Applying to University Ellie Weatherley & Sophie …...BRUNEL UNIVERSITY LONDON HOW TO GET AHEAD YEAR 13 September -November: time to decide on your five choices, and (re) draft your

Applying to University

Ellie Weatherley & Sophie Hopkins

Student Recruitment

How to choose the right course

and university

Ellie Weatherley & Sophie Hopkins

Student Recruitment

BRUNEL UNIVERSITY LONDON

WHERE TO START?

Investigate what is available using the UCAS website

Work hard in your GCSEs

English, Maths and Science at C/4 or above

Do you need to study certain subjects at A-level/BTEC?

What subjects?

What grades?

Eg. Physiotherapy: ABB at A-level including a science OR BTEC ED: D*D*D, plus A-level Bio

www.brunel.ac.uk/opendays


WHAT TO STUDY?

46,605 courses available Study something new or

something familiar? Follow a course offering a clear

career path or a more traditional academic subject?

What is the course about? Something you enjoy and are

interested in.



WHERE TO STUDY?

How many students? Rural or urban? Campus or ‘Split Site’ What are the facilities like? What support is available? Is accommodation available? What is the cost of living? What is the course and

university reputation?



HOW TO STUDY?

How many subjects will you study? Do you want to include study abroad? Do you want to include work

experience? How will your course be assessed? How will your course be taught? Do you want to include a foundation

year? Do you want to study a foundation

degree with top up?



DEGREES AT BRUNEL

Anthropology Biomedical Sciences Business & Management Communication and Media Studies Computer Science Creative Writing Design Digital Media Economics Education Engineering English Environmental Sciences Film Studies Finance and Accounting

Games Design Global Challenges History Journalism and Culture Law Life Sciences Mathematics Music Occupational Therapy Physiotherapy Politics Psychology Sociology Sport, Health and Exercise

Sciences Theatre



HOW TO RESEARCH?

www.ucas.com Talk to your teachers, family &

friends Look at prospectuses & course

leaflets Visit university websites Use social media www.opendays.com


http://www.ucas.com/

http://www.facebook.com/bruneluniversity

https://www.instagram.com/bruneluni/

https://www.snapchat.com/add/brunelcampus

https://twitter.com/bruneluni

https://www.youtube.com/bruneluniversity


HOW TO RESEARCH?

Talk to or shadow professionals Read around your subject areaWatch the news Arrange work experience Volunteering Part-time jobs Reflect on your experiences!


http://www.facebook.com/bruneluniversity

https://www.instagram.com/bruneluni/

https://www.snapchat.com/add/brunelcampus

https://twitter.com/bruneluni

https://www.youtube.com/bruneluniversity

Applying to University

The UCAS Process

Ellie Weatherley and Sophie Hopkins

Student Recruitment


THE UCAS BASICS


Register with Apply (on UCAS)

Complete your Application Form Personal Details Additional info and Student Finance Your Choices Education & Employment Personal Statement Reference – usually your teacher / tutor

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjfitWU-9zbAhVHchQKHWxODXQQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http://international.southwales.ac.uk/apply/eu/undergraduate&psig=AOvVaw2iy9AKlKYt-4bnCz-nMZ5-&ust=1529402690278326


UCAS DEADLINES

Mid-September: UCAS applications open October: Applications for Oxbridge, Dentistry and Veterinary

close October 5th: Personal Statement deadlineNovember 16th : UCAS application deadline January: Student Finance opensMarch: Art and Design course deadline (some have Jan

deadline)June: deadline for students to reply to offers received by MayAugust: Results Day! + Clearing vacancies are published



HOW TO GET AHEAD

YEAR 12 June: now exams are out of the way,

make a big list of courses you like the look of, research other options and visit some university Open Days.

July / August: start your Personal Statement (even it it’s just brain-storming ideas or making notes)



HOW TO GET AHEAD

YEAR 13September - November: time to decide on your five choices, and (re) draft your Personal StatementJanuary – March: your offers should start to come in but remember universities have until May to respondApril – May: Time to decide your Firm and Insurance choices and get on top of student accommodation Mid-August: Results Day is coming and university (fingers crossed) awaits!



WHAT IS A PERSONAL STATEMENT?

