UNIVERSITY - AN INTRODUCTION

Daniel Whyley

THEMES

What is university?

Why go to university?

Choosing the right course and university and student life

Student finance

THEMES

What is university?

Why go to university?

Choosing the right course and university and student life

Student finance

• Usually partaken after sixth form/college, A-Levels/BTECs.• Leads to qualifications such as degrees and foundation degrees.

Higher Education

• More independent study than at school (lectures, seminars, etc).• Assessment not just exams (essays, group work, etc).

Independent study and flexible assessment

• Huge number of things to get involved in, including societies, sport, work experience, studying abroad, volunteering, etc.

Other opportunities

WHAT IS UNIVERSITY?

THEMES

What is university?

Why go to university?

Choosing the right course and university and student life

Student finance

WHY GO TO UNIVERSITY?

You want a job that requires a degree

You want to learn more about a certain subject

You want to develop your skills

You want to increase your future earning potential

You want an active social life

Confidence and initiative Communication

Teamwork and meeting new people

Leadership and management

IT

Research

Organisation and independence

Budgeting Time management

Transferable Skills You’ll

Develop

THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS

It’s your choice!

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THEMES

What is university?

Why go to university?

Choosing the right course and university and student life

Student finance

LEVELS OF STUDY

Honours Degree - Undergraduate: BA, BSc, BEng, etc 3-4 years

Foundation Degrees - Related to specific career paths - Designed with local employers- Can add a third year and continue to honours degree

2 years

Higher National Certificate

Higher National Diploma

- Practical subjects- Well-recognised by employers - Standardised qualifications- Can continue to honours degree in second or third year

1 year

2 years

Foundation Courses - Courses taken before a degree- e.g. Art and Design, Engineering

1 year

Over 38,000 courses on offer in the UK!

Something completely

new?

An accredited course?

Develop an out of school

interest?

Career in mind?

CHOOSING A COURSE

Favourite subject?

Consider all the

options!

Surf Science

David Beckham Studies

Extreme Sports Studies

Oscars Dress Design

Parent Management

Road Management

Fish Farming

Golfing Studies

Baking Technology

Fashion Sportswear

TRUE OR FALSE COURSES?

TRUE

Surf Science

Baking Technology

Fish Farming

Golfing Studies

Fashion Sportswear

FALSE

David Beckham Studies

Extreme Sports Studies

Oscars Dress Design

Parent Management

Road Management

ANSWERS

Course Structure

Modular

Full-time/ Part-time

Major/ Minor

Length of course

Sandwich course

Combined/ Joint honours

Content

Does it cover your interests?

Look at specific topics

Professionally accredited?

Teaching Styles

Lectures, seminars, practicals, private study

Assessment type

Class sizes

www.unistats.direct.gov.uk

COMPARING COURSES

Marketing Management with Economics

American (United States) Studies

Biological Sciences

Biology

Psychology

Politics and History of the Middle East with Arabic

Primary Teaching

WHAT DID THEY STUDY?

JOHN: Police Sergeant

HANNAH: Primary Teacher

TONY: Contracts Director for architectural glazing firm

DAN: Marketing Executive for IT distributor

HELEN: Corporate Partnerships Manager for Royal National Lifeboat Institute

KAT: Media Buyer for advertising agency

TONI: Cabin Crew for Virgin Atlantic

Biology

Primary Teaching

Biological Sciences

Marketing Management with Economics

Politics and History of the Middle East with Arabic

American (United States) Studies

Psychology

JOHN: Police Sergeant

HANNAH: Primary Teacher

TONY: Contracts Director for architectural glazing firm

DAN: Marketing Executive for IT distributor

HELEN: Corporate Partnerships Manager for Royal National Lifeboat Institute

KAT: Media Buyer for advertising agency

TONI: Cabin Crew for Virgin Atlantic

ANSWERS

Entry Requirements

Size

Financial support - bursaries and scholarships

Reputation

Location - campus-based or inner-city

Facilities and social life

CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY

Where will you be based? How much will it cost?

ACCOMMODATION

Student Union services

Student Union clubs and societies

Bars and club nights

Gigs and events

Sports facilities and teams

Libraries and computers

Part-time jobs

Life around the university

FACILITIES AND SOCIAL LIFE

• You won’t be the only one!• More support available than ever before.

No one in my family has been to university before

• You don’t need to have any money upfront.• Lots of support available.

I can’t afford it

• You don’t have to - lots of students live at home.• Lots of accommodation available if you do want to move though.

I don’t want to move away from home

COMMON CONCERNS AND SOLUTIONS

• Increased independence but still lots of support available.• Personal tutors, student welfare services, careers advice, etc.

No one will support me if something goes wrong

• Very easy to make new friends - everyone’s in the same boat.• Exciting to visit old friends or have them visit you.

None of my friends are going to university

• Universities great at careers advice and links to employers.• Important to view university as an investment.

I won’t get a job after university

COMMON CONCERNS AND SOLUTIONS

THEMES

What is university?

Why go to university?

Choosing the right course and university and student life

Student finance

WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF UNIVERSITY?

1. Tuition fees

The amount you pay to study at your chosen university.

2. Living costs

Everything else!

• The cost of studying your degree.

