A Parents’ Guide to Higher Education
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Making the Right Choice
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A Great Place to Study
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The Application Process
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Edge Hill University
Understanding Funding and Finance Support Throughout Useful Websites
1 A Parents’ Guide to Higher Education
Contents
As the parent or guardian of someone who is applying to university you will play an important role in supporting them to make an informed decision about what and where to study.
This guide addresses some of the questions you may have about applying to higher education, and Edge Hill University in particular.
What are the benefits of going to university? There are many benefits to be gained from a university experience. A qualification in an area of interest, developing employability and career prospects, increased future earning potential, growing independence and the development of social skills.
When choosing a university course it is important to select a subject in the area that is enjoyable and that can bring benefits. With over 50,000 courses available nationally, at a variety of city and campus-based universities, there is a lot of choice.
Employability is a key factor in any future plans and university provides excellent opportunities through study, volunteering and work experience for building on a range of academic skills that will be highly attractive to potential employers.
3 A Parents’ Guide to Higher Education
Making the Right Choice
Opportunity from Knowledge Founded in 1885, Edge Hill is a thriving university providing an outstanding student experience with a strong focus on employability. Our award-winning campus features some of the best facilities you will see in higher education, set in 160 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds.
Great graduate employment prospects The Edge Hill University experience is designed to prepare our students for their future careers. We have an excellent track record in graduate employment with over 93% of our students being in employment or further study six months of graduation. This significantly exceeds the national average and we have one of the lowest rates of graduate unemployment in the North West. (2013 Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey).
Satisfied Students Edge Hill University offers an outstanding student experience and this is reinforced by our consistent success in national surveys:
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Shortlisted for Times Higher Education UK University of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2014. Ranked in the top 3 in the region for Student Experience. (Times Higher Student Experience Survey, 2014)
Ranked top in the region with an Overall Satisfaction ranking of 4.2 out of 5. (National Student Survey, 2014)
Ranked top out of North West universities for Teaching Excellence.
(The Sunday Times University Guide, 2013)
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Edge Hill University
The Edge Hill University campus is located close to Liverpool, Manchester and Preston, and is perfectly placed for students to benefit from the local countryside or the nearby cities, all of which are all easily accessible by road or rail.
Our Ormskirk campus offers everything on site, from state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities to modern student accommodation, and a choice of places to study, socialise and relax.
Our cutting edge resources are designed to ensure students get experience of industry standard facilities to prepare them for the world of work.
Departmental facilities are complemented by the University Library, giving students access to thousands of books, journals, online resources and study spaces. Extensive IT and multimedia provision is available in the Learning Innovation Centre and the brand new ÂŁ16m Creative Edge building.
The facilities across campus, together with the expertise of our teaching staff, easily accessible student support services and 24hour security provide peace of mind and an environment where our students are encouraged to succeed.
Edge Hill University has been ranked the safest campus in the North West (Complete University Guide 2014). Many new students appreciate the supportive, sociable and secure atmosphere that life in halls can offer. As we are campus based, everything is just a few minutes’ walk from the student accommodation. Visit edgehill.ac.uk/accommodation for further information on our accommodation application and allocation process.
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A great place to study
Understanding Funding and Finance There have been a number of changes made to Student Finance in the UK. From 2012, the government introduced new funding arrangements which have meant that there has been a withdrawal of the majority of public funding for higher education.
Tuition Fees at Edge Hill University As one of the fastest growing universities in the country, Edge Hill has invested over £180m in the last decade in creating a campus environment that is amongst the best in British higher education. Applications have quadrupled in less than a decade, while the University has advanced forty places in national league tables. For the benefit of our students we want this success to continue. We have, therefore, decided to join the majority of universities in setting the full-time undergraduate fee for 2015/16 at £9,000 per annum. The fee for full-time foundation degrees will be £6,000 per annum.
Tuition Fee Loan - No upfront tuition fees Eligible students (UK/EU) can borrow the full cost of their tuition fee in the form of a loan, subject to previous degree or higher level study, and should not have to pay for their course upfront.
