The Parents Guide to Higher Education Nicola Wilberforce Director - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Parents’ Guide to Higher Education

Nicola Wilberforce Director of Progression Guidance

The University Application Process

• HE in the UK 2019-20
• How to apply to university
• The Esher College system
• How we can help
• How to choose a university
• Finance

The current HE climate

• Number of 18 year olds is decreasing until 2020
• After 2023 numbers will increase again
• Buyer’s market for next few years
• Competition for places at top universities remains as hard as ever
• Jan 2019: Applications were down 0.6% but acceptances increased by 0.4%
• High proportion of cohort going to university - 33% of all UK 18 year olds entered

HE in the last round (2018 start)

• Augar review of post-18 education and funding?

Why Go To Uni?

• Desire to continue studying
• Better career prospects
• Increase potential earnings
• Benefit the wider community
• Social and cultural reasons
• More independence, self-confidence and responsibility
• Personal challenge
• Broadens interests and knowledge
• It can be immense fun!

The application process

• Apply online through UCAS which is the central administrating organisation
• Students choose up to 5 courses, usually at 5 different universities
• No preferences expressed – choices are listed alphabetically
• Invisibility of choice – unis can’t see where else you have applied
• UCAS form submitted by the student in the Autumn term to our part of the UCAS server
• Form is then downloaded by Esher College from UCAS server
• We check that grades are accurate, add the reference then send to UCAS who send on
• Universities make an offer or reject – ongoing until May
• ‘First come, first served’ at some universities
• Can apply for deferred entry if you intend to have Gap year

The application process

• University stipulates grades or number of UCAS tariff points that must be achieved
• Student accepts a Conditional Firm offer and usually a lower Conditional Insurance offer

and rejects the others, by May

• Unconditional offers – don’t stop working, as you still have to list your grades!
• Results issued in mid August when offers are confirmed
• If student meets CF they must go to their firm choice university
• If student misses CF but meets CI they must go to their insurance choice university
• You cannot enter clearing unless released by your CF or CI
• Students do not need to have an insurance choice

The application process

• If a student receives 5 rejections they can apply through UCAS Extra until they are

successful

• If they miss both offers they can apply for a place through Clearing if places available
• Students can apply ‘Direct to clearing’ on results day, if places available
• Students can also withdraw and re-apply the following year for other courses or places
• If students do much better than expected they can ‘apply up’ after results day through

Adjustment

Step 1 – Choosing your course and university

• Unifrog is our main research tool
• Unifrog was launched to students in PDP last month
• Unifrog parent form code: esherparents

Other sources of information include

• UCAS itself
• Which?University
• Whatuni
• Unistats (uses data from National Student Survey)
• The Complete University Guide

Unifrog combines information from many sources to compile its databank.

UCAS

• An invaluable source of information, as well as the method by which applications are made

Step 2 - Making the Application: July 2019

• nwards

Apply is the UCAS online application system Started on After Esher Day (4th July) – please wait! Linked to Esher College using a unique ‘buzzword’ Every applicant has six sections to complete:

• Personal details
• Student finance (UK and EU only)
• Choices
• Education
• Employment
• Personal statement

Choices

• 5 choices – except for medicine and vets (4 +1)
• Cannot change your mind once form is submitted
• Current advice: 2 aspirational, 2 solid and 1 safe
• Students are responsible for entering their own courses, institutions and entry

requirements

• Subjects and institutions vary – research is essential
• Mistakes delay the form – please follow instructions exactly
• A rushed form full of mistakes takes longer to process than a correct form
• Parental checking can be useful!

Supported by ..........

• A personal statement
• Only 1 personal statement no matter how many different courses you apply for
• You cannot change it later!
• Statement is 3800 characters maximum, including spaces (approx. 47 lines)
• Student must ‘sell’ themselves – what skills make them better than the next

person who has the same excellent qualifications?

• At least 75% academic and super-curricular; other activities must evidence

relevant skills

• Use Unifrog to draft and receive feedback

Personal statements

But beware

Plagiarism software will check for ‘template’ answers.

