University guide for parents and carers

www.derby.ac.uk/outreach

Outreach and Widening Participation

University Guide for Parents and Carers

Welcome to the University of DerbyAs a parent/carer, you play a vital role in helping your child feel comfortable with their choice of university. It’s a big decision for them, and there’s a lot of information to take on board.

To help you give them the advice and support they need, we’ve put together this guide which explains how to go about choosing a university, applying, fees and funding.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for in this booklet, please give us a call on 01332 591088 or email [email protected]

Why university?

We understand that university is a huge investment, but there’s also so much for your child to gain.


They can study a subject which they enjoy and are good at in more depth

They can become expertsin their field

They will learn to live independently

They will build lifelong friendships

They will develop the transferable skills employers are looking for

They can expect to earn more – the average starting salary for graduates is £30,000**

They will increase their employment prospects. 96.9% of full-time University of Derby students were in employment or further education just six months after they graduated*

*Higher Education Statistics Agency 2015**High Fliers 2015

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Buxton

The Buxton Campus is located on the edge of the Peak District National Park and is home to our nationally recognised Events, Sport and Outdoor, Hospitality, Tourism and Spa degrees.

Buxton is a leading tourist destination and spa town, attracting 1.4 million visitors a year. Thrill seekers and lovers of outdoor pursuits have a wealth of exciting activities on their doorstep and the Peak District provides a stunning yet challenging natural learning environment for our Sport and Outdoor Leadership courses.

Chesterfield

The historic market town of Chesterfield’s campus offers a modern, friendly and supportive learning environment, providing the opportunity to study Adult Nursing and the Mentoring in Practice module.


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Derby

Our Derby Campus sits just outside the city centre, with all of our halls of residence within walking distance of both. You’ll find easy access to everything you’ll need, from local facilities and transport to shopping and nightlife.

The majority of our courses are based at our Derby Campus, including:

About the University of Derby

Our three campuses are all in Derbyshire - this county is right in the centre of England, making it easy to get by road and rail.

• Biology

• Business Studies

• Computer Science

• English

• Fine Art

• Film Studies

• Geography

• Geology

• History

• Journalism

• Law

• Marketing

• Mathematics

• Psychology

• Zoology

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Our facilities

The University of Derby has some fantastic facilities over all three of our campuses, offering excellent value for money. Here are just a few of the things on offer for your child:


CourseDoes it suit your child’s interests?

Will it lead to their desired career?

Are the entry requirements achievable?

Does it suit their learning style?

Will the assessment type suit them?

(Not all courses have exams!)

Is everything included in the course fee?

(Some courses will require specialist

equipment or fieldtrips)

What are the class sizes like?

Choosing the right university and courseWith over 37,000 degree courses at more than 370 higher education institutions in the UK, it can be tough to help your child choose the right course at the right university. Here are just a few things to consider when weighing up the options:

Jargon busterBA, BSc, BEng or BEd?A Bachelor of Arts (BA) is an undergraduate degree for courses in art- related subjects such as art and design, humanities or languages.

A Bachelor of Science (BSc) is an undergraduate degree for courses in science-related subjects such as science, mathematics or technology.

A Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) is an undergraduate degree for engineering subjects and a Bachelor of Education (BEd) is an undergraduate degree for education subjects.

ClassificationsWhen your child graduates, they will be awarded one of the following classifications:

First class degree - this is the highest level of degree classification awarded.

Second class degree - this is broken down into two divisions. A 2:1 is the higher award and a 2:2 is the lower award.

Third class degree - this is typically the lowest level of degree classification awarded.

Honours - most UK undergraduate courses can come with honours. For example, a certain grade may be required or a dissertation may need to be completed for a degree to be awarded with honours. If honours are not achieved, your child will be awarded an ‘ordinary’ degree, meaning a degree passed without achieving honours.

Crown and family law courts

Expansive library

Radiography suite

Fine dining restaurant and

industry standard kitchens

Greenhouses and an insectary for

scientists

£10 million sports complex

Commercial spa58 acre outdoor

leadership centre

Crime scene car and house for

forensics students

NHS standard clinical areas

University owned theatre

Industry standard computing labs

Crown and family law courts

Industry standard computing labs

Expansive libraryCrime scene car

and house for forensics students

NHS standard clinical areas

University owned theatre

Radiography suite Commercial spa58 acre outdoor

leadership centre

Fine dining restaurant and

industry standard kitchens

Greenhouses and an insectary for

scientists

£10 million sports complex

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What is joint honours?A joint honours degree gives your child the opportunity to study two subject areas from a wide range of disciplines.

