University?

1. University? Why?

2. Philip Smith MSc  MCSP Grad. Dip. Phys. • Senior Lecturer and Placement co-ordinator  BSc Sports Therapy Coventry University • Research interests: Injury rates in a variety of sports Practitioner safety in mental health nursing Psychological and physiological effects of spinal boarding Martial arts as a mental heath intervention.

3. What can University do for me? • Give me new skills • Introduce me to new people and experiences • Give me a qualification • Give me a career • Make me more employable • Increase my standard of living

4. What skills? • Communication • Research • Practical • Social • Life skills

5. Transferable/ Life Skills • Communication – will learn to write in appropriate English • Research skills – almost all courses have either final year project and/or thesis (dissertation) • Practical skills – drama, dance, medical professions science and sports courses all have practical element • Social skills – student union, sports clubs and societies • Life skills – manage a budget, time management, cooking, washing etc.

6. Which University? • What course do I want to do? • Does the way they run my course suit me? • Do I want to live at home? • Do I want to work? • Can I afford it? • How good is the university? • http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings

7. Which course? • Is it something I find interesting/might enjoy? • Am I good at it? • Does it match my career aspirations? • Do my A levels/BTEC’s let me do it?

8. How do they run the course? • Staff student ratio • Access to IT • What is included in the fees • Student accommodation • Student services • Semesters/ number of supervised hours (KIS)

9. Home • Cheaper living costs (bank of Mom & Dad) • Stay with friends (unless they move away) • Get cooking/washing done • Lower student loan • Away • Higher living costs • Lose old friends – but make new ones • Do your own cooking, washing • Higher student loan • Homesick?

10. Affordability • Course fees • Living costs • Need to work? • Full-time, part-time or sandwich course • Sponsorship? • Bursary/scholarships available?

11. Course fees • Average all universities £8,600 • Range from £4,000 to £9,000 • Depends on university and course • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12880840 (2012) • Cheapest not always best value • Most expensive not always best quality

12. Finance • Tuition fee loans - maximum of £9,000 • Maintenance loans- • £6050 (London) • £3,875 (out of London) • £2,750 (living at home) • Grants – up to £3,250 (depends on income) • Bursary – NHS courses, from university, employers • Scholarships – sporting, academic

13. Student loans – how do they work? • You borrow the money • Start paying it back once you start earning over £21K per year (proportionate to income) • Pay back until loan + interest is paid or for 30 years • If not paid back after 30 years then debt is written off • http://www.slc.co.uk/

14. Is it worth it? • Graduates earn on average £12k a year more than non-graduates • Hourly rate for graduates = £19.60; non-graduates £12.00 • Average for graduates in public administration, health and education sectors were £27,600. • Average earnings in sectors related to science, engineering and business, such as the banking and finance industry, were £37,300. • (NoS 2011)

15. Which University? • League tables • http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/ • University websites • Open days/visits • Previous students (alumni)

16. Other things to consider • Do you like the city/town? • What is the campus like? • Student body • Social/sports facilities • Nightlife • Accessibility

18. Coventry University Ranked Top UK Modern University • Guardian League Table 2014 guide–27 overall out of 119 (above Leeds -28; and Manchester- 33) • National Student Satisfaction Survey scores • Staff to student ratio • Career prospects • Number one for film production & photography • Top ten in the UK for • Nursing & Midwifery • Events management • Building & Planning • Social work

19. Other top 20 subjects • Nutrition and Food Science 9 • Physiotherapy 13 • Events management 15 • Mechanical Engineering 19 • Sports Science 19 • http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

20. Academic Excellence Scholarships • Provides new undergraduate students with either £1,000 cash a year or £1,500 discount a year on University owned accommodation • How do I qualify? • You are a UK applicant to Coventry University • Apply for at least one full-time undergraduate degree • Select Coventry University as first choice (CF or UF) • Achieve at least ABB from three full A-levels/equivalent • Pay full tuition fees

21. Our Sports Scholarships • Awarded competitively to approximately 30 students a year with the ability to represent the University at a high level • Open to students participating in a sport recognised by Sport England

22. Level 1: High County or National £1500 (£750 cash & £750 support services) Level 2: High National or International £3000 (£1500 cash & £1500 support services)

23. Recent Successes of our Scholars • Double Paralympic Wheelchair Racing Champion, Double World Champion & 6 World Records • Alpine Skier at Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 • 2013, 2012 & 2011 British Universities Judo Champion and GBR Senior Squad member • 2013 England Senior Karate Team, GB University Team & BUCS Gold Medallist

24. Thank you for listening Any questions?