28 th June 2012

Progress so far… 20 th June – UCAS launched to students. Students registered. Search courses 27 th June – Higher Education fair 28 th June – Parent’s introduction to UCAS 4 th July – Students meet university students

Key Dates Mid-September Applications can be sent to UCAS. 15 October Deadline for receipt at UCAS of applications to Universities of Oxford or Cambridge, and all with choices for courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science to reach UCAS. 1 December Deadline for receipt of applications to UCAS 24 March Deadline for the receipt of applications at UCAS for art and design courses

Introductions Becky Hill – Coventry University John Orchard – Essex University

A real business experience Applying to University 2013 Becky Hill Recruitment and Admissions Officer

Coventry University London Campus Applying to University UCAS How to research courses What should I be doing now? Important deadlines OVERVIEW

Introducing Coventry University London Campus Launched in October 2010 Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes State of the art facilities Technology enabled campus Less than a 5 minute walk from Liverpool Street Station Shops, cafes, restaurants and street markets Close to London attractions Video

Universities and Colleges Admission Service

Courses: Which subjects interest me? What are my talents? Future Career Entry Requirements University: League Tables The Complete University Guide What does that University offer? (Scholarships/hidden costs?) Location Facilities Step 1 – Choosing a Course/University

League tables – List of Universitieswww.ucas.com Open Days Research

Register with UCAS (username and password) Allowed 5 choices Application includes: Contact details Examination results Personal statement Reference from School/College Choices Step 2 – Applying

Most important part of application Only write one personal statement 4000 characters or 47 lines Tips: Be honest and don’t plagiarise (we’ll find out!) Include work experience Spell and grammar check Don’t rush Personal Statement

Track Universities will send replies at different times Interviews Conditional Offer (meet certain tariff points/certain grades) Unconditional Offer Unsuccessful Application – no offer Firm acceptance Insurance acceptance Decline Step 3 – Offers

15 th August 2013 Exam results sent direct to UCAS and to the Universities UCAS Track will be frozen the week prior to results Step 4 – Results

Clearing - matches unplaced students with universities Adjustment- for those students who have attained better grades than expected Step 5 – Next Steps

Conditional offer: an offer made by a university or college, whereby you must fulfil certain criteria before you can be accepted on the relevant course Firm offer: the offer that you have accepted as your first choice Insurance offer: the offer that you have accepted as your second choice, in case you do not meet the requirements for your firm offer Track: track the progress of your application/reply to any offers/make changes to contact details Personal ID: a 10-digit individual number assigned to you when you register Adjustment: applicants who have met and exceeded the conditions of their firm choice are given an opportunity to look for an alternative place while holding their original confirmed place Clearing: a system which allows you to apply for course vacancies Key Terms

15 th October 2012 ( Oxford or Cambridge. Medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science) 15 th January 2013 (all courses not listed within the 15 Oct Deadline) 24 th March 2013 (Art and Design courses not listed in previous deadlines) 8 th May 2013 (replying to offers) 15 th August 2013 (A-Level results day – Clearing Opens) Important Deadlines

UCAS ‘ How to guides’ Parents section – e-newsletters/UCAS Tariff Points/Important dates Information for Parents

Attending University Open Days Researching Courses Ordering University ‘Undergraduate’ Prospectus Work experience Starting to write your personal statement – worksheet on What should I be doing now?

– applying to Universitywww.ucas.com – Student Loanswww.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk – Subject/University League Tablewww.guardian.co.uk Key Websites

Personal statements  Your reason for choosing the course  Why do you want to study this subject?  Why are you a good student for this course?  Do you understand what the course is actually about?  Subject related experience  Relevant employment or volunteering  Related qualifications  Additional reading  Hobbies, interests and other experience which provide:  Independence or teamwork skills  Motivation and organisation

Personal statements  Career aspirations and goals  These can be general or specific  Spelling, punctuation and grammar  Information about gap years  Gap years are fine (and can be really helpful) but they must be constructive and purposeful  Three key questions  What have I done?  What have I learned from it? (including skills gained)  How will I apply this at university? (How will it make me a better student?)

The cost of university - overview Cost of university Tuition fees Tuition fee loan Living costs Maintenance loan Maintenance grants Scholarships/ bursaries

Tuition fees Tuition fee £6,000-£9,000 Apply for a loan to cover the whole amount Paid directly to the university You do not have to pay anything  Before you start university  Whilst you are at university Everyone is entitled to a tuition fee loan for the full amount, however you can pay some or all up front if you want to You only start to contribute when you have finished university and are earning a good salary. It is the student’s responsibility and not their family’s.

Maintenance Loans Maintenance loans are affected by two factors: Min loan - £2,844 Max loan - £4,375 At home Min loan - £3,575 Max loan - £5,500 Away from home Min loan - £4,989 Max loan - £7,675 Away from home in London 1)Where you live whilst at university 2)Your household income

Maintenance grants If your household income is below £42,600 you will also get a maintenance grant of up to £3,250 You do not have to repay grants All maintenance money (both loans and grants) is paid in three instalments. Household income Additional maintenance grant £25,000 or less£3,250 £30,000£2,341 £35,000£1,432 £40,000£523 £42,600£50 over £42,600no grant

Bursaries, Scholarships and Fee waivers As well as money from the government there is also money available directly from universities. It’s really important to research this when you look at different universities, because every university is different. Examples: BursariesScholarshipsFee waiversOther support Money to help with living costs for lower income households Money based on academic factors e.g. A-level/BTEC grades or what subject you choose to study Reduced price tuition fees for lower income households. This will affect how much you repay after university Support may be in the form of free services e.g. reduced price accommodation, travel bursaries etc.

How loans are repaid However... The amount you repay depends on how much you EARN not how much you OWE You repay 9% of anything you earn above £21,000 The money is taken automatically with your tax. Anything you still owe after 30 years is cancelled Tuition fee x Number of years at university Maintenance loan x Number of years at university Total amount to start repaying £21,000 9%9%

Interest rates During study interest is set at the rate of inflation, based on Retail Price Index (RPI), plus an additional 3% Once graduates start repaying a variable rate of interest will be applied depending on earnings: Salary < £21,000 - interest will be RPI Salary of £21,000 – £41,000 - interest will be RPI + х% depending on earnings up to… Salary £41, interest will be RPI + 3% *Please note that these arrangements are not yet finalised for 2012.

Monthly Repayment 2012 onwards Income each year before taxMonthly salaryApproximate monthly repayment £15,000£1,250£0 £16,000£1,333£0 £18,000£1,500£0 £21,000£1,750£0 £24,000£2,000£23 £27,000£2,250£45 £30,000£2,500£68 £33,000£2,750£90 £36,000£3,000£113 £40,000£3,333£143 Source:

Useful websites – studentfinance-yourfuture.direct.gov.uk For extensive information about fees, loans and government grants, including an eligibility calculator –  For information about repaying student and tuition fee loans –  Martin Lewis has a comprehensive guide to student finance – Information about fees and bursaries at the University of Essex

Questions? Thank you for listening