2. This talk will answer FAQ’s
about HE
Why HE?
What are universities?
What are degrees?
How does one pay?
What are the requirements?
Are there alternatives?
Is there HE at BPC?
How about Computing at BPC?
2
3. What do you want to achieve in
your life?
Whatever you want to do;
the problem with most things in life is
that they cost money!
3
4. …,BUT how will you get your
hands on this money?
Well, you could hope for the best,…
…because you are soooo special.
BUT;
what if you are special like many other
people?
4
5. What does that mean for you?
You may need to have some sort of
proof that you are really that special.
5
6. Why not HE?
Cost of studying
Time commitment;
…because you could do better things.
6
7. Why HE?
Economy already results in more
competition in the job market
That means that job seekers have
to stand out
Degree may just do that
HE offers more development
pathways
Higher future earnings
Graduates earn an average of 35%
more than the average national wage,
and graduate unemployment has
been half the national average for the
last 10 years.
…
7
8. Why HE?
…
A greater choice of job
Employers value graduate's skills and
the dedication and commitment taken
to complete a course.
BUT…
How do you pay???
8
9. Student Loans
Your income per year Monthly repayments
£21,000 and under No repayments
£25,000 £30
£30,000 £67
£40,000 £142
£50,000 £217
£60,000 £292
9
https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/repayments
If you started your course in or after Sept
2012, then the repayment model will run
for a 30 year period, before any unpaid
balance is written off.
11. What actually is Higher
Education?
Higher Education is not just another
word for university.
It is about furthering your education,
learning new things, being in charge
of your choices and getting to where
you want to be in the future.
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12. But apart from getting a
qualification…
Making new friends
Being part of a team / community
Independence
Self responsibility
Learning valuable life skills
Sense of achievement
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13. What can you study?
There are more than 50,000 different
full and part-time courses available at
institutions all over the UK.
Courses range from traditional
academic subjects such as English or
Maths, to less familiar ones such as
Philosophy, and a whole host of work-
related (vocational) courses such as
accountancy.
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14. How do you choose a
course?
Look at the course title
Look at the institution (department)
Look at the unit descriptions
Do not just look for what you fancy doing.
Do look for what is needed in the job market.
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15. So, what are universities?
A university is a body which has the
authority to award their own degrees and
qualifications.
That means that universities set their own
exams and assignments,…
…and that means that the lecturers set the
exams and assignments.
Most colleges have to get their
(Foundation) Degrees validated by a
University – but the college lecturers set
the exams and assignments.
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16. What qualification can I end up
with?
Bachelor's Degree
BSc (Hons), BEng(Hons) or BA (Hons)
Level H ( Honours)
Foundation Degree
FdSc, FEng or FdA
Higher National Diploma - HND
Level I (Intermediate)
Certificate of Higher Education –
Cert HE,
Higher National Certificate - HNC
Level C (Certificate)
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17. However,…
There are alternatives to these
academic qualifications - you can
come back to university at a later
point in life if you want.
Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA)
Advanced Professional Diploma
Sometimes an employer may pay
for you to do a HE qualification and
give you time off from work to do it.
Universities are not the only place
where you can study for a HE
qualification.
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19. What types of university are there?
Ancient universities
Nineteenth century universities
Red brick universities
Plate glass universities
New / Post 1992 universities
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20. Ancient Universities
Oxford / Cambridge
Over 800 years old
England's only universities
until the 1800's
St Andrews
Glasgow
Aberdeen
Edinburgh
Over 600 years old
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23. Plate glass Universities ( 1960 - 1969 )
Number of UK universities more
than doubled from 20 to 43
University of Sussex
Keele University
University of East Anglia
University of York
Newcastle University
University of Strathclyde
Lancaster University
University of Kent
University of Essex
University of Warwick
and others
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24. Post-92 Universities
In 1992 polytechnics were allowed to become universities and award
their own degrees. Number of UK universities rises from about 40 to
about 80.
Napier University
Anglia Ruskin University
Birmingham City University
Bournemouth University
University of Brighton
University of Central Lancashire
De Montfort University
Coventry University
University of Derby
and many others.
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26. Are universities the only option?
Specialised Colleges of Higher Education
○ Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA)
○ Greenwich School of Management (business, law)
○ Guildhall School of Music and Drama (music,
theatre)
○ London School of Commerce (postgraduate
business school)
○ London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
(medical)
○ London School of Osteopathy
Colleges of Further and Higher Education
○ Bournemouth and Poole College
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27. How do you know which universities are
better than others.
27
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/gug/
28. How do you apply?
Students will apply through UCAS
They will need to write a personal statement
A reference will be written by their tutor.
Students applying to Oxbridge, or medicine and dentistry,
or dance and music must apply by the end of September.
All others must apply by December
Some universities also allow direct entry.
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30. What about the entry
requirements?
Most pre-university courses earn points -
these are called CATS points.
You can find out what your grades are
worth by checking the UCAS tariff tables.
http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/explore-
your-options/entry-requirements/tariff-tables
You also need to check how many CATS
points the course you wish to do at
University requires.
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33. Why would you study HE at
BPC?
You didn’t get the grades you were hoping to get.
Most universities require at least 240 CATS points
You have been out of education for a while and want
a slightly less daunting environment in which to
restart.
You feel you may need more teaching and support
than you might get at a large University.
College courses normally have smaller class sizes
…
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Degree courses
'not value for money',
say many students
34. Why would you study HE at
BPC?
…
We prepare you for University life.
Seamless transfer onto the third year of a BSc
(Hons) degree course at the partner university
(i.e. Bournemouth University or Southampton Solent
University)
Cheaper than studying at university.
Can be up to £3000 p.a. less.
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36. How do Foundation Degrees
work?
Must achieve a minimum of 120
credits at Level C
(HE Certificate of Achievement
awarded)
Must achieve a minimum of 120
credits at Level I
(FdSc awarded)
240 credits and a Merit/Distinction
profile will allow progress to BU
degree programmes.
37. 40% - 59% = PASS
60% - 69% = MERIT
70% and over = DISTINCTION
If you fail, you get one chance to resubmit at
the end of the summer, which is capped at
40%
Warning!! Students do fail!
Each year consists of 6 units
Each unit has 2 assignments, or 1 assignment and 1 exam
39. FdSc Computing with
Networking
FdSc Business Computing
FdSc Computing with Networking
Teaches the students core computing
subjects with additional networking units.
FdSc Business Computing
Teaches students core computing subjects
with a special focus on business aspects in
computing.
Both courses have a common year.
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40. What units would a student
study?
40
Year 1:
IT Professional
Computers and Networks
Database Systems 1
Computer Programming 1
Systems Analysis & Design 1
Web Development
Year 2 CwN:
Mobile and Games
Development
Dynamic Web Development
Local Area Networks
Work Based Project
Systems Analysis & Design 2
Computer Programming 2
Year 2 BC:
Business Planning
Online Business Applications
Database Systems 2
Work Based Project
Systems Analysis and Design 2
Computer Programming 2
41. What 3rd year can our students
do?
41
Progression CwN:
BSc Network Systems
Management
BSc Multimedia
Communications Systems
BSc Digital Media
Development
BSc Computing
Etc.
Progression BC:
BSC IT Management
BSc Business Computing
BSc Business Information
Technology
Etc.
42. Why would you want to study
these computing courses?
“UK needs 21,000 more IT workers by
2050 than previously predicted”
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http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240215263/UK-needs-21000-more-IT-
workers-by-2050-than-previously-predicted