Welcome to the HE Progression Information Session Chris

Welcome to the HE Progression Information Session Chris Price – Vice Principal Bronwen Eldridge – HE, Careers and Progression Neil Slotnick – Tutorial Team Sam Mc. Carthy – Careers Advisor Waltham Forest Apprenticeships – Harpal Rull University of Cumbria – Mushtaq Ahmad

Presentation Contents • Options after Leyton Sixth Form College • Why Higher Education? • The UCAS Process • How you can support your son/daughter • How we support students • Apprenticeships • Student Finance • Questions and Answer session / discussion time with Careers Staff, Apprenticeship and University representatives

Progression options • Higher Education (University) • An apprenticeship • A sponsored degree/degree apprenticeship • Further Education • Employment • A Gap Year • However, all students are encouraged to research their HE options and complete UCAS – it will be a useful process regardless of your choice

Why higher education? • Increase potential earnings • Better career prospects • Benefit the wider community • More independence, self-confidence and responsibility • Personal challenge • Broadens interests and knowledge • It can be immense fun! At the heart of connecting people to higher education

The UCAS journey

Research – it’s free and important to do § Start at www. ucas. com § Research – career options, universities, courses and minimum entry requirements. § Attend a UCAS or University event – even if your son or daughter doesn’t know what they want to do, speaking to those in the know will help. § Learn from others – student videos are available to watch at UCAS. tv. Find us on: Download the UCAS Parent Guide from the UCAS website. At the heart of connecting people to higher education 30/11/20206

Key features of the UCAS scheme • Your son or daughter can make up to five choices in one application. • The 2020 applicant fee is: • £ 20 for one choice • £ 25 for up to five choices. • Applications received by the key deadlines are given equal consideration. • ‘Invisibility’ – universities cannot see where else students have applied. 30/11/2020 At the heart of connecting people to higher education 7

Key dates and deadlines 24 th May Applicants can register and start to complete their application. Mid-September Students complete UCAS application 15 October Medicine, dentistry, veterinary, and Oxford or Cambridge. October halfterm (21 st) Internal deadline for most student UCAS applications 15 January UCAS external application deadline for most courses. 30 June Applications after this date held for Clearing. At the heart of connecting people to higher education 30/11/2020 8

The UCAS application At the heart of connecting people to higher education 30/11/2020 9

Making the application Apply is the UCAS online application system. Every applicant has six sections to complete: • • • 30/11/2020 Personal details Student finance (UK and EU only) Choices Education Employment Personal statement. Once a student submits their application, the reference is added and it is sent to UCAS who passes it on to the university At the heart of connecting people to higher education 10

Decision-making by institutions Universities and colleges will review: • • Personal statement Reference Qualifications Admissions test results Interviews Portfolios Auditions. An admissions tutor may make one of three decisions: Institutions may also offer a place on an alternative course • Unconditional offer • Conditional offer • Unsuccessful. 30/11/2020 At the heart of connecting people to higher education 11

Tracking applications and Replying to offers • When your son or daughter receives decisions from all of their choices they will need to make their replies by a set date. • They can now hold a maximum of two offers: • Firm - their first choice. If they meet the conditions of the offer they will be placed. • Insurance – acts as a back-up choice and only comes into play if they are not placed with their firm choice. If they do not receive any offers they can make an additional choice through the Extra scheme • If your son or daughter fails to reply to their offers by the deadline date, all offers will be automatically declined. 30/11/2020 At the heart of connecting people to higher education 12

Extra If your son or daughter does not get an offer from any of their choices they can use Extra. • Students eligible for Extra: • Used all five choices • All choices unsuccessful, cancelled or offers declined • No option for firm or insurance • Universities have 21 days to respond • Existing apply information used. 30/11/2020 At the heart of connecting people to higher education Extra is open between February - July 13

Confirmation • Exam results are published – many are passed electronically to universities by UCAS. • Admissions staff check if the applicant has met the conditions of the offer. There are four possibilities: 1. If a student meets the conditions of their firm choice. It’s time to celebrate! 2. If a student doesn’t meet the conditions of their firm choice, but meets the conditions of their insurance choice (which should be lower), they will be placed at their insurance choice. It’s also time to celebrate! 3. If a student has not met the conditions of their firm or insurance choice (or no insurance), they will be entered into a process known as Clearing. 4. If a student meets and exceeds the conditions of their offer, they are eligible for Adjustment. This provides an opportunity for them to reconsider where and what to study whilst still holding their firm offer. At the heart of connecting people to higher education 14 30/11/2020

