An Introduction to Higher Education

and UCAS

Why Higher Education?

• Financial Advantages

• Only way into some careers

• Greater career choices

• Greater employment opportunities

• Higher promotion prospects

• Higher level skills valued by employers

Why Higher Education?

• Chance to study subjects to their highest level

• Opportunity to study new subjects

• The opportunity to go on to higher degrees and research.

• The chance to study abroad for a period of time

• To work as part of your course

• The opportunity to use some of the most advanced equipment and facilities

Types of HE courses• Degrees – BA’s, BSC’s etc. single, joint, combined

honours• Pre degree foundation courses• Some are vocational – are required for a

particular career• Some are broadly vocational – are particularly

relevant to certain careers • Some are non-vocational – not specifically for a

particular career• Degree Apprenticeships are becoming more

popular

Choosing the Right Course• Subject or subjects• Expected A level grades• Career choice• Type of course• Structure and content of the course• Type of institution• Location of the institution• Academic resources and facilities• Sport, social and cultural facilities• Living accommodation and costs

Grades and Points Scores

• When you do your research, take special note of the grades or point scores required

• Some universities state grades - AAB

• Some universities state point scores – known as tariff scores (can be easier to achieve)

• Be realistic in the application

UCAS Points TariffGrade A2

A* 56

A 48

B 40

C 32

D 24

E 16

ExampleBiology B 40Maths C 32History A 48

120 UCAS points

Making Choices• Subject teachers will provide predicted grades

• Choose courses which have a spread of tariff points/grades

• One to reflect the best possible results

• One to reflect the worst possible results

• Three to reflect the predicted grades

Unconditional Offers

• Seen a huge increase over last 2 years

• Some are used to encourage students to choose a certain university

• Try not to be swayed by an Unconditional Offer

• Remember people will look at your A level grades in the future – Don’t stop working!

Applying for UCAS

• All students must do this online. They should register using the school’s UCAS information

• Students write their Personal Statement

• Form Tutor writes reference

• When student pays and sends application, it is sent to UCAS coordinator

• The application and reference are then checked before being sent to UCAS

• Costs you £25 or £20, paid online

PERSONAL STATEMENTS

The Personal Statement

• Most important part of the application

• 47 lines or 4000 characters maximum

• The only chance to personalise the application

• Explain why you are applying

• The one statement goes to all five university choices

• Make it relevant to all of your choices

What goes in it?

• 70% about the course

• Your academic experiences

• Why have you applied to study this course?

• What makes you a good candidate for the course?

-Reading, academic experiences -Work experience-Awards-Are you looking for a career in this area?

What goes in it?

• The other 30% is about you

• What are your hobbies and interests?

• Do you work part-time?

• What do you want to get out of university?

Getting it Right!

• Check spelling and grammar

• Have others proof read it – but not too many

• Show passion and enthusiasm for the subject

Don’t…..

• Use fancy language

• Waffle on about irrelevant things

• Try to be funny

• Lie

• Copy or plagiarise

• Leave it to the last minute!

What Next?• Do the research

• Attend as many open days as possible

• Ensure you are taking part in extra curricular activities

• Arrange work experience if it is needed

• Encourage your son/daughter to start their personal statement

• Sign up online to UCAS, make sure you link to the school –buzzword is copleston20

• Encourage your son/daughter to ask for help if they are not sure about anything

THIS IS YOUR GUIDE TO STUDENT

FINANCE

LUCYHigher Education Adviser

Advice for parents and carers

UEA

UK Top 15

(Times/Sunday Times 2019)

TEF Gold

(Teaching excellence framework 2017-2020)

World Top 200(Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019)

Student

Union

Sportspark

Accommodati

on

“The Street”

Laundrette

Multi-faith Centre

Sainsbury Centre

for Visual Arts

Medical Centre

& Dentist

24/7 Library

tuition fee loan maintenance loan

tuition fee loan up to £9,250maintenance loanmaintenance loanLiving away from home £8,944

Living away from home in London £11,672

Living at home £7,529

HOW MUCH?

FULL-TIME STUDENTS MAXIMUM

LOAN

EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THISTOPPED-UP BASED ON

HOUSEHOLD INCOME

PARENTAL HOME £7,529 £3,314 £4,215

AWAY FROM HOME £8,944 £4,168 £4,776

LONDON £11,672 £5,812 £5,860

STUDENT FINANCE

CALCULATOR

9% ON EARNINGS OVER £25,725

“Think of loans like a graduate contribution’’ Martin Lewis 2018

REPAYMENTS

£30k~£32 per

month

£40k~£107 per

month

£35k~£70 per

month

INTEREST RATES

RPI plus up to 3%

INTEREST RATES

£25,725 or underRPI

£25,725 - £46,305RPI plus up to 3%

£46,305+RPI plus 3%

APPLY ONLINECOURSE

INCOME

BANK

DETAILSNI NUMBER

www.gov.uk/student-finance

DEADLINEUsually the end of May

NON-REPAYABLE

FREE MONEY

TRAVEL GRANT

TRAVEL COSTS FOR CLINICAL PLACEMENTS

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

DSA

DEPENDENTS

CHILDCARE

UNIVERSITY SUPPORTBURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS

BURSARIES

NOT TO BE MISSED!

SCHOLARSHIPSAcademic

Music

Elite Sports

Developing Excellence

TOTUM card

16-25 Travel card

Student bank account

Apps

Unidays

BUDGETING

The Scholarship Hub

#ASKUEAwww.uea.ac.uk/ask

Careers Guidance

• Mrs Claire Ladbrook

• In school from Monday to Thursday

• Registered Member of the CDI

• Available to offer guidance on all your options

CL Career Development Ltd in partnership with Copleston High School

Options

• There are a number of alternatives to university becoming available now

• Higher and degree apprenticeships are offered by many major companies in partnership with universities across the country

• Different apprenticeships are offered at different levels.

CL Career Development Ltd in partnership with Copleston High School

Apprenticeships

There are over 85,000 employers offering Apprenticeships in more than 130,000 locations; there are almost 200 Apprenticeships suitable for hundreds of job roles.

Where to look for apprenticeships?

• For Higher and Degree apprenticeships, employers are leading on advertising

• You can sign up to receive alerts from a number of sources including .gov, Not Going to Uni,

• Our experience shows that apprenticeships are advertised at different times of year

• Our school website has many useful links

CL Career Development Ltd in partnership with Copleston High School

Degree Apprenticeships

CL Career Development Ltd in partnership with Copleston High School

Further Help and Support

• Drop in and see Mrs Ladbrook at break or lunch

• Check the website

• Ask for your code for Fast Tomato

• Mr Leach is the first stop for Personal Statement advice

CL Career Development Ltd in partnership with Copleston High School