Maintenance Loan A Maintenance Loan is available to help students with living and study costs. All students (full-time, UK/EU), who live away from home and outside London, will be eligible for a loan of up to £5,740. Those who choose to live with their parents will be eligible for a loan of up to £4,565. Students will only be required to start repaying student loans (tuition and maintenance) after they have graduated and are earning over £21,000 per annum. When it comes to repayment terms, tuition fee and maintenance loans are combined to make one monthly repayment. Graduates’ monthly repayments are based on the amount they earn and not on how much they have borrowed. For further details see our website at: edgehill.ac.uk/fees
Maintenance Grant A Maintenance Grant may also be available to UK/EU full-time students to help with living and study costs and this does not have to be repaid. Qualifying for this grant is dependent on household income and is worth up to £3,387 per annum. Additional financial support at Edge Hill University Edge Hill Scholarships Our range of scholarships for students recognise determination, commitment and achievement in creative arts, performing arts, sport and volunteering, and also reward outstanding examination results.
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High Achievers Scholarship - £1,000 paid over the first year of study High performing school leavers who apply to Edge Hill University and achieve 320 UCAS points in their final A2 (or equivalent) exams may qualify for a High Achievers Scholarship.
Outstanding Applicant Scholarship - £1,000 paid over the first year of study If your child has applied to Edge Hill University for full-time study on an undergraduate degree, they could make a substantial difference to their student life and finances by applying for an Edge Hill Outstanding Applicant Scholarship worth up to £1,000. These scholarships are awarded to applicants who can demonstrate high levels of determination, commitment and achievement outside their studies in school or college, for instance in creativity, performance, ICT, enterprise or volunteering.
Edge Hill Bursary - £1,000 paid over the first year of study The Edge Hill Bursary is designed to help students from lower income families with the cost of attending university. It will be awarded in Year 1 of a full-time or parttime undergraduate programme as a cash benefit of £1,000.
Liverpool Scholarship Up to £3,000 will be paid to the City of Liverpool student(s) who achieves the highest UCAS Tariff score. To be eligible the student(s) must be domiciled in the City of Liverpool and have applied to study a full-time, undergraduate degree.
Sports Scholarship If your child is talented at sport, participates at a competitive level and can demonstrate the ability and ambition to improve at their sport during your time at Edge Hill University, then we want to hear from them. They could develop their sporting performance by applying for a Sport Scholarship worth up to £1,000 per academic year.
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For information on how the application process works, visit: edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships
Earn while you learn Students gain valuable skills and experience through working alongside their studies, and with plenty of part-time job opportunities available on and off the campus, this can be a perfect stepping stone from study to employment. The Careers Centre offers an online vacancy service where students can search for part-time and casual vacancies as well as work placements and volunteering opportunities.
A Parents’ Guide to Higher Education
What is a scholarship? A scholarship is a financial award in recognition of excellence to support your son or daughter while they are at university. It is awarded purely on merit and does not have to be repaid.
The Application Process Students apply to university through an online system called UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Students can apply to a maximum of five choices, in no particular order. Some students make just one choice, others go for two different courses; the majority of students pick a similar subject at five different universities. A point to note is that the same Personal Statement will be used for all five choices.
What happens next? Once UCAS has received a completed application, the next steps are:
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UCAS will process the application. They will send a welcome letter confirming personal details and choices. The University can view the application online. The University will then decide whether to make an offer of a place or not.
Students can access their application via ‘Track’ on the UCAS website. Track is an online system which allows applicants to view their application, make changes to their personal details, view decisions made by the universities and colleges and reply to any offers received. The majority of communication about applicants and their places will come via UCAS, rather than direct from the universities.
Students will most likely receive either an unconditional offer, which means that they have got a place, if they want it, with no conditions attached, or a conditional offer, which means they may have to get certain grades to secure a place on their chosen course.
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January – April
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Begin applying for Student Finance. Await decisions from universities and colleges. Accepting and declining offers – choose one university as a FIRM choice and one as an INSURANCE choice. Apply for accommodation at Edge Hill if it is a FIRM choice.
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May – July
Check on the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/parents/dates for important deadlines. Look out for further information from us, this may include pre-course information such as reading lists. Results published for some examinations such as BTECs. If a completed BTEC qualification is a condition of an offer, confirmation of a place will be sent out from us. If the conditions of the offer are not met, each application will be individually reconsidered and the student may still be offered a place on their chosen course or an alternative course.
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A level results day and Clearing opens. Clearing enables students who have not secured a university place to apply for course vacancies. If a place is secured welcome information will be sent out from us
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September
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Enrolment – the process to officially join the University. Further details will be sent nearer the time; however we advise that you do not plan to be away beyond the first week in September. Welcome Sunday – this is the day for students who have been allocated oncampus accommodation to collect their keys and move in. First Week starts.
