University: University: the best time of your life!the best time of your life!

Seriously its not all about you!Seriously its not all about you!

● Parents have worries (aside from paying for it all)Parents have worries (aside from paying for it all)● DrinkingDrinking

● ALCOHOL!ALCOHOL!● Or even 'my child has gone to England and has come back drinking Or even 'my child has gone to England and has come back drinking

nothing but tea'!nothing but tea'!

● DrugsDrugs● But the worst...for French fathersBut the worst...for French fathers

● My darling daughter, the apple of father eye, may bring back...an My darling daughter, the apple of father eye, may bring back...an ENGLISHMAN!ENGLISHMAN!

So what's it all aboutSo what's it all about

GUYS GUESS WHAT I DID TODAY

I went to Royal Holloway University in Surrey and it was the most RIDICULOUSLY STUNNING CAMPUS I’VE EVER SEEN. It was built in the 1860s so the original building is all red brick with loads of gothic turrets and chimney stacks and loads of balustrades and collonades...

Why you want to do itWhy you want to do it

● TraditionalTraditional● Get as far as way from your parents as possibleGet as far as way from your parents as possible● I like the subjectI like the subject

– If you want to study veterinary science, there are only seven places If you want to study veterinary science, there are only seven places you can go in the UK.you can go in the UK.

– If you want to study Burmese, there can only be one.If you want to study Burmese, there can only be one.– For many, though, particularly if you are interested in one of the For many, though, particularly if you are interested in one of the

major subjects such as English, chemistry, law or mechanical major subjects such as English, chemistry, law or mechanical engineering, there may be 30 or more similar courses so do your engineering, there may be 30 or more similar courses so do your homework.homework.

● EmploymentEmployment

What is involvedWhat is involved

● BA / BSc – BA(Hons) / BSc(Hons) – Bed / LLB etcBA / BSc – BA(Hons) / BSc(Hons) – Bed / LLB etc● 3 – 4 years3 – 4 years● Sandwich coursesSandwich courses

● MA/MScMA/MSc● 1- 2 years1- 2 years

● PhDPhD● 3 years3 years

Choosing a universityChoosing a university● Which universities offer your chosen subject?Which universities offer your chosen subject?

● Where are they ranked in the League Tables?Where are they ranked in the League Tables?

● Which facilities are important to you?Which facilities are important to you?

● Have you got a copy of the prospectus(es)?Have you got a copy of the prospectus(es)?

● Is there an open day you can attend?Is there an open day you can attend?

● What are the costs likely to be?What are the costs likely to be?

● Does the university cater for your hobbies or interests?Does the university cater for your hobbies or interests?

● What are the career prospects like?What are the career prospects like?

● Is there a culture of students taking placement years or year abroad Is there a culture of students taking placement years or year abroad programmes, if that is important to you?programmes, if that is important to you?

● What is the campus like – location, single site, low travel costs?What is the campus like – location, single site, low travel costs?

What do you want to do?What do you want to do?

● BA Adventure recreationBA Adventure recreation

● BA AnimationBA Animation

● BA Hausa and ArabicBA Hausa and Arabic

● BA Special effectsBA Special effects

● BSc Dairy herd managementBSc Dairy herd management

● BA Packaging designBA Packaging design

● BA PlayworkBA Playwork

● BSc Police studies and citizenshipBSc Police studies and citizenship

● BSc Disaster managementBSc Disaster management

● BA Viking studiesBA Viking studies

Which one?Which one?

● Types of UniversityTypes of University● Old PolytechnicOld Polytechnic● CollegiateCollegiate

– OxbridgeOxbridge

● ““Redbrick”Redbrick”● ScotlandScotland

● Cost factorsCost factors● LondonLondon

What is UCAS?What is UCAS?

● The organisation responsible for managing applications to The organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK. higher education courses in the UK.

Why you must visit this Autumn half-term.Why you must visit this Autumn half-term.(Alternatively, the prospectus lies)(Alternatively, the prospectus lies)

● Get an appointment to speak to the admission tutor, they usually say yes, Get an appointment to speak to the admission tutor, they usually say yes, get your face known!get your face known!

