BSFC Higher Education Newsletter (Spring 2015)

Spring Edition 2015

In this edition of the Higher Education Newsletter we will cover:

UCAS Applications

Student Finance the truth!

The Cost of University Education

In your first year of Sixth Form? Your

next steps.

UCAS applications A record number of BSFC students met the 15th January UCAS application deadline for 2015 entry this year. The college’s policy of encouraging all level 3 students to submit an application has proved a resounding success and means that 88% of our students will leave college this summer with at least one viable option in place. Students have applied to a staggering 600 different courses with 36% of all choices being with Russell group or other prestigious universities.

This impressive outcome has been achieved through a robust tutorial programme that has offered both group and individual support to all students. Many students have already received offers and the sense of excitement about the transition to higher education is building.

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/41471683@N00/4610413145/in/photolist-82pzcP-9jS19Z-qrTp22-8dn2aT-9qQJ4g-aPXF6t-8rxHkr-bUXAg5-nsNCSk-nsNAEp-q9SskT-pv8ER8-q pBqQs-qrHuxZ-pv8x6t-pv8C5X-puUawU-puwEjg-qrPSSN-qajJ1u-qrPNTW-qrHxBK-pv8Dwp-qrHqZ6-q9Ss4a-pv8y7r-qrhwTz-qrPREY-pui5jj-qasVW6-qrSXFx-q9HNgo-pv8hE4

Upcoming tutorials will cover topics such as student finance, interview preparation, budgeting and accommodation and will ensure that our students are well prepared for their next step.

Source: http://www.adp-architecture.com/img/projects/UOL3/PublicRealm_Ext2.jpg

Student Finance – the truth!

There is much publicity given to student finance and many myths regarding lifelong debt and financial difficulties.

In fact, student finance is extremely manageable and monthly repayments generally equate to less than an average young person’s phone bill! Based on 2015/16 figures, a graduate earning £24,000 would repay just £22 a month.

Graduates only repay their loan if they earn more than £21,000 a year Repayments stop if their salary falls back below this figure Students repay 9% of income above £21,000, not a percentage of what they owe – therefore monthly repayments are the same no matter how much is borrowed Student loans do not affect credit ratings Like tax and insurance contributions, repayments are taken directly from gross pay so there is no possibility of getting into arrears Any outstanding debt is written off after 30 years

Source: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/health/assets/media/Finances.JPG

The Cost of a University Eductaion There are two main costs at university - tuition fees and living costs. Depending on your circumstances, your course and where you study, you could get a range of financial support.

The main types of finance are tuition fee and maintenance loans (which have to be paid back), and grants and bursaries (which don’t).

There’s also extra support for those with special circumstances, for example, if you have children or adult dependants, a disability, long-term health condition, mental-health condition, or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia or dyspraxia.

All of this finance comes from Student Finance England, a partnership between the Department for

Business Innovation & Skills and the Student Loans Company Ltd who provide financial support to students entering higher education in the UK on behalf of the UK government. (SLC LOGO). To get an estimate of how much you would be able to borrow use the student finance calculator: https://www.gov.uk/studentfinance-calculator In addition to a student loan, there are also a range of bursaries and scholarships available which are not repayable. Students must check individual university websites for details. There are also specially-targeted scholarships available for everyone from Welsh-speakers to vegetarians, provided you know where to look. Get googling!

In your first year at sixth form? Thinking about your next steps?

Although it doesn’t seem like five minutes since you sat your GCSEs, you will already have started to think about the options open to you when you leave college. Given that BSFC is an academic institution, it makes perfect sense that the vast majority of our students (88% in 2015) apply to university. There is a lot to think about and a range of information out there to help you choose a university and decide on which course you want to study. Your personal tutor will be encouraging you to start your research early and will be advising you on the best ways to go about this.

The AS tutorial programme is designed with special emphasis on supporting you to make key decisions about your next steps. The college’s HE Week runs from 2nd to 6th February this year and is an opportunity for all of our students to engage with representatives from a range of universities.

This year we have speakers from local universities such as Liverpool John Moores, and from further afield including Newcastle, Leeds University and Exeter Universities.

Images Sourced: https://www.ucas.com/

Following on from HE Week, all AS students will start to work through an HE Workbook with the support of tutors. The research that you conduct will be recorded in this workbook and will be taken forward to your final year, forming the basis of your UCAS application. You will begin your UCAS application in September 2015 so it is essential that you use your time effectively before then.

Start thinking now about attending open days and university summer schools – the best way to decide is to see for yourself!

Myth Busters!

Myth: Uni is for people who are good at academic courses

good way to become immersed in student life, it isn’t the only option. You could live at home and commute to university.

Fact: Courses can be practical, theory-based or creative – or all of these. Research different course structures to see which suits you.

Myth: There’s no point studying at uni, you can

Myth: I can only apply to study in one place

Fact: Research conducted by the Guardian on

Fact: You can make between one and five choices, but only add choices you’re sure about.

Myth: I can’t afford to study at university

earn just as much by working

behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) shows that graduates, on average, earn around £200,000 more over a lifetime than non-graduates – taking into account all the costs involved of being a 21st-century student.

Fact: There are a lot of organisations that can help make university an affordable and rewarding option. Go to www.ucas.com/studentfinance to find out more.

Myth: I’ll have to pay debts back straight after graduating

Fact: You only have to pay back at a rate of 9% on anything you earn over £21,000, regardless of how much you borrow. Check out www.ucas.com/studentfinance for more details.

Myth: I won’t be able to get on the property ladder because of my student debt Fact: The Council of Mortgage Lenders says a student loan is very unlikely to impact on an individual’s ability to get a mortgage.

Myth: Higher education courses last three years Fact: You can study for as little as a year and still get a meaningful qualification. Many courses are also available on a part-time or flexible study basis.

Myth: You have to live away from home Fact: Although living in halls of residence is a BSFC : Higher Education News Letter : Compiled by Joanne Wood

Sources of information https://www.ucas.com/

Discover more online: www.facebook.com/birkenhead sixthformcollege

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