Guide to University Applications: Top Tips for College Students

1. University: The Facts Mike Pollard UK Marketing Manager

2. Introduction • Thinking about applying • UCAS and the application process • Student finance

3. Why study? • Interest in subject • Employability: • Improved promotional and salary progression • Increased career choice • Flexibility • Self-development • Social life

4. What to Study? • 60,000 course combinations available • Study of more than one subject • New subjects • Same course title - not the same content • Career choice • Teaching • Assessment

5. Type of course • LEVEL • Degree • HND or Foundation • Dip HE (Nursing) • STRUCTURE • Modular • Sandwich (thick or thin) • Single, joint or combined • Periods of study abroad

6. UCAS points tariff

7. Where to Study? • Over 350 higher education providers in UK • Beware of reputations • Location • Opportunity for part-time work • Size • Academic facilities • Accommodation • Social scene • Campus/non-campus

8. Summary & How You Can Help • Reflection and research • A subject they’ll enjoy! • Support and guidance from school • A realistic application • Why? What? Where? – in that order

9. Applying to university

10. How to Apply • www.ucas.ac.uk • University & Colleges Admissions Service • Everyone applies through UCAS except: • Nursing / midwifery applications (NMAS) • Art and Design foundation (direct) • Part time courses (direct)

11. Timing of Application – UCAS dates Spring/Summer 07 - Research and attend open days Sept 07 - Schools and colleges receive UCAS forms 15 Oct 07 - Closing date for UCAS to receive applications to Oxford and Cambridge, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine/science 15 Jan 08 - Deadline for all UCAS application forms

12. Deadlines • Student must adhere to school deadlines. • The earliest applications will get the places • Student is responsible for their application. • Teachers need enough time to write an excellent reference.

13. Application Form • UCASApply – online • Reference section completed by teachers • Three sections for student to complete: • Personal details and 5 course choices • Qualifications – achieved/predicted • Personal statement

14. UCAS Form – Personal Statement • Why this course / subject area? • Evidence of understanding course content and where it might lead • Work experience (paid and unpaid) • Key skills gained from activities such as Duke of Edinburgh • Career aspirations • Involvement in non-examined activities, e.g. music, drama • Industrial sponsorships • Year out details • Social activities out of education

15. College reference • Motivation • Commitment • Reliability • Attendance • Coursework handed in on time • Potential • Strengths and Weaknesses • Work on own • Leaders or followers • Extenuating circumstances

16. Application progress • Interviews may take place • An unconditional or conditional offer is made • Example: 240 points to include at least two 6-unit awards or equivalent • Applicant tracking service (UCAS) • Accept a “Firm” and “Insurance” offer

17. Kingston University Compact Scheme • Eligibility for students at compact colleges: • Full-time course at Kingston University • Applying through UCAS • No family history of HE or • EMA or • Care leaver • Benefits: • £300 per year of study • Flexible entry requirements • Single contact for information, advice and guidance

18. Student Funding and Finance Issues

19. Student Finance – UK Undergraduate • Tuition fees and Tuition Fee Loans • Maintenance Grants • Maintenance Loans • University and College Bursaries • Additional Support • How to Apply • Repayments • Nursing, midwifery and therapies different

20. Tuition Fees • Tuition fees of up to £3,070 per year (2007/8). • Fees can vary between courses and universities. • A Tuition Fee Loan is available. • Can be paid up front. • Available to all students, regardless of income • Tuition fee loan is paid direct to the university “study first, pay back when you’re earning”

21. Maintenance Grant • Up to £2,765 • Means tested • Non-repayable • Paid in three instalments • Grant adjusted against student loan

22. Maintenance Loan • To help with living and study expenses • Partly means-tested • 75% non-means tested • 25% means tested • Reduction in line with grant • Paid direct to the student • Paid in three instalments

23. Maintenance Loan Rates

24. Disabled Student Allowances • Equipment allowance £4905 (to last the whole course) • Non-medical helper allowance £12420 (renewed each year) • General allowance £1640 (renewed each year and can be used to top up the other two allowances) • Not means tested

25. University and College Bursaries IF • Student receives the full grant of £2,765 AND • University or College is charging more that that THEN: • University or College must provide a minimum non-repayable bursary of at least the difference. • Average is £305, but many are offering more than this.

26. Means Testing • Most living cost support is means tested. • The Local Authority assesses household income on the PN1 form – available March 2008 • For most school leavers this will be based on: • Gross taxable income of resident parent(s) / partners / step parents • LESS deductions: • payments into pension funds • approx. £1,075 for each other dependant child

27. Method of calculation Total gross taxable parental/spouse/partner income for financial year ended 5 April 2007 (plus any student income that must be used) Minus Pension payments and any tax deductible professional or employment-related expenditure to 5 April 2007 Equals Household income Minus £1075 for each other student or child in the household Equals Residual Household Income - used to calculate level of support

28. Living Costs • Budgeting is an essential: • Rent • Food • Clothes • Books • TV Licence • Phone • Transport • Entertainment

29. Is it Enough? • Low income approx. £8,500 • Middle income approx. £6,500 • High Income approx. £4,500 • Support available: • Student bank accounts • University student finance teams • Emergency and Access to Learning Funds

30. Repayments • Tuition Fee & Maintenance Loans added together • Repayments start once pay is more than £15,000 pa • Repayments collected through PAYE • Repayment rate is 9% of earnings above £15,000 pa • Any outstanding balance (excluding arrears) is written off after 25 years • Additional payments can be made

31. Interest • Starts to be added as soon as first payment of loan received • Rate linked to retail price index and will fluctuate, currently 2.4% • SLC provide an annual statement detailing the balance outstanding and the interest added • Any balance remaining after 25 years will be cancelled

33. Summary • Variable fees (up to £3,070) • Tuition Fee Loan (up to £3,070) • New non-repayable grants up to £2,765 • Increase in maintenance loan • Guaranteed bursary for students receiving the £2,765 grant • Easy repayments

34. Further Information www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk www.nhspa.gov.uk/sgu/sgu.cfm University Student Services Departments DfES Publications: 0800 7319133