Applications, Admissions and Finance

Amy Wigham Education Liaison Officer

@UniofReading | www.reading.ac.uk

Why go to University?

• You need a degree for some jobs• Study something you enjoy• Better career prospects and earning potential• Transferable skills• Social opportunities• Meet new people• Develop confidence and independence

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What can you study? • Traditional subjects- English Literature,

Maths, Geography• Vocational-Teaching, Pharmacy, Social

Work• Unusual courses- Theatre Arts,

Education and Deaf Studies, Meteorology, International Football Management

• Combined Courses – Music and Maths, Management and French

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Remember every course is different...

• Course requirements

• Course content

• Accreditations

• Number of contact hours

• Student/staff ratios

• Assessment – exams/

coursework

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• Support available

• Opportunity for work

placements

• Study abroad

• Teaching facilities- labs,

lecture theatres, computer

rooms etc.

How to choose a university

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How to choose? • Prospectuses and subject brochures• Websites• University guides and websites (Times, Guardian, Unistats,

The Student Room, Complete University Guide)

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Open Days and campus tours• Check dates and if you

have to book• Make a plan for the day• Visit your Department of

interest first• Decide on your other

priorities: accommodation, sport, social facilities

• Ask lots of questions

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Does it feel right???

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The admission procedure

• UCAS is a central clearing house• Online application • 5 choices - Invisibility of choice• Consistent and Realistic choices• References • Decisions are made by universities• Post application visit days• Interviews vary between institutions

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When do I apply?• September 2013

Applications for 2014 entry begin• 15 October 2013

Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, Dentistry, Medicine and Vet Science

• 15 January 2014Closing date for 2014 applications.

• End March 2014Majority of decisions made

• Early May 2014Deadline for applicants to make replies to offers

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What do Universities look for?Motivation Commitment

Experience Knowledge

Technical Skill Inter-personal Skills

Academic potential Enthusiasm

Dedication Tenacity

Intellect Aspirations

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What could be included?• Why you are interested in the subject

• Details of your key skills

• Any work experience

• Other achievements

• Your future plans

• Tasters and Masterclasses

• Any sponsorship/placements you have applied for

• If you taking a year out, your reasons why

• Your social, sports or leisure interests

Applying to university

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Student Finance

Tuition Fees for 2013 Entry

Full-time UK/EU undergraduates will be charged a tuition fee up to £9,000 for 2013/14

This tuition fee will not have to be paid upfront if students take out a non-income assessed tuition fee loan from Student Finance England

Tuition fee loans

• Paid directly to the University

• Repayment until after graduation when the graduate is earning more than £21,000

Maintenance Loans

• Dependent on place of study and where student will be living

All loans have a variable interest of RPI plus up to 3%

Maintenance Grants and grants available to help students with disabilities or dependents (non repayable)

University bursaries and scholarships (non repayable)

Maintenance Loan: UK students

Everyone is entitled to a loan to cover living costs. 35% of the maximum loan amount students receive depends on their parental/household income.

Repayments start after the student is earning over £21, 000.

Where you plan to live/study

Max. Amount of loan

Elsewhere (inc. University of Reading)

£5, 500 ( min. £3,575 )

London £7,675

Parental £4,375

What about repayment?www.studentloanrepayment.co.uk• Repayments start the April after they leave/graduate after the student is

earning over £21,000 pa (£1,750 per month) gross

• Any loans ( tuition and living cost) combined for one single monthly repayment taken out of their salary.

• They repay 9% of what they earn above £21,000

• Repayments are collected by HMRC

• A student loan is very unlikely to affect a students ability to get a mortgage (The Council for Mortgage Lenders)

• Outstanding balances are written off after 30 years

• No penalties for early repayment

Loan RepaymentComparison

Income each year before tax Approximate monthly repayment

£18,000 £0

£21,000 £0

£24,000 £23

£27,000 £45

£30,000 £68

£40,000 £143

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Student Finance

Maintenance Grants for 2013

Receive no grant£42, 611 income and over:

Receive full grantc.£25,000 income and below:

Receive some grantBetween c.£25,001 and c.£42,611

Sliding scale will be:

• Extra help with living costs for some students

• Maximum non repayable grant in 2013 will be £3,354

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The Paperwork!• They can estimate how much support they can get online: www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator

• Start research early . Application is online via Student Finance England ( or paper PN1 form).

• Apply from early www.gov.uk/student-finance. Applications being accepted now

• Deadline for application to ensure that loans are received by the beginning of the course is 31st May 2013

• Do not wait until they have a confirmed place – students can always amend their finance application later on via ‘My Account’

• Send in any evidence we request straight away recorded delivery

• Make sure you ‘consent to share’ your information. Otherwise, your university may not be able to make its own assessments for financial support.

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Student Spending• Accommodation • Bills ( not in halls) • Toiletries • Laundry • Phones • Stationery/photocopying • Transport/travel (local) • Food • Sports/societies• Socialising

£70 - £170

£30

£5 -£10

£5 - £10

£10

£2-£5

£10

£30+

£10 - upwards

£25 - upwardsTotal Approx £255+ (30 weeks=£7650)Student spend will vary depending on course, location and spending habits of the individual

( full loan Elsewhere £5, 500)

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• Sponsorship

• Part-time workTerm-time (recommended maximum - 16 hours per week!!)

Vacation

Professional placement

• Parents

• Campus banks

Student Finance

Other sources of income•Scholarships / bursaries – all Universities will have different packages

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University of Reading

Universities charging over £6,000 must participate by providing matched funding to support students from with a household income of less than £25,000

National Scholarship Programme

Music Scholarships & Sports Scholarships (Up to £800 towards specialist music tuition & awards of up to £2,000 towards sports membership)

Pre – entry travel bursaries - Return travel to Visit Day or Interview. HEFCE-defined UK areas of low participation in HE

Pre-Application Bursary - UK students with a disability

Access to Learning Fund (Hardship Fund) Awards (usually non-repayable) can help with emergency expenditure or unexpected shortfalls in living costs

Hardship Fund A University fund for enrolled EU and overseas students

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How to save money

• Buy used textbooks• Apply for relevant scholarships/bursaries• Self-catered rooms/ Avoid en-suite/double rooms• Use bike as transportation• Book any travel early with discount• Buy non-branded products• Choose best mobile phone plan• Avoid gym membership• Go to “University Nights” rather than town• Shop around for discounts

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Conclusions• Investment in your education and your future• University can be expensive but rewarding• It’s all about proper budgeting and time management• Write a budget and stick to it!• Get a job (income + skills)• Enjoy your time at University• Apply early for finance.

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Further InformationUseful Websites

www.gov.uk/student-finance

www.studentfinanceengland.co.uk/

www.thestudentroom.co.uk/ ( finance and university choices)

www.ucas.co.uk

www.reading.ac.uk/studentfinance

twitter.com/sf_england

facebook.com/SFEngland

Any Questions

Come visit us !

Open days •Saturday 21st September•Saturday 26th October

•Wednesday afternoon campus tours

Email: student.recruitment@reading.ac.uk

@UniofReading | www.reading.ac.uk