1. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras A Parents’ Guide Jenny Fernandes Head of International Office

2. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Making the Right Choices Range of opportunities in Higher Education is enormous and exciting A third of young people now progress from school to university 55,000 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 4 Nobel Prize winners In the world’s top 200 universities Around 14,000 students 120 nationalities Over 550 degree programmes Research Intensive – around 90% of research activity of international quality

5. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras The University at a Glance 3 Colleges divided into the following disciplines: Arts & Divinity Social Sciences & Law Medicine, Dentistry & 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 ten years The Hub Wireless campus Aberdeen Sports Village Suttie Centre Library Curriculum Reform

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

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

10. 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

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

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

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

14. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Admissions Process Alan Monteith Student Recruitment & Admissions Service

15. 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)

16. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Admissions Process Ways to Accept Offers (UF) Unconditional offer, Firmly accepted (CF) Conditional offer, Firmly accepted (CF+CI) Conditional offer, Firmly accepted + Conditional offer as Insurance (CF+UI) Conditional offer Firmly accepted offer + Unconditional offer as Insurance

17. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Admissions Process When to Reply Last decision from University 31 March 2009 8 May 2009 12 June 2009 Reply Date 5 May 2009 5 June 2009 6 July 2009

18. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Admissions Process UCAS EXTRA Applications to all degrees except Medicine Possible to make sequential applications If all 5 choices used and no offers received From 26th February 2009, will receive a letter if eligible Application locked for 21 working days Can accept or decline, if decline can apply to next choice Live up to and including 30th June 2009, then join Clearing

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

20. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Medicine Admissions Process www.abdn.ac.uk/medicine/prospective-students www.ukcat.ac.uk (for 2007 applicants onwards) 15 Oct 2008 Some offers made from January, bulk by end March 2009 Application to UCAS UNIVERSITIES Make Offers Conditional & Unconditional Based on 3 stage scoring system (A)Academic Scoring including UKCAT, (B) UCAS Form, (C) Interview

21. 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 2009 Interviews Jan-March

22. 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

23. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Applicant Days & Visits BSc – 25 th Feb MA – 4 th March Engineering – 25 th February and 25 th March Law – 6 th and 20 th March Open Door policy – tour campus and visit departments. Normally require 2 weeks notice

24. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Finance SAAS - Student Awards Agency for Scotland www.saas.gov.uk 0845 111 1711

25. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Fees – Rest of UK Variable tuition fees are charged at UK institutions outside of Scotland. Maximum £3225 per year, which nearly every institution charges. Standard tuition fees for other UK students studying in Scotland is £1,820 per year for all degree courses, with the exception of Medicine where the fee is £2,895 per year.

26. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Finance - Student Support SAAS pay tuition fees for Scottish and non UK EU domiciled students SAAS pay all fees directly to Scottish Universities These tuition fees do not need to be repaid Students need to apply to SAAS each year to ensure their fees are paid

27. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Finance – Student Funding Maintenance Grant – Local Education Authority Parental Contribution Grants/Bursaries Part-time Work Savings Travelling Expenses -after 1st £159 can receive between £811-£955

28. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Finance – Additional Support Hardship Funds Supplementary Grants: Dependants Grant – means-tested Lone Parents Grant – means-tested Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) - not means tested Travelling Expenses -after 1st £159 can receive between £811-£955

29. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Finance – Maintenance Grant Main source of funding to cover living expenses Application is through Local Authority (eg. www.dublincity.ie) www.dublincity.ie Applications should be made as early as possible. Process usually opens in June each year Deadline is usually late August Award is means-tested and highest level of grant is currently 6,690 Euros For Information at www.studentfinance.iewww.studentfinance.ie

30. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Student Life Duncan McKay Student Association President

31. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Student Life

32. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Accommodation - Guaranteed Catered From £116 per week Food £15 per week 38 week lease Total = £4,978 Self-catered From £72 per week Food £30 per week 38 week lease Total = £3,876

33. 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

34. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras AUSA – Students’ Association Info & Advice Centre Niteline The Sabb’s AUSA Council Events

35. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Study & Assessment Lectures Tutorials Private Study Library Facilities Computers – wireless campus

36. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Freshers’ Week Week before term starts Move in and make friends Meet Adviser and members of academic staff Find out about clubs and societies

37. www.abdn.ac.uk/sras Clubs, Societies & Sport Over 100 societies and 50 sports clubs Sublime to ridiculous Learn new things Teams & Competitions Meet people from other universities

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

39. 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