1. Higher Education Evening Mrs Gray – Applying to University Mr Alexander & Josh Hardman – Student Life Janine Brownell UCS – Student Finance

2. Applying to University Applying to University Mrs Gray – Head of Careers

3. Why go to Higher Education ? 40 % of the UK population go to HE, 1.8 million students 40 % of the UK population go to HE, 1.8 million students 80% of new jobs by 2020 will be in occupations with high concentrations of graduates 80% of new jobs by 2020 will be in occupations with high concentrations of graduates 80% of graduates are employed in graduate-entry jobs 80% of graduates are employed in graduate-entry jobs 70% of graduates are not using their subjects directly in their work 70% of graduates are not using their subjects directly in their work Graduates earn on average 20 _ 100% more by the middle of their working lives than those without a degree Graduates earn on average 20 _ 100% more by the middle of their working lives than those without a degree Net financial gain from a degree averages £160,000 over a life time Net financial gain from a degree averages £160,000 over a life time Graduates enjoy more fulfilling and enjoyable jobs, better health, less likely to smoke and enjoy more successful relationships Graduates enjoy more fulfilling and enjoyable jobs, better health, less likely to smoke and enjoy more successful relationships 84.2% of graduates are happy with their careers 84.2% of graduates are happy with their careers

4. Why read for a degree? Transferable skills – knowledge, communication, team work, analysis, problem solving, numeracy, IT Transferable skills – knowledge, communication, team work, analysis, problem solving, numeracy, IT Greatly improved career prospects and career flexibility, graduates are highly valued by employers Greatly improved career prospects and career flexibility, graduates are highly valued by employers Essential for some careers Essential for some careers Academic and social experience of university life Academic and social experience of university life Three million fewer lower skilled jobs in the UK by 2020 Three million fewer lower skilled jobs in the UK by 2020

5. UCAS The University and College Admissions System The University and College Admissions System An independent charity An independent charity One of most popular websites in the UK One of most popular websites in the UK The most popular educational website in the UK The most popular educational website in the UK UCAS website is updated hourly UCAS website is updated hourly UCAS card offered to all students – advice/ discounts UCAS card offered to all students – advice/ discounts Process is totally electronic and on-line at www.ucas.com Process is totally electronic and on-line at www.ucas.com www.ucas.com UCAS TV – handy hints UCAS TV – handy hints Parents section – www.ucas.com/parents - free e - newsletters and a parents blog Parents section – www.ucas.com/parents - free e - newsletters and a parents blog

7. Applications 2014-2015 2% rise in applications on 2014- 592,000 2% rise in applications on 2014- 592,000 Application numbers have exceeded the level they were before the fee increase Application numbers have exceeded the level they were before the fee increase 35% of 18 year olds applied this year, the highest level recorded. – 40% women and 30% men 35% of 18 year olds applied this year, the highest level recorded. – 40% women and 30% men University places are very competitive with certain courses very heavily oversubscribed. University places are very competitive with certain courses very heavily oversubscribed. 27% drop in the number of undergraduate degree courses in the last six years due to government cuts 27% drop in the number of undergraduate degree courses in the last six years due to government cuts

8. Researching Options In the UK 35,000+ courses are available at more than 380 Higher Education Providers In the UK 35,000+ courses are available at more than 380 Higher Education Providers Open days start in March and continue in April, June, July and the Autumn Term Open days start in March and continue in April, June, July and the Autumn Term Best to visit two institutions if possible Best to visit two institutions if possible Taster courses available – www.london.ac.uk/tasters Taster courses available – www.london.ac.uk/tasters www.opendays.com www.opendays.com www.opendays.com Course search for 2016 opens May, registering for 2016 application opens in mid June Course search for 2016 opens May, registering for 2016 application opens in mid June

9. Finding the Right Course Research thoroughly – 10% who start university do not finish their degree Research thoroughly – 10% who start university do not finish their degree Course search via UCAS – grades and points Course search via UCAS – grades and points Entry profiles Entry profiles Entry requirements Entry requirements Relevant work experience for vocational courses Relevant work experience for vocational courses Location Location Type of institution – campus or city? Type of institution – campus or city? Employability activities offered Employability activities offered

