1. Mike Pollard UK Marketing Manager
University: The Facts
Mike Pollard
UK Marketing Manager

2. Introduction Thinking about applying UCAS and the application process
Student finance

3. Improved promotional and salary progression Increased career choice
Why study?
Interest in subject
Employability:
Improved promotional and salary progression
Increased career choice
Flexibility
Self-development
Social life
UCAS is a the official UK higher education application service. Having a central application system makes the process of applying much simpler and means that you get the best information when deciding your future.
Even before you start thinking about applying to university, the UCAS website is a great source of information about institutions and the thousands of different programmes you can study on.
The only people that don’t apply through the UCAS service are……
Don’t forget though that subject departments in universities and colleges are still very happy to speak to you and will always provide the most up to date and accurate information about their courses and entry requirements.

4. What to Study? 60,000 course combinations available
Study of more than one subject
New subjects
Same course title - not the same content
Career choice
Teaching
Assessment

5. Type of course LEVEL STRUCTURE Degree HND or Foundation
Dip HE (Nursing)
STRUCTURE
Modular
Sandwich (thick or thin)
Single, joint or combined
Periods of study abroad

6. UCAS points tariff BTEC Nationals Key Skills 3 unit AS 6 unit A2
BTEC Nationals
Key Skills
3 unit AS
6 unit A2
12 unit AVCE
Award
Certificate
Diploma
Points
DDD
360
DDM
320
DMM
280 AA DD
MMM
240 AB
220 BB DM
MMP
200 BC
180 CC MM
MPP
160 CD
140 A D MP
PPP
120 B DE
100 C EE M PP 80 60 50 E P 40 30
level 3 20
level 2 10
When considering the type of course and the institution they would like to study at, students must consider the grade requirements which are listed in prospectuses, often using the UCAS Tariff system.
UCAS applies a set number of points to each qualification and grade which the universities then use to produce grade requirements which form the most significant eligibility criteria. For example an AS grade B is worth 50 points, an A2 is a 6 unit award and so is worth 100 points at grade B.
Often grade requirements are high because the course and the institution are very popular, but however popular the course is, everyone applying to that course will have at least those grades or more. It is essential that students select only those courses where they meet the grade requirement.
Unrealistic applications are wasted as grade requirements are generally the first criteria for eliminating applicants.

7. Where to Study? Over 350 higher education providers in UK
Beware of reputations
Location
Opportunity for part-time work
Size
Academic facilities
Accommodation
Social scene
Campus/non-campus

8. Summary & How You Can Help
Reflection and research
A subject they’ll enjoy!
Support and guidance from school
A realistic application
Why? What? Where? – in that order

9. Applying to university
All research complete, students know where they want to go, what subject they want to study and what type of course they would like to follow …
Probably use the UCAS website to identify which institutions they would like to begin shortlisting

10. University & Colleges Admissions Service
How to Apply
University & Colleges Admissions Service
Everyone applies through UCAS except:
Nursing / midwifery applications (NMAS)
Art and Design foundation (direct)
Part time courses (direct)
UCAS is a the official UK higher education application service. Having a central application system makes the process of applying much simpler and means that you get the best information when deciding your future.
Even before you start thinking about applying to university, the UCAS website is a great source of information about institutions and the thousands of different programmes you can study on.
The only people that don’t apply through the UCAS service are……
Don’t forget though that subject departments in universities and colleges are still very happy to speak to you and will always provide the most up to date and accurate information about their courses and entry requirements.

11. Timing of Application – UCAS dates
Spring/Summer 07 - Research and attend open days
Sept 07 - Schools and colleges receive UCAS forms
15 Oct 07 - Closing date for UCAS to receive applications to Oxford and Cambridge, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine/science
As you can see, this is the timing of applications for those students wishing to start a higher education course in September 2006, i.e. those people who are in year 12 at school or their penultimate year at college.
The same cycle runs every year though, so this gives you an idea of when things happen in the UCAS application process.
e.g…..
15 Jan 08 - Deadline for all UCAS application forms

12. Deadlines Student must adhere to school deadlines.
The earliest applications will get the places
Student is responsible for their application.
Teachers need enough time to write an excellent reference.

