1. An introduction to Higher Education
Choosing university courses and places.
Fred Binley, Schools & Colleges Liaison Officer

2. What will University mean to you?
opportunity for new experiences
A great graduate job/career
unlimited academic possibilities
the most exciting time of your life…?
independence and freedom
Cheap beer and good nights out
An investment for the future

3. University: home or away?
“Students who leave home get the best jobs”
“Students who stay at home choose from a limited selection then should select the course that best suits their interests, not the best locally available”
“Students who study away from home have better job prospects…graduates who attend a local university are less likely to move and find work”
“Graduates who migrate earn more than those employed in their home region”

4. What should I study to get a good job?
Accounting = 80%
Chemistry =85%
Geography =79%
Music
=90%
which has the highest % of students entering
employment on graduation?

5. Targeted by top employers

6. What can I do with a degree in…
Art:
Biochemistry:
Biology:
Geography:
History:
Law:
Languages:
Media Studies:
Philosophy:
television, arts admin, web page design, tourism
forensic science, management, IT, sales
environmental consultancy, finance, marketing
journalism, banking, accountancy, law, sales
law, finance, IT, management, computing
accountancy, banking, the media, industry, sales
law, tourism, civil service, diplomatic service
personnel, marketing, public relations
law, finance, local government

7. Choosing a university: it’s complicated…
550,898
applicants, chasing…
450,000
places, on over…
60,000
different degree courses at…
250
higher education institutions.

8. Making an educated choice
Doing the research and find the right university… …offering you the right course The good news is the UK is one of the best places to study in the world!

9. The globalization of Higher Education
Sweden - 2
Finland - 1
Denmark - 2
Ireland - 1
UK - 18
China - 3
Canada - 5
France - 2
Netherlands - 6
South Korea - 2
Switzerland - 4
USA - 30
Germany - 3
Japan - 6
Belgium - 1
Taiwan - 1
Hong Kong - 3
Singapore - 2
Australia - 7
New Zealand - 1
Source: QS World Rankings <

10. 1 8 Global graduates UK universities in the World Top 100 Bristol
Durham
Cambridge
Birmingham
Edinburgh
Kings
Imperial
LSE
Manchester
Glasgow
Nottingham
UK universities in the World Top 100
QS World University Ranking
UK has a world leading Higher Education sector. 18 of our 150 HE institutions are in the World Top 100 (including the University of Southampton). As such, these are the institutions with the best facilities, the highest profile academics in their individual fields, and the best career prospects for those students looking to make an impact on a global stage. These are the institutions the gifted and talented students of the UK should be looking to attend, to work alongside the gifted and talented students from all over the world.
Oxford
Leeds
UCL
Southampton
Warwick
St. Andrews
York
Sheffield

11. Not all universities are the same…
“So should I just apply to Russell Group Universities?” The Russell Group represents 24 leading UK universities Committed to maintaining the very best research, an offering outstanding teaching and learning experiences Strong links with business and the public sector

12. Not all Universities are the same
Type 1: Research Intensive Universities Academic, ‘traditional’ subjects, 21st century research, solving world problems, Russell Group and others Type 2: Regional Universities Vocationally focused, greater emphasis on teaching skills and sector focused, Millennium Plus Group and others

13. Research intensive universities
national
reputation
international
reputation
campus
based
Research
Universities
highly
competitive
city
based
high grades

14. These are the 24 RG Uni’s…

15. What size of research university?
Campus based – (10 –to 15,000 students)
York, Durham, Oxford, Warwick, St Andrew’s...
City-based – (20 –to 40,000 students) :
Manchester, Southampton, Bristol, Newcastle
Leeds, Nottingham, Edinburgh...

16. Regional Universities

17. Regional Universities
often
vocational
accessible
large
range of
courses
Regional
Universities
serve local
community
local
employer
links
teaching based

18. Government Policy
£9,000 Tuition Fees
AAB Quota

19. The numbers game…
Student and parent expectations are higher Universities can now recruit potentially unlimited numbers of students So if you are a good student with good grades Universities will be in competition to attract you to consider studying with them! However – it’s still competitive…

20. Play your university cards right…!
Applications ( ) Places Ratio
Oxford
Cambridge
LSE
Southampton
York
Edinburgh
King’s College
Warwick
Durham
Nottingham
18, ,
15, ,
16, ,
34,437 4,
23,570 3,
46,875 5,
33,660 4,
28,485 3,
26,200 4,
52, ,

21. Choosing a course
Archaeology Art Biological Sciences Biomedical Science Chemistry Computer Science Criminology Earth Science Economics Education Electronics Engineering English Environmental Science Fashion & Textile Design Fashion Management Film Geography Graphics Health Sciences History Law Management Mathematics Medicine Midwifery Modern Languages Music Nursing Occupational Therapy Oceanography Philosophy Physics & Astronomy Physiotherapy Podiatry Politics & International Relations Psychology Sociology Statistics Web Science Zoology

