UNIVERSITY - AN INTRODUCTION Daniel Whyley

THEMES What is university? Why go to university? Choosing the right course and university and student life Student finance

THEMES What is university? Why go to university? Choosing the right course and university and student life Student finance

Usually partaken after sixth form/college, A-Levels/BTECs. Leads to qualifications such as degrees and foundation degrees. Higher Education More independent study than at school (lectures, seminars, etc). Assessment not just exams (essays, group work, etc). Independent study and flexible assessment Huge number of things to get involved in, including societies, sport, work experience, studying abroad, volunteering, etc. Other opportunities WHAT IS UNIVERSITY?

THEMES What is university? Why go to university? Choosing the right course and university and student life Student finance

WHY GO TO UNIVERSITY? You want a job that requires a degreeYou want to learn more about a certain subjectYou want to develop your skillsYou want to increase your future earning potentialYou want an active social life

Confidence and initiative Communication Teamwork and meeting new people Leadership and management IT Research Organisation and independence Budgeting Time management Transferable Skills You’ll Develop

THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS It’s your choice!

THEMES What is university? Why go to university? Choosing the right course and university and student life Student finance

LEVELS OF STUDY Honours Degree- Undergraduate: BA, BSc, BEng, etc3-4 years Foundation Degrees- Related to specific career paths - Designed with local employers - Can add a third year and continue to honours degree 2 years Higher National Certificate Higher National Diploma - Practical subjects - Well-recognised by employers - Standardised qualifications - Can continue to honours degree in second or third year 1 year 2 years Foundation Courses- Courses taken before a degree - e.g. Art and Design, Engineering 1 year

Over 38,000 courses on offer in the UK! Something completely new? An accredited course? Develop an out of school interest? Career in mind? CHOOSING A COURSE Favourite subject? Consider all the options!

Surf Science David Beckham Studies Extreme Sports Studies Oscars Dress Design Parent Management Road Management Fish Farming Golfing Studies Baking Technology Fashion Sportswear TRUE OR FALSE COURSES?

TRUE Surf Science Baking Technology Fish Farming Golfing Studies Fashion Sportswear FALSE David Beckham Studies Extreme Sports Studies Oscars Dress Design Parent Management Road Management ANSWERS

Course Structure Modular Full-time/ Part-time Major/ Minor Length of course Sandwich course Combined/ Joint honours

Content Does it cover your interests? Look at specific topics Professionally accredited? Teaching Styles Lectures, seminars, practicals, private study Assessment type Class sizes COMPARING COURSES

Marketing Management with Economics American (United States) Studies Biological Sciences Biology Psychology Politics and History of the Middle East with Arabic Primary Teaching WHAT DID THEY STUDY? JOHN: Police Sergeant HANNAH: Primary Teacher TONY: Contracts Director for architectural glazing firm DAN: Marketing Executive for IT distributor HELEN: Corporate Partnerships Manager for Royal National Lifeboat Institute KAT: Media Buyer for advertising agency TONI: Cabin Crew for Virgin Atlantic

Biology Primary Teaching Biological Sciences Marketing Management with Economics Politics and History of the Middle East with Arabic American (United States) Studies Psychology JOHN: Police Sergeant HANNAH: Primary Teacher TONY: Contracts Director for architectural glazing firm DAN: Marketing Executive for IT distributor HELEN: Corporate Partnerships Manager for Royal National Lifeboat Institute KAT: Media Buyer for advertising agency TONI: Cabin Crew for Virgin Atlantic ANSWERS

Entry Requirements Size Financial support - bursaries and scholarships Reputation Location - campus-based or inner-city Facilities and social life CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY

Where will you be based? How much will it cost? ACCOMMODATION

Student Union services Student Union clubs and societies Bars and club nights Gigs and events Sports facilities and teams Libraries and computers Part-time jobs Life around the university FACILITIES AND SOCIAL LIFE

You won’t be the only one! More support available than ever before. No one in my family has been to university before You don’t need to have any money upfront. Lots of support available. I can’t afford it You don’t have to - lots of students live at home. Lots of accommodation available if you do want to move though. I don’t want to move away from home COMMON CONCERNS AND SOLUTIONS

Increased independence but still lots of support available. Personal tutors, student welfare services, careers advice, etc. No one will support me if something goes wrong Very easy to make new friends - everyone’s in the same boat. Exciting to visit old friends or have them visit you. None of my friends are going to university Universities great at careers advice and links to employers. Important to view university as an investment. I won’t get a job after university COMMON CONCERNS AND SOLUTIONS

THEMES What is university? Why go to university? Choosing the right course and university and student life Student finance

WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF UNIVERSITY? 1. Tuition fees The amount you pay to study at your chosen university. 2. Living costs Everything else!