● Universities only exist in a place where the sun always shines – go in Universities only exist in a place where the sun always shines – go in January, you will be studying there through grimmest part of the year.January, you will be studying there through grimmest part of the year.

● You have to spend the next 3-4 years there.You have to spend the next 3-4 years there.● Graduates always get interesting jobs. There may have been one student Graduates always get interesting jobs. There may have been one student

who twenty years ago became an astronaut, but what are the usual who twenty years ago became an astronaut, but what are the usual employment routes available to graduates from the course? Speak the the employment routes available to graduates from the course? Speak the the Employment office.Employment office.

● Famous bands or top media personalities hang around the Students' Union Famous bands or top media personalities hang around the Students' Union – but when did the chart-topping act whose photograph features in the – but when did the chart-topping act whose photograph features in the prospectus actually come to the campus? Turn up at the SU and look at the prospectus actually come to the campus? Turn up at the SU and look at the posters.posters.

When to applyWhen to apply

● Completed applications, including a reference, should be sent Completed applications, including a reference, should be sent to UCAS by the following dates. to UCAS by the following dates.

● 1515thth October for dentistry, medicine, veterinary science and veterinary October for dentistry, medicine, veterinary science and veterinary medicine and for all courses at the University of Oxford and the University medicine and for all courses at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.of Cambridge.

● 1515thth January for all other courses except those above and art and design January for all other courses except those above and art and design courses with a 24courses with a 24thth March deadline. March deadline.

● 2424thth March for art and design courses except those listed with a 15 March for art and design courses except those listed with a 15 January deadline.January deadline.

● 3030thth June - the final deadline. All applications that we receive by this date June - the final deadline. All applications that we receive by this date are processed and sent to the universities and colleges. are processed and sent to the universities and colleges.

UK Medical schools testingUK Medical schools testingRegistration begins in 108 daysRegistration begins in 108 days

● Key DatesKey Dates● Registration opens: 1Registration opens: 1stst May 2013 May 2013● Testing begins: 1Testing begins: 1stst July 2013 July 2013● Registration closes: 20Registration closes: 20thth September 2013 September 2013● Bursary & exemption deadline: 20Bursary & exemption deadline: 20thth September 2013 September 2013● Booking/rescheduling closes: 2Booking/rescheduling closes: 2ndnd October 2013 October 2013● Last testing date: 4Last testing date: 4thth October 2013 October 2013● UCAS Application deadline: 15UCAS Application deadline: 15thth October 2013 October 2013

Funding: EU Students, EnglandFunding: EU Students, England

● If you come from the (non-UK) EU, EEA or Switzerland.If you come from the (non-UK) EU, EEA or Switzerland.● You may be eligible for a tuition fee loan.You may be eligible for a tuition fee loan.

● If you're an EU student applying for help only with tuition fees If you're an EU student applying for help only with tuition fees you need to complete an application form by the deadline date you need to complete an application form by the deadline date

● If you qualify for additional help as well as a tuition fee loan, the If you qualify for additional help as well as a tuition fee loan, the application process is different, so it is important to check what you qualify application process is different, so it is important to check what you qualify for.for.

● After you have graduated you will start re-paying the loan once you are After you have graduated you will start re-paying the loan once you are earning more than £21,000 per year.earning more than £21,000 per year.

● International students normally resident in countries outside the International students normally resident in countries outside the EU and EEA pay near-full-cost tuition fees in all of the UK EU and EEA pay near-full-cost tuition fees in all of the UK universities.universities.

Funding: EU Students, WalesFunding: EU Students, Wales

● If you come from the (non-UK) EU, EEA or Switzerland.If you come from the (non-UK) EU, EEA or Switzerland.● You may be eligible for a tuition fee loan You may be eligible for a tuition fee loan and a tuition fee grant.and a tuition fee grant.

● If you're an EU student applying for help only with tuition fees If you're an EU student applying for help only with tuition fees you need to complete an application form by the deadline date you need to complete an application form by the deadline date

● If you qualify for additional help as well as a tuition fee loan, the If you qualify for additional help as well as a tuition fee loan, the application process is different, so it is important to check what you qualify application process is different, so it is important to check what you qualify for.for.

