As an adviser I’m often asked about what financial help is available for students wishing to study at University. Although the main resource is Student Finance England there are other sources which are often missed. So in the best tradition of top ten lists, (even though there are only 8 in this case), here are the top 8 sources of finance.
1. Loan for Maintenance
2. Maintenance Grant
3. Bursary
4. Scholarship
5. Job (both before you begin study and part-time whilst studying)
6. Family (often known as the Bank of Mum and Dad but can include other people)
7. Savings/Borrowings
8. Sponsorship
Even if you are aware of some of these resources it is always work checking how much you can get and the costs of paying any loan back. In recent research people commonly underestimate the maximum value of loan and overestimate future repayments. Bursarys and Scholarships are another area where many people are unaware of what is available. To find out what you could get go to http://www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinancecalculator where you can find out what each University could offer you. However Sponsorships can be difficult to obtain and some companies now prefer to offer them to students after their first year of Uni study. They also tend to be in certain areas, such as the Military, or in occupation fields such as Engineering. Packages on offer can be excellent and not just focused on money, (management training and career exploration can also be part of the package), but do check out the committment involved and ensure you are happy with what will be required as your side of the deal. Check out http://www.everythingyouwantedtoknow.com/student-finance/sponsorship for more info on Sponsorships
Wednesday 25 November 2009
Tuesday 17 November 2009
Don’t Panic – about money for University !
A lot of people are looking at their options for higher education, and the issue of cost is sure to be on the top concern of many. It is important that you look at the range of support that may be available and don’t just look at one source, or indeed rely on what someone is saying who may not be aware of all the options. Do check both with the adviser/tutor and the university you are considering if you have any questions. Money worries shouldn’t stop you going to University, but like all things that are important in your life you need to devote some time to checking everything out. Concern about the cost of higher education is the number one reason that people who have applied to university do not enter HE, ask your support and advice staff to ensure this is not you ! For more info check out our website http://www.connexions-somerset.org.uk/education/university.html#University%20money%20matters
Monday 9 November 2009
Receiving Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and wondering about funding for University ?
If you are currently receiving EMA financial support and looking to go onto University you may be unsure how this financial support would carry on after you finish your level 3 studies. Originally the Government plan was that if you were already receiving EMA then you would automatically get a grant to study at University – this was the HESSG or Higher Education Student Support Grant. This policy has now been changed and although the government is committed to any student already receiving EMA progressing onto HE, you will need to go through the financial assessment again. This has been done to ensure that those people whose financial situation has improved since the original assessment are treated fairly as other people applying to Uni. If your circumstances are unchanged from the original EMA assessment then you will get a clear quote of the financial support you can expect. For more information contact your careers and skills adviser or Student Finance England http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Gettingstarted/DG_171577
Thursday 5 November 2009
College Week in Somerset - 9th to 15th November
Next week is going to be the celebration of all that takes place in our local FE colleges called, surprisingly enough "College Week". It takes place from the 9th to the 15th of November and is a celebration of the opportunities colleges create for individuals. It aims to spotlight colleges who help people progress and nurture the talent in individuals.
Colleges Week is led by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills in partnership with the Association of Colleges to celebrate the opportunities colleges create for individuals, businesses and Britain. In Somerset it heralds the launch of a new website which bring together all of FE Colleges in Somerset into one easily accessed resource. Check out http://www.somersetcolleges.co.uk to find out more
Colleges Week is led by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills in partnership with the Association of Colleges to celebrate the opportunities colleges create for individuals, businesses and Britain. In Somerset it heralds the launch of a new website which bring together all of FE Colleges in Somerset into one easily accessed resource. Check out http://www.somersetcolleges.co.uk to find out more
Wednesday 4 November 2009
A brief summary of Higher Ambitions - Report on future Higher Education in UK
HIGHER AMBITIONS - The future of universities in a knowledge economy
A Brief Summary
Britain still has too few people who have the ability actually going to University. More able but educationally disadvantaged pupils should have recognized fair access routes into University.
