Applying to University: UCAS, Personal Statements and Student Finance Louise Carr School and College...
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Transcript of Applying to University: UCAS, Personal Statements and Student Finance Louise Carr School and College...
Applying to University:
UCAS, Personal Statements and Student Finance
Louise CarrSchool and College Liaison Officer
www.le.ac.uk
UCAS
• UCAS Process• Researching your choices• The UCAS time-line• Making your application
• Writing your personal statement
• Student Finance
What type of course?
• Professionaleg. Medicine / Engineering / Law
• Vocationaleg. Management / Biochemistry / Media
• Academiceg. American Studies / Geography / History of Art
Keep in mind…
• Enjoyment• Courses at different universities do not
necessarily contain the same content or are taught in the same way
• Vast range available so if you narrow your choice in your research stage it will be easier to write your Personal Statement
What can you study?• American Studies• Archaeology and Ancient
History• Biological Sciences• Chemistry• Computer Science• Criminology • Economics• Education• Engineering• English• Geography• Geology• Historical Studies
• History of Art and Film• Interdisciplinary Science• Law• Management• Mathematics• Media and Communication• Medicine• Modern Languages• Museum Studies• Physics and Astronomy• Politics and International
Relations• Psychology• Sociology
League tables
• The Times / Sunday Times / THE• The Guardian• The Complete University Guide• World Rankings
Guides and other Websites
• www.unistats.com (NSS) • www.ucas.com &
www.ucas.tv• www.push.com• www.unionview.com• University websites
APPLY 15th Oct
DECIDE9 May• Must tell
UCAS which course
you select. If not they
will decline all your offers.
Research Prospectuses Open Days
UCAS Conventions
APPLY 15th Jan• All courses
(except 15 Oct & 24 Mar exceptions)
24 Mar• Some Art/Design
March – Sept
Results
• Dentistry • Medicine • Vet Science • Oxford • Cambridge
Interviews/offers & Visit
Days
October January May 16 August October
Start
http://www.ucas.com/students/importantdates#2013
UCAS Application
• Universities & Colleges Admissions Service• Applications are done online in
collaboration with your School/College– You don’t have to do it all at once!– Keep track of your applications
• Register at: www.ucas.com• Space for 5 courses (4 for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science/Medicine)
Gap Years?
• Can be a great option if you are still uncertain about university
• Not all courses/universities look favourably on gap years
• If you wish to take a gap year you can apply for deferred entry – You still get the benefit of applying with
support from your college
• If you take more than one year out it can be difficult to get an academic reference
Personal Statement
• Your opportunity to say why you should be considered
• A clearly structured and well written statement• Academic ability• Enthusiasm – clear reasons for wanting to study the
subject• An understanding of the subject• Check UCAS website entry profiles for required skills• Include relevant work experience and/or social
activities• Link to school reference if possible
Entry Profile Archaeology at Leicester
No prior knowledge or experience of Archaeology is required, although any knowledge of the subject that you do have will be valuable. Previous experience of archaeological fieldwork and self-directed reading about the subject are particularly welcomed.
Successful students display a wide variety of key skills. These include excellent written and oral communication skills, a capacity to think critically, time management and the ability to learn independently.
In addition to academic ability, successful students will be highly motivated and self-disciplined and will be original and
innovative thinkers.
“From watching and reading Sherlock Holmes, Cracker, CSI and Crime Watch, my interest
in criminology has developed. Criminology has always had a glamorous image but it is more than that it deals with criminals and supports the justice system. Criminology is all about crime and punishment. It is an exciting inter-disciplinary subject which draws on Sociology, Psychology and Law to help examine how crime is defined, why people commit crimes, and how society responds to crimes.”
Criminology
“Examination of any quality newspaper will probably demonstrate that more of the headlines address economic problems than any other topic. The importance and relevance of economics and related disciplines to the modern world have led me to want to pursue the study of the subject at a higher level. I am particularly interested in the behaviour of firms and organizations from an economic standpoint. During my study, I have come across many real life complexities and, while attempting to apply theoretical ideas, I have developed a keen interest in analyzing and understanding how the world of business is influenced by economics.”