● After you have graduated you will start re-paying the loan once you are After you have graduated you will start re-paying the loan once you are earning more than £21,000 per year.earning more than £21,000 per year.

● International students normally resident in countries outside the International students normally resident in countries outside the EU and EEA pay near-full-cost tuition fees in all of the UK EU and EEA pay near-full-cost tuition fees in all of the UK universities.universities.

Funding: EU Students, ScotlandFunding: EU Students, Scotland

● If you satisfy eligibility requirements you will be able to apply to If you satisfy eligibility requirements you will be able to apply to SAAS for payment of your tuition fees.SAAS for payment of your tuition fees.

● You are, on the relevant date, an EU national (other than a person who is You are, on the relevant date, an EU national (other than a person who is a United Kingdom national who has not utilised a right of residence).a United Kingdom national who has not utilised a right of residence).

● You have been ordinarily resident in the EU, EU overseas territories, You have been ordinarily resident in the EU, EU overseas territories, elsewhere in the EEA or Switzerland for the three years immediately elsewhere in the EEA or Switzerland for the three years immediately before the first day of the first academic year of your course (the relevant before the first day of the first academic year of your course (the relevant date) 1date) 1stst August 2013 August 2013

● You are taking a course of full-time study in Scotland and plan to graduate You are taking a course of full-time study in Scotland and plan to graduate in Scotland.*in Scotland.*

Funding: EU Students, NIFunding: EU Students, NI

● From 2012 Queen's University Belfast will charge £3,465 to students From 2012 Queen's University Belfast will charge £3,465 to students who normally live in the Republic of Ireland or other non-UK EU who normally live in the Republic of Ireland or other non-UK EU countries on full time undergraduate programmes. Students will not countries on full time undergraduate programmes. Students will not have to pay up front for tuition.have to pay up front for tuition.

● EU students can apply to the Student Finance Services European EU students can apply to the Student Finance Services European Team for a loan of up to £3,465 to cover the tuition fee.Team for a loan of up to £3,465 to cover the tuition fee.

● If you are an EU student applying for help only with tuition fees you If you are an EU student applying for help only with tuition fees you need to complete an application form by the deadline date.need to complete an application form by the deadline date.

● If you qualify for additional help as well as a tuition fee loan, the If you qualify for additional help as well as a tuition fee loan, the application process is different.application process is different.

● After you have graduated you will start re-paying the loan once you After you have graduated you will start re-paying the loan once you are earning more than £21,000 per year.are earning more than £21,000 per year.

University in IrelandUniversity in Ireland

● EU Students will pay Student Contribution (€2,250 in 2012) plus the EU Students will pay Student Contribution (€2,250 in 2012) plus the Students Union fee (€8) plus Student Sports Centre fee (€77), but will Students Union fee (€8) plus Student Sports Centre fee (€77), but will not be liable for tuition fees if approved for the Free Fees scheme.not be liable for tuition fees if approved for the Free Fees scheme.

● Recognised School Leaving QualificationsRecognised School Leaving Qualifications● BaccalauréatBaccalauréat● Baccalauréat avec Option InternationaleBaccalauréat avec Option Internationale

● Minimum MatriculationMinimum Matriculation● Overall 10, with English plus specific programme requirements.Overall 10, with English plus specific programme requirements.

● English Language CompetenceEnglish Language Competence● 12 at coefficient 5 or 14 at lower coefficients or equivalent competence in English12 at coefficient 5 or 14 at lower coefficients or equivalent competence in English

Making the grade (1)Making the grade (1)

● All being well, you will receive offers from your five UCAS choices.All being well, you will receive offers from your five UCAS choices.

● You can hold onto any offer you receive until all your chosen universities You can hold onto any offer you receive until all your chosen universities have made their decisions and then you have to choose which one(s) you have made their decisions and then you have to choose which one(s) you want to accept.want to accept.