Benefits of joint honours degrees:

• Skills and knowledge across a variety of disciplines

• Strong organisational and adaptable skills by switching between subjects – these are invaluable in the job market

• Flexibility – they can choose to study two subjects equally or specialise in one subject (major) and complement it with another (minor)

Your child can choose to combine any of the following subjects, as long as they are in different zones. We have a dedicated joint honours admissions team who are on hand to help you through the process.


*Starting in 2016 subject to approval

Joint Honours Zones

Zone 1

Education Studies

Film and TV Studies

Geography

Journalism*

Marketing

Mathematics

Politics*

Psychology

Zone 2

American Studies

Biology

Business Management

Creative Writing

Criminology

Dance and Movement Studies

Media Studies

Zoology

Zone 3

Analytics

Architectural Design

Counselling and Psychotherapy Principles and Practices*

English

Geology

Human Resource Management

Law

Popular Music Production

Third World Development

Zone 4

Accounting

Early Childhood Studies

Environmental Hazards

History

International Relations and Diplomacy

Property Development

Sociology

Sport and Exercise Studies

Theatre Studies

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What happens when?

Applying to university through UCAS can take over a year. To ensure you know what is expected of your child at different points throughout the year, take a look at our UCAS timeline.

June-SeptemberResearchWith so many choices available, research is key. The UCAS system allows you to choose a maximum of five courses, which can be at the same or different universities. Starting early will allow your child to gather as much information as possible, including attending some Open Days. See page 21 for a list of the University of Derby’s Open Day dates.

September-JanuaryApplyMost university applications need to be submitted within this period. A big part of the application process is the personal statement, as well as a whole host of personal details. Your child’s school or college should set aside time for UCAS applications. Useful advice on the application process can be found at www.ucas.com

15 JanuaryThis is the main deadline for most applications, although Oxford, Cambridge, medicine and veterinary applications are due earlier and some courses which require a portfolio of work – such as photography and art – may be later. Try to encourage your child to get their application in before this deadline to avoid having to rush at the end.

Your child’s sixth form or college will have an earlier internal deadline for applications, so they can make the appropriate checks and write their reference.

Jargon buster

Personal statements

A personal statement is part of the UCAS application process. It needs to sell your child to their chosen institutions and should include any achievements, work and volunteering experience that they may have. It can be up to 4,000 characters or 47 lines long (whichever comes first) and needs to be personal to them. They only write one which is sent to all of their chosen institutions.

UCAS

The University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is an organisation which processes all full-time undergraduate applications to UK universities.

Jargon buster

ClearingShould your child not get the grades they need on results day, they can enter Clearing. Universities put any unfilled places they have into Clearing and students can then access these, contacting the universities directly to see if they can be accepted onto the course.

What happens when?

January-MayOffersUniversities make their decisions during this period and your child may be asked to attend an interview. Offers made to your child will be one of the following:• Unconditional. This means that

your child is guaranteed a place, regardless of the grades they may get.

• Conditional. This is the most typical offer and means that your child will get a place as long as they meet certain requirements such as Tariff points.

• Unsuccessful. Unfortunately this means that your child has not been offered a place.

Once all offers have been received, it’s decision time for your child. They will need to make the following choices:• Firm Acceptance. Their first choice.• Insurance Acceptance. The

second choice, should your child not get the grades needed for their first choice.

• Decline. All other offers must be declined at this stage.

February-JuneIf your child has received no offers from their choices at this point, they can enter a process called UCAS Extra. This gives students a second chance, allowing them to apply for the unfilled courses at certain universities.More information can be found at www.ucas.com/extraThis is also the time to start applying for any financial support. See pages 15-18 to find out more.

AugustThe results are in…Results day will come in mid-August and will confirm whether your child has achieved the grades required for their firm or insurance choices. If they haven’t got the grades, this is when they can enter Clearing and speak directly to different universities to see if they can fill a vacant place. Lists of vacancies can be found at www.ucas.com on results day. Your child may have excelled themselves and achieved better grades than expected. In this case, they can enter a process called Adjustment where they can choose a course requiring higher grades.More information can be found at www.ucas.com

SeptemberMore than a year after their application journey began, and with endless revision and exams in-between, your child will be ready to embark on their university career.


