Careers Information EveningThursday 19th September 2013

1. Welcome and Introduction: The Headmaster, Mr. T.D. Robinson

2. Year 14 Careers Programme: Head of Careers (Lurgan College) Mr. D. Irvine

3. The UCAS process and Personal Statements: Dr. D. Rogers (Queen’s University, Belfast)

4. Student Finance: Student Finance Manager SELB, Mrs. J. Montgomery

5. Further Education: Department of Employment and Learning Careers Officer, Mrs. J. Fitzgerald

Careers Information EveningThursday 19th September 2013

1. Education

2. Information

3. Advice and Guidance

CEIAG at Lurgan College

Extra Application Requirements

Admission Tests: UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) for Medical and Dental Degrees

HPAT Ulster (Health Professions Admissions Test) for degrees such as Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech and Language Therapy

LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) for some Law courses on the mainland

BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test for Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at certain Universities e.g. Oxford and Cambridge

Entrance Exams e.g. Oxford and Cambridge

Interviews : e.g. Stranmillis / Nursing / Social Work / Medicine

Submission of work : e.g. Essays and Portfolios

Receiving Offers

15th January – MarchConditional Offer or UnsuccessfulConditions can be based on grades, points or a mixture of

bothGrades offer : BBB / BBCb Points offer : 260 pointsMix : 240 points to include grades CC

A2

A* = 140

A = 120

B = 100

C = 80

D = 60

E = 40

UCAS Points

AS

A = 60

B = 50

C = 40

D = 30

E = 20

Specific grades in certain subjects may also be part of a conditional offer e.g. grade B in GCSE Maths and grade C in A-level Chemistry.

Replying to Offers

From receive last offer / decision – around mid May

Accept as Firm (CF), accept as Insurance (CI) or decline

Insurance offer must have more attainable conditions

UCAS Application Process& The Personal Statement

Dr Donna RogersStudent Recruitment

• Closing Dates

15 October - Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary and Oxbridge

15 January - All other courses

• Web based application system

• Important Sections Choices - up to 5 choices

- max. of 4 for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary

Exams- those already taken- those to be completed

Personal Statement Reference

UCAS Application System

Research, Research, Research…

• Subject of interest

• Potential careers with your

degree of choice

• University

• Entry requirements – be

realistic!

Even more Research….

Every course is different so check for:• Length of course

• Study abroad opportunities

• Work placements

• Unique facilities, sports and social clubs

• Graduate Employment

Filling in your Form

• Use your 5 choices wisely

• Have a trial run

• Follow UCAS ‘How to Apply’ instructions

• Make use of universities’ web sites for guidance

• List all qualifications in Section 7

• Make sure name, school and date of birth are correct

• Only fill in date of first entry to the UK where necessary

• Be careful of spelling, punctuation and grammar

Beware of using personal email addresses

serialkiller@ Applied for Nursing

Murder_man2003@ Applied for Social Work

Stalker_at_work@ Applied for Law

Liam_turns_me_on@ Applicant was called Liam

thongsonawashingline@

Why do you have to fill out a Personal Statement?

To help you to

stand out from

the crowd!

The Personal Statement

• Should be concise

“Why should I be given a place to study x?”

• Should sell yourself

• Explain any unusual references or circumstances

• Be original

The Personal Statement: Why Me?

• Why have you chosen this subject?

• Which aspects of the course interest you?

• Show commitment to the subject

Reading

Work and/or voluntary experience

Additional study

• What can you offer to the university?

Show Commitment

Relevant Experience…

• Describe work and/or voluntary experience: Where?

How long?

What did you learn?

• If you couldn’t get relevant experience, explain how

you attempted to gain experience and outline any

other efforts you have made

Show Commitment

Look Ahead….

• How has your experience to date helped you?

• How will the skills you have developed help you throughout your university studies?

• How will they help you in your chosen career?

• Where do you see yourself in years to come? Specialising in a particular area

Working for a particular organisation

What can you offer the University?

• Extra – curricular activities

• Examples of teamwork and enthusiasm

• Outstanding Awards or Achievements

• Positions of Responsibility

• Skills you will take with you to University

Summing Up

Round up statement and end on a positive note

“I hope that this personal statement

demonstrates that I am an enthusiastic, disciplined

and hard working student with a keen interest in

current affairs, who would enjoy contributing to all

aspects of university life”

What are universities looking for?