The Clearing process Applicant contacts university or college to discuss vacancies Applicant enters choice details on Track Clearing If unsuccessful applicant can start again 30/11/2020 University or college will make a decision At the heart of connecting people to higher education If successfully placed – celebrate! 15

How can you support the application process? • Don’t book holidays at key times e. g. results day • Support your son or daughter’s management of their application. • Make sure they read everything they are sent carefully! Be there. . . • Prepare them for living away from home: • Cost of living – paying bills • Independent living skills – cooking and washing. 30/11/2020 Comforting, proofreading, encouraging, testing, practising etc At the heart of connecting people to higher education 16

Summary from UCAS • https: //www. ucas. com/connect/videos/u cas? v=/parents-guide-ucas 30/11/2020 At the heart of connecting people to higher education 17

Supporting Students’ Progression

How we support students • Personal Statement guidance and checking • Writing the college reference • Checking the UCAS form • Guidance on choices • Guidance with research: • Unifrog software platform • Careers Centre – qualified Careers Advisors

UCAS Choices: • 5 institutions • 1 ‘aspirational’ • 2 -3 ‘comfortable’ • 1 -2 ‘back up’ • Encouraged to make sensible choices based on Year 1 performance and predicted grades

The Personal Statement • One of the most important aspects of the application • Convincing Admissions Tutors of their genuine commitment to and ability for their chosen subject in 47 lines: • Linking subject choice to career goals • Demonstrating their suitability for the course chosen • Demonstrating they are well rounded individuals who can adapt to such a different educational environment

Standing out from the rest…. • Enrichment activities both subject based and general • Positions of responsibility – Subject Mentors, Subject Guide, Tutor Group Rep, College Ambassador, • Subject Conferences/Open Days/Taster Days • Wider reading/awareness of current issues • ‘Broadening Horizons Programme’ & QMUL

Additional Specialist Support • Oxford, Cambridge and Russell Group applications • Medicine, dentistry, vetinary, nursing midwifery • Extra help with Personal Statement, mock interviews etc.

The College Reference • Written by the Personal Tutor based on teachers’ reports from Summer • Predicted grades from subject teachers • Comment upon student’s: • suitability for the course, • character, • engagement with Broadening Horizons, QMUL achievement etc. • reliability • skills for Higher Education

Late Oct Parents’ Eve – opportunity to check progress/ask any further questions Letter to confirm dates/times…

Other paths of progression…. . • Those not applying to HE are identified from tutor groups & given targeted support • Programme of visiting speakers and workshops • Employability skills woven throughout tutorial • Apprenticeship opportunities flagged up • Employability events and opportunities publicised • Drop-in support from the Careers Centre

Apprenticeships – Sam Mc. Carthy • Apprenticeships are a good way to gain the skills and experience needed to enter into many careers. They combine work and training, letting people 'earn while you learn'. • There are over 280 types of apprenticeship and over 1, 500 job roles – anything from engineering and boat building to veterinary nursing and accountancy. • An apprenticeship usually takes one to three years to complete, and involves training on the job, online and/or in a classroom. • In the UK, you can apply for an apprenticeship if you’re over 16 and not in full-time education and been in the UK for 3 years.

Level 2 – Level 7 • Apprenticeships are available at different levels: • Intermediate level apprenticeship – equivalent to five GCSE passes. • Advanced level apprenticeship – equivalent to two A level passes. • Higher apprenticeship – can lead to NVQ level 4 and above, or a foundation degree. • Degree apprenticeships – these enable apprentices to achieve a full bachelor's or master's degree as part of their apprenticeship. (Level 6 or Above)

Example of advertised Apprenticeship

Student Finance for University Neil Slotnick - Neil. Slotnick@leyton. ac. uk

i STUDENT FINANCE ENGLAND AN INTRODUCTION Student Finance England (SFE) provide financial support on behalf of the UK Government to students from England entering higher education in the UK. • The two main costs they’ll have while studying are tuition fees and living costs. • There’s student finance available to help students with both*. • Depending on their circumstances, course and where they study, they may be able to get a range of financial help and support. i *Full-time students. Part-time students can get tuition fee and DSA support from SFE.

