Applying to University in 2014

1. Applying to University in 2014 A Parents’ guide

2. Why Apply to University?

3. Study something you already enjoy Start studying a new course Increased earning power Develop ‘Soft Skills’ Increased employability New experiences New opportunities New friends A transition between school and work Get away from home Develop independence FOR

4. Delays earning money Future debt Pressure on parents’ finances Unsure of what you want to do, need a gap year. No guarantee of a job Fear of leaving home Had enough of academic study May not get into a ‘high status’ Uni Might not cope academically Drop out rate AGAINST

5. THE UCAS APPLICATION PROCESS

6. What students have to do • Research courses and universities that might be of interest. • Complete an online application form known as ‘APPLY’. which includes: • Academic history • Course choices • Personal Statement • Reference from subject tutors and group tutor

7. Entry Requirements • Courses give minimum grades/UCAS point tariffs necessary for acceptance. • It is vital to be realistic about what your daughter or son can achieve. • GCSE subjects or other qualifications may be required. • GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above are usually mandatory

8. GCE and VCE A level/AS Tariff for BTEC Awards THE UCAS TARIFF: A Level and BTEC

9. Personal Statement • A chance for your son or daughter to sell themselves to the university or course of their dreams. • At least half of it is about why they want to read the course chosen. • Approx 800 words – typed. • Deadline for first draft is 19th July. • Details on how to write it are in the student packs.

10. Important Dates for St Martins • 4th October – Deadline for applications to Oxbridge and Medicine courses. For all other courses • 18th October – final draft of Personal Statements to tutors. • 21st October – Early Application deadline • 22nd November – On time Application deadline

11. Late applications • 23rd November– December 13th We will guarantee that Applications will be sent to UCAS by January 15th deadline with a full check of the forms. (checks take up to 2 weeks) • December 14th – January 14th We will guarantee applications are sent to UCAS by January 15th with a reference but they will not be checked.

12. Conditional offers start to come in within three weeks of applying. These may be in the form of A level grades or points required for entry. Eg 280 points or BBC in A2 exams. Some applicants may be called for interview By the end of April students inform UCAS which offer they wish to accept as a FIRM and which as an INSURANCE offer. If a student receives no offers UCAS extra opens in March. Clearing opens on results day if a student still has no offers. Post application process

13. Support for students • Tuesday and Friday Workshops – Advice and Guidance • Drafting and marking of personal statements • Provision of references • Checking of forms (for on-time applications)

14. Support for Parents • The UCAS pack • UCAS Parents pack • www.ucas.com/parents • UCAStvhttp://www.ucas.tv/index.php?id=192 • This powerpoint will be on the School Website from Monday.

15. Activities Week 2013

16. Questions?

17. What does the world look like?

18. Student finance • Tuition fees • Loans • Grants/Bursaries • Repayments

19. Tuition fees/loans • Average Tuition fees = £8,500 p/a for Sept 2012 • Household income linked discounts are being published by all Universities, for example Bristol have published the following; • Income below £15k = £3,500 • Income between £15k - £20K = £4,500 • Income between £20K - £25K = £6,000 • Income above £25k = £9,000

20. Maintenance Grants • Maintenance grants are based on household income and using current figures the following applies • Below £25,000 full grant of £3,250 • £25,000 - £42,600 partial grant (pro rata on the £3,250) • £42,601 + student receives no grant

21. Bursaries • National Scholarship Programme • Minimum of £3,000 if household income is below £25,000 but Universities set their own criteria and students apply to them directly • Bursaries – A range of these exist at all universities. Usually based on either; • Academic grades • Sporting ability

22. Living Cost Loans • All loans are paid in 3 instalments directly into the student borrower’s bank account.

23. Loan repayments • All loans are payable after your daughter/son graduates, not before. • Loans are payable once the graduate earns over £21K. • Interest on loans is charged at the rate of inflation until you earn over £21K when it will go up to inflation + 1, 2 or 3% depending on the graduates income.

24. Loan repayment illustrations • Loans are paid back at a rate of 9% of graduates income over the £21K • If you earn £25 the 9% would apply to £4K and you would repay £30 per month

25. Average debt forecasts • Government estimate is that the average debt on graduation for a student paying full fees (£9K p/a) will be £38,000 • Institute for fiscal studies forecasts; • Lowest earning 25% of graduates will pay less than they currently do. The highest earners around double what they currently pay. • 50% of graduates will never pay off the entire debt at 9% above £21K as they will not earn enough in the 30 years after graduation. • The top 10% of graduate earners will pay off their loan within 15 years. • If you earned a career average of £48,850 it would take 26 years to pay off at the 9% rate.