1. Applications, Admissions and Finance Amy Wigham Education Liaison Officer @UniofReading | www.reading.ac.uk

2. Why go to University? You need a degree for some jobs Study something you enjoy Better career prospects and earning potential Transferable skills Social opportunities Meet new people Develop confidence and independence 2

3. What can you study? Traditional subjects- English Literature, Maths, Geography Vocational-Teaching, Pharmacy, Social Work Unusual courses- Theatre Arts, Education and Deaf Studies, Meteorology, International Football Management Combined Courses – Music and Maths, Management and French 3

4. Remember every course is different... Course requirements Course content Accreditations Number of contact hours Student/staff ratios Assessment – exams/ coursework 4 Support available Opportunity for work placements Study abroad Teaching facilities- labs, lecture theatres, computer rooms etc.

5. How to choose a university 5 Type of university City Campus based Large or small Reputation (university & subject rankings) Location Travel time and cost Living costs Type of area Range of facilities Course based Accommodation Sports Social facilities

6. How to choose? Prospectuses and subject brochures Websites University guides and websites (Times, Guardian, Unistats, The Student Room, Complete University Guide) 6

7. Open Days and campus tours Check dates and if you have to book Make a plan for the day Visit your Department of interest first Decide on your other priorities: accommodation, sport, social facilities Ask lots of questions 7 Does it feel right???

8. 8 The admission procedure UCAS is a central clearing house Online application 5 choices - Invisibility of choice Consistent and Realistic choices References Decisions are made by universities Post application visit days Interviews vary between institutions

9. 9 When do I apply? September 2013 Applications for 2014 entry begin 15 October 2013 Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, Dentistry, Medicine and Vet Science 15 January 2014 Closing date for 2014 applications. End March 2014 Majority of decisions made Early May 2014 Deadline for applicants to make replies to offers

10. 10 What do Universities look for? Motivation Commitment Experience Knowledge Technical Skill Inter-personal Skills Academic potential Enthusiasm Dedication Tenacity Intellect Aspirations

11. 11 What could be included? Why you are interested in the subject Details of your key skills Any work experience Other achievements Your future plans Tasters and Masterclasses Any sponsorship/placements you have applied for If you taking a year out, your reasons why Your social, sports or leisure interests Applying to university

12. 12 Student Finance Tuition Fees for 2013 Entry Full-time UK/EU undergraduates will be charged a tuition fee up to £9,000 for 2013/14 This tuition fee will not have to be paid upfront if students take out a non- income assessed tuition fee loan from Student Finance England Tuition fee loans Paid directly to the University Repayment until after graduation when the graduate is earning more than £21,000 Maintenance Loans Dependent on place of study and where student will be living All loans have a variable interest of RPI plus up to 3% Maintenance Grants and grants available to help students with disabilities or dependents (non repayable) University bursaries and scholarships (non repayable)

13. Maintenance Loan: UK students Everyone is entitled to a loan to cover living costs. 35% of the maximum loan amount students receive depends on their parental/household income. Repayments start after the student is earning over £21, 000. Where you plan to live/studyMax. Amount of loan Elsewhere (inc. University of Reading) £5, 500 ( min. £3,575 ) London£7,675 Parental£4,375

14. What about repayment? www.studentloanrepayment.co.uk www.studentloanrepayment.co.uk Repayments start the April after they leave/graduate after the student is earning over £21,000 pa (£1,750 per month) gross Any loans ( tuition and living cost) combined for one single monthly repayment taken out of their salary. They repay 9% of what they earn above £21,000 Repayments are collected by HMRC A student loan is very unlikely to affect a students ability to get a mortgage (The Council for Mortgage Lenders) Outstanding balances are written off after 30 years No penalties for early repayment

15. Loan Repayment Comparison Income each year before taxApproximate monthly repayment £18,000 £0 £21,000 £0 £24,000 £23 £27,000 £45 £30,000 £68 £40,000 £143

16. 16 Student Finance Maintenance Grants for 2013 Receive no grant £42, 611 income and over: Receive full grant c.£25,000 income and below: Receive some grant Between c.£25,001 and c.£42,611 Sliding scale will be: Extra help with living costs for some students Maximum non repayable grant in 2013 will be £3,354

17. 17 The Paperwork! They can estimate how much support they can get online: www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator Start research early. Application is online via Student Finance England ( or paper PN1 form). Apply from early www.gov.uk/student-finance. Applications being accepted nowwww.gov.uk/student-finance Deadline for application to ensure that loans are received by the beginning of the course is 31 st May 2013 Do not wait until they have a confirmed place – students can always amend their finance application later on via ‘My Account’ Send in any evidence we request straight away recorded delivery Make sure you ‘consent to share’ your information. Otherwise, your university may not be able to make its own assessments for financial support.

18. 18 Student Spending Accommodation Bills ( not in halls) Toiletries Laundry Phones Stationery/photocopying Transport/travel (local) Food Sports/societies Socialising £70 - £170 £30 £5 -£10 £10 £2-£5 £10 £30+ £10 - upwards £25 - upwards Total Approx £255+ (30 weeks=£7650) Student spend will vary depending on course, location and spending habits of the individual ( full loan Elsewhere £5, 500)

19. 19 Sponsorship Part-time work Term-time (recommended maximum - 16 hours per week!!) Vacation Professional placement Parents Campus banks Student Finance Other sources of income Scholarships / bursaries – all Universities will have different packages

20. 20 University of Reading Universities charging over £6,000 must participate by providing matched funding to support students from with a household income of less than £25,000 National Scholarship Programme Music Scholarships & Sports Scholarships (Up to £800 towards specialist music tuition & awards of up to £2,000 towards sports membership ) Pre – entry travel bursaries - Return travel to Visit Day or Interview. HEFCE- defined UK areas of low participation in HE Pre-Application Bursary - UK students with a disability Access to Learning Fund (Hardship Fund) Awards (usually non-repayable) can help with emergency expenditure or unexpected shortfalls in living costs Hardship Fund A University fund for enrolled EU and overseas students

21. 21 How to save money Buy used textbooks Apply for relevant scholarships/bursaries Self-catered rooms/ Avoid en-suite/double rooms Use bike as transportation Book any travel early with discount Buy non-branded products Choose best mobile phone plan Avoid gym membership Go to “University Nights” rather than town Shop around for discounts

22. 22 Conclusions Investment in your education and your future University can be expensive but rewarding It’s all about proper budgeting and time management Write a budget and stick to it! Get a job (income + skills) Enjoy your time at University Apply early for finance.

23. 23 Further Information Useful Websites www.gov.uk/student-finance www.studentfinanceengland.co.uk/ www.thestudentroom.co.uk/ ( finance and university choices) www.ucas.co.uk www.reading.ac.uk/studentfinance twitter.com/sf_england facebook.com/SFEngland

24. Any Questions Come visit us ! Open days Saturday 21 st September Saturday 26 th October Wednesday afternoon campus tours Email: student.recruitment@reading.ac.uk @UniofReading | www.reading.ac.uk