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Briefing for Parents and Partners

Briefing for Parents and Partners. Peter Smith Assistant Dean For Recruitment. Overview. Aim : to help you support the students in their decision-making process. We’d like to spend some time on: UCAS System Finance Students In Higher Education Then, over to you…. The UCAS System: Outline.

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Briefing for Parents and Partners

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  1. Briefing for Parents and Partners Peter Smith Assistant Dean For Recruitment

  2. Overview • Aim: to help you support the students in their decision-making process. • We’d like to spend some time on: • UCAS System • Finance • Students In Higher Education • Then, over to you…

  3. The UCAS System: Outline • UCAS aims to ensure simplicity and fairness • For both applicants and universities • For conditional applicants, the stages are: • Application (student)  • Offer (university)  • Choice - firm and insurance (student) ? • Results and decision (university) ? • Confirmation and Clearing (student)? • What is our admissions policy?

  4. Offers - Outline Policy • Common admissions policy for all degrees • Typical offers this year, for all degrees, are: • A-levels: 360 TP excluding Key Skills (e.g. ABB + C in AS) • Advanced Diploma treated as per Tariff. • BTEC National: DDD • Overseas/Non-standard: individual basis • Maths, science, technology subjects preferred

  5. What are Tariff Points? • A method of equating different qualifications. • A – Levels (Year 12 AS level, Year 13 A2 level). A-level grades are A-E (a grade A is worth 120 TP, grade B 100 points, grade C – 80 points). AS levels are worth half that amount. • Does 360 TP = AAA? – Not necessarily. A 360 TP offer may also include AS results. • Example: a student takes 4 AS levels at year 12 (Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Biology) – gains AAAC, drops Biology (grade C) in year 13, gains ABB at year 13 (total tariff points = 120+100+100 + As grade C (40) – total 360 TP). • Other things may also count (e.g. grade 8 Bagpipes, DOE Gold).

  6. Choices In May • Once all the offers are in... • They choose up to two (UCAS sets deadline - read letter!), or enter clearing: • One as firm (i.e. preferred) • One as insurance (optional, “just in case”) • Adopting a harder insurance than firm a bad idea • If accepted by firm, they are stuck with them • Ultimately its their choice • Please give support and offer advice, but… • They are the ones who have to study

  7. Results and Decision • We get UK A-level/Highers results electronically • But we are sworn to secrecy on pain of our jobs! • Universities must take you if grades met • But can accept lower grades at their discretion • If successful, they are contracted to go • We need evidence of special circumstances • Tell us well in advance of results! • If unsuccessful with both choices • They will enter clearing (not as bad as it seems)

  8. How Much Will HE Cost? • Tuition Fees • Living Expenses • £9,000 (2012/13) • Increases each year with inflation • £800-£1,000 per month living in London • £600-£700 per month outside London

  9. Student Loan for Fees All Home/EU students can take out a Student Loan for Fees charged by the University • Paid to the University • Not means-tested • Loans are repayable once students have left their course and are earning over the threshold: £21,000 p.a. • 9% of Gross above threshold of £21K • Interest rate currently 3.0%+ RPI (after graduation, interest rate depends on income). • Variable, set each September

  10. Student Loans for Maintenance • For living and study costs such as rent, food & books • Repayable after graduation • Paid in three instalments, direct to bank account

  11. Maintenance Grant • Worth up to £3,250 per year, depending on household income • Household income < £25,000 = full grant • Independent status, household income = £0, full grant • Household income between £25,000 - £42,600 = partial grant • Paid in 3 instalments, directly into students’ bank accounts • Doesn’t have to be paid back

  12. How To Apply • Visit direct.gov.uk/studentfinance • Apply from Autumn for the following academic year • National Insurance Number (NINO) • No NIN, no student loan • Job Centre Plus - www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk • Apply each year of your course

  13. University Bursaries and Scholarships • Lord Mayor’s Scholarships • Based on Academic Excellence • National Scholarship Programme • Half Government Funded, Half University Funded • Eligibility Based on Household Income

  14. The Lord Mayor’s Scholarships • Awarded For Exceptional Academic Performance. • The award extends over three or four years and is available to anyone who meets the grade criteria. • The Scholarship is a cash-back award. • The award for Computing courses is as follows: • A*AA - £3000 per annum • AAA (or BTEC DDD) - £2000 per annum • ABB (or BTEC DDM) - £1000 per annum

  15. National Scholarship Scheme • Half government funded, half university funded • Home and EU students can be considered • Eligibility to be based on household income as assessed by SFE • 302 scholarships on offer • Awards of £3,000 each for first year • £1,000 of which can be paid to the student

  16. Some Advice… • Universities have changed dramatically • Much of your experience may not be valid! • No degree is a “meal ticket” - competitive job market • Employers look for more than paper qualifications • The applicant has to take the course…. • Motivation/interest is everything! HE not for all… • Any other reason is inviting drop-out… • We can only deal with applicants themselves • There are data protection issues • It’s the applicant who needs to convince us! • This counts double in clearing/confirmation

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