Esher College Dates and Deadlines

• Forms must be without mistakes before processing guarantee is implemented
• Medicine, veterinary school, dentistry and Oxbridge - Monday 23rd September
• Competitive applications ‘10 day turn around’ - Monday 7th October 2019
• General deadline - Monday 11th November 2019 – to UCAS by end of term
• Final deadline - Monday 25th November 2019 – to UCAS by 15th Jan 2020
• Lots of checking of the form necessary
• nearly 750 forms sent so far in this cycle
• Most universities will accept late forms but are not obliged to consider them

Step 3 - How do the universities choose?

◼

Universities and colleges will review everything:

◼

Personal statement

◼

Reference and extenuating circumstances

◼

Qualifications and context

◼

Admissions test results

◼

Interviews

◼

Portfolios

◼

Auditions

How do the universities choose?

University of Bristol “as entry is competitive, predicted grades which match or are higher than those required will not necessarily guarantee an interview or offer”

Accepting offers (UCAS track)

• Compare progress and predicted grades with the course requirements
• Wait until all universities have responded
• Never choose somewhere you haven’t visited
• Be sure you want to go there, especially the insurance university
• You do not have to have an insurance offer
• Final decisions must be made by May – it’s a contract

Help is available!

• U
• The yellow Parents’ Information Sheet –uploaded to parents > events area of College

website so weblinks are active

• Personal Statement Booklet
• ‘Higher Education’ and ‘After Esher’ Days
• Tutors and extensive PDP programme
• Progression Guidance Staff

Oxbridge applications

• Shaista Moghul - Oxbridge coordinator
• Presentation on the evening of HE day on applying to Oxbridge
• Encouragement of potential students already taking place
• Conference at Epsom Racecourse
• Open Days in July
• Early deadline, tests, interviews etc
• Typical GCSE profile 8 x grades 7-9s
• Typical A level offer A*AA

Art / Art Foundation Applications

• James Leonard - Art Foundation Coordinator
• Individual applications to each art college separately
• Foundation course - a one year diagnostic pre-degree course
• Separate system to UCAS and students may apply to both
• No tuition fees for students under 19 at start of course
• Portfolio progression pathway or creative EPQ

Higher Education Day Tuesday 19th March

Morning – Subject Seminars Researching your options with Unifrog “What’s it like to be a student?” Afternoon - 4 sessions Tour of the HE fair Over 90 HE institutions represented – 50 of our top 55! “How to choose” Evening: 6 – 8 pm HE fair for students and parents, including further talks

After Esher Day Thursday 4th July 2019

Register with UCAS Master Class on Personal Statement CragRats company mock assessment cantre Psychometric testing and competency questions Interview and presentation techniques Motivational talk from an Esher College alumnus Using Unifrog Apprenticeship and Employment option University option

And Finally………….

• Thursday 13th August 2020 – Results Day
• Please don’t be away on holiday!
• College staff available on the Thursday and Friday for assistance with Clearing

Welcome to Newcastle University London

Choosing the Right Course and University

Laura McMorran, Senior Graduate Ambassador Laura.mcmorran@newcastle.ac.uk

Igniting Connections

Academic Excellence meets location

• A World Top 1% Russell Group University with a campus in central

London, on the edge of the business district

Inspiration meets industry

• An industry immersive education, offering masterclasses, work

placements, real life projects and more to help you develop the skills that top employers demand

A Small Campus meets a big city

• A personal education and a supportive student community, connecting

you to the greatest city in the world

London is the best student city in the world!

1

st

QS Best Student Cities, 2018

• Choosing a degree
• Types of courses
• School vs University
• Where to study
• Our top tips
• Further information

Choosing the Right Course and Right University

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a Degree

• What do you enjoy?
• What are you good at?
• Is it an accredited course?
• Do you have specific career plans?
• Can you meet the grade requirements?

Some Familiar Courses

English Literature Chemistry Modern History Civil Engineering Veterinary Science Biology

Less Familiar Courses

International Hotel Management Brewing and Distilling Town Planning Food and Human Nutrition Agriculture Pharmacology

Types of Courses

Types of Courses

• Academic study with work

based learning Foundation

• Degree focuses on a single

subject Single

• Study up to three subjects for

your degree Combined

• Two subjects studied equally

Joint Honours

• Two subjects, one more in-

depth than the other Major / Minor

• Placement / internship

between 2nd and 3rd year Sandwich

Combined Honours

Archaeology Business Chinese Classics Education English Linguistics English Literature Film Studies/Documentary Practice French Geography German History History of Art Japanese Media and Communication Music Philosophy Politics Portuguese Sociology Spanish and Latin American Studies

