Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Returning to Study An insight into higher education. Pippa Waller [email protected] 01752 587963. An Insight in to Higher Education. Returning to study – is it just me? What can I study? How do I choose? What do I need? What will it be like? How will I fund it? Will I….? - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
An Insight in to Higher Education
• Returning to study – is it just me?• What can I study?• How do I choose?• What do I need? • What will it be like?• How will I fund it?• Will I….?• What sort of support is there?
Is it just me or...?
Fresh start
Change of priorities since schooldays
Higher Education
never an option
Doing something you have always
wanted to do
Career enhancement
Change of domestic
responsibilitiesBeen inspired by
a subject
Life-changing events
What can I study? Higher Education Qualifications
• ‘Bachelors’ Degrees– Sandwich degrees– ‘Honours’ (Hons)
• Certificate/Diploma of Higher Education• Foundation Degrees • Higher National Diplomas
What can I study?
‘Academic’
History, English, Philosophy, Sociology,
Politics….
Vocational/professionalTeaching, Social Work, Healthcare professions,
Medicine, Law, Architecture…
‘Work-related’Psychology,
Business Studies, Management, Computing…
How do I choose? Career considerations
• Profession-specific qualifications– Ensure job profile is right for you– Get work experience, speak to people in the field– Websites: Careers and professional bodies– What happens if you change your mind?
• Is there a job at the other end?– Research: Labour market; graduate destinations– Be proactive about improving employability– Consider ‘sandwich’ courses
How do I choose?• Personal fulfillment/enjoyment
– What subjects have interested you in the past?• In need of ideas?
– Try UK Course Finder or other guidance packages
• Ensure the course goals match yours– look beyond the title and general perception– look at subject combinations
What do I need to get in?Academic requirements• Admissions policy• ‘Ability to study at a higher level’–
advanced level academic study• ‘Recent’ academic study• Specific subjects in some cases
What do I need to get in?Possible qualification routes• Access to Higher Education• ‘Year zero’ courses• A and AS level• BTEC/Edexcel qualifications• Open University credits• Foundation degree pathways• Other qualifications/experience
What do I need to get in?What Admissions Tutors look for
• Focus, enthusiasm and commitment to choice of course
• Genuine interest and understanding• Experience for professional qualifications• Someone who will to benefit from the
course and from higher education generally• Relevant skills and qualities to succeed
How do I apply?• UCAS – Universities and Colleges
Admissions Service• 15 October Medicine, Dentistry &
Veterinary Medicine, Oxbridge
• 15 January All other applications • Application distributed to Universities
What will it be like?Common learning and teaching styles• Face-to-face’ learning
• Lectures & tutorials• Group work• Presentations• Lab work
• Contact hours• Operational hours
• Private study• Research• Directed• Discussion
• Placements
Responsible for own learning
What will it be Like?Assessment methods
• Examination• Coursework, reports & essays• Practical assessment• Problem-based learning• Seminar presentations• Group projects
How will I be funded?Student Loans Company
Tuition fee loan
Maintenance loan (upper age limit)
Maintenance or Special Support Grant
Adult Dependant’s Grant
Parents’ Learning Allowance
Childcare grant
Disabled Students’ Allowances
Subject to meeting eligibility criteria and means-testing
UniversityBursaries under the ‘OFFA’ agreement
University Access to Learning Fund
OtherSocial Work Bursary
How are health professions courses funded?
Dip HE
Non means tested bursaries
BSc (Hons)
Means tested bursaries
Reduced rate student loan
Subject to meeting eligibility criteria
University Access to Learning Fund
Fees paid by DoH
Ah yes, loans….
• Not credit scored
• Low interest
• Charged from point of borrowing
• Repayments start April after graduation if earnings > £15,000 pa
• Government writes off outstanding balance 25 years after this date
Loan Repayment
£1,250
£1,333
£1,417
£1,500
£1,583
£1,667
£1,750
£1,833
£1,917
£2,000
£2,083
£0
£10
£20
£30
£40
£50
£60
£70
£80
Monthly Earnings
Monthly Repay-ments
9%
Will I…..
fit in?
manage financially?
be good enough?
fit it all in?
be able to study with dyslexia?
ever find my way around!?
What we can do
• Academic support– Tutor– Learning Skills– Disability ASSIST– Careers– Library– Media workshops– Computing
• Practical/personal– Accommodation– Freshlings Nursery– Chaplaincy– Health & Welfare– Students Union– Funding
• Transitions
What university is all about• Studying something you love• Personal accomplishment• Meeting new people• Improving your prospects• Improving self-confidence• Indulging and enjoying yourself!
Good luck