13. Application Form UCASApply – online
Reference section completed by teachers
Three sections for student to complete:
Personal details and 5 course choices
Qualifications – achieved/predicted
Personal statement
You can now only complete the application form online
This system can be accessed via a personalised username and password so students can work on their application wherever there is access to the internet. It’s a secure service and universities will only be able to view the application once both student and tutor have agreed to submit the form. The same form is used for all 5 applications, but each admissions tutor can only see the courses the student has applied to at their own insitution.
The college will provide extensive support to every student and will complete a reference based on the students individual courses and their overall performance.
The student completes 3 sections which include

14. UCAS Form – Personal Statement
Why this course / subject area?
Evidence of understanding course content and where it might lead
Work experience (paid and unpaid)
Key skills gained from activities such as Duke of Edinburgh
Career aspirations
Involvement in non-examined activities, e.g. music, drama
Industrial sponsorships
Year out details
Social activities out of education
Your personal statement is an opportunity for you to give the admissions tutor information about yourself which shows how suitable you are for the course you’re applying to. It’s like a job application and, in the same way, you have to sell your interests, skills, experiences and achievements.
You need to show that you understand what the course is about and why you have selected the course. And you need to show how you would not only be a dedicated student, but an asset to the department and the university as a whole.
Admissions tutors like to see a clear and structured personal statement – a good idea is to theme your paragraphs. Get a friend, your parent/carer and your teacher to read over your personal statement before you put it on the form to check it makes sense, that you’ve not forgotten anything and that you can read it – the form is half the size by the time it reaches the admissions tutor.

15. College reference Motivation Commitment Reliability Potential
Attendance
Coursework handed in on time
Potential
Strengths and Weaknesses
Work on own
Leaders or followers
Extenuating circumstances
Tutors will never write negative comments in this statement and students are able to look at the reference written about them. However, if the students has never turned up to class it is unlikely the tutor will have very much to say about them and admissions tutors are very adept at reading between the lines. Now is the time that if students have not been committed as perhaps they could have been, they need to start making an effort with their studies, their reliability and their attitude. Apples on the desk and christmas gifts might also help!

16. Application progress Interviews may take place
An unconditional or conditional offer is made
Example: 240 points to include at least two 6-unit awards or equivalent
Applicant tracking service (UCAS)
Can now breathe a sigh of relief. You have …
successfully researched courses
selected 5 appropriate courses
completed your UCAS application and written an excellent personal statement
Interviews are rare, but compulsory in teaching and many healthcare subjects such as nursing, social work and so on.
NOTES FROM SLIDE
UCAS keep applicants informed of decisions made by universities
Decisions will either be:
Conditional - usually based on results in the summer
Unconditional - if all exams taken and all entry requirements already met
Reject - hopefully not
Online tracking service - use identifying password and pin number to track progress of application
Will have to accept one firm and one insurance choice - UCAS prompt this decision point
Terminology may feel daunting at first, but don’t get put off - PARENTS PACKS
Accept a “Firm” and “Insurance” offer

17. Kingston University Compact Scheme
Eligibility for students at compact colleges:
Full-time course at Kingston University
Applying through UCAS
No family history of HE or
EMA or
Care leaver
Benefits:
£300 per year of study
Flexible entry requirements
Single contact for information, advice and guidance

18. Student Funding and Finance Issues
20 min talk
funding is complex - not time to cover all different types
opportunity for questions of a general nature at the end
opportunity to individually talk to funding staff at the funding desk in ………………………….for specific enquiries
plus information booklets and leaflets to take away

19. Student Finance – UK Undergraduate
Tuition fees and Tuition Fee Loans
Maintenance Grants
Maintenance Loans
University and College Bursaries
Additional Support
How to Apply
Repayments
Nursing, midwifery and therapies different

20. “study first, pay back when you’re earning”
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees of up to £3,070 per year (2007/8).
Fees can vary between courses and universities.
A Tuition Fee Loan is available.
Can be paid up front.
Available to all students, regardless of income
Tuition fee loan is paid direct to the university
“study first, pay back when you’re earning”

21. Maintenance Grant Up to £2,765 Means tested Non-repayable
Paid in three instalments
Grant adjusted against student loan
Household Income
Level of Grant
Below £17,910
£2,760
Between £17,501 and £37,425
Between
£50 and £2,759
Above £38,330
Nil
Essentially means that low income students get given the money and they can’t borrow as much
middle income may get given a little but can borrow more
high income gov assumes there are savings or some kind of parental contribution so they won’t receive the grant and will be limited to how much they can borrow
Most of the support is paid in 3 instalments so they receive some at the start of the year, some in February and some in May to provide for things like deposits. This should help them to manage their money a little better

22. Maintenance Loan To help with living and study expenses
Partly means-tested
75% non-means tested
25% means tested
Reduction in line with grant
Paid direct to the student
Paid in three instalments

