28 th June 2012

1. 28th June 2012

2. Progress so far… • 20th June – UCAS launched to students. Students registered. Search courses • 27th June – Higher Education fair • 28th June – Parent’s introduction to UCAS • 4th July – Students meet university students

3. Key Dates • Mid-September 2012 - Applications can be sent to UCAS. • 15 October 2012 - Deadline for receipt at UCAS of applications to Universities of Oxford or Cambridge, and all with choices for courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science to reach UCAS. • 1 December 2012 - Deadline for receipt of applications to UCAS • 24 March 2013 - Deadline for the receipt of applications at UCAS for art and design courses

4. Introductions • Becky Hill – Coventry University • John Orchard – Essex University

5. A real business experience Applying to University 2013 Becky Hill Recruitment and Admissions Officer

6. Coventry University London Campus Applying to University UCAS How to research courses What should I be doing now? Important deadlines Overview

7. Introducing Coventry University London Campus • Launched in October 2010 • Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes • State of the art facilities • Technology enabled campus • Less than a 5 minute walk from Liverpool Street Station • Shops, cafes, restaurants and street markets • Close to London attractions Video

8. Universities and Colleges Admission Service

9. Step 1 – Choosing a Course/University Courses: • Which subjects interest me? • What are my talents? • Future Career • Entry Requirements University: • League Tables • The Complete University Guide • What does that University offer? (Scholarships/hidden costs?) • Location • Facilities

10. Research • League tables • www.ucas.com – List of Universities • Open Days

11. Step 2 – Applying • Register with UCAS (username and password) • Allowed 5 choices Application includes: • Contact details • Examination results • Personal statement • Reference from School/College • Choices

12. Personal Statement • Most important part of application • Only write one personal statement • 4000 characters or 47 lines Tips: • Be honest and don’t plagiarise (we’ll find out!) • Include work experience • Spell and grammar check • Don’t rush

13. Step 3 – Offers • Track • Universities will send replies at different times • Interviews • Conditional Offer (meet certain tariff points/certain grades) • Unconditional Offer • Unsuccessful Application – no offer • Firm acceptance • Insurance acceptance • Decline

14. Step 4 – Results • 15th August 2013 • Exam results sent direct to UCAS and to the Universities • UCAS Track will be frozen the week prior to results

15. Step 5 – Next Steps • Clearing - matches unplaced students with universities • Adjustment- for those students who have attained better grades than expected

16. Key Terms • Conditional offer: an offer made by a university or college, whereby you must fulfil certain criteria before you can be accepted on the relevant course • Firm offer: the offer that you have accepted as your first choice • Insurance offer: the offer that you have accepted as your second choice, in case you do not meet the requirements for your firm offer • Track: track the progress of your application/reply to any offers/make changes to contact details • Personal ID: a 10-digit individual number assigned to you when you register • Adjustment: applicants who have met and exceeded the conditions of their firm choice are given an opportunity to look for an alternative place while holding their original confirmed place • Clearing: a system which allows you to apply for course vacancies

17. Important Deadlines 15th October 2012 (Oxford or Cambridge. Medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science) 15th January 2013 (all courses not listed within the 15 Oct Deadline) 24th March 2013 (Art and Design courses not listed in previous deadlines) 8th May 2013 (replying to offers) 15th August 2013 (A-Level results day – Clearing Opens)

18. Information for Parents UCAS • ‘How to guides’ • Parents section – e-newsletters/UCAS Tariff Points/Important dates

19. What should I be doing now? • Attending University Open Days • Researching Courses • Ordering University ‘Undergraduate’ Prospectus • Work experience • Starting to write your personal statement – worksheet on www.ucas.com

20. Key Websites • www.ucas.com – applying to University • www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk – Student Loans • www.guardian.co.uk – Subject/University League Table

21. Personal statements • Your reason for choosing the course • Why do you want to study this subject? • Why are you a good student for this course? • Do you understand what the course is actually about? • Subject related experience • Relevant employment or volunteering • Related qualifications • Additional reading • Hobbies, interests and other experience which provide: • Independence or teamwork skills • Motivation and organisation

22. Personal statements • Career aspirations and goals • These can be general or specific • Spelling, punctuation and grammar • Information about gap years • Gap years are fine (and can be really helpful) but they must be constructive and purposeful • Three key questions • What have I done? • What have I learned from it? (including skills gained) • How will I apply this at university? (How will it make me a better student?)

23. The cost of university - overview

24. Tuition fees • You do not have to pay anything • Before you start university • Whilst you are at university • Everyone is entitled to a tuition fee loan for the full amount, however you can pay some or all up front if you want to • You only start to contribute when you have finished university and are earning a good salary. It is the student’s responsibility and not their family’s.

25. Maintenance Loans • Maintenance loans are affected by two factors: • Where you live whilst at university • Your household income At home • Min loan - £2,844 • Max loan - £4,375 Away from home • Min loan - £3,575 • Max loan - £5,500 Away from home in London • Min loan - £4,989 • Max loan - £7,675

26. Maintenance grants • If your household income is below £42,600 you will also get a maintenance grant of up to £3,250 • You do not have to repay grants • All maintenance money (both loans and grants) is paid in three instalments.

27. Bursaries, Scholarships and Fee waivers • As well as money from the government there is also money available directly from universities. • It’s really important to research this when you look at different universities, because every university is different. • Examples:

28. How loans are repaid • However... The amount you repay depends on how much you EARN not how much you OWE • You repay 9% of anything you earn above £21,000 • The money is taken automatically with your tax. • Anything you still owe after 30 years is cancelled

29. Interest rates • During study interest is set at the rate of inflation, based on Retail Price Index (RPI), plus an additional 3% • Once graduates start repaying a variable rate of interest will be applied depending on earnings: • Salary < £21,000 - interest will be RPI • Salary of £21,000 – £41,000 - interest will be RPI + х% depending on earnings up to… • Salary £41,000+ - interest will be RPI + 3% • *Please note that these arrangements are not yet finalised for 2012.

30. Monthly Repayment 2012 onwards Source: www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

31. Useful websites • studentfinance-yourfuture.direct.gov.uk • For extensive information about fees, loans and government grants, including an eligibility calculator • www.studentloanrepayment.co.uk • For information about repaying student and tuition fee loans • www.moneysavingexpert.com • Martin Lewis has a comprehensive guide to student finance • www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance • Information about fees and bursaries at the University of Essex

32. Questions?Thank you for listening