● You can accept one offer as your Firm Acceptance (often called your UF You can accept one offer as your Firm Acceptance (often called your UF choice if the offer was unconditional or your CF choice if it was conditional).choice if the offer was unconditional or your CF choice if it was conditional).

● If your Firm Acceptance is CF, then you can accept a second offer as your If your Firm Acceptance is CF, then you can accept a second offer as your Insurance Acceptance (often called your CI choice) and then you must Insurance Acceptance (often called your CI choice) and then you must decline any other offers.decline any other offers.

● Most applicants who have more than one conditional offer will accept as CF Most applicants who have more than one conditional offer will accept as CF their first choice university and then a university which has made a lower their first choice university and then a university which has made a lower offer as their CI choice.offer as their CI choice.

Making the grade (2)Making the grade (2)

● Once you have Once you have acceptedaccepted an offer, you and the university are bound an offer, you and the university are bound together by the rules of UCAS.together by the rules of UCAS.

● If you firmly accept an unconditional offer then you have a definite If you firmly accept an unconditional offer then you have a definite place at that university.place at that university.

● If you firmly accept a conditional offer and then meet all the If you firmly accept a conditional offer and then meet all the conditions, the university is obliged to accept you and you are conditions, the university is obliged to accept you and you are obliged to go there to study.obliged to go there to study.

Making the grade (3)Making the grade (3)

● In making your Firm Acceptance, assuming you have conditional offers, you will have In making your Firm Acceptance, assuming you have conditional offers, you will have to balance your desire to attend a particular university against your estimate of to balance your desire to attend a particular university against your estimate of whether you can meet the conditions.whether you can meet the conditions.

● If you expect to get ABB (or 320 tariff points) at A level and the offers are all BCC If you expect to get ABB (or 320 tariff points) at A level and the offers are all BCC (or 260 points) or below, then it is easy: choose the place you want to go.(or 260 points) or below, then it is easy: choose the place you want to go.

● If, however, you think you will get BCC and your offers are ABB, BBB, BCC, and If, however, you think you will get BCC and your offers are ABB, BBB, BCC, and CDD, the decision is more difficult, especially if you really want to go to the CDD, the decision is more difficult, especially if you really want to go to the university that offered ABB. university that offered ABB.

● This might be the time to focus on your forthcoming exams.This might be the time to focus on your forthcoming exams.

Making the grade (4)Making the grade (4)

● This is where the Insurance Acceptance comes in.This is where the Insurance Acceptance comes in.

● If you want to, you can just have a Firm acceptance and decline the rest. If you want to, you can just have a Firm acceptance and decline the rest. However, most applicants with more than one offer choose an Insurance However, most applicants with more than one offer choose an Insurance Acceptance as well.Acceptance as well.

● If you are accepted by your Firm choice then the Insurance choice becomes If you are accepted by your Firm choice then the Insurance choice becomes irrelevant.irrelevant.

● However, if your Firm choice turns you down because you don't meet their However, if your Firm choice turns you down because you don't meet their conditions, you might still be accepted by your Insurance choice, so you do get a conditions, you might still be accepted by your Insurance choice, so you do get a second chance before heading for Clearing.second chance before heading for Clearing.

● Therefore it makes sense to choose a lower offer for your Insurance choice so as to Therefore it makes sense to choose a lower offer for your Insurance choice so as to maximise your chances of getting at least one of your two choices.maximise your chances of getting at least one of your two choices.

ClearingClearing

● If you find that you don't have a university place, then you will If you find that you don't have a university place, then you will be eligible for UCAS Clearing, a way of matching universities be eligible for UCAS Clearing, a way of matching universities without students to students without universities.without students to students without universities.

● Essentially, it is up to you to find a university that is prepared to Essentially, it is up to you to find a university that is prepared to accept you. The best way to do this is to check their website or accept you. The best way to do this is to check their website or ring a university and tell them what you want to do. Usually, if ring a university and tell them what you want to do. Usually, if they have vacancies, they will take your details and either give they have vacancies, they will take your details and either give you a decision straightaway or very soon afterwards.you a decision straightaway or very soon afterwards.

● Just keep going until somewhere offers you a place. Just keep going until somewhere offers you a place.