Post-18 Options Evening

1. Post-18 Options Evening Nicholas Quaile Head of CEIAG

2. Outline of Presentation • Post-18 Options • Importance of Year 14 • Choosing a Pathway • The UCAS System • Finances • The Role of Parents

3. Post-18 Options

4. Importance of Year 14 • Sacrifice • Relaxation • Organised Study • Decisions • PlanningAhead

5. Personal Statement Subjects and Activities In School and Outside Work Experience Show Strengths and Achievements Build on these throughout Year 14 List 2: Planning Goals for the future Which pathway is best? Degree not always necessary! Progression beyond degree & into world of work: LMI Planning Ahead

6. Labour Market Information • Important to be aware of where the jobs are going to be • STEM • Areas of Economic Priority • Implications for Choices • Information available from the CSNI website

7. Non University Options • Further Education: NVQ, BTEC, Foundation Degrees • Apprenticeships • Employer designed training • Gap Year • Employment/Unemployment, (NEET)

8. Choosing A Higher Education Course

9. Benefits of Broader Courses • Try something new, interesting and challenging • Keeps more options open • Flexibility to change career path later on • Not necessary to specialise until Post-Graduate level • You aren’t necessarily tied to a degree because of A-Level choices!

10. Other Considerations when Choosing Universities and Courses • Teaching Methods:Class based, Lab work, Field Work, Assignment Weightings, etc • Where to Study:Type of Institution, Specialist or Multi-Faculty, Size, Location, Accommodation, Social Life, Work Load • Identify the correct route rather than follow the crowd!

11. Taking Action • Talk to Friends, Teachers, Family, Careers Staff • Research career guidance books, university prospectuses, online resources • Note the entry requirements and be realistic! • Consider financialimpact of choices • Keep in mind that it is more than just the grades in the prospectus

12. The Qualifications Available • Degree • Usually 3-4 years in duration • Vocational or Non-Vocational: Note LMI • Single, Joint, Combined, Major/Minor, Sandwich

13. Qualifications Available (Cont.) • HNC, HND, Foundation Degree • Usually 1-2 years duration • Minimum 1 A-Level pass with, usually, one other subject examined • Offered as single subject but may involve elements of other subjects • Taught in manner relevant to employers’ needs or as preparation for full degree course or direct to employment

14. How This All Fits Together

15. The Application System • Use of apply web based application • Single form used for all applications • Completed over the internet • Forms then electronically transmitted to UCAS • After processing student receives applicant number • Students can track application progress on-line

16. The Scheme • Student completes before October Half Term • Oxbridge, medicine, dentistry, veterinary and Stranmillis must be completed earlier • Electronic payment made and forms sent to UCAS • UCAS sends one copy to each institution named on the form • Offers come back in Spring term directly to student, (from January for early applicants)

19. Accepting Offers • Can keep a first choice, called a firm • A second choice, called an insurance, in case the firm is missed • Other 3 offers must then be declined • Important: Once the decision is made it cannot be changed

20. August • If the student receives the required grades for the firm then they are automatically placed on the day of results • If they miss the firm but meet the insurance then they are automatically placed here • Applicants who miss both offers go automatically into CLEARING

21. UCAS Extra • Runs between March and June • Allows for late FIRST TIME applications • OR re-application by those who get no offers AND have used ALL applications

22. How Clearing Works • The system runs from results day to the second week of September and matches unsuccessful candidates to places still available after confirmation • Those who did not apply earlier may do so through clearing • Students must be proactive here. Check the clearing lists, phone the universities and secure a place

23. CAO: Irish Universities • Separate from UCAS • Runs from November until February • Students can make up to 10 applications which must be in genuine order of preference • Offers are not made until results are published in August • Places are offered based on a mathematical formula

24. Student Finances • Household income assessment • ‘Cohabiting partner/spouse’ income assessed • Other occupants’ income

25. Costs & Help Available • 2 main costs: Fees & Living Costs • Support for Fees: Fee Loan • Support for Living Costs: • Maintenance Loan • Maintenance Grant • Scholarships • Bursaries

26. Variable Fees (2013-14) FEES: England & Wales: From £6,500 pa up to £9,000 pa Similar in Scotland, with universities charging fees up to £9,000 pa but for 4 years Northern Ireland: £3,575 pa for NI students ALL students now pay this regardless of income: Use of Fee Loan These are deferred until the April aftergraduation, so nothing payable ‘up-front’: anyone can go to university Must be earning more than £21,000pa to start paying back

27. Living Expenses • Maintenance Loans (2013/14 figures) • Max. Available is £4,840 • (£6,780 for London/£3,750 for home students) • 75% non-means tested/25% means tested • High income backgrounds = Reduced maximum • E.g. £53,035 or more = £3,630 max. (the 75% non-means tested proportion)

28. Grants • Income less than £19,203: FULL GRANT • NI: £3,475: Student Loan REDUCED by this • Sliding scale to £41,065+: NO GRANT and only 75% available from loan • Universities must also contribute: • Bursaries & Scholarships • Varies from place to place: see web sites

29. The Role of Parents

31. Some Useful Web Sites • www.ucas.com • www.qaa.ac.uk • www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers • www.tqi.ac.uk • www.studentfinanceni.co.uk • www.ulster.ac.uk • www.qub.ac.uk

32. Thank You Any Questions?