Applying to University in 2014 A Parents’ guide

Why Apply to University?

FOR Study something you already enjoy Study something you already enjoy Start studying a new course Start studying a new course Increased earning power Increased earning power Develop ‘Soft Skills’ Develop ‘Soft Skills’ Increased employability Increased employability New experiences New experiences New opportunities New opportunities New friends New friends A transition between school and work A transition between school and work Get away from home Get away from home Develop independence Develop independence

AGAINST Delays earning money Delays earning money Future debt Future debt Pressure on parents’ finances Pressure on parents’ finances Unsure of what you want to do, need a gap year. Unsure of what you want to do, need a gap year. No guarantee of a job No guarantee of a job Fear of leaving home Fear of leaving home Had enough of academic study Had enough of academic study May not get into a ‘high status’ Uni May not get into a ‘high status’ Uni Might not cope academically Might not cope academically Drop out rate Drop out rate

THE UCAS APPLICATION PROCESS

What students have to do Research courses and universities that might be of interest. Research courses and universities that might be of interest. Complete an online application form known as ‘APPLY’. which includes: Complete an online application form known as ‘APPLY’. which includes: Academic history Academic history Course choices Course choices Personal Statement Personal Statement Reference from subject tutors and group tutor Reference from subject tutors and group tutor

Entry Requirements Courses give minimum grades/UCAS point tariffs necessary for acceptance. Courses give minimum grades/UCAS point tariffs necessary for acceptance. It is vital to be realistic about what your daughter or son can achieve. It is vital to be realistic about what your daughter or son can achieve. GCSE subjects or other qualifications may be required. GCSE subjects or other qualifications may be required. GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above are usually mandatory GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above are usually mandatory

THE UCAS TARIFF: A Level and BTEC BTEC LEVELTariff points DiplomaCertificate DDD360 DDM320 DMM280 MMMDD240 MMPDM200 MPPMM160 PPPMP120 PP80 GCE and VCE A level/AS Tariff for BTEC Awards GCE AS level GCE A level Tariff Points A*140 A 120 B100 C80 aD60 b 50 cE40 d 30 e 20

Personal Statement A chance for your son or daughter to sell themselves to the university or course of their dreams. A chance for your son or daughter to sell themselves to the university or course of their dreams. At least half of it is about why they want to read the course chosen. At least half of it is about why they want to read the course chosen. Approx 800 words – typed. Approx 800 words – typed. Deadline for first draft is 19 th July. Deadline for first draft is 19 th July. Details on how to write it are in the student packs. Details on how to write it are in the student packs.

Important Dates for St Martins  4 th October – Deadline for applications to Oxbridge and Medicine courses. For all other courses  18 th October – final draft of Personal Statements to tutors.  21 st October – Early Application deadline  22 nd November – On time Application deadline

Late applications 23 rd November– December 13 th 23 rd November– December 13 th We will guarantee that Applications will be sent to UCAS by January 15th deadline with a full check of the forms. (checks take up to 2 weeks) December 14 th – January 14 th December 14 th – January 14 th We will guarantee applications are sent to UCAS by January 15th with a reference but they will not be checked.

Post application process Conditional offers start to come in within three weeks of applying. Conditional offers start to come in within three weeks of applying. These may be in the form of A level grades or points required for entry. Eg 280 points or BBC in A2 exams. These may be in the form of A level grades or points required for entry. Eg 280 points or BBC in A2 exams. Some applicants may be called for interview Some applicants may be called for interview By the end of April students inform UCAS which offer they wish to accept as a FIRM and which as an INSURANCE offer. By the end of April students inform UCAS which offer they wish to accept as a FIRM and which as an INSURANCE offer. If a student receives no offers UCAS extra opens in March. If a student receives no offers UCAS extra opens in March. Clearing opens on results day if a student still has no offers. Clearing opens on results day if a student still has no offers.

Support for students Tuesday and Friday Workshops – Advice and Guidance Tuesday and Friday Workshops – Advice and Guidance Drafting and marking of personal statements Drafting and marking of personal statements Provision of references Provision of references Checking of forms (for on-time applications) Checking of forms (for on-time applications)

Support for Parents The UCAS pack The UCAS pack UCAS Parents pack UCAS Parents pack UCAStv UCAStv This powerpoint will be on the School Website from Monday. This powerpoint will be on the School Website from Monday.

