www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

1. A Parents’ Guide Jenny Fernandes Head of International Office www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

2. Making the Right Choices • Range of opportunities in Higher Education is enormous and exciting • A third of young people now progress from school to university • 55,000 degree and diploma courses on offer in the UK www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

3. First Step to a Rewarding Career • Provides skills, knowledge and understanding for progression to a variety of careers • Helps develop transferable skills for a dynamic job market • Increases earning potential • Increases maturity and confidence www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

4. The University at a Glance • Founded in 1495 • World-class institution, boasting 4 Nobel Prize winners • In the world’s top 200 universities • Around 14,000 students • 120 nationalities • Over 550 degree programmes • Research Intensive – around 90% of research activity of international quality www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

5. The University at a Glance • 3 Colleges divided into the following disciplines: • Arts & Divinity • Social Sciences & Law • Medicine, Dentistry & Medical Sciences • Science & Engineering • Education www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

6. 500 Years of Excellence www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

7. Investing in your Future • Planned investment of £230 million over the next ten years • The Hub • Wireless campus • Aberdeen Sports Village • Suttie Centre • Library • Curriculum Reform www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

8. Unique Facilities www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

9. Unique Facilities www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

10. Choice and Flexibility First and Second Year • MA & BSc students study their chosen degree subject e.g. Psychology, and up to four other subjects in each of their first two years • Try out new subjects and tailor their degree to suit their needs and interests • Flexible system allows students to change degree intention up to the end of second year, in consultation with their Adviser of Studies • Professional qualifications e.g. Law, Teaching, do not offer the same flexibility www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

11. Study Abroad www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

12. Employment Prospects www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

13. The city that has it all www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

14. Admissions Process Alan Monteith Student Recruitment & Admissions Service www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

15. Admissions Process 15 Jan Application to UCAS UNIVERSITIES make offers Conditional & Unconditional By End March UCAS sends statement of decisions letter and reply slip STUDENT replies to each offer Firm Acceptance (F) Insurance (I) Decline (D) www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

16. Admissions Process Ways to Accept Offers • (UF) Unconditional offer, Firmly accepted • (CF) Conditional offer, Firmly accepted • (CF+CI) Conditional offer, Firmly accepted + • Conditional offer as Insurance • (CF+UI) Conditional offer Firmly accepted offer + • Unconditional offer as Insurance www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

17. Admissions Process When to Reply Last decision from University Reply Date 31 March 2009 5 May 2009 8 May 2009 5 June 2009 12 June 2009 6 July 2009 www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

18. Admissions Process UCAS EXTRA • Applications to all degrees except Medicine • Possible to make sequential applications • If all 5 choices used and no offers received • From 26th February 2009, will receive a letter if eligible • Application locked for 21 working days • Can accept or decline, if decline can apply to next choice • Live up to and including 30th June 2009, then join Clearing www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

19. Admissions Process Confirmation when results come out Offer confirmed or alternative offer made Clearing www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

20. Medicine Admissions Process www.abdn.ac.uk/medicine/prospective-students www.ukcat.ac.uk (for 2007 applicants onwards) 15 Oct 2008 Application to UCAS UNIVERSITIES Make Offers Conditional & Unconditional Some offers made from January, bulk by end March 2009 Based on 3 stage scoring system (A)Academic Scoring including UKCAT, (B) UCAS Form, (C) Interview www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

21. Education Admissions Process Application to UCAS 15 Jan 2009 Interviews Jan-March UNIVERSITIES Make Offers Conditional & Unconditional Based on 3 stage scoring system Criminal record check (A)Academic Scoring, (B) UCAS Form, (C) Interview www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

22. ApplicantPortal • Unique online applicant portal that allows your son or daughter to check the status of their application and receive important information quickly • Offer letters, applicant guides, accommodation guides will all be sent out electronically through the portal • Secure – password protected • Check regularly • Developed directly in response to requests from applicants to receive information electronically www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

23. Applicant Days & Visits • BSc – 25th Feb • MA – 4th March • Engineering – 25th February and 25th March • Law – 6th and 20th March • Open Door policy – tour campus and visit departments. Normally require 2 weeks notice www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

24. Finance SAAS - Student Awards Agency for Scotland www.saas.gov.uk 0845 111 1711 www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

25. Fees – Rest of UK • Variable tuition fees are charged at UK institutions outside of Scotland. Maximum £3225 per year, which nearly every institution charges. • Standard tuition fees for other UK students studying in Scotland is £1,820 per year for all degree courses, with the exception of Medicine where the fee is £2,895 per year. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

26. Finance - Student Support • SAAS pay tuition fees for Scottish and non UK EU domiciled students • SAAS pay all fees directly to Scottish Universities • These tuition fees do not need to be repaid • Students need to apply to SAAS each year to ensure their fees are paid www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

27. Finance – Student Funding • Maintenance Grant – Local Education Authority • Parental Contribution • Grants/Bursaries • Part-time Work • Savings • Travelling Expenses -after 1st £159 can receive between £811-£955 www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

28. Finance – Additional Support • Hardship Funds • Supplementary Grants: • Dependants Grant – means-tested • Lone Parents Grant – means-tested • Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) - not means tested • Travelling Expenses -after 1st £159 can receive between £811-£955 www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

29. Finance – Maintenance Grant • Main source of funding to cover living expenses • Application is through Local Authority (eg. www.dublincity.ie) • Applications should be made as early as possible. Process usually opens in June each year • Deadline is usually late August • Award is means-tested and highest level of grant is currently 6,690 Euros • For Information at www.studentfinance.ie www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

30. Student Life Duncan McKay Student Association President www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

31. Student Life www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

32. Accommodation - Guaranteed • Catered • From £116 per week • Food £15 per week • 38 week lease • Total = £4,978 • Self-catered • From £72 per week • Food £30 per week • 38 week lease • Total = £3,876 www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

33. Support from a Caring Community • Adviser of Studies • Centre for Learning & Teaching • Medical Practice • Chaplaincy • Disability Support • Counselling Service • Careers Service www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

34. AUSA – Students’ Association • Info & Advice Centre • Niteline • The Sabb’s • AUSA Council • Events www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

35. Study & Assessment • Lectures • Tutorials • Private Study • Library Facilities • Computers – wireless campus www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

36. Freshers’ Week • Week before term starts • Move in and make friends • Meet Adviser and members of academic staff • Find out about clubs and societies www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

37. Clubs, Societies & Sport • Over 100 societies and 50 sports clubs • Sublime to ridiculous • Learn new things • Teams & Competitions • Meet people from other universities www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

38. Social Life • Student friendly city • Charities’ Campaign • Debater • Gaudie • Aberdeen Student Radio www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

39. Further Information For further information contact: Student Recruitment and Admissions Service T: 01224 272090 / 91 E: sras@abdn.ac.uk W: www.abdn.ac.uk/sras www.abdn.ac.uk/sras