The cost of studying your degree. Up to a maximum of £9,000 for students studying at English universities. You can choose to pay the fees whilst studying or to defer payment until after you graduate. TUITION FEES

Undergraduate degrees£9,000 per year (taught at Oxford Brookes) Foundation degrees£6,000 per year for (taught at Oxford Brookesfirst two years and associated colleges)£7,000 for top-up FEES AT OXFORD BROOKES

Available to every UK student applying to study their first degree. Can cover either the full cost of your tuition fees or just part of the cost if you’d prefer. Apply through Student Finance England. Money transferred directly from Student Finance England to your university. TUITION FEE LOAN

Amount varies from student to student but common costs include: You have the option to take out a maintenance loan to help with these costs… LIVING COSTS

Also provided by Student Finance England but paid directly into your bank account. You receive your loan in three instalments each year. The amount of loan that you are entitled to depends on: - your current household income - where you are going to study - which year of your course you are in Every full-time UK student entitled to 45% of maximum. Remaining 55% is means-tested on factors including household income. MAINTENANCE LOAN

MAINTENANCE LOAN AMOUNTS (2015 ENTRY) Students living at home with parents Up to £6,904 (minimum = £3,039) Students living away from home (outside of London) Up to £8,200 (minimum = £3,821) Students living away from home (in London) Up to £10,702 (minimum = £5,330) If your household income is £62,180 or above you will receive the minimum amount

MAINTENANCE LOAN EXAMPLES

PAYING BACK STUDENT LOANS Two types of loan that most students take Tuition Fee Loan Paid directly to the university Maintenance Loan Paid directly to the student After graduation Treated as one single loan Repayable as 9% of salary earned over £21,000 per year Repayable from first April after graduation

Taken as 9% of your earnings over £21,000 each year. Repayments deducted straight from your salary, like tax. Any outstanding amount written off after 30 years. PAYING BACK STUDENT LOANS For example: SalaryRepayment Up to £21,000No repayment £25,000£30 per month £30,000£68 per month £40,000£143 per month

EXAMPLE - MONTHLY PAYSLIP NameMr A NonPay Date28 April NI numberNI12345ATax CodeAB12 EarningsDeductions Salary£2,083.33Tax£ (£25,000 per year) National Insurance£ Student Loan£30.00 Total Pay£2,083.33Total Deductions£ Net Pay£1,583.53

INTEREST RATES Whilst studying: Rate of inflation +3% from when you start studying until the April after you finish university From the April after you graduate: The rate of inflation if you are earning below £21,000 The rate of inflation and up to +3% on a gradual rising scale if you are earning between £21,000 - £41,000 The rate of inflation +3% if you are earning over £41,000

HOW TO APPLY Complete application online at Can apply for Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan at the same time More information to provide if you are submitting a means-tested application You can usually start applying from February time - best to do this ASAP!

HOW TO APPLY Application assessed and Financial Notification Letter then sent Online declaration form signed and sent to Student Finance England and Payment Schedule Letter then sent First instalment of Maintenance Loan not transferred to student until they enrol at university

Paid by universities. Available in addition to government loans and grants. Can be awarded for a variety of reasons including household income, academic performance and sporting or musical ability. Every university is different, so important to do your research. Consider what’s available (cash bursaries, fee waivers, etc), whether you’re eligible and how you apply. BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Universities sometimes able to offer emergency loans. Additional financial support available for students with child or adult dependents. FURTHER SUPPORT Non-repayable and available in addition to other forms of student finance. Apply online at Various support available including computing equipment, study support and non-medical helpers. Various disabilities covered including dyslexia, diabetes, physical disabilities and mental health issues. Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

Tuition fees paid in full for the following courses: Nursing, Midwifery, Occupational Therapy, Operating Department Practice and Physiotherapy Means-tested bursary and non-means-tested grant and loan also available for maintenance costs. Part-time students paid pro-rata. Information on how to apply and also on Social Care courses available at NHS COURSES

EARNING EXTRA MONEY Lots of sectors and businesses that employ students: shops, restaurants, bars, pubs, music venues, universities! Earn extra money while also enhancing your skills and experience. Work during university holidays too. Part-time work Keep in good condition and sell on at the end of the year. Sell your books Lots of support available. Start your own business

No upfront tuition fees. Maintenance Loan available for all full-time UK students. Repayments only ever 9% of what you earn above £21,000 and any outstanding debt written off after 30 years. Lots of support available and plenty of ways to earn extra money. THINGS TO REMEMBER

THEMES What is university? Why go to university? Choosing the right course and university and student life Student finance

Any Questions?

Government- Student Room- UCAS- Oxford Brookes- - FURTHER INFORMATION