UK participation rate in HE has gone from 7th in the OECD to 15th since 1998. 75% of UK 2020 workforce have already left school. A percentage of the 6 million UK workers who have Level 3 qualifications but no HE experience should be engaged in Higher Education to raise skill levels.
Increase diversity of HE students through range of access methods to study. More part-time study; vocationally-based foundation degrees; work-based study and more study whilst living at home must be made available.
Clearer routes from apprenticeships to advanced apprenticeships and new technician qualifications into foundation degrees and other vocational higher education programmes should be made.
Growth in HE cannot be met by more 3 year full-time courses and we cannot continue growth of public funding of Universities as we have done.
To ensure that all those who have the ability to benefit can get access to higher education there are 4 Key Changes to achieve:-
1) We will improve the advice and encouragement that students receive earlier in their education with respect to setting their sights on university.
2) New university admissions procedures to assess the aptitude and potential to succeed of those from poor backgrounds.
3) Consider action that could be taken to widen access to highly selective universities for those from under privileged backgrounds.
4) Expand new types of higher education programmes that widen opportunities for flexible study for young people and adults and reflect the reality of the modern working lives.
The Government is committed to the enhancement of locally accessible higher education, through innovative partnerships between universities and further education colleges, and by support for new local higher education centres under the New University Challenge initiative. This could be good news for the Somerset University partnership!
To support universities in making an even bigger contribution to economic recovery and future growth there are 4 Key Changes to achieve:-
5) Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to devise new funding incentives to develop HE programmes that deliver the higher level skills needed.
6) Universities, employers, HEFCE and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) to join and identify and tackle specific areas where university supply is not meeting demand for key skills. All universities expected to describe how they enhance students’ employability (This information should help students choose courses that offer the greatest returns in terms of graduate opportunity.)
7) Business expected to be engaged, active partners with universities, not passive customers.
8) A review into the future of postgraduate provision to be concluded.
Need to strengthen the research capacity of our universities, and its translation into economic impact via 3 Key Proposals:
9) Tighter fiscal constraints and increased competition from other countries will require a greater focus on world-class research and greater recognition of the potential benefits of research concentration in key areas.
10) Establishing strong new incentives to increase the economic and social impact of research.
11) Support stronger long term relationships between business and universities.
To promote excellent teaching for all students in HE, with universities competing to attract students on the basis of the excellent service they provide via 2 Key Changes in this area:
12) All universities should publish a standard set of information setting out what students can expect in terms of the nature and quality of their programme. (Via unistats as mentioned here: http://somerset-he.blogspot.com/2009/06/which-is-best-university-to-study.html)
13) support universities’ work to strengthen the role of the external examiner
To further strengthen the role of universities at the heart of our communities and shared intellectual life, and as one of the key ways in which we engage with the wider world via 3 Proposals:-
14) Build on the contribution that universities have made, in partnership with Regional Development Agencies and local business, to regional economic development.
15) Champion the international standing of our universities (Currently there are 340,000 foreign students in the UK from 239 different countries; the UK is second only to the USA as a destination for such students.)
16) our universities to be world leaders in the growing market in transnational education based on e-learning. (UK higher education to remain a world leader in online learning, and grow its market share by 2015 via university-private sector partnerships.)
To ensure that our universities continue to maintain excellence, even under tighter public financial constraints:-
We need to nurture an HE system, responsive to the demands of both undergraduate and postgraduate training, embedded and integrated in a wider education and skills framework and capable of equipping all students with the capabilities and confidence to prosper.
Growth based so heavily on state funding cannot continue, that is why the development of a diverse set of funding streams is important if the quality of higher education is to be maintained and improved. Universities will need to seek out other sources of funding, from overseas sources as well as domestic.
Our world class universities are unique national assets, and must be recognised as such. Along with this recognition come reciprocal responsibilities. We need to treat these world class institutions for what they are, and the institutions themselves need to recognise their own obligations to UK undergraduates, in terms of excellent teaching and fair access on merit and potential, regardless of family background.
In future the burden of financing higher education’s diversity of excellence will need to be more equitably shared between employers, the taxpayer, and individuals.