Combined Honours

Archaeology Business Chinese Classics Education English Linguistics English Literature Film Studies/Documentary Practice French Geography German History History of Art Japanese Media and Communication Music Philosophy Politics Portuguese Sociology Spanish and Latin American Studies

Combined Honours

Archaeology Business Chinese Classics Education English Linguistics English Literature Film Studies/Documentary Practice French Geography German History History of Art Japanese Media and Communication Music Philosophy Politics Portuguese Sociology Spanish and Latin American Studies

Undergraduate Degrees

BA Bachelor of Arts BSc Bachelor of Science LLB Bachelor of Law BEng Bachelor of Engineering

Course Structure

Stage 1 (First Year)

• Broad and structured

Stage 2 (Second Year)

• More specific and more choice

Optional Stage 3 (Third Year)

• Year abroad or work placement

Stage 3 or 4 (Final Year)

• Very specific and even more choice
• Dissertation module and ‘customised’ degree

Where to Study

Section 4

What to think about

Size and Location Scholarships Social Life Facilities, Teaching & Research

Size and Location

• Big?
• Small?

Size

• Campus- based?
• Inner-city?

Location

• Far from home?
• Close to home?

Distance

• Russell Group?
• New University?
• Specialist?

Type

Bursaries and Scholarships

• What’s on
• ffer?

What?

• Are you

eligible?

Who?

• How and

when do you apply?

How?

Facilities

Students’ Union Sports Centre Accommodation Student Services Library & Study

Social Life

Nightlife Music Attractions Societies Sport

Our Top Tips

Our Top Tips

Do your research before hand Business Management vs Business Finance, English Language vs Linguistics Even courses with the same name will be vastly different, check the course content! Follow Universities on Social Media

Top Tips

ATTEND OPEN DAYS

102 Middlesex Street, London, E1 7EZ. newcastlelondon@ncl.ac.uk +44 (0)20 7059 4400

Newcastle University London

Student Finance

Student Finance

In this part of the presentation we will be looking at:

• Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loans
• Extra Funding
• Repaying the Student Loans
• Living Costs and Accommodation

Tuition Fee Loan

What’s it for?

• It helps pay the tuition fees charged by your university or college.

How much can you get?

• Up to £9,250 to cover your tuition fees if you are studying at a publicly-funded university
• r college.
• If you're starting an Accelerated Degree course you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan of up

to £11,100. Do you have to pay it back?

• Yes, but not until you have finished your course and your income is over £25,725 a year.

Tuition Fee Loan

When Tuition Fee Loan Payment is made to your university or college How much of your Tuition Fee Loan is paid to your university or college At the start of TERM 1 25% of the tuition fee At the start of TERM 2 25% of the tuition fee At the start of TERM 3 50% of the tuition fee

The table below shows when and how much of your Tuition Fee Loan will be paid to your university or college.

Maintenance Loan

What’s it for?

• It helps with your living costs, such as rent, food, books, travel and other

expenses, while you are studying. How much can you get?

• The amount you can get depends on where you live, where you study and your

household income. Your Maintenance Loan is paid straight into your bank account, usually in three instalments, one at the start of each term. Do you have to pay it back?

• Yes, but not until you’ve finished your course and your income is over £25,725 a

year.

Maintenance Loan

Where you live and/or study Maximum Maintenance Loan Minimum Maintenance Loan

Living with your parents

£7,324 £3,224

Living away from home, studying outside London

£8,700 £4,054

Living away from home, studying in London

£11,354 £5,654

Living and studying abroad

£9,963 £4,510

• You can apply for a Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living

costs such as books and rent.

• How much you can get depends on your household income, and

where you live and study and this has to be repaid.

2018 to 2019 academic year

Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs)

What’s it for?

• Disabled Students’ Allowances help with the extra essential costs you might have

as a direct result of your disability, including a mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia or dyspraxia.

• DSAs can help with the cost of having a person to support you, items of specialist

equipment, travel and other study-related costs. It does not depend on your household income and how much you get depends on your individual needs.

Travel Grant

What is it?

• It helps with travel costs if you’re attending a clinical placement in the UK or

studying abroad as part of your course. It covers reasonable travel expenses during the academic year.