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What are Tariff points?

The grids below convert the most common qualifications (A-levels and BTECs) into UCAS Tariff points to let you know if the course your child is looking at is achievable for them. This information is valid if your child is looking to start university in 2016. If they are due to start later than this, Tariff points will have changed. Please check www.ucas.com for up to date information and other qualification Tariff points.

At Derby we accept these qualifications:• A-levels• AVCEs• BTEC National Award, Certificate or Diploma• BTEC QCF• Progression Diploma• Advanced Diploma• NVQ Level 3 and upwards• Access to Higher Education Diploma• Art and Design Foundation Diploma• CACHE Diploma• International, European or Welsh Baccalaureate• Apprenticeship Scheme qualifications• Equivalent qualifications.

We also ask for five GCSE subjects including Maths and English Language at grade C or above (we’ll normally accept Key Skills and Higher Diploma qualifications as an equivalent to GCSEs).

Jargon busterTariff pointsUniversity courses usually request a certain amount of Tariff points. These relate to the grades your child will get in their A-levels, BTECs or other qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate.

Some universities will instead request that students achieve a certain grade combination.

AS-level

A

B

C

D

E

A-level

A*

A

B

C

D

E

Tariff points

140

120

100

80

60

50

40

30

20

Extended Diploma Subsidiary 90 credit Certificate Tariff pointsDiploma diploma diploma

D*D*D* 420

D*D*D 400

D*DD 380

DDD 360

DDM 320

DMM D*D* 280

D*D 260

MMM DD 240

D*D* 210

MMP DM D*D 200

DD 180

MPP MM DM 160

D* 140

PPP MP D MM 120

MP 100

PP M 80

D* 70

PP D 60

P M 40

P 20

Visit www.derby.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry/ for more information

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Fees and finance

What will going to university cost?Tuition fees vary between universities, so make sure you check their websites for details of fees.

At Derby, we have two types of courses and so we have two course fee categories. Classroom based courses are mainly lecture theatre based courses but may have some additional activities such as fieldtrips. Resource intensive courses require extensive specialist resources or are areas where we have gained a very strong reputation.

All fees are based on 2015 entry and are subject to annual inflationary increases.

Classroom basedcourses

£8,500 per year

Resource intensivecourses

£9,000 per year

University

Do they want to live at home or move away?

What’s the accommodation like?

Are there any bursaries or scholarships available?

What are the facilities and resources like?

Are there placement opportunities?

Do they offer the specialist support that your child may need?

What are the transport links like?

Is the university located in a desirable area?

What extra-curricular opportunities are available?

Top tip!

University Open Days are a great way to get a feel for what a university is really like, allowing you to:

• Talk to tutors and current students

• See the facilities first hand

• Look around the halls of residence

• Talk to support staff about any special requirements

• Make sure that the location is right for your child

See page 21 for the University of Derby’s Open Days or visit www.derby.ac.uk/opendays

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See www.direct.gov.uk/student-finance for more information on all financial support available to your child


Bursaries

This is an amount of money which does not need to be paid back. Each university will offer different bursaries depending on various criteria. Make sure your child does their research on the bursaries which may be available.

University of Derby bursaryWe offer a bursary to help with the costs of studying. Your child does not need to apply for the bursary as it will be awarded to qualifying students based on the information passed on to us from their Funding Authority (usually Student Finance England).

The bursaries are given each year and are based on your household income.

Household Income Bursary Up to £26,137 £1,000£26,138 - £36,592 £600

You can receive a bursary if:• You are entering Higher Education for the first time (after 1 September 2015)• You are studying full-time on an eligible undergraduate course• You are being charged the full-time tuition fee• Your assessed household income is within the above limits.

For more information, please contact the University’s SMART (Student Money Advice and Rights Team) at [email protected] or by calling 01332 592000.

NHS bursariesIf your child decides to study a degree within the healthcare profession, they may be entitled to an NHS bursary which does not need to be paid back. This can help towards tuition fee costs and can also offer financial support towards living costs. Full details on which courses apply and how much is available can be found at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students.aspx

ScholarshipsThis is an amount of money which does not need to be paid back. Each university and some courses will offer different scholarships. Again, it is important for your child to do their research before applying.

Financial support

All information is based on 2015/16 entry and is subject to change. Please check www.gov.uk/student-finance for up to date information.