Economics
Don’t cheat
• 5% of applicants “borrow” from websites• 800 applicants - “a dramatic chemistry set
incident aged 8”• 234 applicants – “a fascination with the
human body”!• 175 applicants – “an elderly or infirm
grandfather”• You WILL be caught!
In summary
• Do your research– the right course & uni for you– talk to advisors and professional associations– visit Open Days and Applicant Visit Days
• Well structured and reflective personal statement
• Keep deadlines in mind • Make an independent choice• … and then do well in your exams
Good luck!
How to apply
• Apply through Student Finance England online www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
• Means testing based on previous tax year (i.e. April 2011 - April 2012)
• Can apply for “Current Income Assessment” if income changes (more than 15%)
• Link to UCAS application
Funding
Student Finance
Tuition Fee Loan
Maintenance Grant
Maintenance Loan
Additional Support University
of Leicester
Scholarships
Tuition Fees
• The standard tuition fee for all undergraduate courses at Leicester is £9,000 per year
• Government will provide full Tuition Fee Loans directly to universities for eligible students
• Students/parents do not pay fees – Graduates do
Tuition Fees - Special cases at Leicester
• Foundation year - £6,000• Erasmus year - £1,250• Other year abroad - £1,000• Year in industry - £1,000• M Level degree final year - £7,000
Maintenance Support
• Maintenance loan and grant• Paid by Student Finance England to
the student• Means-tested based on household
income• Influenced by where the student
studies–London–Staying at home–Elsewhere
Maintenance Loans/Grants 2013-14Household
Income Grant Loan TOTAL
£25,000 or less £3,354 £3,823 £7,177
£30,000 £2,416 £4,292 £6,708
£35,000 £1,478 £4,761 £6,239
£40,000 £540 £5,230 £5,770
£45,000 £0 £5,288 £5,288
£50,000 £0 £4,788 £4,788
£55,000 £0 £4,288 £4,288
£60,000 £0 £3,788 £3,788
Over £62,125 £0 £3,575 £3,575
Loan Repayments
• Eligible to start repaying the April after you graduate
• No repayments until you are earning above £21,000
• Repayment = 9% of income above £21,000
• Any outstanding repayments will be written off after 30 years
Loan Repayments - Examples
• There will be no penalty fees for early repayment
Salary Amount above £21,000 Monthly repayment
£21,000 £0 £0
£22,000 £1,000 £7.50
£25,000 £4,000 £30.00
£30,000 £9,000 £67.50
£40,000 £19,000 £142.50
Additional support
• Disabled Students’ Allowances– Additional grant
• Help for students with children– Childcare grant– Parents’ Learning Allowance
• Adult Dependants’ Grant• Access to Learning Fund
– Financial hardship
Recap on funding
Student Finance
Tuition Fee Loan
Maintenance Grant
Maintenance Loan
Additional Support
University of Leicester
Scholarships
Scholarships at Leicester
• Chancellor’s Scholarship– £2,000 annual fee waiver– AAA at A-level (or equivalent)
• Departmental Scholarship– £1,250 annual fee waiver– Varying academic criteria
Scholarships at Leicester – cont.• Leicester National Scholarship Programme
– £2,000 annual fee waiver– £1,000 annual cash award
For students who have academic ability and whose household income falls below £25,000 are eligible to apply
Latest scholarship information: www.le.ac.uk/fees
Case Study A: Anjali, Leicester
• Household income £25,000, away from home
• Tuition Fee Loan = £9,000• Maintenance Loan = £3,823• Maintenance Grant =
£3,354• £184.02 per week for 39
weeks• Earning £24,000 =
repayments of £22.50 per month / £5.63 per week
Case Study B: Mark, Leicester
• Household income £62,500, away from home
• Tuition Fee Loan = £9,000• Maintenance Loan = £3,575• Maintenance Grant = £0• £91 per week for 39 weeks• Earning £19,695* =
repayments of £0 per month / £0 per week
* Average Graduate wage (1st year after uni) – prospects.ac.uk
Will students have enough money?
• Part time job• Full time job during the summer• Parents/family/savings• Student bank account• Credit card?