1. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras A Parents’ Guide Professor Dominic Houlihan Vice-Principal (Research & Commercialisation)

2. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Making the Right Choices Range of opportunities in Higher Education is enormous and exciting 40% of young people now progress from school to university 50,000 degree and diploma courses on offer in the UK

3. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras First Step to a Rewarding Career Provides skills, knowledge and understanding for progression to a variety of careers Helps develop transferable skills for a dynamic job market Increases earning potential Increases maturity and confidence

4. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras The University at a Glance Founded in 1495 World-class institution, boasting four Nobel Prize winners Around 14,000 students 120 nationalities Over 550 degree programmes Research Intensive Ranked 137 th in the World

5. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras The University at a Glance 3 Colleges divided into the following disciplines: Arts & Divinity Social Sciences & Law Medicine & Medical Sciences Science & Engineering Education

6. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras 500 Years of Excellence

7. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Investing in your Future Planned investment of £230 million over the next 10 years The Hub Sports Centre Matthew Hay Centre Library

8. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Unique Facilities

9. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Unique Facilities

10. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Unique Facilities

11. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Choice and Flexibility First and Second Year MA & BSc students study their chosen degree subject e.g. Psychology, and up to four other subjects in each of their first two years Try out new subjects and tailor their degree to suit their needs and interests Flexible system allows students to change degree intention up to the end of second year, in consultation with their Adviser of Studies Professional qualifications e.g. Law, Teaching, do not offer the same flexibility

12. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Study Abroad

13. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Employment Prospects

14. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras The city that has it all

15. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Admissions Process Alison Clark Marketing Officer Student Recruitment and Admissions Service

16. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Admissions Process 15 Jan By End March Application to UCAS UNIVERSITIES make offers Conditional & Unconditional UCAS sends statement of decisions letter and reply slip STUDENT replies to each offer Firm Acceptance (F) Insurance (I) Decline (D)

17. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Admissions Process Ways to Accept Offers (UF) Firmly accepted Unconditional offer (no insurance) (CF) Firmly accepted Conditional offer (CF+CI) Firmly accepted Conditional offer + a Conditional offer as Insurance (CF+UI) Firmly accepted Conditional offer + an Unconditional Insurance offer

18. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Admissions Process When to Reply Last decision from University 31 March 2008 9 May 2008 13 June 2008 Reply Date 6 May 2008 6 June 2008 7 July 2008

19. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Admissions Process UCAS EXTRA Applications to all degrees except BEd (Hons) Primary Education and Medicine If all 5 choices used and no offers received From 26th February 2008, will receive a letter if eligible Application locked for 10 working days Possible to make sequential applications Can accept or decline, if decline can apply to next choice Live up to and including 30th June 2008, then join Clearing

20. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Admissions Process Confirmation when results come out Offer confirmed or alternative offer made Clearing

21. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Medicine Admissions Process www.abdn.ac.uk/medicine/prospective-students www.ukcat.ac.uk (for 2008 applicants onwards) 15 Oct 2007 Some offers made from January, bulk by end March 2008 Application to UCAS UNIVERSITIES Make Offers Conditional & Unconditional Based on 4 stage scoring system (A) Academic Scoring, (B) UCAS Form, (C) UK CAT Score (D) Interview

22. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Education Admissions Process Application to UCAS UNIVERSITIES Make Offers Conditional & Unconditional Based on 3 stage scoring system Criminal record check (A)Academic Scoring, (B) UCAS Form, (C) Interview 15 Jan 2008 Interviews Jan-March

23. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Applicant Portal Unique online applicant portal that allows your son or daughter to check the status of their application and receive important information quickly Offer letters, applicant guides, accommodation guides will all be sent out electronically through the portal Secure – password protected Check regularly Developed directly in response to requests from applicants to receive information electronically

24. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Applicant Days & Visits BSc – 27 th Feb MA – 5 th March Engineering – 27 th February 08 and 19 th March 08 Law – 29 th February and 7 th March 08 Open Door policy – tour campus and visit departments. Normally require 2 weeks notice

25. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Finance Apply on line at www.studentfinanceni.co.uk Contact your Education Library Board for more information

26. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Finance Fees – Rest of UK Variable tuition fees are charged at UK institutions outside of Scotland. Maximum £3145 per year, which nearly every institution charges. A fee loan can be taken out from the Student Loans Company to pay for this. Standard tuition fees for other UK students studying in Scotland is £1,775 per year for all degree courses, with the exception of Medicine where the fee is £2,825 per year.

27. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Finance Student Support Maintenance Loans up to £4,625 per year A Maintenance Grant up to £2,835 per year Full grant available for household income of £25,000 or less.

28. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Student Loans / Grants Household Income Maintenance Grant Student Loan for Maintenance Total for 2008 / 2009 £25,000£2,835£3,365£6,200 £30,000£2,002£3,365£5,367 £40,000£998£3,627£4,625 £50,000£524£4,101£4,625 £60,000£50£4,575£4,625 £70,000No grant£3,685

29. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Finance Additional Support Hardship Funds Supplementary Grants: Special Support Grant – means tested Disabled Student Allowance Additional Support Grants (e.g. childcare)

30. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Finance Student Funding Student Loan – Repayments taken from source (9% of income over £15,000) Parental Contribution Grants/Bursaries Part-time Work Savings

31. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Finance University Accommodation From £103.00 per week, catered Additional food - £15 per week Total £4,484 - 38 weeks From £60.50 per week, self-catering Additional food - £30 per week Total £3,439 - 38 weeks

32. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Finance Private Accommodation From £250 per month Heating, lighting - say, £40 per month Food - say, £100 per month Total £4,680 - 12 months

33. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Accommodation Guaranteed Accommodation Brand new facilities for 2008 entry Catered/ Self Catered Wardens Accommodation Office

34. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Support from a Caring Community Adviser of Studies Centre for Learning & Teaching Medical Practice Chaplaincy Disability Support Counselling Service Careers Service

35. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Social Life Student friendly city Charities’ Campaign Gaudie Student Radio

36. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Further Information For further information contact Student Recruitment and Admissions Service T: 01224 272090 / 91 E: sras@abdn.ac.uk W: www.abdn.ac.uk/sras