the career prospects like?
Is there a culture of students taking placement years, sandwich placements or year abroad programmes? Is this important to you?
What is the campus like – location, single site, low travel costs?

9. Early completion is key
This will then free you up to focus on your studies and ensure that you hit the grades which will actually get you to your university and your course of choice.
Good luck!
Please remember that we are here to
help you in this process.

10. Useful websites UCAS The complete university guide University websites
University applications a parents’ guide

11. A chance to sell yourself
PERSONAL STATEMENTS
A chance to sell yourself
47 lines
4000 characters
Truth/Plagiarism

12. What do I write? Why this course? Skills and achievements Interests
Work Experience
Summer Schools/Open Days etc
Responsibilities

13. What do universities look for?
Enthusiasm and commitment
Planning and organisation
Managing pressure
Communication and presentation
Working to deadlines
Leadership and teamwork
Specialist subject knowledge

14. Writing the best statement…
Make it interesting
Check spelling and grammar
Make sure it reads well
Don’t repeat yourself
Be prepared for many re-writes
Ask several staff to check it

15. STUDENT FINANCE

16. Student Finance Key Points
Going to university is expensive but:
In most cases you do not have to pay for anything up front, you will have money from loans to cover tuition fees and accommodation before they need to be paid
You will not have to pay back any of your loan until you meet a minimum level of income
Extra support is available in certain circumstances
Most students supplement the money they get from their loans through part time work

17. Tuition Fees Loan
Maximum £9000 per year depending on your tuition fees (tuition fees vary between different universities and colleges)
Tuition Fees do not need to be paid upfront
Paid direct to the university by Student Finance England
Repayable after graduation once you meet the income threshold

18. Maintenance Loan Maximum of £10,702 per year
Designed to help with living costs such as rent, food books, travel and other expenses while you are studying
Paid directly into student’s bank account usually in three instalments, one at the start of each term
Repayable after graduation once you meet the income threshold

19. Where you live and study
Maintenance Loan
The amount you can get depends on:
Where you live
Where you study
Household income
Where you live and study
Maximum Loan Amount
Living with parents
£6,904
Studying in London and not living with parents
£10,702
Studying outside London and not living with parents
£8,200
Living and studying abroad for at least one term
£9,391

20. Maintenance Loan Assessment based on total household income
Maximum Loan Amount
£25,000
£8,200
£30,000
£7,612
£35,000
£7,023
£40,000
£6,434
£42,875
£6,095
£45,000
£5,845
£50,000
£5,256
£55,000
£4,667
£60,000
£4,078
£62,180+
£3,821 (minimum loan)

21. Extra Support
There are also a number of extra funding options which you don’t have to repay if you are studying under certain circumstances:
Low Income
If you have children or dependant adults
If you are disabled
If you are studying some subjects (medical, dentistry, social work, teaching)

22. Hardship Funds, Bursaries & Scholarships
You may also get financial help from your university or college in the form of Hardship Funds, Bursaries & Scholarships
Options include:
Reduced tuition fees
Reduced accommodation fees
Cash
To find out more about these you should check the website of the university or college you are applying to
You will not have to pay these back unless you leave the course early

23. Bursaries/Scholarships Example - UEA
Bursary
Household income less than £16,000: £1,800 per year
Household income £16,000 - £20,000: £1,000 per year
Scholarship
(AAA at A Level): £1,500 one-off payment

24. Interest on your loan
You will pay interest on your loan from the day your first instalment is paid until your loan is paid off in full or written off, whichever comes first.
Current Circumstance
Interest you will pay
While you are studying up until the April you finish or leave your course
Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 3%
From the April after you finish your course
Interest will be based on your income:
£21,000 or less = RPI
Between £21,000 and £41,000 = RPI plus up to 3%, depending on your income
Over £41,000 = RPI plus 3%

25. Repayment Nothing until April after graduation
Only if salary exceeds £21,000 per year
Payments linked to what you EARN not what you owe
9% of everything over £21,000
Taken from earnings via PAYE
If salary drops then repayments drop
Anything still owed after 30 years is cancelled

26. Repayment Examples Salary £25,000
Repayment 9% of £4,000 (amount over the threshold)
£30 per month taken via PAYE
Salary £30,000
Repayment 9% of £9,000 (amount over the threshold)
£67 per month taken via PAYE

27. When To Apply Student will be notified by UCAS
From February onwards (and ideally by the end of May)
Financial information required for the tax year ending April 2016

28. Some Misconceptions!
It is a STUDENT loan – the responsibility for payment does not pass to parents or any future children
It does NOT affect your ability to get a mortgage
It IS effectively a Graduate Tax!

29. Questions
If you have any questions we will be available at the end of the evening to speak to you individually and help with any queries you may have