• Relevant academic ability

• Motivation

• Skills

• Relevant experience

• Passion and dedication to the subject

• Originality

• Evidence of literacy

• Someone who will be interesting to teach

Personal Statement Do’s

Do• Research your subjects and universities

• Tell the truth

• Give examples – show, not just tell

• Make sure it has structure – paragraphs, etc

• Check your statement….and check again.

Personal Statement Don’ts

Don’t• Cover too much – keep it relevant

• Write it at the last minute

• Rely on spell check

• Repeat yourself

• Overuse quotations

• Use abbreviations, text talk or non-standard English

Personal Statement Don’ts

Don’t• Forget to demonstrate obvious subject interests

• Fail to make full use of the space provided

• Mention a particular university if applying to more than one

• Lie or plagiarise

• Use bullet points or lists

• Be too wacky

Further Informationwww.qub.ac.uk/ www.ucas.co.uk

STUDENT FINANCESTUDENT FINANCE

2014/152014/15

A GUIDE FOR PARENTSA GUIDE FOR PARENTS

Student Finance ni / Student Loans Company Course costs Types of support Exceptions How is support determined? Repayments Application process Additional information Help available

CONTENTS

Student Finance ni

5 Education and Library Boards determine eligibility to support and amounts payable Deals with detailed enquiries Your local office – Charlemont Place, Armagh

Student Loans Company

Pays support to students and administers repayments Distributes notifications of entitlement Call centre deals with general enquiries Located in Glasgow

STUDENT FINANCE NI / STUDENT LOANS COMPANY

Two main areas of expenditure:

1. Tuition fees Payable each year to the institution (chargeable each

term) Study in NI – £3685. Study in England, Scotland and

Wales - max £9000 No tuition fees for students at ROI institutions. Student

Contribution charge of €2750 (loan available) Students with ROI passport will be charged fees for

study in Scotland

2. Living expenses Accommodation (QUB Elms - £3279 - £3895 per year) Food, clothes, books, travel Social life

COURSE COSTS

Tuition Fee Loan

Not means-tested on household income Fee loan available to cover approved amounts charged Reduced loan available for private institutions If fee loan is requested, fees are paid to student’s institution by SLC Repayment at completion of studies

Payment of fees is responsibility of student if they are not eligible / do not request a fee loan

TYPES OF SUPPORT

Maintenance Loan

Means-tested on household income Maximum amounts: Lodgings £4840

Home £3750London £6780

Non means-tested amounts: Lodgings £3630Home £2812London £5085

Parental contribution commences at £42,000

Loans are reduced if student receives a Maintenance grant

TYPES OF SUPPORT

Maintenance grant / Special Support grant

Means-tested on household income Non-repayable grant where household income < £41,065 Maximum grant £3475 available where income < £19,203 Special Support Grant payable where student has underlying eligibility to Social Security Agency or Housing Executive benefits e.g. student with child Students at ROI institutions are eligible for the same levels of grant as students at UK institutions

TYPES OF SUPPORT

Extra help with living expenses

Students with Dependants

Parents’ Learning Allowance – maximum £1538 per year

Childcare Grant – maximum £148.75 a week for one child and £255 a week for two or more

children

Adult Dependants’ Grant – maximum £2695

TYPES OF SUPPORT

Extra help with living expenses

Disabled Students’ Allowance – non means-tested help for students with disabilities

Equipment allowance – maximum £5266 for the whole course Non-medical helpers’ allowance – maximum £20,938 per year General allowance – maximum £1759 per year Extra travel costs as a result of a disability

Transition evening – November 2013 Disabled Students’ Officer – Janet McNally 028 37 512497

TYPES OF SUPPORT

Extra help with living expenses

Institutional bursaries

Institutions which charge the maximum fee must provide a bursary to students who are eligible for the full maintenance grant (currently £500 at QUB) Non-repayable Household income details on application form are shared with institution (not HMRC!) Check with institution for full details

