1. University Entrance – the problems & pitfalls (and how to avoid them!)

2. Work with the school Begin discussion in Grade 8/9 (UK Years 9/10) Begin discussion in Grade 8/9 (UK Years 9/10) Explain UK university requirements Explain UK university requirements Student may need to take extra courses (AP? online?) Student may need to take extra courses (AP? online?) Contact your agency TCK education link Contact your agency TCK education link

3. University entrance 2013 Application process now online: “The system allows you to manage the complete application process by: monitoring how you are progressing with your applicationsmonitoring how you are progressing with your applications creating, editing and approving referencescreating, editing and approving references checking, approving and submitting applicationschecking, approving and submitting applications making secure payments.” (www.ucas.com)making secure payments.” (www.ucas.com)

4. Explanatory video

5. Start the process early 15 th October deadline Medicine Medicine Dentistry Dentistry Veterinary courses Veterinary courses Oxford & Cambridge Oxford & Cambridge 24 th March deadline Art & Design courses Art & Design courses 15 th January deadline All other courses except Art & Design All other courses except Art & Design

6. UCAS Tariff Shows worldwide qualifications and their equivalent in UCAS points (AP, IB) Shows worldwide qualifications and their equivalent in UCAS points (AP, IB) Three A Levels no longer the only means of entrance Three A Levels no longer the only means of entrance University web sites show points needed for each course University web sites show points needed for each course

7. Student Finance From Student Finance: Tuition Fee Loan Tuition Fee Loan Maintenance Loan Maintenance Loan Maintenance Grant* (family income <£25,000pa) Maintenance Grant* (family income <£25,000pa) From universities directly: National Scholarship Programme * National Scholarship Programme * (family income <£25,000pa) * Non refundable

8. UK Resident Status To qualify for student finance as a student from England, you must: be a UK national or have 'settled status' in the UK (under the terms of the Immigration Act 1971) be ‘ordinarily resident’ in England have been 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for the three years immediately before starting the course - and not wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education You’re 'ordinarily resident' somewhere if it’s where you normally live. It doesn’t matter if you’re out of the country temporarily from time to time You’re 'ordinarily resident' somewhere if it’s where you normally live. It doesn’t matter if you’re out of the country temporarily from time to time. (www.direct.gov.uk)

9. Case Studies 1.What was the issue in this case study? 2.Where did the difficulties lie? 3.Could these have been avoided? If so, how? 4. What solution (if any) was found? 5. What lessons can be learned?

10. Pitfalls to avoid on UCAS form Do NOT tick the OVERSEAS STUDENT box! Do NOT tick the OVERSEAS STUDENT box! Apply as a UK RESIDENT Apply as a UK RESIDENT Check all details very, very carefully BEFORE final submission Check all details very, very carefully BEFORE final submission Ensure parents have authorised access to student accounts Ensure parents have authorised access to student accounts

11. Important points for parents Get a National Insurance number for your child when they turn 16 Get a National Insurance number for your child when they turn 16 Keep detailed evidence of regular visits to the UK Keep detailed evidence of regular visits to the UK Ensure parents have authorised access to child’s UCAS/Student Finance accounts Ensure parents have authorised access to child’s UCAS/Student Finance accounts Consider children returning to UK for a summer, prior to starting university Consider children returning to UK for a summer, prior to starting university

12. Be prepared for…. Many emails and phone calls to the UK Many emails and phone calls to the UK Considering a foundation year Considering a foundation year Possible year at UK Sixth Form? Possible year at UK Sixth Form? Need for acculturation back to UK life Need for acculturation back to UK life

13. PRAY! Ask supporters to pray: For the return of TCKs to the UK For the return of TCKs to the UK For the university application process For the university application process For favourable responses from the “powers that be” in Admissions Offices For favourable responses from the “powers that be” in Admissions Offices For the transition period – both student and parents! For the transition period – both student and parents!