returning to study an insight into higher education pippa waller pippa.waller@plymouth.ac.uk 01752...

Returning to StudyAn insight into higher education

Pippa Waller

pippa.waller@plymouth.ac.uk

01752 587963

An Insight in to Higher Education

• Returning to study – is it just me?• What can I study?• How do I choose?• What do I need? • What will it be like?• How will I fund it?• Will I….?• What sort of support is there?

Is it just me or...?

Fresh start

Change of priorities since schooldays

Higher Education

never an option

Doing something you have always

wanted to do

Career enhancement

Change of domestic

responsibilitiesBeen inspired by

a subject

Life-changing events

What can I study? Higher Education Qualifications

• ‘Bachelors’ Degrees– Sandwich degrees– ‘Honours’ (Hons)

• Certificate/Diploma of Higher Education• Foundation Degrees • Higher National Diplomas

What can I study?

‘Academic’

History, English, Philosophy, Sociology,

Politics….

Vocational/professionalTeaching, Social Work, Healthcare professions,

Medicine, Law, Architecture…

‘Work-related’Psychology,

Business Studies, Management, Computing…

How do I choose? Career considerations

• Profession-specific qualifications– Ensure job profile is right for you– Get work experience, speak to people in the field– Websites: Careers and professional bodies– What happens if you change your mind?

• Is there a job at the other end?– Research: Labour market; graduate destinations– Be proactive about improving employability– Consider ‘sandwich’ courses

How do I choose?• Personal fulfillment/enjoyment

– What subjects have interested you in the past?• In need of ideas?

– Try UK Course Finder or other guidance packages

• Ensure the course goals match yours– look beyond the title and general perception– look at subject combinations

What do I need to get in?Academic requirements• Admissions policy• ‘Ability to study at a higher level’–

advanced level academic study• ‘Recent’ academic study• Specific subjects in some cases

What do I need to get in?Possible qualification routes• Access to Higher Education• ‘Year zero’ courses• A and AS level• BTEC/Edexcel qualifications• Open University credits• Foundation degree pathways• Other qualifications/experience

What do I need to get in?What Admissions Tutors look for

• Focus, enthusiasm and commitment to choice of course

• Genuine interest and understanding• Experience for professional qualifications• Someone who will to benefit from the

course and from higher education generally• Relevant skills and qualities to succeed

How do I apply?• UCAS – Universities and Colleges

Admissions Service• 15 October Medicine, Dentistry &

Veterinary Medicine, Oxbridge

• 15 January All other applications • Application distributed to Universities

What will it be like?Common learning and teaching styles• Face-to-face’ learning

• Lectures & tutorials• Group work• Presentations• Lab work

• Contact hours• Operational hours

• Private study• Research• Directed• Discussion

• Placements

Responsible for own learning

What will it be Like?Assessment methods

• Examination• Coursework, reports & essays• Practical assessment• Problem-based learning• Seminar presentations• Group projects

How will I be funded?Student Loans Company

Tuition fee loan

Maintenance loan (upper age limit)

Maintenance or Special Support Grant

Adult Dependant’s Grant

Parents’ Learning Allowance

Childcare grant

Disabled Students’ Allowances

Subject to meeting eligibility criteria and means-testing

UniversityBursaries under the ‘OFFA’ agreement

University Access to Learning Fund

OtherSocial Work Bursary

How are health professions courses funded?

Dip HE

Non means tested bursaries

BSc (Hons)

Means tested bursaries

Reduced rate student loan

Subject to meeting eligibility criteria

University Access to Learning Fund

Fees paid by DoH

Ah yes, loans….

• Not credit scored

• Low interest

• Charged from point of borrowing

• Repayments start April after graduation if earnings > £15,000 pa

• Government writes off outstanding balance 25 years after this date

Loan Repayment

£1,250

£1,333

£1,417

£1,500

£1,583

£1,667

£1,750

£1,833

£1,917

£2,000

£2,083

£0

£10

£20

£30

£40

£50

£60

£70

£80

Monthly Earnings

Monthly Repay-ments

9%

Will I…..

fit in?

manage financially?

be good enough?

fit it all in?

be able to study with dyslexia?

ever find my way around!?

What we can do

• Academic support– Tutor– Learning Skills– Disability ASSIST– Careers– Library– Media workshops– Computing

• Practical/personal– Accommodation– Freshlings Nursery– Chaplaincy– Health & Welfare– Students Union– Funding

• Transitions

What university is all about• Studying something you love• Personal accomplishment• Meeting new people• Improving your prospects• Improving self-confidence• Indulging and enjoying yourself!

Good luck

Returning to StudyAn insight into higher education

Pippa Waller

pippa.waller@plymouth.ac.uk

01752 587963