HIGHER EDUCATION PRESENTATION
TO YEAR 12 STUDENTS &
PARENTS
WHY GO TO UNIVERSITY?• Less unemployment among graduates
• Better job opportunities / career prospects
• On average higher salaries for graduates
• Career directed vocational qualifications
• A unique opportunity to continue studying a subject you are interested in
• Part of maturing process
• Expanding social experience
• Developing interests
• Networking
• Put off decision making
FINANCIALSUPPORT / COSTS
TUITION FEES: Maximum annual fee contribution2009/10 £3225 not means tested
MAINTENANCE GRANT:Income £25000 or Less = £2906
£25000 to £60032 = £50 to £2906over £60032 = No grant
MAINTENANCE LOANS:For living costs – application through Student Finance England
London - £4735 - £7670Elsewhere - £3385 - £5905Living at home - £2620 - £3915
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT FINANCE 2008/2009
(Single, living away from home, 30 teaching weeks in Academic year, accommodation on campus required for 31 or 38 weeks dependant on whether catered or self catered and including Christmas and Easter vacations)
INCOME
Annual Total (Student Loan to cover 38 wks) £4,625.00 Weekly Income £121.00
ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE (per week) Rent £80.00 Mobile Phone (pay as you go) £10.00 Food, laundry, personal items(average) £40.00 Books, equipment and other materials £ 9.00 Clothes (average for renewals) £ 5.00 Social Activities £10.00 Allowance for unexpected costs £ 5.00 Total estimated expenditure £159.00 per week for 38 weeks Total for 38 weeks £6,042 The figures do not include: travel costs to return home during term time or vacations any grant to which the student may be entitled any bursary to which the student may be entitled any income from part-time employment Advice Services Manager Kent Union Advice Centre
REPAYMENTS LINKED TO INCOME
Income Monthly repayment
Weekly repayment
Up to £15,000 £0 £0
£20,000 £37.50 £8.65
£25,000 £75.00 £17.31
Interest on loans linked to inflation (RPI)
Bursaries / Scholarships / sponsorship
OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME
• Loans
• Paid employment
• Text messages:
• Dear mum n dad u no hw much iv always lvd n respectd u – can u plz plz plz “lend” me sum muny
CHOICES
1. Do my A-Levels allow for a particular degree course to be studied?
a) Are particular A-Levels required for certain degrees?
b) Competition for places eg. medicine requires higher grades than most other degrees
(Research = University entrance guide: Heap plus websites)
2. Aptitude for the subject?
Seek teachers’ views / advice
3. Interest in the subjects?
3-4 years
Self awareness
4. Vocational or subject specific?
Reference books
Different subjects – not necessarily those studied at school
Modular / combined courses
WHICH COURSE?
1. How long?Most are 3 yearsSome are 4 years (eg. Modern Languages)
2. Full time or sandwich?
3. What is the content of the course?Degree courses with the same title do not necessarily have the same contentH.E. Prospectuses (look on-line)
4. How flexible is the course structure?Broad or narrow: modular
5. What teaching methods are used?
6. What forms of assessment are used?Continuous assessment / final examination
7. Is there a safety net?Degree course and HND run side by side
8. Entry requirements?see guides – be realistic
9. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDENTS:
• Performance at interview
• Work experience undertaken (MOTIVATION)
• Extra curricular activities
• PREDICTED GRADES
• The confidential reference
• Existing grades – GCSE / AS Level
• Consistency in the choices of course
• PERSONAL STATEMENT
• Suitability of A-Level subjects for the course
• Other tests eg. BMAT; UKCAT; LNAT
WHERE TO APPLY?
1. How far away?
Travel costs
2. Size?
Many thousands or a smaller community
3. Environment?
City centre; rural campus
4. Ancient or Modern
5. Does the area give scope to interests?
6. Does the area have particular advantages for the study of your subject?
Strong links with local industry
7. How good are the facilities?
ICT, Libraries, social, sporting facilities
8. Accommodation and catering arrangements
Hall of residence facilities: Cost of self-catering?
Single rooms? En-suite? - Extra cost
Close to college?
RESEARCH
Pastoral / Careers Staff
Head of Careers – Mr Williamson
Head of Sixth Form – Mr Moody
Asst Head of Sixth Form – Mr Lowis
Careers Advisor: Connexions: Form Tutors
Subject Staff Including asking/negotiating about PREDICTED GRADES
Employers
Internet
Books
Open Days
www.ucas.com/ The Stamford Test /
Times / Guardian / Telegraph websites
Degree course guides (MJM’s office)
See posters / lists and phone for a visit
RESEARCH
Prospectuses Careers Library
On-line
Alternative prospectuses
(Unofficial) – written by students!
WHAT NOW?
Completion of UCAS Form
NOW!! NOW!!
THOUGHTS →
RESEARCH
Internet
Careers Library
Prospectuses
Books
→
Completion of UCAS Form - 2
HOLIDAYS HOLIDAYS
FILTERING
Including:
Which course
Where
Visits
→ Draft personal statement
→
Completion of UCAS Form -3September
Register on www.ucas/apply
Redraft personal statement
→ School UCAS No. 11338
Buzzword: chgsramsgate
Sept/Oct Sept/Oct
UCAS forms completed → UCAS forms SENT
15th Oct
Oxbridge/Medicine/Law
Deadlines
School deadline
October half-term
Three websites which Year 12s and 13s should be using as part of their
careers/higher education planning: 1. For opportunities for bursaries and scholarships in
higher education see:• www.scholarship-search.org.uk
2. For general university and course searches see:
• www.ucas.com
3. To discover appropriates course/career possibilities
based on your interests and strengths see:• www.ucas.com/stamford/index.html (can also be accessed from
ucas site directly)
Further Help
www.studentfinanceengland.co.uk www.studentfinancedirect.gov.ukwww.direct.gov.uk/studentfinancewww.aimhigher.ac.ukwww.studentmoney.orghttp://bursarymap.direct.gov.uk