A mini essay (max. of 4,000 characters) you write about why you’re the perfect candidate for the degree course you’re applying to

Your Personal Statement is key – it’s read by Admission tutors at each of your universities and they decide whether to offer you a place or not

It gives you a chance to distinguish yourself from others and to tell your universities a little bit more about yourself

It takes a little while to get your Personal Statement sounding perfect so be prepared for lots of drafts. Remember it’s not a race!



WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT

1. Tell them why you want to study the course – why do you want to study this at university level and how did your interest develop?

2. Explain why you’re right for the course –show that you’ve researched the course (or job it links to) and what studying this course at university will involve. How are you prepared for this? Have you worked as part of a team?

3. What have you done outside of the classroom that’s made you love the subject – have you read any books or blogs that link to your course? What else have you done that’s ignited your interest in your course?



WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT


4. Have you done any work experience, volunteering or travelling etc. that have helped grow your interest in the area?

5. Talk about transferable skills you already have that you’re ready to throw into university (keep them relevant – eg. Duke of Edinburgh).

6. Talk positively about yourself and your enthusiasm for the subject!


THINGS TO AVOID PUTTING IN YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT

1. Quotations – these are a complete no-go! Admissions tutors want to hear your voice, and your voice only.

2. Lists – avoid lists of books you’ve read, places you’ve visited or jobs you’ve had – stick to two or three things to talk about

3. Cheesy sayings – no ‘when I was a child’ type stuff! 4. Don’t big yourself up with silly statements – if you’re going to say you’re

amazing at something, give examples that prove this, don’t just say it. 5. The word ‘passion’ is over-used – limit yourself to using it once if you

cant resist6. Don’t try to be funny – normally it works, not in this case. It’s dodgy if

they don’t get your sense of humour. 7. No negative comments!


https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj_w8_ngN3bAhVFUhQKHRWzAHEQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https://www.videoblocks.com/video/red-cross-animation-indicating-a-wrong-answer-ai0xg-k&psig=AOvVaw3zp3yCvzbSx6l1suyoF1j-&ust=1529404195003584

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj_w8_ngN3bAhVFUhQKHRWzAHEQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https://www.videoblocks.com/video/red-cross-animation-indicating-a-wrong-answer-ai0xg-k&psig=AOvVaw3zp3yCvzbSx6l1suyoF1j-&ust=1529404195003584


ONCE YOU’VE SENT YOUR APPLICATION..

Once you’ve completed your Application Form (including Personal Statement), you can submit it (woo!)

Your teacher will add a reference and send it off to UCAS UCAS send your form to your choices (this takes 24 – 48

hours) You then wait for your choices to reply..


http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjYhbGUgd3bAhULPRQKHbCEAnAQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http://www.symbols-n-emoticons.com/2016/12/fingers-crossed.html&psig=AOvVaw1o5Ri-ZFY-8CKVquWtC5i1&ust=1529404289972714


YOUR UNIVERSITY OFFERS

Unconditional Offers You’ve met the grades that the university have asked for and they’re really impressed

with your application If you accept your unconditional offer, you are committing to going to that university. It’s not very common to receive an unconditional before you have your grades

Conditional Offers This means that your university has accepted you providing you meet the grades they

want

Firm and Insurance Choices – choose your favourite university for firm and your next favourite for insurance (one with slightly lower grades than your firm choice).



CLEARING AND RESULTS DAY!

Once you’ve chosen your Firm and Insurance choices… If you don’t meet the grades that your university has asked for on Results Day,

don’t panic! You’ll go into what’s called CLEARING – this is if you don’t get a place at either of

your top two universities, you need to find another university who will take your grades.

You can research what universities still have spaces and what courses are available. You can do this via UCAS, apps and websites and it’s really simple.

Once you’ve found a course, you’ll need to ring and speak to the university – this isn’t anything scary, it’s just a conversation about why you want to go that university and confirming your grades



CLEARING AND RESULTS DAY CONTINUED

If your new university offers you a space, don’t rush into it. You normally get 24 hours to make up your mind if you really want to go to that university.

Use this time to have another think about why you want to go to your university and your other options.

Clearing can seem like a big panic, and on Results Day, you may feel like giving up. But don’t because so many universities will have spaces left for you.

If you get even better results than expected, you can also change your university by going through what’s called ADJUSTMENT.


Understanding Undergraduate

Finance

Student Recruitment


WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR AT UNIVERSITY?



