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
WHAT IS UNIVERSITY?
Higher Education
• Usually partaken after sixth form/college, A-Levels/BTECs.
• Leads to qualifications such as degrees and foundation degrees.
Independent study and flexible assessment
• More independent study than at school (lectures, seminars, etc).
• Assessment not just exams (essays, group work, etc).
Other opportunities
• Huge number of things to get involved in, including societies,
sport, work experience, studying abroad, volunteering, etc.
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
Organisation and
independence
Research
Transferable
Skills You’ll
Develop
Teamwork
and meeting
new people
IT
Budgeting
Leadership
and management
Time management
THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS
It’s your choice!
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
- Practical subjects
- Well-recognised by employers
- Standardised qualifications
- Can continue to honours degree in
second or third year
1 year
Higher National
Diploma
Foundation Courses
- Courses taken before a degree
- e.g. Art and Design, Engineering
2 years
1 year
CHOOSING A COURSE
Over 38,000 courses on offer in the UK!
Favourite
subject?
Something
completely
new?
Develop an
out of
school
interest?
An
accredited
course?
Career in
mind?
Consider
all the
options!
TRUE OR FALSE COURSES?
Surf Science
Extreme Sports
Studies
Fish Farming
Fashion Sportswear
Golfing Studies
Oscars Dress
Design
Parent
Management
David Beckham
Studies
Road Management
Baking Technology
ANSWERS
TRUE
FALSE
Surf Science
David Beckham Studies
Baking Technology
Extreme Sports Studies
Fish Farming
Oscars Dress Design
Golfing Studies
Parent Management
Fashion Sportswear
Road Management
Length of
course
Modular
Full-time/
Part-time
Course Structure
Sandwich
course
Combined/
Joint honours
Major/
Minor
COMPARING COURSES
Content
Teaching Styles
Does it cover your
interests?
Lectures, seminars,
practicals, private study
Look at specific topics
Assessment type
Professionally
accredited?
Class sizes
www.unistats.direct.gov.uk
WHAT DID THEY STUDY?
JOHN: Police Sergeant
Marketing Management with
Economics
HANNAH: Primary Teacher
American (United States) Studies
TONY: Contracts Director for
architectural glazing firm
DAN: Marketing Executive for IT
distributor
HELEN: Corporate Partnerships
Manager for Royal National
Lifeboat Institute
Biological Sciences
Biology
Psychology
Politics and History of the Middle East
with Arabic
KAT: Media Buyer for advertising agency
Primary Teaching
TONI: Cabin Crew for Virgin Atlantic
ANSWERS
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
CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY
 Entry Requirements
 Size
 Financial support - bursaries and scholarships
 Reputation
 Location - campus-based or inner-city
 Facilities and social life
ACCOMMODATION
Where will you be based? How much will it cost?
FACILITIES AND SOCIAL LIFE
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
COMMON CONCERNS AND SOLUTIONS
No one in my family has been to university before
• You won’t be the only one!
• More support available than ever before.
I can’t afford it
• You don’t need to have any money upfront.
• Lots of support available.
I don’t want to move away from home
• You don’t have to - lots of students live at home.
• Lots of accommodation available if you do want to move though.
COMMON CONCERNS AND SOLUTIONS
No one will support me if something goes wrong
• Increased independence but still lots of support available.
• Personal tutors, student welfare services, careers advice, etc.
None of my friends are going to university
• Very easy to make new friends - everyone’s in the same boat.
• Exciting to visit old friends or have them visit you.
I won’t get a job after university
• Universities great at careers advice and links to employers.
• Important to view university as an investment.
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!
TUITION FEES
• 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.
FEES AT OXFORD BROOKES
• Undergraduate degrees
(taught at Oxford Brookes)
£9,000 per year
• Foundation degrees
(taught at Oxford Brookes
and associated colleges)
£6,000 per year for
first two years
£7,000 for top-up
TUITION FEE LOAN
• 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.
LIVING COSTS
• 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…
MAINTENANCE LOAN
• 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 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
Students living away
from home
(in London)
Up to £10,702
(minimum = £3,821)
(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
PAYING BACK STUDENT LOANS
• 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.
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
Salary
(£25,000 per year)
Deductions
£2,083.33 Tax
National Insurance
Student Loan
Total Pay
£2,083.33 Total Deductions
Net Pay
£292.08
£177.72
£30.00
£499.80
£1,583.53
INTEREST RATES
Whilst studying:
From the April after you
graduate:
The rate of inflation if you are
earning below £21,000
Rate of inflation +3% from when
you start studying until the April
after you finish university
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
1
Complete application online at
www.gov.uk/studentfinance. Can
apply for Tuition Fee Loan and
Maintenance Loan at the same time
2
More information to provide if you are
submitting a means-tested application
3
You can usually start applying from
February time - best to do this ASAP!
HOW TO APPLY
4
Application assessed and Financial
Notification Letter then sent
5
Online declaration form signed and
sent to Student Finance England and
Payment Schedule Letter then sent
6
First instalment of Maintenance Loan
not transferred to student until they
enrol at university
BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS
• 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.
FURTHER SUPPORT
• Universities sometimes able to offer emergency loans.
• Additional financial support available for students with
child or adult dependents.
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
• 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.
NHS COURSES
• 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/
EARNING EXTRA MONEY
Part-time work
• 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.
Sell your books
• Keep in good condition and sell on at the end of the year.
Start your own business
• Lots of support available.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
• 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.
THEMES
What is university?
Why go to university?
Choosing the right course and
university and student life
Student finance
Any
Questions?
FURTHER INFORMATION
• 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