TUITION FEES AND LOANS AN OVERVIEW With tuition fees of up to £ 9, 250, how can you afford to go to uni? • Eligible students won’t have to pay any tuition fees up front. • A Tuition Fee Loan is available to cover the fee charged by your university or college. * • A Tuition Fee Loan doesn’t depend on household income. • SFE pay the Tuition Fee Loan directly to your university or college. • Tuition Fee Loans have to be repaid but only when you’ve finished or left your course and your income is over the repayment threshold. i *Up to £ 9, 250 for full-time courses at a publicly-funded uni or college or up to £ 6, 165 for approved courses at private providers.

MAINTENANCE LOAN AN OVERVIEW A Maintenance Loan is available to help with living costs while in higher education. • All eligible students can get some Maintenance support. • The amount of Maintenance Loan you can get depends on where you live and study. • Maintenance Loan is paid directly into your bank account each term. • Maintenance Loans have to be paid back but not until you’ve left university and you’re income is over £ 25, 000 a year.

MAINTENANCE LOAN MAXIMUM LEVELS FOR 2019/20 Parental home Live at home while you study 0 Up to £ 7, 529 Elsewhere Live away from home & study outside London Live away from home & study in London i Up to £ 8, 944 Up to £ 11, 672 If studying overseas as part of a UK course, Maintenance Loan support is still available, up to £ 10, 242 for 2019/20.

EXTRA SUPPORT BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS Many universities and colleges offer financial support to their students through bursaries and scholarships: Bursaries: • linked to personal circumstances and often, household income • awards can include discounted tuition fees, accommodation or cash Scholarships: • linked to academic results or ability in an area such as sport or music • can be subject specific and are usually limited in numbers i Check university/college websites and ask at open days to see what they offer and how/when to apply. . don’t miss out!!

GOV. UK FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY www. gov. uk/studentfinance

SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION HOUSEHOLD INCOME If you’re supporting an application for student finance that depends on household income, SFE will need details of your taxable income and National Insurance number. If you’re the parent of a student and live with your partner, they’ll also have to give us details of their taxable income and National Insurance number. Taxable earned income includes*: • wages, salaries, tips, and other taxable employee pay • long-term disability benefits received prior to minimum retirement age • net earnings from self-employment Taxable unearned income includes*: • interest from savings (only the annual summary is required) • benefits and pensions • rent from property or a room i *More details/information can be found at www. gov. uk/income-tax

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENTS AN OVERVIEW • You won’t make repayments until your income is over the repayment threshold. • If you study a full-time course, you will be due to start repaying in the April after graduating or leaving your course. • You’ll repay 9% of your income over the threshold and if you’re employed deductions will be made from your pay through the HMRC tax system*. • If your income falls below the threshold, your repayments will stop. • Any outstanding loan balance will be cancelled 30 years after entering repayment. i *If you move/work overseas you will repay 9% of your earnings over the repayment threshold for the country you are living in.

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENTS THE FIGURES (BASED ON REPAYMENT THRESHOLD OF £ 25, 000 A YEAR Income each year before tax 9% will be deducted from Monthly repayment £ 25, 000 £ 0 £ 27, 000 £ 2, 000 £ 15 £ 29, 500 £ 4, 500 £ 33 £ 31, 000 £ 6, 000 £ 45 £ 33, 000 £ 8, 000 £ 60 Income £ 28, 000 i 9% Deducted £ 3, 000 from? (Approx) Monthly £ 22 repayment? Interest is applied to your loan at a maximum rate of RPI +3% More info can be found on www. slc. co. uk/repayment

A few “What if’s” • With Brexit in October, and political uncertainty (at the time of writing), the media has reported the following COULD happen to student finance, as shown in a recent government commissioned review. 1. A potential return for Maintenance GRANTS for some students (means tested) 2. EU Citizens that have been living in the UK for 3 years will have home status 3. Reduction of tuition fees from £ 9250 maximum to £ 7500 maximum 4. Deductions of loan payments to continue for 40 years, ending the 30 year cancellation 5. Reduction of payment threshold from £ 25000 to £ 23000 This is “news” however, and nothing is certain.

i NEED MORE INFORMATION? REMEMBER SFE IS ONLINE For further information on student finance and applications go to: www. gov. uk/studentfinance i For a range of helpful tools and guidance, visit our student finance zone: www. thestudentroom. co. uk/studentfinance

Questions? If you have any further questions, feel free to ask