10. Top Ten Degree Courses 2014 1. Subjects allied to Medicine (361,360) 2. Business and Administration 3. Art and Design 4. Biological Sciences 5. Social Studies 6. Engineering 7. Law 8. Physical Sciences 9. Medicine and Dentistry 10. Computer Science

11. The Application Process 5 choices of course 5 choices of course 4 choices for medicine, veterinary, dentistry plus one other choice if required 4 choices for medicine, veterinary, dentistry plus one other choice if required Personal statement Personal statement Length – 4,000 characters Length – 4,000 characters Content – 60-80% about subject, 20-40% about individual Content – 60-80% about subject, 20-40% about individual Plagiarism – Three times higher in 2014 up to 8,500 cases Plagiarism – Three times higher in 2014 up to 8,500 cases Contextual data/Academic reference from Northgate Contextual data/Academic reference from Northgate

12. Deadlines Northgate internal deadline Northgate internal deadline Oxbridge & Medical – 21 September 2015 Oxbridge & Medical – 21 September 2015 All others – 2 November 2015 All others – 2 November 2015 Final UCAS deadline 15 January 2016 Final UCAS deadline 15 January 2016 Some Art and Design Courses – 24 March 2016 Some Art and Design Courses – 24 March 2016

13. Additional Tests UK CAT – Clinical Aptitude Test UK CAT – Clinical Aptitude Test BMAT – Bio-Medical Assessment Test BMAT – Bio-Medical Assessment Test LNAT – National Admissions Test for Law LNAT – National Admissions Test for Law CUKAS – Musical Conservatoires CUKAS – Musical Conservatoires Oxbridge additional tests – History, Modern Language, Maths, English and Thinking Skills, Physics Oxbridge additional tests – History, Modern Language, Maths, English and Thinking Skills, Physics

14. Gap Year? Two Options Two Options Deferred entry – 2017 Deferred entry – 2017 Apply Sept 2016 through Northgate with final results – usually leads to an unconditional offer Apply Sept 2016 through Northgate with final results – usually leads to an unconditional offer Gap Year students – What do they do? 1. Employment to earn money for university 1. Employment to earn money for university 2. Work experience relevant to degree/career choice 2. Work experience relevant to degree/career choice 3. Doing something close to home 3. Doing something close to home

15. Finalising the Choice Institutions must make offers by 31 March 2016 Institutions must make offers by 31 March 2016 Students must make their decision by 7 May 2016 Students must make their decision by 7 May 2016 Students should not make any decision until all five offers are in Students should not make any decision until all five offers are in Students choose one firm offer - first choice Students choose one firm offer - first choice Students choose one insurance offer with a lower entry requirement as a second choice (at least 40 points below) Students choose one insurance offer with a lower entry requirement as a second choice (at least 40 points below) Clearing – July onwards – up 10% to 57,100 Clearing – July onwards – up 10% to 57,100 Adjustment period – post results – up to 1,382 Adjustment period – post results – up to 1,382

16. Important Dates Oxbridge Conference – 21 April 2015 Oxbridge Conference – 21 April 2015 Higher Education Fair – 11 June 2015 Higher Education Fair – 11 June 2015 Medics Course- 30 June 2015 Medics Course- 30 June 2015 Oxbridge preparation course – October 2015 Oxbridge preparation course – October 2015 Oxbridge/Medical mock interviews – November 2015 Oxbridge/Medical mock interviews – November 2015

17. Student profiles GCSE grades are used as a major part of the decision making process. Some competitive courses are now openly asking for 8A* grades GCSE grades are used as a major part of the decision making process. Some competitive courses are now openly asking for 8A* grades Some degree courses are asking for specific GCSE grades e.g. a B in Maths for many Psychology and Business courses, B grades in Maths, English and Science for Primary teaching courses Some degree courses are asking for specific GCSE grades e.g. a B in Maths for many Psychology and Business courses, B grades in Maths, English and Science for Primary teaching courses Very competitive courses, for example Medicine and Oxbridge, need a high number of A* grades at GCSE, at least 3 A grades at AS and one or more A* grades predicted at A2 Very competitive courses, for example Medicine and Oxbridge, need a high number of A* grades at GCSE, at least 3 A grades at AS and one or more A* grades predicted at A2

