260 likes | 413 Views
Higher Education. Tonight:. What is Higher Education? Why apply to Higher Education? Choosing a Course The UCAS Process Finances School Support Questions. Finances. Can I afford to do a degree?. Can I afford not to? Do you want a professional career?
E N D
Tonight: • What is Higher Education? • Why apply to Higher Education? • Choosing a Course • The UCAS Process • Finances • School Support • Questions Finances
Can I afford to do a degree? • Can I afford not to? • Do you want a professional career? • Do you want to earn a higher salary? • Do you want to stretch yourself intellectually?
“University was the best thing that ever happened to me. . . . . Those four years showed me my own potential and the opportunities available to me if I work hard enough” Ex pupil of Bewdley High School. Marketing Degree “Doing a degree gave me loads of confidence- it was the best time of my life. I wanted a job that was challenging, interesting and more importantly, paid well! Without my degree I wouldn’t have managed that!” Ex pupil of Bewdley High School, Psychology Degree
What is Higher Education? • HE colleges and Universities • Over 500 Institutions. • Generally students are over 18 and have already achieved a level 3 qualification. • Courses on offer include: • Degree (BA, BSc, BEng) • HND (Higher National Diploma) • Foundation Degrees
Why apply? Intellectual Development Transferable Skills Improve Career Prospects & Earnings Life Experience A ‘MUST’!
Making choices: • What to study • Advice and support • Where to study
What to Study • 30,000 courses to choose from!!! • UCAS Website: www.ucas.com • A career choice: long-term • Enjoy what you do!
Advice and Support • Tutor Programme • Careers Advisor – Sara Flack • Eighteen & Beyond 2014 • Fortnightly tutorial hour • Various Publications - Heap • UCAS Website / Uni websites • Stamford Test / Fast Tomato • thecompleteuniversityguide.co. uk
Where to Study • Will live there for 3 to 6 years! • How often do you want to come home? • Transport Links • City or Campus • Remember, University and place are not always the same!
Open days! • www.opendays.com
The Application Process • Spring/Summer 2014 - Research • June 2014 - UCAS Apply registration www.ucas.com/apply • Sept/Oct 2014 - Online Application • Main deadline dates: 15th October- deadline for applications to Oxford and Cambridge and for all applications to medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine/ science. October Half Term - Bewdley deadline. 15th January- final deadline for all other applications (not recommended)
Beginning the application process. . • Register with UCAS apply on line • £23 application fee (5 choices) • Personal statement – work with your tutor • References • Once complete, form is sent electronically for checking by Director of Learning • Sent to UCAS • Track your application. Password. • Copy of application forwarded to HE choices.
Financing Higher Education • What will you will need money for? • Sources of finance. • Paying it back!
Outgoings • Tuition fees - £6000-£9000 per year. • Living costs; • Food • Transport (including visits home) • Books and equipment • Accommodation • TV License • Insurance • Other …
Sources of Income • Maintenance Grants (non-repayable) • Loans • Tuition Fee Loan • Maintainance Loan • Bursaries www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
Maintenance Grant • A Grant is a non-repayable payment based on Household Income. 2013 figures
Loans • Tuition Fee Loan – up to £9000 • Maintenance Loan - 2013 figures
Loan repayments • Covers exact cost of Fees, directly to Uni • Variable Interest rates depending on earnings • Repayable once earning £21,000 • Charged at 9% above threshold • £21,500 = £4p/m • £24,000 = £23p/m • £27,000 = £45p/m • Cleared after 30 years www.glos.ac.uk/moneymatters
The Big bucks Loans, Grants & Bursaries www.glos.ac.uk/moneymatters
Bursaries and Scholarships • Payments from the University • Designed to encourage certain students to study certain courses. • All students on a full Maintenance Grant will receive at least £319 - up to £3150 • Various academic scholarships available - depend on grades! • Employer Sponsorship • University specific info available at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
Support and Guidance (again!) • Tutor Programme • Connexions • UCAS conference • Various Publications • UCAS Website / Uni websites • University Guides (teaching & research ratings)
What Parents can do? • Show interest • Help with research • Ask practical questions • Proof read personal statements • Go on visits