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Ensure that all the appropriate documentation is brought to enrolment. You can check what is required by visiting our website from early September.
A Parents’ Guide to Higher Education
Useful dates
Support throughout As a parent, you may have some concerns about your son or daughter’s welfare when they go to university. At Edge Hill we have a range of comprehensive advice and support services which ensure they are supported while they attend university.
Student Services Our Student Services can help students with almost anything to do with general student living. Most services are accessed via our dedicated on-campus Student Information Centre, and services include: accommodation support and advice, our Careers Centre, and financial and welfare advice.
Course Support In a students’ first year they will be allocated a Personal Tutor who will be their first point of contact for queries and concerns and they will give advice or guidance on where to get more help if they need it. Some courses also have a Peer Mentoring Scheme where second and third year students help first years to settle into the course.
IT and Library Support We offer student access to high-quality, cutting-edge learning resources. This includes an impressive library, IT and study support facilities, access to 15,000 e-journals, over 150 online databases, 70,000 e-books and 230,000 books and DVDs. There is 24-hour PC access, free wireless internet across campus and teams to support students with a range of academic skills.
Inclusive Services The Inclusion Team support students with a range of needs arising from physical or sensory impairments, mental health needs or other disabilities. The team provides one to one academic or personal support and can also organise a Needs Assessment, advice on exam modifications, alternative assessments or adapted accommodation.
Health and Wellbeing Centre Located at Milton House, which is just a short walk from campus, the Edge Hill doctors hold three surgeries per week and students are always welcome to dropin for a chat with the Nurse, no appointment necessary. Students can also access NHS dental treatment at the centre.
The Careers Centre Professionally qualified and well informed staff are available to help your son or daughter with finding work, voluntary opportunities, summer work and work abroad. They can offer practical advice and tips on how to write a CV and interview techniques.
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Students’ Union The Students’ Union gives students a voice and works to improve both the educational and social experience providing a wide range of activities including sports and societies, academic advice and guidance, events, student representation, welfare and campaigns.
Settling in We provide all our students with the warmest of welcomes. The first week can be a daunting time so we arrange activities designed to allow first year students to acclimatise to their new surroundings. There are group activities providing essential course information, introductory sessions with the University Library and the Financial Support Team, and also individual meetings with their Personal Tutor.
Keeping in touch A friendly voice at the end of the phone or email is a tremendous support to anyone embarking on independent living. A topped up mobile phone is always a useful means of communication and all our on-campus rooms are Wi-Fi enabled, so it’s easy to keep in touch.
THINK Edge Hill THINK Edge Hill gives students online access to useful and important information about Edge Hill. All applicants will be prompted by email to access this information once they have been made an offer. All communications from the University will be sent to the email address used on their UCAS application form, so they should check their account regularly. If their email address changes, to ensure they continue to receive important information from the University they should email think@edgehill.ac.uk with their updated email address.
Useful Contacts For any questions you may have about Edge Hill University please contact our Course Enquiries Team: Telephone: 01695 657000 Email: study@edgehill.ac.uk
A Parents’ Guide to Higher Education
Counselling Our Counselling and Supervisory Service is an established, professional facility that offers a wide range of services to Edge Hill students. Our experienced, qualified counsellors can help students to explore what is happening in their life, what they want to do differently and what their next steps might be. They can offer help in finding solutions to problems, ways of coping, or just a safe place to talk.
Useful Websites Edge Hill information Edge Hill University EHU Students’ Union THINK
Choosing a course and university UCAS What Uni The Student Room Hot courses
Finance and budgeting Direct.gov Student Calculator Info for NHS funded students
Work experience and gap years vInspired (volunteering opportunities for 14-25 year olds in England) BUNAC Smaller Earth Employment4students Prospects
General information NUS Department for Education
edgehill.ac.uk edgehillsu.org.uk think.edgehill.ac.uk ucas.com whatuni.com thestudentroom.co.uk hotcourses.com gov.uk/studentfinance studentcalculator.org.uk nhsbsa.nhs.uk vinspired.com bunac.org smallerearth.co.uk e4s.co.uk prospects.ac.uk nus.org.uk education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching
A Parents’ Guide to Higher Education
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Edge Hill University St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP United Kingdom