18. Support at Northgate Careers Department, Mrs Gray, Post 16 Adviser Mrs Smith, Careers Adviser Mrs Young Tutors Sixth form team Subject teachers Head of Sixth Form, Mr Elmy Deputy Head, Mr Trench

19. Student Life Mr Alexander – Assistant Head of Sixth Form Josh Hardman – Ex Northgate Student, first year student at LSE London reading Government and Politics

21. My Mum Said….. Finance Finance Accommodation- Halls, Flats and Houses Accommodation- Halls, Flats and Houses Emotion Emotion Preparation Preparation Keep their room as it is Keep their room as it is Washing Washing

22. Workload Not 9-5 Not 9-5 Independent study Independent study Range of lectures, seminars, tutorials, lab time Range of lectures, seminars, tutorials, lab time Different assessment methods Different assessment methods

23. Life Skills Independence Independence Ability to manage money Ability to manage money Cooking, cleaning, washing? Cooking, cleaning, washing?

24. Social Life Meet lots of new people Meet lots of new people Students’ Union - represents students Students’ Union - represents students Students’ Union also runs all of the clubs and societies Students’ Union also runs all of the clubs and societies Sports Sports Part Time Job? Part Time Job?

25. Student Support University Student Support teams offer a range of information, advice and guidance services including: University Student Support teams offer a range of information, advice and guidance services including: Accommodation Accommodation Finance Finance Counselling Counselling Careers Guidance Careers Guidance Disability Support Disability Support Health and Wellbeing Health and Wellbeing

26. Josh Hardman What did you study at Northgate? What did you study at Northgate? What and where do you study now? What and where do you study now? How have you enjoyed being a student? How have you enjoyed being a student? What has been difficult? Any initial problems? What has been difficult? Any initial problems? What do you wish you had known then that you know now? What do you wish you had known then that you know now? How has the experience been for your parents? How has the experience been for your parents?

27. Student Finance Janine Brownell Outreach Officer University Campus Suffolk

28. Expenses at university fall broadly into two categories: Tuition costs –Access to lecturers and academics –Library and IT facilities –Lab and practical activities and facilities –Does not usually cover fieldtrips Living costs –Accommodation and food –Travel –Course books and stationery Overview

29. Tuition Fees: 2015 Entry Universities can charge up to £9000 per year if they meet criteria on access UCS fees: £9000 BA/BSc £8000 Foundation degrees Students can take a non-means tested tuition fee loan Tuition fee loans are paid directly to the University from the Student Loans Company Loans are repaid from the April after graduation, over 30 years Some courses are funded by the NHS

30. Living Costs: Maintenance Loans Most students take a maintenance loan to help with living costs Maximum maintenance loans for students starting University in 2015: Student living at home: £4565 Student living away from home: £5740 Student living away from home and in London: £8009 Students have to apply for the maintenance loan and grant, and tuition fee loan each year of study All students are entitled to 65% of the loan. The remaining 35% is means-tested

31. Living Costs: Maintenance Grants The Maintenance Grant is a non-repayable means- tested grant to help with living costs. It is paid for each year of study. Students must apply EVERY year. Household IncomeMaintenance Grant Up to £25,000Full grant: £3387 £30,000£2439 £35,000£1491 £40,000£545 £42,620£50 More than £42,620No grant

32. Total Support 2015 Entry Household Income Maintenance LoanMaintenance Grant Total HomeAwayHomeAway <£25,000£2816£3990£3387£6203£7377 £30,000£3304£4479£2441£5745£6920 £35,000£3793£4968£1494£5287£6462 £40,000£4283£5458£547£4830£6005 £42,620£4539£5714£50£4589£5764 £42,621£4565£5740£0£4565£5740 £45,000£4344£5464£0£4344£5464 £50,000£3822£4997£0£3822£4997 £55,000£3300£4431£0£3300£4431 £60,000£2950£3953£0£2950£3953 Over £62,132 £2950£3731£0£2950£3731 All students are also entitled to a tuition fee loan

