1. The Programme for Tonight The UCAS Process student finance alternatives – Mr Sexton - Dean Gonsalves Queen Mary College London Personal statements, Applications and the case for University - Questions – informal with refreshments

2. The Application Process (use parents guide) Choose courses – Complete form on line and write personal statement ucas videosucas videos School checks, adds reference, sends to UCAS UCAS sends to universities Universities make offer or rejects. Student accepts one firm and 1 insurance

3. The Application Form 1. Qualifications- includes unit grades of completed AS exams, increasing use of personal statement 2. Courses/Institutions up to 5 institutions. NB screened applications. 3. Personal Statement 4. School Reference

4. What has happened this year Termly monitoring –target grades Students investigated choices and prepare database of possible choices Preparing for HE Conventions at moment http://www.ucas.com/prep Higher Education Convention-April 2012 Oxbridge convention- March 19 Subject focus groups/outside speakers- including Astar future about studying abroad

5. Role of Parents Read and digest Parents Guide Monitoring,support and encouragement- is performance in termly reports at or above target grades? Help in choosing courses, visiting universities Is course highly rated?(unistats), do graduates get jobs easily?, is the course challenging enough? (Target grades) Use of Times/Guardian Good University Guides NAGGING about deadlines

6. Competitive courses English, Law, Physiotherapy, Medicine, Oxbridge, Journalism, Architecture Selecting Universities ( Russell Group 1994 group etc) Increasingly not keen on retakes. Keen to see success in AS grades- particularly if GCSEs could have been better Increasing use of personal statement Increasing use of extra tests Grade offers are rising beware!!

7. A Gap Year Break after 3 years of exams. Hastens maturity! Looked at favourably by universities, employers… but….. Certain courses not so keen, will need reassurance Gap Year a great idea – widens horizons but should be planned Can generate necessary income for University Deferred entry or apply in Gap Year?

8. Student Finance- Costs Direct gov site-your future Tuition fees not payable up front (can do if you want- not advised) Fees -most (but not all)universities charge £9000 per year. Pay back once income above £21,000 Maintenance loans- means tested You only pay back 9% of income above 21000. For example if you are a civil engineer staring on £24000 a year you will pay back at £5.19 a week- hardly a killer financially! Loan written off after 30 years

9. Student Finance- Help with Costs Grants for students where household incomes under £42600. Full Grants of £3250 for those with incomes under £25000, less for those £25001-42600 National Scholarship Programme

10. Student Finance Average student debt is now £21000 by end of course latest prediction is £53400 for 2012 starters. Average time taken to pay off loan is 10 years this is rising quickly. Graduate unemployment far less than non graduates Graduates earn on average 35% above average wages… but Only 65% enter ‘graduate level’ jobs, but wider definition of ‘graduate level’ job now. Repayment of loan is definitely affordable when taken on its own, though other new costs likely – pensions, housing in SE England etc…

11. To Go or not? Love of subject, enquiring mind? Requirements of certain careers- but not as many as you might think Employability Independent Learner? Maturity Consider both options

12. Alternatives to UK universities Studying abroad is now more competitive Maastricht university independentindependent Fees only about £1000 per year Going to America- fulbrightfulbright We have had an organisation into speak to students about studying abroad astar futureastar future

13. Alternatives to Uni A level leavers jobs- price waterhouse Deloittes,KPMG etc… High A level grades required!! Jobs where part time degree included not going to uni

14. What needs to happen now Complete personal statement – use of Morrisby test, taster days, enrichment, add work experience Upload personal statement to Moodle moodle Complete application forms Attend Open Days / visit universities Summer Schools

15. Key dates Upload draft statement by early July Complete application form by September 1 Submit Application by 1 October- 23 September Oxbridge/Medicine Oxbridge/medicine /dentistry OCT 15