www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

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A Parents Guide
Ms Catherine Macaslan Vice Principal (Learning
teaching)
www.abdn.ac.uk/sras
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Making the Right Choices

• Range of opportunities in Higher Education is
  enormous and exciting
• 40 of young people now progress from school to
  university
• 50,000 degree and diploma courses on offer in
  the UK

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First step to a rewarding career

• Provides skills, knowledge and understanding for
  progression to a variety of careers
• Helps develop transferable skills for a dynamic
  job market
• Increases earning potential
• Increases maturity and confidence

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At a glance

• Founded in 1495
• World-class institution, boasting four Nobel
  Prize winners
• Around 14,000 students
• 120 nationalities
• Extensive range of degree programmes
• Research Intensive

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500 Years of Excellence
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Unique Facilities
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Applicant Portal

• Unique online applicant portal that allows your
  son or daughter to check the status of their
  application and receive important information
  quickly
• Offer letters, applicants guides, accommodation
  guides will all be sent out electronically
  through the portal.
• Secure password protected
• Check regularly
• Developed directly in response to requests from
  applicants to receive information electronically

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Choice and Flexibility
First and Second Year

• MA BSc students study their chosen degree
  subject e.g. Psychology, and up to four other
  subjects in each of their first two years.
• Try out new subjects and tailor their degree to
  suit their needs and interests.
• Flexible system allows them to change degree
  intention up to the end of second year, in
  consultation with their Adviser of Studies
• Professional qualifications e.g. Law, Teaching,
  do not offer same flexibility

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Support from a Caring Community

• Adviser of Studies
• Medical Practice
• Chaplaincy
• Counselling Service
• Careers Service

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Clubs, Societies Sport

• Over 150 societies and 50 sports clubs
• Sublime to ridiculous
• Learn new things
• Teams Competitions
• Meet people from other universities

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Study Abroad
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Employment Prospects
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The city that has it all
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Admissions Process Funding
Mrs Lesley MacLennan Marketing Officer Student
Recruitment Admissions Service
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Admissions Process
15 Jan
Application to UCAS
UNIVERSITIES make offers Conditional
Unconditional
By End March
UCAS sends statement of decisions letter and
reply slip
STUDENT replies to each offer Firm Acceptance (F)
Insurance (I) Decline (D)
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Admissions Process
Ways to Accept Offers

• (UF) Firmly accepted Unconditional offer (no
  insurance)
• (CF) Firmly accepted Conditional offer
• (CFCI) Firmly accepted Conditional offer a
  Conditional offer as Insurance
• (CFUI) Firmly accepted Conditional offer an
  Unconditional Insurance offer

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Admissions Process
When to Reply to Your Offers
Last decision from University
Reply Date
31 March 2008
6 May 2008
9 May 2008
6 June 2008
13 June 2008
7 July 2008
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Admissions Process
Confirmation when results come out
Offer confirmed or alternative offer made
Clearing
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Finance
Student Loan Company Tel [phone] Web
www.slc.co.uk
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• Fees Students from England
• In September 2006 variable tuition fees were
  introduced to UK institutions outwith Scotland.
  Maximum 3000 per year, which nearly every
  institution charged. (3145 for 2008/9 entry)
• There are no variable tuition fees in Scotland.
  Students from the rest of the UK studying in
  Scotland will be charged 1,775 per year for all
  degree courses, with the exception of Medicine
  when the fee is 2,825 per year.

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• Financial Support
• Support for living costs is still available
  through the Local Education Authority where you
  live.
• Website Address
• www.dfes.gov.uk/localauthorities/index.cfm?action
  authority
• This website provides the contact details of all
  the LEAs

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Finance
Student Support (2007 figures)

• Student Loan (Maintenance) - max 4,625
• You can apply for the amount you are entitled to
  or less
• Maintenance Grants available where household
  income is less than 60,005 up to 2,835 per
  year
• Separate loans for Fee Support and Maintenance

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Finance
Additional Support

• Hardship Funds

• Supplementary Grants

• Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) - not means
  tested

• Help with travel costs if on year abroad or
  placement apply for this at the same time as
  your tuition fee loan

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Finance
Student Funding

• Student Loan Repayments taken from source (9
  of income over 15,000)

• Parental Contribution

• Grants/Bursaries

• Part-time Work

• Savings

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Accommodation - Guaranteed

• Catered (38 weeks)
• from 103 per week
• Food 15 per week
• Total 4,484
• Self-catered
• from 60.50 per week
• Food 30 per week
• Total 3,439

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Other Costs

• Books, Stationery, Printing and Photocopying
• Clothing and Laundry
• Telephone
• Travel
• Sport and Leisure
• Miscellaneous

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Finance
Other Income Sources / Advice

• Banks

• Special student offers

• Overdraft facilities, usually 400 - 600

• University Bursaries, Scholarships

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Applicant Days Visits

• BSc Wed 27th Feb
• MA Wed 5th March
• Engineering Wed 27th February and Wed 19th
  March
• Law Fri 29th Feb Fri 7th March
• Open Door policy tour campus and visit
  departments. Normally require 2 weeks notice.

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Further Information
For further information contact Student
Recruitment and Admissions Service T 01224
272090 / 91 E sras_at_abdn.ac.uk W
www.abdn.ac.uk/sras
www.abdn.ac.uk/sras