A Parents Guide to University Applications UCAS 2016/2017

AIMS 1.Why Apply 2.Making the choice and selecting the university 3.How to Apply Applications & Interviews 4.Finance Loans Bursaries 5.Deadlines

What we done so so far? Introduction to making the decision, apply to university, courses and the UCAS Process Registered with UCAS Started attending Open Days Comparing UK Universities, accommodation and courses Whatuni.com All students should now have usernames and passwords and can access their accounts from home

What is UCAS UCAS is an organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK. The UCAS process, tools and guidelines are designed to make applying easy, for students and for staff at universities and colleges.

Why Apply A higher education qualification is a must for entry to some careers - medicine, vet science chartered engineering and architecture A degree or HND improves your chances of obtaining a fulfilling job, allowing you to develop a career Higher education develops important transferable skills, builds confidence and allows you to experience a rich cultural and social scene whilst you study something of real interest.

Where to start?

How to Apply All students have been given a UCAS Application Pack All students have logged onto – they should have a username and password They will have to Complete 5 Sections 1.Personal Details 2.Additional Information 3.Choices (Students can Make 5 choices) 4.Education (GCSE Results and AS Results) 5.Employment (work experience) 6.Personal Statement (550 Word statement) 7.Pay/send – cost of £24 paid by Debit/credit card

6 steps in the process 1.Choosing courses 2.Applying 3.Offers 4.Results 5.Next Steps 6.Starting university or college

£24 – paid by parents with credit or debit card – must be done at home

Making Choices & Selecting Universities School Careers Library Books Brian Heap - Choosing Your Degree Course Virgin Alternative guide to universities Virgin Guide to courses for Careers Brian Heap - Degree Course offers Push Guide - Which University Brian Heap - Scholarship Awards and Bursaries tyguidehttp://education.guardian.co.uk/universi tyguide

Open Days The best way of finding information is to go and visit the university Consider the following: How far from home do you want to travel Campus or City University Carefully Consider Courses and Content Bursary and scholarship information

Opendays.com

Additional Help

University Offers University offers can involve a range of entry requirements. They may request specific grades alone, E.g. B,B,C or they may ask for specific grades including those from named subjects. B,B,C with the B in History. They could ask for a certain number of points only (see table ) BUT they must state if any subjects DO NOT count towards that required points total.

Extended Project Qualification AS levelA level New Tariff points BTEC Subsidiary Diploma A*56D* A48D B40 C32M A* 28 A D24 BA 20 CBE16P DC 12 D 10 E 8 E 6 NEW UCAS Tariff 2017

OFFERS Conditional offer A conditional offer means that the university or college will offer you a place if you meet certain conditions, which are usually based on your exams. Unconditional offer An unconditional offer means that you have met all the academic requirements and the university or college is happy to accept you. Withdrawn application A choice can be withdrawn by you or the university or college. It may be withdrawn because you didn't respond to any letters or s from the university or college, or because you didn't attend an interview. Unsuccessful application This means that the university or college has decided not to offer you a place on the course. Universities and colleges can decline an applicant for many reasons, one of which could be that the course is full, so it may not be based on the quality of your application. The university or college may provide a reason for their decision either when they send the decision through, or at a later date. If no reason is shown in Track, you can contact the university or college to see if they will discuss why you were unsuccessful.

Once Offers are made FIRM ACCEPTANCE (CF) - This is your 1st choice preference for a conditional offer. INSURANCE ACCEPTANCE (CI) - a ‘back up’ choice This would be a university asking for slightly lower entry requirements that you would be happy to go to if you didn’t meet the conditions of your 1st choice. DECLINE (D) - You will decline ALL other offers you do not wish to take up.

ADMISSIONS TESTS Some Universities or subjects require you to take a test to assess your ability on the course. Usually this will be made clear in the prospectus. Listed below are the most common aptitude tests below. You might want to research these before you apply for these courses. Law Oxford LNATMLAT, HAT, MAT, OLAT, PAT, CAT, ELAT, TSA Oxford Mathematics Cambridge MAT, STEPCOPA, BMAT, MML, STEP, Cambridge Law Test Medicine UKCAT, BMAT, HPAT, GAMSAT Thinking Skills Test TSA Cambridge, TSA Oxford, TSA UCL

Deadlines Personal Statement 30 th September 2016 Personal statement to tutors for review Oxbridge 15th October 2016 Final Deadline for Oxford Cambridge and all Dentistry Medicine and Veterinary courses School Deadline 21 st October 2016 The school deadline date for all university applications Final 15 th January 2017 Final UCAS Deadline all applications after this date dealt with as late.

Student Finance

Building Blocks of Student Finance Maintenance Loan University Bursary Tuition Fee Loan

Student Finance Package Tuition Fee Loan Building Blocks of Student Finance

Tuition Fee Loan Covers full cost of fees Up to £9000 ( 2016/17 ) Paid direct to HEI by SFE Non income assessed Repayable Student Finance Package

Maintenance Loan Building Blocks of Student Finance

Only full-time students can get Maintenance Loans. Money is paid termly to the students The maximum Maintenance Loan for new students starting in September 2017 is: –£8,200 if you live away from home and study at a university or college outside London –£10,720 if you live away from home and study at a university or college in London –£6,904 if you live at home These figures are means tested and the total amount available to a student will depend on parents income.

Maintenance Loan Student Finance Package All students can apply for 72% remaining 28% is income assessed Repayable Paid termly to student by SFE Help with living and study costs

Maintenance Loan Student Finance Package Parental home: £6,904 Elsewhere: £8,200 In London: £10,720 Maximum rates 2016/2017

Building Blocks of Student Finance University Bursary

Student Finance Package Non repayable Payments arranged by HEI Help with living and study costs Scheme unique to each HEI