- The document provides statistics on higher education in the UK, including that over 50,000 higher education courses are listed on UCAS, there are over 300 higher education institutions, and in 2010 over 697,000 people applied for higher education with 487,000 getting places. - It discusses reasons for choosing higher education such as improved career prospects, higher average starting salary of £25,000 for graduates, transferable skills, and social opportunities. - The document gives an overview of the university application process through UCAS, student funding options including tuition fees, loans, grants and scholarship schemes, and advice for choosing the right course and university.

2. Some Statistics How many HE courses are listed on UCAS? How many HE Institutions are there? In 2010, how many people applied to study in HE? How many got places? Over 50,000 More than 300 697,351 487,327

3. Why Choose Higher Education? Improve career prospects Earn more money – average graduate starting salary is approximately £25,000* Transferable skills Have a good time! *Association of Graduate Recruiters, 2010

4. Jargon Buster Alumni Campus Degree Dissertation People who have graduated from a particular university The buildings and surroundings of a university The qualification awarded by a university after 3 or more years of successful study A long report submitted as part of your degree course

5. Jargon Buster Freshers Graduate Sandwich course Undergraduate Students who are beginning their time at university A person who has been awarded a degree from a university or college Degree courses with a years work experience ‘sandwiched’ between the years of study Someone who is studying for their first degree

6. Choosing the Right Course Familiar subject? New subject? Vocational or non-vocational? Level of qualification? What are the entry requirements? What are the career prospects? Assessment methods

7. Which University? Home or away? Traditional or more modern? City or rural? Campus or non-campus based? Accommodation – halls of residence or private housing? Academic resources? Sports facilities? Nightlife?

9. University Life Modules Lectures/tutorials Independent study Sandwich courses/work experience Living away from home – shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry Social Life

10. Accommodation Check contracts for payment details etc Live at home Private house or University owned? Student Houses Student Village or smaller unit Halls of Residence Accommodation

11. Social Life Students’ Union Freshers’ week Societies/sports clubs Entertainment Formal dinners/balls Concessions from: Local nightclubs Theatres/cinemas Restaurants Clothes shops/hairdressers Schedule in some relaxation time – even during busy assessment periods

13. The UCAS Tariff A Level Grade A*/A 140/120 pts Grade B 100 pts Grade C 80 pts Grade D 60 pts Grade E 40 pts BTEC Diploma DDD 360 pts MMM 240 pts PPP 120 pts Many other qualifications and grades – see UCAS website or back of UoH prospectus

14. Timeline When? What? Year 12 Research, research, research September Y13 Apply October Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Vet Science January UCAS Deadline/internal school deadline Open ended Interviews and offers February - June UCAS Extra August Results August Clearing September/October Enrol at University

15. Your Choices Be sure of what you want to study Be realistic - don’t price yourself out of the market - but……don’t underestimate yourself either Remember 5 courses, not 5 HEIs/universities Use the UCAS Website – www.ucas.com

16. The Application Personal details Course choices Qualifications to date and predicted Personal Statement – www.studential.com Referee’s statement

17. Acknowledgement from UCAS Interviews, tests and offers Referee’s statement added Application submitted Payment made Sent to 5 choices by UCAS Track progress online Final decision letter Accept firm and insurance offers

18. Student Fees & Financial Support Student fees and financial support can be broken down into four main areas: Tuition fees National Scholarship Scheme Maintenance Loans Maintenance Grants

19. Universities can charge up to £9000 NO STUDENT NEEDS TO PAY WHILE THEY STUDY Government pays all tuition costs while the student studies Graduate repays based on earnings through tax system Tuition Fees - Graduate Contribution

20. National Scholarship Scheme £3000 award per student in total Fee reduction of up to £3000 and/or a cash bursary limited to a maximum of £1000 Universities offered quota from the government. Must be match funded by the institution. Proposed criteria to qualify is set by the university but with govt guidance – income less than £25k and minimum level of UCAS points.

21. Grants – for living expenses Means tested non repayable grant of up to £3250 from the government. Maximum grant payable for household incomes below £25,000. Partial grants for incomes up to £42,600

22. Student Maintenance Loans (2012/13) Available to all full time students London - £7675 Elsewhere - £5500 Parental home - £4375 Maintenance loan entitlement can be reduced if maintenance grant received. 35% of Maintenance loan is means tested for incomes above £50,000.

23. Paying it Back Income Each Year Monthly repayment Repayment as a Percentage of Income Up to £21,000 0 0 £22,000 £7.50 0.6 £23,000 £15 1.1 £24,000 £22.50 1.5 £25,000 £30 1.9

24. Graduate on £25k

25. NHS Related Courses NHS courses are funded differently – you will not be required to pay tuition fees Finance is applied for directly through the NHS * Amounts may be more if living in London For more information visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students or Department of Health website Living Non means-tested grant Means tested bursary (max) Non means-tested loan Away from parental home £1,000 £4,395 £2,324 At parental home £1,000 £3,351 £1,744

26. Applying for Finance Through the Student Finance England website at www.direct.gov.uk , you can apply from December 2011 Student Finance England Online calculator Apply for second and third year support after Christmas in first and second year If you are having a gap year, student should apply for course at the same time as peers, for finance , apply 12 months later

27. Sources of Student Finance Maintenance Loans Grants Part-time/vacation work - “job shops” Savings Family

28. Further Information Seek advice and guidance At school www.bis.gov.uk www.slc.co.uk www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

29. Key Messages University education is free at the point of study Repay based on future earnings – graduate contribution Repayment threshold more generous than current system Student is investing in their future

30. We offer a lively environment for study with excellent and distinctive degrees Over 22,000 students study with us, on over 400 courses www.hud.ac.uk Follow HuddersfieldUni on Open Days Huddersfield Campus Wednesday 26 October Thursday 27 October Barnsley Campus Oldham Campus Wednesday 19 October