Activities Week 2013 Mon 1 st JulyTues 2 nd JulyWed 3 rd JulyThurs 4 th JulyFriday 5 th July UCAS day Big Money Careers Day The Apprentice Sussex University & Brighton Beach

Questions? Questions?

What does the world look like?

Student finance Tuition fees Tuition fees Loans Loans Grants/Bursaries Grants/Bursaries Repayments Repayments

Tuition fees/loans Average Tuition fees = £8,500 p/a for Sept 2012 Average Tuition fees = £8,500 p/a for Sept 2012 Household income linked discounts are being published by all Universities, for example Bristol have published the following; Household income linked discounts are being published by all Universities, for example Bristol have published the following; Income below £15k = £3,500 Income below £15k = £3,500 Income between £15k - £20K = £4,500 Income between £15k - £20K = £4,500 Income between £20K - £25K = £6,000 Income between £20K - £25K = £6,000 Income above £25k = £9,000 Income above £25k = £9,000

Maintenance Grants Maintenance grants are based on household income and using current figures the following applies Maintenance grants are based on household income and using current figures the following applies Below £25,000 full grant of £3,250 Below £25,000 full grant of £3,250 £25,000 - £42,600 partial grant (pro rata on £25,000 - £42,600 partial grant (pro rata on the £3,250) £42,601 + student receives no grant £42,601 + student receives no grant

Bursaries National Scholarship Programme National Scholarship Programme Minimum of £3,000 if household income is below £25,000 but Universities set their own criteria and students apply to them directly Minimum of £3,000 if household income is below £25,000 but Universities set their own criteria and students apply to them directly Bursaries – A range of these exist at all universities. Usually based on either; Bursaries – A range of these exist at all universities. Usually based on either; Academic grades Academic grades Sporting ability Sporting ability

Living Cost Loans All loans are paid in 3 instalments directly into the student borrower’s bank account. All loans are paid in 3 instalments directly into the student borrower’s bank account. Living away from home and studying in London £7,675 p/a Living away from home outside London £5,500 p/a Living at home £4,375 p/a

Loan repayments All loans are payable after your daughter/son graduates, not before. All loans are payable after your daughter/son graduates, not before. Loans are payable once the graduate earns over £21K. Loans are payable once the graduate earns over £21K. Interest on loans is charged at the rate of inflation until you earn over £21K when it will go up to inflation + 1, 2 or 3% depending on the graduates income. Interest on loans is charged at the rate of inflation until you earn over £21K when it will go up to inflation + 1, 2 or 3% depending on the graduates income.

Loan repayment illustrations Loans are paid back at a rate of 9% of graduates income over the £21K Loans are paid back at a rate of 9% of graduates income over the £21K If you earn £25 the 9% would apply to £4K and you would repay £30 per month If you earn £25 the 9% would apply to £4K and you would repay £30 per month Salary Monthly repayment £25,000£30 £30,000£67.50 £35,000£105 £40,000£142.50

Average debt forecasts Government estimate is that the average debt on graduation for a student paying full fees (£9K p/a) will be £38,000 Government estimate is that the average debt on graduation for a student paying full fees (£9K p/a) will be £38,000 Institute for fiscal studies forecasts; Institute for fiscal studies forecasts; Lowest earning 25% of graduates will pay less than they currently do. The highest earners around double what they currently pay. Lowest earning 25% of graduates will pay less than they currently do. The highest earners around double what they currently pay. 50% of graduates will never pay off the entire debt at 9% above £21K as they will not earn enough in the 30 years after graduation. 50% of graduates will never pay off the entire debt at 9% above £21K as they will not earn enough in the 30 years after graduation. The top 10% of graduate earners will pay off their loan within 15 years. The top 10% of graduate earners will pay off their loan within 15 years. If you earned a career average of £48,850 it would take 26 years to pay off at the 9% rate. If you earned a career average of £48,850 it would take 26 years to pay off at the 9% rate.