17) A review of the fees structure in English universities will be launched, as promised at the time of the establishment of variable fees for full time undergraduate students in 2004. The focus of the review will be the objectives of sustaining genuinely world-class institutions and fair access to universities, while ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.
A strong university system is essential to a country’s economic success and the vibrancy and depth of its intellectual and cultural life. Universities embody both our values and our aspirations. They play a huge role in our communities through the provision of cultural and sporting amenities and in passing on and preserving a set of shared societal values, including tolerance, freedom of expression and civic engagement. They shape how we engage with the rest of Europe and the wider world.
Link to Full report below:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/publications/Higher-Ambitions.pdf
Link to Summary report below:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/publications/Higher-Ambitions-Summary.pdf
A Brief Summary
Britain still has too few people who have the ability actually going to University. More able but educationally disadvantaged pupils should have recognized fair access routes into University.
UK participation rate in HE has gone from 7th in the OECD to 15th since 1998. 75% of UK 2020 workforce have already left school. A percentage of the 6 million UK workers who have Level 3 qualifications but no HE experience should be engaged in Higher Education to raise skill levels.
Increase diversity of HE students through range of access methods to study. More part-time study; vocationally-based foundation degrees; work-based study and more study whilst living at home must be made available.
Clearer routes from apprenticeships to advanced apprenticeships and new technician qualifications into foundation degrees and other vocational higher education programmes should be made.
Growth in HE cannot be met by more 3 year full-time courses and we cannot continue growth of public funding of Universities as we have done.
To ensure that all those who have the ability to benefit can get access to higher education there are 4 Key Changes to achieve:-
1) We will improve the advice and encouragement that students receive earlier in their education with respect to setting their sights on university.
2) New university admissions procedures to assess the aptitude and potential to succeed of those from poor backgrounds.
3) Consider action that could be taken to widen access to highly selective universities for those from under privileged backgrounds.
4) Expand new types of higher education programmes that widen opportunities for flexible study for young people and adults and reflect the reality of the modern working lives.
The Government is committed to the enhancement of locally accessible higher education, through innovative partnerships between universities and further education colleges, and by support for new local higher education centres under the New University Challenge initiative. This could be good news for the Somerset University partnership!
To support universities in making an even bigger contribution to economic recovery and future growth there are 4 Key Changes to achieve:-
5) Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to devise new funding incentives to develop HE programmes that deliver the higher level skills needed.
6) Universities, employers, HEFCE and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) to join and identify and tackle specific areas where university supply is not meeting demand for key skills. All universities expected to describe how they enhance students’ employability (This information should help students choose courses that offer the greatest returns in terms of graduate opportunity.)
7) Business expected to be engaged, active partners with universities, not passive customers.
8) A review into the future of postgraduate provision to be concluded.
Need to strengthen the research capacity of our universities, and its translation into economic impact via 3 Key Proposals:
9) Tighter fiscal constraints and increased competition from other countries will require a greater focus on world-class research and greater recognition of the potential benefits of research concentration in key areas.
10) Establishing strong new incentives to increase the economic and social impact of research.
11) Support stronger long term relationships between business and universities.
To promote excellent teaching for all students in HE, with universities competing to attract students on the basis of the excellent service they provide via 2 Key Changes in this area:
12) All universities should publish a standard set of information setting out what students can expect in terms of the nature and quality of their programme. (Via unistats as mentioned here: http://somerset-he.blogspot.com/2009/06/which-is-best-university-to-study.html)
13) support universities’ work to strengthen the role of the external examiner
To further strengthen the role of universities at the heart of our communities and shared intellectual life, and as one of the key ways in which we engage with the wider world via 3 Proposals:-
14) Build on the contribution that universities have made, in partnership with Regional Development Agencies and local business, to regional economic development.
15) Champion the international standing of our universities (Currently there are 340,000 foreign students in the UK from 239 different countries; the UK is second only to the USA as a destination for such students.)
16) our universities to be world leaders in the growing market in transnational education based on e-learning. (UK higher education to remain a world leader in online learning, and grow its market share by 2015 via university-private sector partnerships.)