23. Maintenance Loan Rates
2007/8
Max if receiving more than £1230 grant
75%
Non means tested
100%
Including means tested
Living away from home in London
£5085
£4735
£6,315
Living away from home outside London
£3280
£3,385
£4,510
Living at home
£2,265
£2,620
£3,495
Everyone is guaranteed the middle figure, but it might go up to the end one

24. Disabled Student Allowances
Equipment allowance £4905 (to last the whole course)
Non-medical helper allowance £12420 (renewed each year)
General allowance £1640 (renewed each year and can be used to top up the other two allowances)
Not means tested

25. University and College BursariesIF
Student receives the full grant of £2,765
AND
University or College is charging more that that
THEN:
University or College must provide a minimum non-repayable bursary of at least the difference.
Average is £305, but many are offering more than this.
Watch out for the small print. Kingston’s is pretty average - £1000 if you’re on benefits, £600 if they get the full maintenance grant, £300 if they get a proportion of the grant. Some advertising huge bursaries of £10,000 but only in exceptional cases e.g. student gets the best grade in the country in their a level subject
TOP TIP – always choose a course that you will enjoy never on how much bursary you get. Bursaries and fees should only be considered if you are stuck between two courses and you’d love to do either!

26. Means Testing Most living cost support is means tested.
The Local Authority assesses household income on the PN1 form – available March 2008
For most school leavers this will be based on:
Gross taxable income of resident parent(s) / partners / step parents
LESS deductions:
payments into pension funds
approx. £1,075 for each other dependant child
College will have copies of the PN1 form
Resident parents whether or not they are married– not any absent parent income or csa payments
Comedy moment – gov thinks it only costs a grand a year to keep a child,
TOP TIP – if they have more than one child at uni at the same time gov divides income between them so if you had twins and a household income of £60,000 the gov would assess you as having an income of £30,00 for each child.

27. £1075 for each other student or child in the household
Method of calculation
Total gross taxable parental/spouse/partner income for financial year ended 5 April 2007 (plus any student income that must be used)
Minus
Pension payments and any tax deductible professional or employment-related expenditure to 5 April 2007
Equals
Household income
£1075 for each other student or child in the household
Residual Household Income - used to calculate level of support

28. Budgeting is an essential:
Living Costs
Budgeting is an essential:
Rent
Food
Clothes
Books
TV Licence
Phone
Transport
Entertainment
Although tuition fees are high profile, it’s actually the cost of living that provides the biggest expense. Some of these costs will depend very much on the individual, but others such as TV licence or rent will be more easily calculated. Important to explore any costs specific to the course – english textbooks may be quite cheap to pick up second hand, but law text books can cost £ and art materials or course trips can also be expensive.
Important to sit down before your son or daughter goes off to university and have an honest discussion about budgeting. If you are fortunate enough to be able to offer your son or daughter financial support agree how this will be done in advance (even if it’s for a small sum). This will help them to budget, rather than encouraging them to let you bail them out when there’s a crisis.

29. Is it Enough? Low income approx. £8,500 Middle income approx. £6,500
High Income approx. £4,500
Support available:
Student bank accounts
University student finance teams
Emergency and Access to Learning Funds
Low income students will be fine, but remember they could try not to spend everything they get
Middle income may need to spend wisely if they have no extra support from family
High income will need to look to savings, parental support or part-time work
Work:
Great opportunity to gain experience in a career of interest – try not to just work in mcdonald’s
No more than hours a week
Don’t forget long holidays – 3months in summer, month at christmas, month at easter

30. Repayments Tuition Fee & Maintenance Loans added together
Repayments start once pay is more than £15,000 pa
Repayments collected through PAYE
Repayment rate is 9% of earnings above £15,000 pa
Any outstanding balance (excluding arrears) is written off after 25 years
Additional payments can be made
Is not like commercial debt – no credit rating, doesn’t affect mortgage or other borrowing.
Repayments based on what you earn not what you owe – should never be making payments you can’t afford

31. Interest
Starts to be added as soon as first payment of loan received
Rate linked to retail price index and will fluctuate, currently 2.4%
SLC provide an annual statement detailing the balance outstanding and the interest added
Any balance remaining after 25 years will be cancelled

32. Gross income per year Monthly repayment
£15,000
£0.00
£16,000
£7.50
£17,000
£15.00
£20,000
£37.50
£22,000
£52.50
£25,000
£75.00

33. Summary Variable fees (up to £3,070) Tuition Fee Loan (up to £3,070)
New non-repayable grants up to £2,765
Increase in maintenance loan
Guaranteed bursary for students receiving the £2,765 grant
Easy repayments

34. Further Information www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
University Student Services Departments
DfES Publications: