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
Average graduate, by age 30, earns 30% more p.a than non-graduates
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. Is your degree your future?
Average Salary 5 Years After-Graduating
Degree
Average Salary
Medicine
£43,619
Economics
£40,706
Maths
£36,465
Physics
£33,621
Pharmacology
£32,999
Vetsci
£32,694
Engineering
£32,603
Politics
£30,527
Languages
£30,518
Business
£29,926
Architecture
£29,912
Law
£29,694
Geography
£29,106
Allied to med
£29,049
Computing
£28,415
History
£28,252
Philosophy
£28,228
Biosciences
£27,676
Nursing
£27,051
Physsci
£26,237
Institute of Fiscal Studies

6. 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? Sports facilities, creative scene, political scene
Type of accommodation ?
Halls of residence v Renting in the city v Living at home
Cost of living? London: £ 290 a week vs Rest of UK: £220

7. 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
5 University Choices
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

8. How to Apply – The Competition?
More applications than places
Over 695,565 applications last year and 162,066 students did not gain places
BUT
95% of applicants were offered at least one place
35% of applicants were offered 5 places
Popular courses can receive more than 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, or higher, 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

9. Deferred Entry? Why deferred entry? However,
Deferred Entry is applying now for a place the following year i.e. September 2021
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

10. 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’

11. Results Day – 13thAugust 2020
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 !!!!

12. 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

13. 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 13

14. How much Tuition Fee Loan can I get?
Tuition Fee Loan – SLC (Student Loans Company) pays the tuition fees directly to the university.
For most courses in UK this is now £9,250 per year (£27,750 over a three year course)
Please note:
New Accelerated 2 year Courses could get £11,100 per year (£22,200)
Cheaper but what is the actual, or perceived, quality?
“There are a number of reasons three-year degree programmes are generally the most appropriate at research-intensive institutions. Careful consideration will be needed for how these accelerated courses are delivered so that they don’t negatively affect student learning or compromise the overall undergraduate experience.”
Head of Russell Group

15. How much Maintenance Loan can I get?
SLC (Student Loans Company) pays the Maintenance Loan directly to students
Full-year student
Maximum loan
HOME
Live at home in London
£7,529
Out of London
Live away from home
£8,944
London
£11,672
*2019/20 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
‘The ‘average’ student leaves with £44,000 of debt’
Still at university…
…rate of inflation plus 3%
Once left at university and earning…
…less than £25,000 = the rate of inflation
…between £25,000 and £45,000 = rate of inflation and up to 3%
…over £45,000 = rate of inflation plus 3%

17. How do students pay it back?
9% of your earnings over £25,000 per year taken from salary
Income each year before tax
Income from which 9% is deducted
Monthly Repayment (Approx)
£25,000 £0
£30,000
£5,000
£37
£35,000
£10,000
£75
£40,000
£15,000
£112
£45,000
£20,000
£150
£50,000
£187
£60,000
£225
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. Any other financial help can I get?
The ‘average’ student receives £14,666 a year through loans and grants.
There is an annual shortfall of over £7,000 !? (according to the NUS)
‘The ‘average’ student leaves with £44,000 of debt.
Other financial Advice
Parents……?! Bursaries?! Job…!? Spend Less..!?

19. 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 UCAT, BMAT
Most Oxford/Cambridge courses now have entrance tests: End of Oct.
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 2020

20. 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
Academic Extension Sessions