2. Importance of next step Flexibility or security for the future Competition locally, nationally and globally Working longer-getting less?

3. Importance of next step Employment Apprenticeship School Leaver Programmes (formerly sponsored degrees) University Gap Years

4. Giving your all Your personal choice To ensure you get there To ensure that you make the most of it

5. Why go to University? Careers Your chosen career needs you to get a degree? Do you want an internationally recognised qualification? Are you still unsure what you want to do as a career and need more time to figure it out? Do you want the chance to earn more, on average, than non- graduates? Growth Do you enjoy studying? Do you have an area of interest you want to pursue? Does the idea of studying in an environment with experts and excellent resources appeal to you? Do you want the opportunity to study, and even live, independently? Do you like the idea of meeting hundreds, or even thousands, of like-minded people in a campus environment?

6. Key questions to consider Where to study? What to study? How to pay? If you want to go to university, then you CAN afford to go

7. How do I pay? No-one has to pay fees upfront The government will provide loans for your time at university you don’t have to save up beforehand. You only repay when you earn enough You only repay the loan once you leave and if you earn more than £21,000 a year. If not, you don’t repay. If you never earn enough you never repay a thing.

8. What are the loans? 1. Tuition Fee Loans. Paid directly to your university every year by the Student Loans Company. Up to £9000 per year – possible increase in line with inflation at Universities offering high quality teaching from 2017. 2. Maintenance Loans. Money to pay for things such as rent, food and bills. Applications for loans and grants need to be done separately to your UCAS application. You can normally apply in the January before you go to university and you don’t have to wait until you’ve got a confirmed place to apply. Remember the earlier you apply the better as it means your money will be available at the beginning of term. https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/

9. How much can I borrow? Maintenance loans are to help you pay for food, rent and other living costs. They are paid into your student bank account in three instalments – one at the start of each term and are repaid just like tuition fee loans. The maximum amounts are: £10,702 for students living away from home inside London £8,200 for students living away from home outside of London £6,904 for students living at home £9,391 if you spend a year abroad as part of your course Any full-time student can apply for up to 65% of the maximum amount. How much of the remainder you get depends on means testing.

10. How do I pay it back? You pay back 9% of your salary over £21 000; The loan is wiped thirty years after you graduate No early repayment charges Interest is payable from start RPI plus 3% (e.g. 2015/6 3.9%)

11. Other funding Bursaries and scholarships are extra cash provided by universities and colleges, or other organisations like charities and businesses, which you don’t have to pay back. Not everybody can get a bursary or scholarship, and they are awarded to different students for different reasons – like your household income and how well you’ve done in your exams. Ask your choice of university what extra funding they provide and how you can apply. Also check out Access offers – it could mean a lower grades offer!

12. Choosing a course and uni? Don’t enter into this lightly Unifrog – do your research League Tables-Teaching quality Open Days Contact time…e.g. Science vs Humanity Student Satisfaction Drop out rates

13. Choosing course ? Career – what is going to give you options? Enjoy Good at Look at the skills – don’t be afraid of an apparent lack of career Look at the employment stats (for the subject and the course)

14. Helpful Resources www.unistats.direct.gov.uk The Guardian league tables for 2017 Unifrog www.university.which.co.uk/

15. What are Apprenticeships?

16. Why choose a Higher Apprenticeship? To get onto one you’ll need A levels or vocational level 3 qualifications or an advanced apprenticeship. You could start work and take a foundation degree (level 4) and possibly a BA/BSc/BEng (level 6) or MA/MSc/MEng (level 7), depending on funding and your employer. You would also receive on-the-job training in the skills that industry needs. All this and you could be earning as much as £300 to £500 a week.

17. School Leaver Programme

18. Making the choice – know what to investigate Who is paying/providing the education? How long is it for? What is the progression to employment within the company/industry? How sure are you on this career commitment? Are you willing to travel? Is it a progression from the level you are at now?

19. Unifrog Claims to have every apprenticeship on it Search by career Search by location Can look at Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships CV writing and application tips Also has every degree course on it

20. Gap Year Thinking time Great experience Helping you stand out

21. What support can I expect? Form Tutor as first contact Independent Careers Advisor Appointments Visits and Theme Days Sixth Form Staff if required

22. Apprenticeships – Who are they for? Anyone They are competitive though Focussed on a career Not wanting to seek further study www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide/overview www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch

23. Apprenticeships on Unifrog

24. Easy Comparison

25. What can I do to get ready for them? Enrichment week is key Work Experience Placement Opportunities www.purepotential.orgwww.purepotential.org Demonstrate your character Show an interest - MOOC

26. CV Preparation Students receive support in writing and can have theire CV reviewed by Mrs Farnhill, the student support officer.