• You have to pay the first £303 of your travel costs but depending on your

household income you can claim back anything you spend over this amount.

Bursaries and Scholarships

Bursaries and Scholarships

• You may also get financial help from your university or college. Bursaries and

scholarships can help pay for living costs. It’s not always money, for example you could get a discount on accommodation. You should check your university or college website for details.

Student Finance Applications

• Each year thousands of students apply late for their finance and have no way to

pay for their course or accommodation, some even have to drop out, so please apply on time.

• Apply early, as it can take up to six weeks to process an application.
• The easiest way to apply is online at gov.uk/studentfinance
• You do not need a confirmed place at university or college to apply.
• Apply with your preferred choice, they can change details later if needed.

Student Finance Calculator

• You can get a personalised estimate online by using the student finance

calculator.

• You’ll need to provide some information about yourself, your course and your

household income.

• You can get estimates for up to five different universities, colleges or courses to

let you compare costs and work out the best choice for you financially.

• Go to: www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator

Repaying the student loans

• You do not have to repay your loan until you have finished or left your

course and your income is over £25,725 a year (before tax).

• Your employer will automatically take 9% of your income above the

threshold through the UK tax system (Pay As You Earn – PAYE). You can also make voluntary repayments at any time.

• For example, if you earn £35,000 then £10,000 is above the threshold, and

9% of that is £900, which would mean £75 deducted every month.

• If your income stops or falls below the threshold, your repayments will

automatically stop.

• You stop owing either when you've cleared the debt, or when 30 years

(from the April after graduation) have passed, whichever comes first.

Repaying the student loans

• Tuition fees for 3 years: £9,250 per year
• Maintenance loan for 3 years: £8430 per year
• Total owed by end of course: £56,478
• Career: General Management
• Total Repayments: £58,292
• Repayment Term: 30 Years
• Initial Loan repaid: 72%

Student loan repayment calculator link

Mike Nicholson, Past Director of Undergraduate Admissions Oxford University “In reality the government has accepted that graduates will never pay the debt

• ff, graduates should consider it to be an

additional tax and this should be the last loan anyone pays off!” Repaying the student loans

Living Costs and Accommodation

 There are many outgoings that you must consider once at

university; rent, bills, food, transport and much more besides!

 There are excellent websites such as ‘Brightside’, which

provides a free budget planner, and ‘Save the Student’ which

• ffers a wide range of tips and advice for undergraduates.

Estimated living costs 2017/18 for students

Costs Undergraduate year (40 weeks) Weekly cost (based on 40 weeks) Accommodation (self-catered) £5,125 £128.12 Meals (excluding meals out) £1,525 £38 Clothes £400 Transport (includes local transport and travelling home/visiting friends) £395 Weekly bus pass from £8 Other (eg books, equipment, mobile phone bill, socialising, laundry, photocopying and printing) £2,000 £50 Total £9,445

Source: The University of Manchester

The most inexpensive universities

2015 (2014) University Weekly essentials Rent in halls - self catered per week Student bus pass - per week Cost of beer (5 pints) Cost of wine (2 bottles) TOTAL

1 (1) University of Leicester £76.07 £81.20 £7.75 £15.25 £11.80 £192.07 2 (2) University of Nottingham £67.24 £102.76 £12.00 £15.00 £15.00 £212.00 3 (3) University of Cardiff £92.75 £88.00 £15.00 £16.10 £14.00 £225.85

Source HSBC on 13 August, 2015

• Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses with a wide

variation in cost.

The most expensive universities

2015 (2014) University Weekly essentials Rent in halls - self catered per week Student bus pass - per week Cost of beer (5 pints) Cost of wine (2 bottles) TOTAL

18 (17) University of Birmingham £135.00 £123.00 £8.88 £12.90 £16.00 £295.78 19 (20) UCL/Imperial £155.76 £114.87 £14.70 £18.50 £14.00 £317.83 20 (19) University of Oxford £120.25 £145.25 £23.00 £19.10 £16.00 £323.60

Source HSBC on 13 August, 2015

• More information can be found by clicking the following images:

Useful Information

Thank you

This presentation and the information sheet will be uploaded to the College website: Parents> Events > Higher Education Evening. Please come back next Tuesday 19th March, 6 – 8 pm for the HE fair and further talks. Employment and Apprenticeships evening: Thursday 25th April, 6.30 pm.