University Entrance University Entrance – the problems & – the problems &

pitfallspitfalls

(and how to avoid (and how to avoid them!)them!)

Work with the schoolWork with the school

• Begin discussion in Grade 8/9 Begin discussion in Grade 8/9 (UK Years 9/10)(UK Years 9/10)

• Explain UK university Explain UK university requirementsrequirements

• Student may need to take extra Student may need to take extra courses (AP? online?)courses (AP? online?)

• Contact your agency TCK Contact your agency TCK education linkeducation link

University entrance University entrance 20132013

Application process now online:Application process now online:

““The system allows you to manage the complete The system allows you to manage the complete application process by:application process by:•monitoring how you are progressing with your monitoring how you are progressing with your applicationsapplications•creating, editing and approving referencescreating, editing and approving references•checking, approving and submitting applicationschecking, approving and submitting applications

•making secure payments.” making secure payments.” (www.ucas.com)(www.ucas.com)

Explanatory videoExplanatory video

Start the process earlyStart the process early

1515thth October deadline October deadline• MedicineMedicine• DentistryDentistry• Veterinary coursesVeterinary courses• Oxford & CambridgeOxford & Cambridge

2424thth March deadline March deadline

• Art & Design Art & Design coursescourses

1515thth January deadline January deadline• All other courses All other courses

except Art & Designexcept Art & Design

UCAS TariffUCAS Tariff

• Shows worldwide qualifications Shows worldwide qualifications and their equivalent in UCAS and their equivalent in UCAS points points (AP, IB)(AP, IB)

• Three A Levels no longer the Three A Levels no longer the only means of entranceonly means of entrance

• University web sites show points University web sites show points needed for each courseneeded for each course

Student FinanceStudent Finance

From Student Finance:From Student Finance:•Tuition Fee LoanTuition Fee Loan•Maintenance LoanMaintenance Loan•Maintenance GrantMaintenance Grant** (family income (family income <£25,000pa)<£25,000pa)

From universities directly:From universities directly:•National Scholarship Programme National Scholarship Programme **

(family income <£25,000pa)(family income <£25,000pa)

* Non refundable * Non refundable

UK Resident StatusUK Resident Status

To qualify for student finance as a student from England, you must:

•be a UK national or have 'settled status' in the UK (under the terms of the Immigration Act 1971)•be ‘ordinarily resident’ in England•have been 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for the three years immediately before starting the course - and not wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education

You’re 'ordinarily resident' somewhere if it’s where you You’re 'ordinarily resident' somewhere if it’s where you normally live. It doesn’t matter if you’re out of the normally live. It doesn’t matter if you’re out of the country temporarily from time to timecountry temporarily from time to time.

(www.direct.gov.uk)

Case StudiesCase Studies

1.1. What was the issue in this case What was the issue in this case study?study?

2.2. Where did the difficulties lie?Where did the difficulties lie?

3.3. Could these have been avoided? Could these have been avoided?

If so, how?If so, how?

4. What solution (if any) was 4. What solution (if any) was found?found?

5. What lessons can be learned?5. What lessons can be learned?

Pitfalls to avoid on UCAS Pitfalls to avoid on UCAS formform

• Do Do NOTNOT tick the OVERSEAS tick the OVERSEAS STUDENT box!STUDENT box!

• Apply as a UK RESIDENTApply as a UK RESIDENT• Check all details very, very Check all details very, very

carefully BEFORE final submission carefully BEFORE final submission • Ensure parents have authorised Ensure parents have authorised

access to student accountsaccess to student accounts

Important points for Important points for parentsparents

• Get a National Insurance number for Get a National Insurance number for your child when they turn 16your child when they turn 16

• Keep detailed evidence of regular Keep detailed evidence of regular visits to the UK visits to the UK

• Ensure parents have authorised Ensure parents have authorised access to child’s UCAS/Student access to child’s UCAS/Student Finance accountsFinance accounts

• Consider children returning to UK for Consider children returning to UK for a summer, prior to starting universitya summer, prior to starting university

Be prepared for….Be prepared for….

• Many emails and phone calls to Many emails and phone calls to the UKthe UK

• Considering a foundation yearConsidering a foundation year• Possible year at UK Sixth Form?Possible year at UK Sixth Form?• Need for acculturation back to Need for acculturation back to

UK lifeUK life

PRAY!PRAY!

Ask supporters to pray:Ask supporters to pray:

•For the return of TCKs to the UKFor the return of TCKs to the UK•For the university application For the university application processprocess•For favourable responses from the For favourable responses from the “powers that be” in Admissions “powers that be” in Admissions OfficesOffices•For the transition period – both For the transition period – both student and parents!student and parents!