To ensure that our universities continue to maintain excellence, even under tighter public financial constraints:-
We need to nurture an HE system, responsive to the demands of both undergraduate and postgraduate training, embedded and integrated in a wider education and skills framework and capable of equipping all students with the capabilities and confidence to prosper.
Growth based so heavily on state funding cannot continue, that is why the development of a diverse set of funding streams is important if the quality of higher education is to be maintained and improved. Universities will need to seek out other sources of funding, from overseas sources as well as domestic.
Our world class universities are unique national assets, and must be recognised as such. Along with this recognition come reciprocal responsibilities. We need to treat these world class institutions for what they are, and the institutions themselves need to recognise their own obligations to UK undergraduates, in terms of excellent teaching and fair access on merit and potential, regardless of family background.
In future the burden of financing higher education’s diversity of excellence will need to be more equitably shared between employers, the taxpayer, and individuals.
17) A review of the fees structure in English universities will be launched, as promised at the time of the establishment of variable fees for full time undergraduate students in 2004. The focus of the review will be the objectives of sustaining genuinely world-class institutions and fair access to universities, while ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.
A strong university system is essential to a country’s economic success and the vibrancy and depth of its intellectual and cultural life. Universities embody both our values and our aspirations. They play a huge role in our communities through the provision of cultural and sporting amenities and in passing on and preserving a set of shared societal values, including tolerance, freedom of expression and civic engagement. They shape how we engage with the rest of Europe and the wider world.
Link to Full report below:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/publications/Higher-Ambitions.pdf
Link to Summary report below:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/publications/Higher-Ambitions-Summary.pdf
Tuesday 3 November 2009
HE opportunities after access courses for Adults
I attended the recent higher education opportunities day for adults who had completed their access courses in Somerset this week. Excellent day with 10 providers of HE attending, Universities such as Bath, Bristol and Plymouth etc plus those FE colleges offering HE, such as Trowbridge College which offers a BSc in Social Work. A good buzz about the day and it was interesting to hear people’s journeys which had taken them to this place. Spoke with prospective HE students from 18 years of age to… well a bit older (!) and it did remind me of the true value of the work we all do. Got a nice writeup in the local paper which might encourage more adults to explore this as an option. http://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/4709099.Student_boost_from_university_open_day
It was good to see so many Higher Education Institutions coming into the community. I do realise many do this but unless you see it yourself it is easy to forget what happens. After the exciting side of choosing possible careers that some HE options might lead to, the funding and more practicaly aspects of how it might be managed alongside the other circumstances of the students was discussed. Hopefully the advice they received from the various attendees would have helped them to answer these questions.
Perhaps this type of event could be made into more of an awareness raising event for local communities wherever it takes place. A smilar event at Strode College earlier this year had this focus and very good it was. http://www.strode-college.ac.uk/events/he_open_afternoon/8
It was good to see so many Higher Education Institutions coming into the community. I do realise many do this but unless you see it yourself it is easy to forget what happens. After the exciting side of choosing possible careers that some HE options might lead to, the funding and more practicaly aspects of how it might be managed alongside the other circumstances of the students was discussed. Hopefully the advice they received from the various attendees would have helped them to answer these questions.
Perhaps this type of event could be made into more of an awareness raising event for local communities wherever it takes place. A smilar event at Strode College earlier this year had this focus and very good it was. http://www.strode-college.ac.uk/events/he_open_afternoon/8
Monday 2 November 2009
British Sausage Week goes with a bang !
It's not all research based work at UCY, as part of Yeovil College there are links between the two areas, not least in the area of food. Students from the Hospitality courses at Yeovil can go onto study this subject at degree level with Bournemouth University, or indeed other HE institutions. However before then they are helping their colleagues take part in a great British tradition of sausage eating. Combining the best of somerset food and education must be an appealing mix. For more info click on the link (you need a pdf reader on your computer to view this)
http://www.yeovil.ac.uk/assets/files/Press_Releases/davinci_gbsausageweek_02nov09.pdf
http://www.yeovil.ac.uk/assets/files/Press_Releases/davinci_gbsausageweek_02nov09.pdf
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