33. Total Support 2015 Entry Household Income Maintenance LoanMaintenance Grant Total HomeAwayHomeAway <£25,000£2816£3990£3387£6203£7377 £30,000£3304£4479£2441£5745£6920 £35,000£3793£4968£1494£5287£6462 £40,000£4283£5458£547£4830£6005 £42,620£4539£5714£50£4589£5764 £42,621£4565£5740£0£4565£5740 £45,000£4344£5464£0£4344£5464 £50,000£3822£4997£0£3822£4997 £55,000£3300£4431£0£3300£4431 £60,000£2950£3953£0£2950£3953 Over £62,132 £2950£3731£0£2950£3731 All students are also entitled to a tuition fee loan

34. NHS Funded Courses The NHS will pay the tuition fees for some courses, and provide a means-tested bursary. These courses are: Dental Hygiene Nursing and Midwifery Physiotherapy Radiography/Radiotherapy Speech and Language Therapy Maintenance loan maximum of £2324 per year for NHS students living away from home Social Work students pay tuition fees but can also access a bursary from the NHS

35. Support for NHS students Household income Bursary Home (£) Bursary Away (£) Below £25,0003,6914,455 £30,0003,1643,928 £35,0002,6383,402 £40,0002,1122,876 £45,0001,5852,349 £50,0001,0591,823 £55,0001,0001,297 £60,000+1,000

36. Other Support Disabled Students’ Allowance: Currently under review. Further guidance due this month. - specialist equipment, e.g. a computer if you need one because of a disability - non-medical helpers - extra travel because of your disability - other disability-related costs of studying Childcare Grant: Based on household income, and grant is calculated as 85% of actual childcare costs. Adult Dependent’s Grant: For students with an adult member of the family who is financially dependent on them Access to Learning Fund: Administered by individual universities

37. How to Apply Students apply online via Student Finance England Applications are normally available from December The information you provide will be used to assess the means-tested support Apply each year If you do not want to provide all the information requested, students will be assessed for the minimum support: tuition fee loan and 65% of the maintenance loan Students will not be assessed for the maintenance grant

38. Repayment of Loans Tuition fee loans and maintenance loans are combined into a single monthly payment Graduates start repaying the loans from the April after graduation, but only if they are earning over £21,000 per year The repayment is 9% of earnings above £21,000 and payments are taken directly from the salary via the tax system. Any remaining loan is written-off after 30 years Annual SalaryMonthly salary after tax*Monthly Repayments £21,000£12250 £23,000£1342£15 £25,000£1458£30 £30,000£1750£67.50 * Tax/NI is calculated as 30% of earnings above £6000

39. Interest Rates Interest rates will be applied to the loans: While studying: RPI + 3% After graduation, salary up to £21,000: RPI Salary of £21,000 - £42,000: RPI + up to 3% Salary of >£42,000: RPI + 3% No early repayment charge Repayments (and interest) change with individual circumstances

40. Other Sources of Income Part-time and vacation jobs Bursaries and scholarships Access to Learning Fund Savings Overdraft* Credit card* Supplementary grants * Not recommended!

41. Student Finance at UCS Tuition fees for 2015 entry: £9000 per year BSc/BA degrees £8000 per year FdA degrees Fee-waivers and Bursaries: UCS Bursary: For students who meet eligibility criteria £1000 in year 1, and £500 in years 2&3 Suffolk Access Champion Scheme: Bursary of £2000 for 40hrs of mentoring in a Suffolk high school Care Leavers Bursary: Students who live, or have lived, in local authority care will be eligible to apply for a bursary of £500 for each year UCS Sports Scholarship: up to £1000 for students performing at a high level in sport

42. Is It Worth It? Debt of up to £40,000. Is it worth it? Graduates earn an average of £220,000 more in their lifetime than non-graduates Average starting salary for graduates: £21,000 Average starting salary non-graduates: £11,000 Graduates: Greater career flexibility (changing jobs) Less likely to be unemployed – and would spend less time unemployed A degree opens the door to a wide range of employment opportunities BUT: Students have to take opportunities at university to expand their experience and skills and to make themselves more employable

43. Any Questions? Contact us: schools@ucs.ac.uk www.ucs.ac.uk Open Events: Saturday 18 April 2015, 10.30am - 2.30pm Saturday 11 July 2015, 10.30am - 2.30pm

44. To Sum Up “This year’s graduates can be confident that there are more opportunities available and that they can expect better job prospects than the previous cohort as the economy strengthens” Charlie Ball - Head of HE intelligence Prospects