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St Wilfrid’s Sixth Form ‘Applying for Higher Education’ - An Introduction Progression Module All students in Y12 have made a start on their research as part of the Progression Module. This gives them an opportunity to research their chosen career and university pathways. Tonight An overview of the UCAS process 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Introduction and outline Useful sources of information Deciding what to study Deciding where to study Financial Issues The application process Questions and refreshments Higher Education – An Introduction With over 50,000 courses to choose from there are many important considerations. These include: What course should I do? Where should I go? Where should I live? How much will it cost? Can I afford to go? Can I afford not to go? Whether you are the first in your family to go or the next in a long line of university students, without support the process would be daunting. That’s why we are here. Benefits of Higher Education …. Career options will be enhanced by having a degree. On the whole graduates earn more than non graduates. Unemployment is lower among graduates. The range of jobs available at 18 has reduced You may have a more fulfilling job with a degree. Higher education is a requirement for many jobs. Enormous academic and social opportunities are available. However … Success in your studies is not guaranteed. A ‘graduate job’ is not guaranteed. Loans will have to be repaid. It is expensive and it will be some time before you earn a regular wage. Important Dates Summer 2014 – Research, Open Day Visits Oxbridge, Medicine/Vets/Dentists – 15th October 2014 St Wilfrid’s UCAS deadline – December 2014 August 2015 – Results September 2015 – Off they go! Apply as early as you can ‘The benefits of an early application are substantial, many courses are oversubscribed and fill up quickly’ The UCAS Tariff – Simplified Key Information Universities usually make offers to students in two ways 1. In terms of A2 grades e.g. B, B, B 2. In terms of points e.g. 300 points. A Levels A2 A* = 140 AS A = 60 A = 120 B = 50 B = 100 C = 80 C = 40 D = 60 D = 30 E = 40 E = 20 BTEC National Diploma D*D* = 280 DD = 240 DM = 220 MM = 200 MP = 160 PP = 120 The UCAS Tariff – Some Complications Some courses ask for a mixture of grades and points. For example: 1. 2. 3. 280 points from 3 A Levels including a B in a certain subject. (this is a most favoured type of offer from many universities) 240 points including a C in a certain subject 240 points The first offer precludes students who are doing 2 A2 and 2 AS. This is why our transition policy into year 13 is that all students must carry on with 3 A2 subjects. The second offer allows you to mix and match as long as you have a good A2 grade in the subject you wish to study. The third accepts any combination of points UCAS TARIFF A Levels A2 A* = 140 A = 120 B = 100 C = 80 D = 60 AS A = 60 B = 50 C = 40 D = 30 E = 20 E = 40 BTEC National Diploma (Double Btec) DD = 240 DM = 200 MM = 160 MP = 120 PP = 80 The UCAS Tariff – The Reality ‘Look for universities and courses that match your needs and are in your target range of grades. You need to set yourself challenging but realistic goals.’ Research - The Important Questions Students and their families need to ask themselves some serious questions as they begin their Higher Education research …… - Why am I interested in Higher Education? What subject areas interest me? Do I want a course that will lead to a specific career? What qualifications will I gain? Do I want to take a year out and defer my entry? Do I have strong preferences about where I study? Location? Distance from home? Campus? City based? - What financial help may I be eligible for? ‘The key to success is careful research’ Useful Sources of Information The UCAS Site – Vital! The UCAS Site - What is it? This should be the main thing that you use. Everything you need is found on or links to the UCAS website. 1. Outlines the whole process 2. UCAS Tariffs 3. Useful Publications 4. Course search This lets students look at subjects, specific universities and entry requirements. It also links to each university for information about things like accommodation and course fees. 5. Making the actual application Other useful sources of information 1. Careers / Library 2. Higher Education Fairs 3. Staff / Parents / Friends 4. Other websites e.g. www.ukcoursefinder.com 5. Education supplements (Times,Guardian) 6. Open Days Deciding what to study Choosing my level of study 1. Honours degrees Three or four years full time 2. A Foundation Degree Two years course (sometimes employer related). Lower entry requirements.Allows the opportunity to progress to an honours degree. Deciding what to study Which type of degree? Full Time (Academic or Vocational) Sandwich (A year in Industry) Joint/Combined (Two subjects) Distance Learning (The Open University) Deferred Entry (Apply for the year after) Study Abroad (A year in America or Europe) Which subject do you want to study? Deciding where to study Entry requirements? Use the UCAS site. Don't apply for a course where the grades are too high Decide what is important to you Reputation? Accommodation? Location? Large city or small campus university? Home or away? Look for universities that match your criteria and go and have a look … Open Days www.opendays.com Useful website that sets out all UK university open days in calendar format. Open Days ‘Most students agree that Open Days allow them to make an instinctive decision – if the place feels right they will probably apply’ Have a good look at the facilities …. The library The halls of residence Sports facilities Student union and bar The laundry room (!) Areas for Investigation … The course How is it taught and assessed? (Lectures, tutorials,placements, exams or coursework) Accommodation Is the university or college based on one site? What is the accommodation like? What is the cost of the accommodation? How far away is the accommodation from lecture halls, sports facilities, shops etc? Can all first year students be accommodated? Facilities What are the lecture halls and libraries like? What are the computing and sporting facilities