English

A guide to university for students

Should I go to uni?

Why study English?

  1. For great transferable skills1
  2. You can combine it with a lot of other subjects2
  3. It can lead to jobs abroad2
  4. You get to read novels instead of text books3

What could I do with English?

Other than an English teacher or a writer you could also be:

A Management Consultant who helps businesses improve their performance and grow by solving problems and finding new and better ways of doing things.

Possible degree: Business and Management BA at Oxford Brookes University.

A Detective who is an accredited police officer responsible for managing investigations on anything from robbery to homicide.

Possible degree: Criminology BSc at at Bucks New University.

A Producer who oversees all elements of film production from conception through to completion, including marketing and distribution.

Possible degree: Film and Theatre BA at the University of Reading.

A Journalist who researches, investigates and presents news for television, newspaper, radio and the internet.

Possible degree: English and Modern Languages BA at the University of Oxford.

What about alternative routes?

It’s hard to decide what you want to do when you are older. So if you’re not sure about going to university, these websites could help:

For more information please register on the Study Higher website.


You could also:

  • Go to a university open day opendays.com
  • Sign up for a taster day or masterclass unitasterdays.com
  • Get some work experience to find out what you enjoy.
  • Carry on with your your hobbies and interests.
  • Check out jobs on prospects.ac.uk

4

GO TO UNI

3

APPLY THROUGH UCAS

2

CHOOSE SOME UNIS

1

CHOOSE A DEGREE

I THINK I WILL GO TO UNI, WHAT TO DO NOW?

Choosing a course

There is a lot of information out there so while you are choosing a subject keep these things in mind:

Entry requirements

These will vary from course to course.

Course content

Always check the modules on the course to make sure you get to study topics that interest you.

Teaching method

What suits you the most: independent study, lectures, seminars?

Assessment types

Do you do best in coursework, practical work or exams? Also does the course provide certifications you need?

Work experience opportunities and careers help

Does the uni you are considering have connections with employers, help with getting a job or a placement, study abroad opportunities, sandwich year, interview process training, etc?

Choosing a university

To make choosing from hundreds of UK universities easier, consider the following things:

Size

Some unis only have 1000 students while some might have over 30,000!

Location

How far do you want to be from home? In a big city or smaller town? Up north or down south?

Campus or city university?

Campus universities have all their buildings on one big campus. City universities are spread around a bustling city.

Cost of living and accommodation

The north is usually cheaper than the south. Cities are more expensive than rural areas. Quality and price of accommodation will vary too.

Bursaries, grants and support for you

Financial awards are different at each university. Check which university will support you most suitably.

Sports clubs and societies you might want to join

Do you want to carry on a sport or maybe try a new hobby? Check if the uni you are looking at has the clubs you are interested in.

Reputation

What is the university known for? Academics, sport, atmosphere, and so on.

The Higher Education system in the UK is set up so that anyone who wants to go to university, can! So don’t let the finances deter you.

Finance

When you apply for student finance you claim two different loans1;

A tuition loan of up to £9,250/annum1 for the cost of your studies – paid in full to the university. None of the tuition fee has to be paid up front by you.

A maintenance loan up to £11,672/ annum1 for living costs – paid in termly instalments to you. This loan is income and circumstance assessed.

Note: These numbers change year on year so please check slc.co.uk or gov.uk for up to date information.

Repayments1

As of July 20192, repayments for student loans:

  • Start the April after you graduate and only once you earn over £25,725.
  • Stop if your income drops below £25,725, which means if you are not earning enough your parents don’t have to cover you.
  • Are taken straight out of your pay check so you never have to go to the bank to pay it.
  • Are 9% of your earnings over £25,725 (see table).
  • Do not affect your credit rating or your ability to get a mortgage.
  • All outstanding debt is written off after 30 years.

University can be expensive, but over a lifetime with a degree you are likely to earn many times more than you will repay. If you have an ambition, a dream, or an interest in a subject, it is worth it to invest in your own future!

For more information go to thestudentroom.co.uk or slc.co.uk

1 | Studentloanrepayment.co.uk 2 | parliament.uk 3 | graduate-jobs.com

Jargon Buster

Higher Education (HE) The level of education that leads to a degree.

Gap year A year away from education to gain work experience, save up funds or go travelling.

Undergraduate Students studying for their first degree.

Graduate Someone who has completed an undergraduate course.

Higher National Diploma (HND) A two year work-related qualification; considered to be an equivalent of two years of HE study.

Foundation degree A one year course taken in preparation for an undergraduate degree.

Bachelor’s degree Usually a three year degree course. Bachelors of Arts (BA) are for arts and humanities courses while Bachelors of Science (BSc) are for science courses.

Master’s degree A more advanced degree, either taken after a Bachelor’s degree or as an integrated Master’s.

Joint honours degree A degree comprised of two different subjects.

Postgraduate degree Courses taken after your first degree such as a master’s degree.

Sandwich year A work-placement year taken during a degree.

Admission Team The people who receive and consider your application.

Halls of Residence Student accommodation at the University.

Campus University grounds.

UCAS The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service through which you apply to university.

Open Days Days during which you can visit universities free of charge and be shown round.

Prospectus A printed booklet advertising a school or university to potential students.

Student Loans Company (SLC) A non-profit, Government-owned organisation who provide loans and grants to students in universities and colleges in the UK.

Student Loan A loan students can take up from SLC to cover living costs and tuition fees.

USEFUL WEBSITES

ucas.com All things university related and the portal through which you apply to university.

prospects.ac.uk Careers website with details on a huge variety of career options.

opendays.com A list of all the university open days in the UK.

unitasterdays.com A list of taster days available at UK universities.

unistats.ac.uk Compares entry requirements, course details and prospects of UK degrees.

thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk and timeshighereducation.com University and subject league tables, helpful advice and guides on many university related topics.

thestudentroom.co.uk University guides, articles and question forums.

careerpilot.org.uk A summary of options at ages 13/14, at 16+ and 18+.

slc.co.uk Student Loans Company website for financial questions.

notgoingtouni.co.uk A list of opportunities if you do not want to pursue university.

Study Higher partner universities’ websites

reading.ac.uk
University of Reading

brookes.ac.uk
Oxford Brookes University

ox.ac.uk
University of Oxford

bucks.ac.uk
Bucks New University