• Up to a maximum of £9,000 for students studying at English universities.

• You can choose to pay the fees whilst studying or to defer payment until after you graduate.

TUITION FEES

• Undergraduate degrees £9,000 per year (taught at Oxford Brookes)

• Foundation degrees £6,000 per year for (taught at Oxford Brookes first two years and associated colleges) £7,000 for top-up

FEES AT OXFORD BROOKES

• Available to every UK student applying to study their first degree.

• Can cover either the full cost of your tuition fees or just part of the cost if you’d prefer.

• Apply through Student Finance England.

• Money transferred directly from Student Finance England to your university.

TUITION FEE LOAN

• Amount varies from student to student but common costs include:

• You have the option to take out a maintenance loan to help with these costs…

LIVING COSTS

• Also provided by Student Finance England but paid directly into your bank account.

• You receive your loan in three instalments each year.

• The amount of loan that you are entitled to depends on:- your current household income- where you are going to study- which year of your course you are in

• Every full-time UK student entitled to 45% of maximum. Remaining 55% is means-tested on factors including household income.

MAINTENANCE LOAN

MAINTENANCE LOAN AMOUNTS (2015 ENTRY)

Students living at home with parents

Up to £6,904

(minimum = £3,039)

Students living away from home(outside of London)

Up to £8,200

(minimum = £3,821)

Students living away from home(in London)

Up to £10,702

(minimum = £5,330)

If your household income is £62,180 or above you will receive the minimum amount

MAINTENANCE LOAN EXAMPLES

PAYING BACK STUDENT LOANS

Two types of loan that most students take

Tuition Fee Loan• Paid directly to the

university

Maintenance Loan• Paid directly to the student

After graduation• Treated as one single loan

• Repayable as 9% of salary earned over £21,000 per year• Repayable from first April after graduation

• Taken as 9% of your earnings over £21,000 each year.

• Repayments deducted straight from your salary, like tax.

• Any outstanding amount written off after 30 years.

PAYING BACK STUDENT LOANS

For example:

Salary Repayment

Up to £21,000 No repayment

£25,000 £30 per month

£30,000 £68 per month

£40,000 £143 per month

EXAMPLE - MONTHLY PAYSLIP       

Name Mr A Non Pay Date 28 April

NI number NI12345A Tax Code AB12

       

Earnings Deductions

Salary £2,083.33 Tax £292.08

(£25,000 per year)   National Insurance £177.72

    Student Loan £30.00

       

Total Pay £2,083.33 Total Deductions £499.80

Net Pay £1,583.53

INTEREST RATES

Whilst studying:

Rate of inflation +3% from when you start studying until the April

after you finish university

From the April after you graduate:

The rate of inflation if you are earning below £21,000

The rate of inflation and up to +3% on a gradual rising scale if you are earning between £21,000 - £41,000

The rate of inflation +3% if you are earning over £41,000

HOW TO APPLY

3

2

1Complete application online at

www.gov.uk/studentfinance. Can apply for Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance

Loan at the same time

More information to provide if you are submitting a means-tested application

You can usually start applying from February time - best to do this ASAP!

HOW TO APPLY

6

5

4Application assessed and Financial

Notification Letter then sent

Online declaration form signed and sent to Student Finance England and Payment Schedule Letter then sent

First instalment of Maintenance Loan not transferred to student until they

enrol at university

• Paid by universities.

• Available in addition to government loans and grants.

• Can be awarded for a variety of reasons including household income, academic performance and sporting or musical ability.

• Every university is different, so important to do your research. Consider what’s available (cash bursaries, fee waivers, etc), whether you’re eligible and how you apply.

BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS

• Universities sometimes able to offer emergency loans.

• Additional financial support available for students with child or adult dependents.

FURTHER SUPPORT

• Non-repayable and available in addition to other forms of student finance. Apply online at www.gov.uk/student-finance

• Various support available including computing equipment, study support and non-medical helpers.

• Various disabilities covered including dyslexia, diabetes, physical disabilities and mental health issues.

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

• Tuition fees paid in full for the following courses: Nursing, Midwifery, Occupational Therapy, Operating Department Practice and Physiotherapy

• Means-tested bursary and non-means-tested grant and loan also available for maintenance costs.

• Part-time students paid pro-rata.

• Information on how to apply and also on Social Care courses available at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students/

NHS COURSES

EARNING EXTRA MONEY

• Lots of sectors and businesses that employ students: shops, restaurants, bars, pubs, music venues, universities!

• Earn extra money while also enhancing your skills and experience.

• Work during university holidays too.

Part-time work

• Keep in good condition and sell on at the end of the year.

Sell your books

• Lots of support available.

Start your own business

• No upfront tuition fees.

• Maintenance Loan available for all full-time UK students.

• Repayments only ever 9% of what you earn above £21,000 and any outstanding debt written off after 30 years.

• Lots of support available and plenty of ways to earn extra money.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

THEMES

What is university?

Why go to university?

Choosing the right course and university and student life

Student finance

Any Questions?

• Government - www.gov.uk/student-finance

• Student Room - www.thestudentroom.co.uk

• UCAS - www.ucas.com

• Oxford Brookes - www.brookes.ac.uk

- www.unipodadvice.com

- @brookesschools

FURTHER INFORMATION