A Parents Guide to University

Transcription

1 A Parents Guide to University

2 WHAT WILL I COVER? Choosing a university The UCAS application process Student finance Top tips for success

3 THE DIFFICULT CHOICE Universities to choose from Over 37,000 courses Up to 5 on a UCAS form Only 1 they will study

4 Find out more Uni prospectus, websites & course information Independent guides Careers Advisors Open Days

5 STUDY OPTIONS Career specific training Traditional subjects New subjects: International Football Business Management, Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture, Make-up Artistry and Special Effects

6 WHAT SHOULD THEY STUDY? Do they know what they want to do - is there a clear career path? Where could their studies lead? What are they good at? Is the course what they think it is? Something they can do for the next 3+ years Something they enjoy!!! Be realistic about grades

7 WHERE SHOULD THEY STUDY? Home or away? Cost of living Large city or small town/rural area? University/campus location Academic and social facilities

8 THE APPLICATION PROCESS UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service) Online application process Full-time applications for up to 5 courses

9 WHEN DO THEY APPLY Sept Oct Jan June Sept UCAS opens Early deadline 15 Oct Oxford & Cambridge Applications for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science Normal application deadline 15 Jan UCAS closes clearing opens Clearing closes

10 SUMMARY OF TIME FRAME June July Sept Oct Jan March June Sept Oct Research courses and university options First draft of personal statement UCAS opens register Re-draft personal statement Narrow down options to 5 choices 15 October deadlines 15 January application deadline UCAS Extra opens UCAS closes clearing opens Clearing closes Enrol at university and start course

11 The Application Style and appearance: It is a formal application 4,000 characters and 47 lines Paragraphs are important! Spelling, grammar and punctuation should be perfect!

12 The Application Content: Commitment, interest and enthusiasm! Analytical and reflective, not merely descriptive Relevant (and transferable) skills and abilities Work experience Understanding of the course applied for! Rough rule of thumb - 75% academic (3000 characters/35 lines) - 25% personal (1000 characters/12 lines)

13 The Application Examples of activities/experiences to include: Duke of Edinburgh s Award (Leadership, commitment, teamwork) Young Enterprise (Management, workload balance, imagination) Volunteering and community engagement (Drive, communication, passion) Part time work (Workload balance, reliability, enthusiasm)

14 Is the Personal Statement really that important? Along with your Tutor s reference, it forms the basis for Making you an offer Being selected for interview Asking questions at the interview

15 What admissions tutors are looking for: Independent study skills Self-awareness Motivation and commitment An understanding of the course Good numeracy and literacy Essay writing Research skills Time management skills Enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus

16 What happens next? A few weeks after applying: Invite for interview / audition Conditional Offer Unconditional Offer Rejection Invitation to departmental open day / applicant day

17 WHAT IF.. They do not get any offers? UCAS Extra They do not get the grades for their firm or insurance option? Clearing

18 How will I pay for it all?

19 Tuition Fees Full-time, undergraduate courses commencing after 1st September 2012, universities can charge up to 9,000 If universities charge more than 6,000 enable students from all income groups to access their courses

20 Tuition Fee Loan Cover the full amount up to 9,000 Paid directly to the university Non-income assessed Designed to prevent an up-front cost to higher education Places the cost on the person benefitting from the degree, not their family

21 Maintenance Loan what is available? Total Living with parents: Up to 4,565 Not living with parents: Studying in London Up to 8,009 Studying outside London Up to 5,740 Studying Overseas Up to 6,820 21

22 Maintenance Grants The grant is paid into your bank account at the start of term. You don t have to pay the grant back, but any grant you get will reduce the Maintenance Loan you can get. As this IS means tested visit: to see how much you will be entitled to.

23 Household Income Grant for Courses from Sept ,000 or less 3,387 30,000 2,441 35,000 1,494 40, , Over 42,620 No grant

24 Repayment Only when earnings are over 21,000 a year Calculated as 9% of earnings over this amount Start from April after graduation Any remaining loan will be written off after 30 years 24

25 Repayment Income (pre tax) Approximate Monthly Repayment 21, , , , , ,

26 Applying for Student Finance Open in January and close in late May Register using UCAS number Complete an online application form Send evidence about identity and household income as requested Receive a declaration stating how much you will be entitled to Sign this declaration and return it as quickly as possible Students are strongly urged to apply before the closing date to ensure they receive their funding on time Students put their first choice University on their application form, can be changed at a later date

27 Goldsmiths Awards For 10 high-achieving applicants from the Lewisham Borough 9,000 merit-awarded fee-waiver Automatically enrolled on the Gold Award for skills development Automatically enrolled as a Student Ambassador for paid employment with Goldsmiths For students from low-participation neighbourhoods and with a household income of below 50,000 1,000 award For students with a household income of below 50,000 and from the following boroughs; Lewisham, Southwark, Greenwich, Lambeth, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Newham 750 award as a fee-waiver or cash bursary For all students from England with a household income of below 50, award For 10 students over the age of 25 with a high record of academic achievement 3,000 award For 4 students with a disability 4,500 award as a fee-waiver or cash bursary For 5 students who are care-leavers 4,000 award as a fee-waiver, a cash bursary or in-kind services (accommodation etc)

28 THANKYOU Questions? Good Luck