Tuition fee loanA loan is an amount of money which your child will have to pay back. They can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover their course fees, up to a maximum of £9,000 per year. This is paid by the Student Loans Company directly to your child’s chosen university.

Maintenance loanAgain, this loan will need to be paid back. It helps to cover the cost of living expenses such as food, accommodation and travel. The maximum available for students living away from home outside of London is £5,740 per year. The maximum for students living at their parental home is £4,565 per year. 65% of these amounts do not depend on household income whereas the remaining 35% is based upon household income.

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Repayment facts

Nobody can deny that going to university costs a lot of money and is a major financial commitment. However, it’s important to understand that student loans work differently to standard loans offered by banks.

You don’t pay up frontIn order to go to university, you will not need to pay the course fees up front. As explained on the previous page, tuition fee loans can be taken to cover the full cost of course fees.

The debt stops after 30 yearsAfter 30 years, the debt is wiped clean, regardless of how much has or hasn’t been re-paid. The debt is not passed onto relatives and belongs only to the student.

Student loans do not go onto credit filesUnlike credit card or loan debt, student loans do not go onto credit files. However, when taking out large loans such as a mortgage, providers may ask about student loans to assess your monthly outgoings.

You only start repayments once you’re earning £21,000+Your child won’t start repaying any of their student loan until they start earning £21,000 per year. When they earn this figure, repayments are taken directly from their wages at 9% over £21,000. For example, if they earn £25,000 per year, their repayment would be £30 per month. If their wage falls below £21,000 per year at any time, the repayments stop.

Useful websites

Student finance:www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

The Student Loans Company:www.slc.co.uk

NHS bursaries:www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students.aspx

UCAS:www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/student-finance

All figures are subject to alteration.

Student support

At the University of Derby we’ll make sure your child has all the support they need.We know that student life can be challenging but we’re here to provide support and advice every step of the way.

Student Wellbeing ServiceOur Student Wellbeing Service provides telephone, face to face and online support for any issue. Group workshops covering wellbeing and exam anxiety as well as one-to-one advice sessions are available.

To find out more visit www.derby.ac.uk/student-wellbeing

Tailored supportWe will work with students who have a disability, learning difficulty, dyslexia or mental illness and can help with funding, specialist equipment, one to one support and travel arrangements. Our Get Ahead programme aims to ensure that any students with a disability enrolling at the University of Derby are given ample time to settle in and take in their surroundings before starting their studies.

To find out more visit www.derby.ac.uk/ssis/sas/udac

Faith, religion and beliefWe are proud of the Multi Faith Centre at our Kedleston Road site and the multicultural community that our chaplains and faith advisers represent. Advisers will work across the University organising talks and discussion groups and offering support and guidance to your child whenever they need it.

To find out more visit www.derby.ac.uk/campus/faith-religion

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24 hour staff cover, security

and CCTV

A coin operated laundry*

Best booking experience**

Best environmental management**

A common room*

Broadband internet in the

bedrooms

Free internal phone calls

All of our halls have:

*except Flamsteed Court **National Student Housing Survey 2015

Student Accommodation

Most first year students will live in halls of residence - they’re safe, close to our campuses and good value.

Living in halls of residence will also allow your child to make friends and settle into independent living more easily.

At Derby, all first year students are guaranteed a place in accommodation for their first year, as long as they apply for their room before 31 July in the year they’re starting.

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Free Wi-Fi in every room

Open Days

University of Derby Open DaysThere is no better way to see if a university is right for your child than attending an Open Day. Our Open Days include talks, campus tours and the opportunity to talk to a whole host of academics and current students.

We’d love to show you what we can offer, so please come along to one of the days listed below:

Saturday 26 September 2015

Saturday 17 October 2015

Saturday 21 November 2015

We will also have some Open Days in 2016.

Please check www.derby.ac.uk/opendaysfor more up to date information.

*Higher Education Statistics Agency 2015**National Student Housing Survey 2015

96.9% employment for our graduates*

£89 million invested in our

facilities over the last 5 years

Halls of Residence voted

number 1 in UK for booking experience and environmental management**


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Contact detailsIf you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us:

Outreach and Widening ParticipationUniversity of DerbyKedleston RoadDerbyDE22 1GBT: 01332 591088Email: [email protected]: @derbyuni

University guide for parents and carers

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