TYPES OF SUPPORT

Health Professional degrees at NI institutionsTuition fees paid in fullIncome assessed bursary of £2355 plus reduced

loan of £2370 (2013/14 rate)

Nursing degrees / diplomas at NI institutionsNot eligible for any Student Finance

Social Work degrees at NI institutionsEligible for additional funding from DHSSPS of non-

means tested bursary and contribution towards work based learning expenses

EXCEPTIONS

Part-time study

Students on part-time HE courses can apply for the following:

Means-tested Tuition Fee Grant, maximum £1230 Means-tested Course Grant, maximum £265 Disabled Students’ Allowance

EXCEPTIONS

Further Education Awards

Courses with an entry requirement of fewer than 5 GCSE passes e.g. GNVQ Must be vocational courses listed on the National Database of Approved Qualifications (NDAQ) Separate application form required Students eligible for approved Tuition fees and means tested maintenance grant Possible closing dates: Full-time – 29 August 2014

Part-time - 30 September 2014 Apply to Student Finance ni, 1 Hospital Road, Omagh

EXCEPTIONS

Student Finance ni uses household income which includes:

Gross taxable income of the student, excluding any earnings; Plus gross taxable income of parent(s) / partners / step-parents; Less deductions for payments into pension funds and £1153 for each dependant child

Household income assessment does not apply to single

independent students

HOW IS SUPPORT DETERMINED?

Student Loans incur interest charges Student Loans (Fees and Maintenance) are only repayable when students have completed their courses and are earning > £16,910 Debt belongs to student, not parents Repayments based on earnings (9% of gross salary above £16,910) Deducted from salary via tax system Balance is cancelled after 25 years Current interest rate = 1.5% Grants are not repayable unless a student withdraws or a re-assessment is carried out due to a change in circumstances

REPAYMENTS

February / March 2014Presentation in schoolStudent Finance assists students with non-financial sections of formApril 2014Return application to Armagh with proof of identity and incomeMay / June 2014SLC sends student details of payment dates / support due July 2014SLC sends reminder to student/parents re: missing detailsAugust 2014Student confirms any change of course and /or institution after results SLC confirms payment dates and support due for new courseSeptember 2014Student takes notification to enrolment for confirmation of Tuition Fee

payment Maintenance Loan and grant (if applicable) is paid directly into student’s

nominated bank/building society account at start of course.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Students must reapply each year Support can be reassessed if there is a drop in household income (income for year ended 5/04/15 instead of 5/04/13) All income must be verified in first year. Spot checks in remaining years Students must inform us if they have suspended/withdrawn Repeat study/change of course may leave students ineligible for fee and grant support An additional year’s support may be paid if a student needs to repeat due to illness or other extenuating circumstances If grant is paid and subsequently not due, repayment must be made immediately to SLC Students progressing from HND/Foundation degree to year 1 of a degree will be ineligible for fee and grant support for year 1 and grant support for part of new courseStudents on a year abroad/placement may only be entitled to a reduced loan and fees

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Parents! School Student FinanceTelephone: 0845 6000 662 (Glasgow)Visit without appointment: 3 Charlemont Place,

The Mall, ArmaghWeb-site: www.studentfinanceni.co.uk Institution: Financial Adviser

HELP AVAILABLE

21 April 2023

CAREERS SERVICE NORTHERN IRELAND

JOANNE FITZGERALD

2 ALEXANDER CRESCENT

LURGAN

CO. ARMAGH

BT66 6BB

Tel: 0300 200 7820

joanne.fitzgerald@delni.gov.uk

www.nidirect.gov.uk/careersserviceni

Role of Careers Adviser

To assist year 14 students with identifying:

• UCAS course choices, if needed;

• alternatives to university, if appropriate; and

• viable backup plans

CAREERS SERVICE NORTHERN IRELAND

Role of Careers Adviser

Students in Year 14 can request a careers guidance interview either in school or the

careers office to discuss their career plan.

CAREERS SERVICE NORTHERN IRELAND

Formula For A Successful Career

•Well researched choices

•Course content

•Location

•Duration

•Funding

•Entry requirements

•Added value/experience

•Progression routes

•Labour market information

•Trends

•Skills shortages

•Plan B?

Up-skilling and qualifications

The more qualifications you have the better chance you will have of finding a job.