22. grades obtained – do you meet the pre-requisites
Will you be qualified?
Section 1
personal details
chosen courses
Section 2
your qualifications
grades obtained – do you meet the pre-requisites
predicted grades
Section 3
personal statement
Section 4
reference 22

23. It’s not just about the course…
Facilities:
Accommodation, library, computer labs, teaching rooms etc hour access?
Cafes, restaurants, bars, night-clubs, sports, societies, shops...
Social life:
Opportunity to study abroad: Europe? USA/Canada? Australia?
New Zealand? Far East?
Work-placements? Sandwich year?
Other attractions:

24. Start researching

26. UCAS website

27. Which University?

28. Which University

29. What will I study?

30. What about the modules?

31. Key Information Sets

32. How do you apply? Universities & Colleges Admissions Service
Get a signed up with UCAS Apply in school/college
Apply to up to FIVE Universities (4 for some courses)
UCAS deadline is January 15th 2016 (Oct 15 for Oxbridge)
Universities offer places on you obtaining specified entry requirements
UCAS Extra
Deferred Entry – GAP Years

33. UCAS Apply Student holds final 2 university offers as:
FIRM = 1st choice, or
INSURANCE = 2nd choice

34. An ideal timeline: Decide on criteria for choosing Now
June
July
August
Decide on criteria for choosing
Start researching universities
Visit a HE convention
investigate finance
Start to draw up a shortlist of courses and places you like
Visit universities
look at

35. An ideal timeline: Complete your online UCAS October application
Autumn
Easter
Summer
Complete your online UCAS
application
Attend open days/ interviews
Receive conditional offers
Decide your first and second choice university
A-level results
Celebrate and head off to Uni!

36. Key facts 2015-16 No upfront payment = study first and pay later!
A package of financial support:
Higher Education Grants Maintenance Loans
University Scholarships & Bursaries Tuition Fee Loans

37. Maintenance Grants
These are non-repayable for students in England and to help towards living costs:
Household Income
Maintenance Grant
£25,000 and under
£3,387
£30,000
£2,441
£35,000
£1,494
£40,000
£547
£45,000 £0

38. Maintenance Loans
Students from England can take out maintenance loan. There are 4 rates of student loan:
Location
Student Loan Rates
London
up to £8,009
living away in London
Elsewhere
up to £5,740
living away in a city/campus
Home
up to £4,565
living with parents/guardians
Studying abroad
up to £6,820
Studying abroad for at least one academic term

39. Grants and maintenance loans
Household Income
Package of Support for 2015/16
Non-repayable grant
Maintenance Loan
Total
Weekly Amount
£25,000 or less
£3,387
£4,047
£7,434
£190
£30,000
£2,441
£4,520
£6,961
£178
£35,000
£1,494
£4,993
£6,487
£166
£40,000
£547
£5,467
£6,014
£154
£42,620
£50
£5,715
£5,765
£147
£45,000 £0
£5,519
£141
£50,000
£4,998
£128
£55,000
£4,476
£114
£60,000
£3,995
£102
Over £62,143
£3,731
£95
Based on 39 weeks

40. Tuition Fee Loan
To cover the tuition fees charged by your university or college. Not means tested and paid directly on your behalf to your university or college. How much can you get? Up to £9,000 to cover the tuition fee your university or college charges you Up to £6,000 towards your tuition fees if you’re studying an approved course at a private university or college

41. Other financial support
Special Support Grant Disabled Students Allowances Childcare Grant Travel Grant Adult Dependent Grant Parents Learning Allowance Plus…. University Bursaries and Scholarships University of Southampton - £1,000 merit scholarships

42. What about the repayment?
‘Student Debt’ = Tuition fee loan + maintenance loan
Payback starts after graduation - once earning £21,000
Salary
Monthly repayment
£25,000
£30.00
£30,000
£67.50
£35,000
£105.00
£40,000
£142.50
£45,000
£180.00
£50,000
£217.50
£55,000
£255.00
£60,000
£292.50
After 30 years loan is written off!

43. What about the interest rates?
During Study
Retail Price Index (RPI) +3%
Interest rate is:
Earnings under £21,000
Interest rate is:
RPI only
Earnings £21,000 - £41,000
RPI plus up to 3%
Interest rate is:
Earnings over £41,000
RPI plus 3%
Interest rate is: 43

44. How do I apply for support
Apply by 31st May 2016 if starting University in September/October 2016 Download the finance guide from Student Finance England:

45. Graduate earnings
‘Graduate outlook best since 2008’ ‘A review of the job market suggests that top employers have increased their vacancies for recent graduates by 4.6 per cent this year...’ ‘Only 10% of UK students remained unemployed six months after graduating in 2013…’

46. Graduate earnings Average non-graduate salary 2014: £13 – 16,000
Average starting graduate salary 2014:
£29,000
Annual survey conducted by
Association of Graduate Recruiters

47. Further information
EPQ Support Resources
Publications and Guidance
Access to Southampton
Alternative Entry Scheme 47
MOOCs 47

48. Come and visit US!
Undergraduate Open days Friday 3rd / Saturday 4th July 2015 Friday 4th/ Saturday 5th September 2015