1. A Parent’s Guide to Higher Education

2. The role of UCAS University & Colleges Admission Service
UCAS is also an important source of factual information about choosing what and where to study

3. Main options for getting a degree
Full-time university courses (3 years +) – over 100 institutions in the UK.
Foundation degrees (usually 2 years) – at universities and Further Education courses, including Exeter College and South Devon College.
Distance learning (get a job plus study at your own pace, module by module) – mainly through the Open University.
Employer-sponsored degrees – some organisations (e.g. NHS) will pay for university courses

4. Research www.ucas.com Official UCAS Website
Course Search – by institution or course name
Entry Profiles
Entry Requirements
Bursary and scholarship comparator
Links to HE websites
UCAS Telephone Contact:
UCAS’s social networking site for applicants
Puts you in touch with people in the same situation
& twitter.com/ucas_online Social networking
Allows you to ask a question direct and see what others including UCAS advisers are saying
The Times University Guide
The Guardian University Guide
University Open Days
– short questionnaire to help you find the course that will be best for you

5. Key features of admissions scheme
Number of choices
Every applicant may make up to five choices for standard registration fee of £24.00
£13 for application to one centre
Some subject restrictions:
Dentistry, Medicine or
Veterinary - max. 4 choices

6. Key dates of admissions scheme
5 September - UCAS opens for 2019 applicants
21 September - Oxbridge/Dentistry/Medicine & Veterinary applications to Ho6
15 October - UCAS closing date for Oxbridge/ Dentistry/ Medicine & Veterinary
5 November - All other HE applications to Ho6
21 December - Absolute FINAL deadline for HE applications to Ho6
15 January UCAS final deadline

7. Apply

8. Key features of admissions scheme
University and college decisions
Admissions tutors can make one of three decisions:
Conditional Offer
Unconditional Offer
Unsuccessful

9. Key features of admissions scheme
Conditional offers
Expressed in:
UCAS Tariff points or
grades e.g. BCC in A levels, or DM in CTEC
a combination of both (e.g. 120 points, including a B in Mathematics)

11. Key features of admissions scheme
Replying to offers
A maximum of two offers may be held after all final decisions have been made
Applicant can make one of three replies:
F = firm acceptance
I = insurance acceptance
D = decline

12. Key features of admissions scheme
If an applicant has no offers…
Two further stages to gain a place:
UCAS Extra (mid-March – end of June)
Clearing (mid-August onwards, for A level students)

13. Key feature of admissions system
Confirmation
Exam results are issued mid-August
Admissions staff check if applicant has matched the conditions of the offer
If yes, the student will be sent an official confirmation of their place
Time to celebrate!!

14. The personal statement
Extra evidence to help HE selectors make decisions and hence make an offer
Assume that admissions tutors will read it
In many cases it will substitute for an interview

15. The personal statement
-Invaluable opportunity to influence the admissions tutors and explain your motivation.
-Explain your reasons/motivations for choosing the courses and try to think of the reasons why the selector should choose you rather than anyone else.
-Avoid one-liners e.g. "at weekends I work in a supermarket". Better to add "and so this gives me an opportunity to meet people, handle money, learn about marketing, training others, teamwork etc"
-Another example "in my spare time I read" - read what? Give some examples - but be prepared as the selector may also have read them.
-List your activities, particularly if they are relevant to the course selected. Illustrate the experience you have gained from these activities.
-Put your various statements together in a logical way e.g. school activities, special responsibilities, work experience, reasons for choosing the course, career aspirations, hobbies/pastimes.
-If you have a mixture of subjects explain here. DO NOT WAFFLE or use impressive language that has no real substance. REMEMBER if you are asked for an interview, most questions will be based on what you have written in Section 10 TAKE A COPY!
-Finally, although you are asked to make good use of Section 10, remember the form is reduced to almost half its original size when it is sent to the institutions. Do not be tempted to put too much in!

16. Student Finance: Fees & Loans
Universities are charging up to £9250 per year tuition fees.
Plus then additional costs of being at university, e.g. accommodation, food, social life, etc.
Students do not have to pay tuition fees ‘up front’.
Students can defer paying the tuition fees by taking a Tuition Fee Loan (non-income assessed).
Students can support living costs via application for Maintenance Loan (income assessed).
Loan is paid back once finished course and earning over £21,000 pa.

17. Maintenance Loan 2018

18. 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
e.g. (£67.50 per £30,000)
(£30.00 per £25,000)
(£ per £22,000)
Can pay more
If earnings fall, contributions fall
Outstanding debts written off after 30 years

19. Interest: Inflation rate +3%
Repayment (2018)
Interest: Inflation rate +3%

20. How to make up the difference
Vacation and term time earnings/savings
Scholarships/trusts/charities
Bank overdraft
Extra parental contribution
Additional support is also available for students with additional needs – e.g. students with disabilities or dependents
Hardship funds

21. How and when to apply
How? – When? – in the early spring in the year of entry

22. Support resources for students and parents
South Dartmoor Community College Help Pack, Summer Available via website
6th form tutors, Head of Year, Head of 6th Form and RISE Coordinator
College careers library
UCAS website: and university websites
University open days
University admissions departments
HE notice board at Place House
Progression Tutorials with HoY/Ho6/Tutors/Careers

23. Questions