QUALIFICATION CHANCE OF FINDING EMPLOYMENT

Degree or equivalent 90%

GCE A Level or equivalent 77%

GCSE Grade A-C or equivalent 73%

Other qualification 70%

No qualification 47%

[JK1] Source

Labour Market Information

Options After Year 14

A. Acceptance onto (CF) Conditional Firm offer

B. Acceptance onto (CI) Conditional Insurance offer

C. Acceptance onto Clearing Choice

D. Resits

E. Part-time Degree at University

F. Foundation Degree at FE/HE College

G. HND at FE/HE College

H. Apprenticeship

I. Employment

J. GAP year to travel

Careers Service

Information, Advice & Guidance

Careers Teachers

Part-Time Degrees

Some degrees at a range of universities can be studied on a part-time basis.

Flexible part-time study could allow you to fit your work/life commitments around your course.

Entry requirements, duration and course fees can be found on university websites and should be researched thoroughly.

Transfer to full-time courses may be an option but is not guaranteed.

Application is made directly to the university and not through UCAS and application deadlines can vary.

Foundation Degrees

A Foundation Degree is a higher education qualification which combines academic and work-related learning.

They are fully-fledged university level degree courses in their own right and offer an exciting work-based alternative to the traditional university route.

In Northern Ireland, Foundation Degrees are developed and delivered in a partnership, involving one of the NI universities or the Open University, a Further/Higher Education college or employers.

NB: Application may be through UCAS or directly to the Further/Higher Education College depending on the course.

Foundation Degrees

A Foundation Degree takes two years to complete full-time. Many Foundation Degrees can also be studied part-time, usually over 3 to 4 years, although this depends on the course.

Foundation Degrees available at local FE Colleges:

Southern Regional College Construction Engineering

Architectural Technology

Hospitality & Tourism Management

Travel & Tourism Management

Computing & Networking Systems

Computing

Interactive Multimedia

Sport, Exercise & Fitness

Belfast Metropolitan College Building Services & Renewable Energies

Hospitality & Tourism Management

Travel & Tourism Management

Events Management

Mechanical Engineering

Construction Engineering

Architectural Engineering

Software Engineering

Product Design & Development

Interactive Media

Higher National Diploma

A Higher National Diploma (HND) is a work-related course provided by Higher and Further Education Colleges.

A HND takes two years to complete if studied full-time, but opportunities to study part-time are also available.

HNDs are available in a wide range of subject areas e.g. Health & Social Care, Music, Business Studies, Marketing, Accounting, Civil Engineering

HNDs can be used as a route into employment or further study, with many students progressing on to the second year of a degree course in a related topic.

School-Leaver Programmes

• Deloitte Brightstart (3 x Bs at A Level)

• Grant Thornton School Leaver Accountancy Programme

• Price Waterhouse Coopers Headstart (280 UCA Points)

• Santander School Leaver Programme

• Allied Irish/First Trust Banks School Leaver Programme • Marks and Spencer Trainee Manager

Apprenticeships

As an employee you earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain your apprenticeship.

Off-the-job training, usually on a day-release basis with a Training Supplier who is contracted by the Department for Employment & Learning, (DEL) Apprentices receive training towards recognised qualifications (NVQs).

The Training Supplier provides the knowledge and skills while the employer provides the hands on practical experience.The cost of the off-the-job training is met by DEL.

Apprenticeships NI offers Apprenticeships in many occupational areas, including carpentry, engineering, childcare, sport and recreation.

Apprenticeships

• British Telecom www.bt4me.co.uk

• NIE www.nie.co.uk

• Bombardier Aerospace www.belfast.aero.bombardier.com

• Engineering Training Council www.etcni.org.uk

• Transport Training Services www.transport-training.co.uk

• Apprenticeships NI offers apprenticeships in many occupational areas, including carpentry, engineering, childcare, sport and recreation. You must have employment to enter these apprenticeships.

Other Options

Employment (Youth Employment

Scheme)

GAP year to travel

Request a careers interview for assistance

Formula For A Successful Career

Well researched

Careers ideas

Continued

hard work

Viable

Back up Plan

Successful

outcome

Success is a journey, not a destination.

Author Unknown