TUITION FEES

Range from £6,000 to £9,250/year Brunel: £9,250 (UG, 2018/19 entry)

Placement Fees *£1,000 for placement year of

sandwich course

MEng and MMath Fees *£6,170 (33% fee waiver) for Year 4

*Correct as of April 2017



TUITION FEE LOAN

To cover the cost of your fees Ensuring no upfront fee to pay Available to Home and EU

students Not dependant on household

income. Paid directly to the University



WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR AT UNIVERSITY?



LIVING COST LOAN 2017

To cover daily living costs Available to home students

EU nationals (UK Resident for 5yrs+) EU nationals (EEA migrant workers)

Dependant on income, where you study and where you live.

Paid to students in three instalmentsSeptember, January and April



The amount you receive is based on:

Where you go to university

Where you live whilst at university

Parental/household income

Max annual loan(100 %)

Min annual loan

In London (Brunel) £11,354 £5,654

Outside of London £8,700 £4053

Living at home £7,324 £3,224

LIVING COST LOAN 2018/19



The amount you receive is based on:

Parental/household income

For example:

You study at Brunel (London)

You live in university halls

If your income is £45,000, the maximum amount of loan available is £8,813/year.

LIVING COST LOAN 2017

Gross Household Income (£)

Maximum AnnualLoan available(£)

25,000 11,35430,000 10,719

35,000 10,084

40,000 9,449

45,000 8,813

50,000 8,178

55,000 7,543

60,000 6,907

65,000 6,272

69,860 upwards 5,654



WILL LOANS BE ENOUGH? BRUNEL UNIVERSITY LONDON

ExpenseOn Campus(9 months)

(Sept to June)

Off Campus(12 months) Monthly

Accommodation £3,893 to £5,471 £4,200 to £5,400 £500 approx.Bills Included in rent £480 £40

Mobile phone £240 to £480 £240 to £480 £20 to £40

Food £1,350 £1,800 £150

Travel £270 £360 £30

Books/Equipment £135 £180 £15

Clothes £450 £600 £50

Hobbies/Socialising £990 £1,320 £110

Total£7,328 - £9,146

Don’t forget to plan for the summer holidays!

£9,180 – £10,620This includes the summer period

£915 to £935



HOW CAN YOU CLOSE THE GAP?

Parents Savings Working during holidays Part-time job during term-time Being savvy with money Additional allowances



IS THERE ANY ADDITIONAL SUPPORT?

Disabled Students’ Allowance Childcare Grant Parents’ Learning Allowance Adult Dependants’ Grant University and college hardship funds Students studying abroad Funding from charitable trusts

For more information: www.gov.uk/student-finance/extra-help Turn2us Grant Search



BRUNEL FINANCIAL SUPPORT 2017

Over 400 scholarships available to full time students.

A range of support is available including: Academic Excellence Scholarships x 30 Brunel Bursary x 300 Unpaid Placement Bursary Care Leaver Bursary Urban Scholarships Subject Specific Scholarships International Excellence Scholarship Sport & Music Awards



APPLYING FOR STUDENT LOANS

Apply online – Feb/March: www.gov.uk/studentfinance Passport, NI number & bank details Send evidence Receive letter informing of financial

support Register at university Funds transferred.

Deadlines: Late May 2019 for Government

support



REPAYING STUDENT LOANS

Repay when earnings over £25,000 Pay 9% of earnings above £25,000

regardless of income Paid through the tax system from

April following graduation Outstanding balance after 30 years

will be written off

Income Amount above threshold 9% Monthly repayment

£29,000 £4,000 £360 £30/month

£39,000 £14,000 £1,260 £105/month

£89,000 £64,000 £5,750 £480/month

Interest Rates (2018/19) (awaiting final government policy)

Earnings InterestWhilst studying RPI + 3%Less than £25K RPI

Between £25k - £45k RPI + up to 3%

Over £45k RPI + 3%



STUDENT FINANCE – TOP TIPS

Ways to save money at university Bulk buy Student discounts (NUS, UNiDAYS + Student

Beans) Don’t buy brand new books for your course! Part-time job Student railcards + Oyster cards Take cash on a night out, not your card! Don’t buy Microsoft Office software



ANY QUESTIONS?


Documents

Applying to University Ellie Weatherley & Sophie …...BRUNEL UNIVERSITY LONDON HOW TO GET AHEAD YEAR 13 September -November: time to decide on your five choices, and (re) draft your