like? What social facilities are available? What is the student nightlife like? Personal How many students are there? What support services are there? How safe is the town/city I’ve decided to apply to? How much will it cost? UCAS application fee is £23 Your two main expenses will be: 1. Tuition fees (Up to £9000 per year) 2. Living costs (food, accommodation, going out) How much you pay will depend on which university you attend and what course you choose to study. Student Finance Explained http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/student-finance Student Loans Maintenance Loan This covers living expenses such as food, accommodation, travel, social life etc. Please refer to the ready reckoner sheet to be able to work out the loan available to your son or daughter. Tuition Fees Loan Loan amount up to the value of the fees. Maximum fees charged £9000 Both loans attract low rates of interest and repayment does not begin until you earn over £21,000. www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/student-finance Grants and Awards Maintenance Grants Up to £3,387 for those with a family income of less than £25,000 and a proportion of this up to £42,620 Bursaries Extra funding awarded by universities to individual students. Eligibility is linked to a variety of criteria, depending on the university, the course studied etc Sponsorship Army/RAF/Navy and some businesses offer sponsorships to support students through university www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance Student living away from home Household Income Living Cost Grant Living Cost Loan Total £25,000 or less £3,387 £3,862 £7,249 £30,000 £2,441 £4,335 £6,776 £35,000 £1,494 £4,808 £6,302 £40,000 £547 £5,282 £5,829 £42,620 £50 £5,530 £5,580 £45,000 £0 £5,341 £5,341 £50,000 £0 £4,836 £4,836 £55,000 £0 £4,331 £4,331 £62,125 £0 £3,610 £3,610 Repayment of Student Loans. If you start your 3 year degree course in September 2015 then you would start paying back your loan in 2018 (after 3 year degree course) if your salary is more than £21,000. If you never earn a salary over £21,000 then after 30 years the loan is written off. If you become unemployed or your salary drops under £21,000 then your repayments stop. Any outstanding loan balance is written off after 30 years. The amount you pay back will be 9% of your salary that is above £21,000. Salary Amount of Monthly repayments salary from which 9% will be deducted £25,000 £30,000 £35,000 £40,000 £45,000 £50,000 £55,000 £60,000 £4,000 £9,000 £14,000 £19,000 £24,000 £29,000 £34,000 £39,000 £30.00 £67.50 £105.00 £142.50 £180.00 £217.50 £255.00 £292.50 Applying Online – The UCAS Website 1. Research (Now) 2. Choices, Personal Statement and References (Sept-Dec) 5. Offers (Jan-May) 6. UCAS Extra 7. Results Day 8. Clearing/Adjustment 9.Off to University Your Choices You have a maximum of FIVE choices. For applications to Oxford or Cambridge as well as Dentistry, Medicine and Veterinary Science the deadline is 15th October. If you are applying to Oxford or Cambridge you must also fill in the their own application form. There is also a small additional application fee. You may also need to complete a pre-entry test. When making your choices it is advisable to select one or two courses with lower entry requirements and keep one of these as your insurance offer. Pre-Entry Tests - Explained 1. Applying for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science UKCAT – UK Clinical Aptitude Test is required at certain Universities BMAT – Biomedical Admissions Test is required for Oxford and Cambridge. The entry deadline is September 2. Applying for Law Some institutions require a pre entry test before considerations. LNAT – National Admissions Test for Law www.bmat.org.uk www.ukcat.ac.uk www.lnat.ac.uk 3. Oxford and Cambridge have pre-entry tests for other subjects and some other institutions have also moved to pre-entry testing e.g. Russell Group universities. Personal Statement Examples of things to include: Why that course/university? It is vital you convey your interest in the subject. Skills developed in post 16 studies Jobs or work experience you have had, (vital in areas like medicine and teaching) Out of school activities and voluntary work Your social, sports or leisure interests Don’t just list what you have done but explain what skills you have developed and what you have learned from your experiences. ‘Take your time to complete your personal statement, it is absolutely vital to your application and will take many drafts to get right’ Offers and Interviews Institutions can choose to invite you for interview/audition, offer you a place or reject you. You will be able to accept a maximum of two offers. Decide which is your first choice and keep it as your firm acceptance. Decide which is your second choice and this will be your insurance offer. (Remember the earlier advice on lower grades). You are then committed to these courses and if you meet the conditions will not be able to go elsewhere. Choose carefully! Tracking The Process UCAS Extra - Further choices you can make if you are rejected by all five institutions. Results Day - Make sure that you are at home and come into school. Most students will receive good news but others will need assistance to help get a place through clearing. Clearing – If you don’t get the grades you need you may be able to find another university through clearing. Adjustment – If you achieve better than expected grades you may be able to apply to a different university through adjustment. What we will be doing to help • • • • • • UCAS Evening Higher Education Fair Cambridge Trip PSE sessions Mock University Interviews Support throughout the whole process from all members of the 6th form team, including your form tutor, who will write your UCAS reference. Parents -What you can do • Take an interest, encourage your children • Go to open days with them, be involved • Be aware of deadlines, give them a push when needed… • Drive them to university on their first day! Questions and Advice If you have any questions or need further advice then you can contact Head of Year 13, Catherine Smith, at any time during the UCAS process. Telephone: 01977 691000 ext 112 Email: [email protected]