Applying for uni 2020 :3: Decisions and revision.

[MillicentMartha]

New thread ready for us.

Old thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3721248-Applying-for-Uni-2020-2-Offers-arriving?pg=40

@Hoghgyni, I’m hoping the cheaper, shared bathroom type halls are less popular in Manchester or Birmingham. Durham’s allocations make very little sense. If they make contextual offers to encourage wider participation, what’s the point then potentially pricing accommodation out of those people’s reach?

The prices are bordering on the whole maintenance loan, not leaving much for travel, books and the odd bit of a social life. I know Durham isn't the only one to do this. I don't know why I care - I had to share a room with a stranger when I went away and they didn't even warn you in advance.

I agree that a lot of uni charges for halls are . But of course not all those opting for self catering will be doing it for budgetary reasons. And you have to factor in the cost of food too obviously which make make a significant dent in the difference, although overall self catering will be cheaper, not much doubt about that. Durham knocks £2k off accommodation costs for those with a household income of less than £25k.

Does it, @goodbyestranger? That's equivalent to the max bursary at Birmingham. Though it's hard cash rather than a discount, so can be used when living out of halls as well. Unless Durham have a bursary in addition to the discount? I've not looked into Durham at all, it's a bit aspirational and travel would be too expensive.

Nottingham has a much smaller bursary. Each uni seems to have different criteria for eligibility to their bursaries. We had to rule out Bath because despite an income well below £25K he was not eligible for their bursary at all.

Yes it definitely does. For Y1 the £2k is docked from the college accommodation bill and in subsequent years the £2k goes into the student's bank account in three tranches, one per term. That is the standard grant at Durham which doesn't need to be applied for, although there are various other scholarships one can apply for too.

www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/finance/uk/dgs/

Well, that's good. Their college allocations do seem to be a bit random, though, but I've got no skin in the game, as they say.

It was only very late in the game with DS1 that I discovered the existence of bursaries, well after he'd completed his UCAS form. With DS3 I've been much cannier.

Any tips on burseries please @millicent ?

We will also be eligible for the full loan but I'm starting to panic at how much we will need to find for DS.

@DuckyMcDuck You need to look on each university's website, unfortunately. Google 'university of blah bursary' and trawl through. There is no consistency between universities, some are much more generous than others. In some cases you need to be earning under £18K, or £25K or even £35K! In others you have to also meet other contextual criteria, like POLAR address etc or be on certain benefits. Actually receiving the bursary is automatic if you agree to share your financial details with the university when you apply for student finance.

As long as they don't add £2k onto those earning significantly more than that, I don't care! Imagine the outrage if your college fees went up, not down! My DH's employer does that with their on site parking. Those paid below a certain threshold get virtually free parking whilst the board ,& senior management pay 3 or 4 times as much.

Does maths at Brum have attainment scholarships too Millicent. For CS if you go to an offer day you automatically go in the hat for a scholarship of £3k based on results (although it says based on strength of application so not sure whether they take PS etc into account too). Also not sure how many they give out, if its just a couple then we don't have much hope.

Sneaky tip for Brum accommodation. Maple Bank is incredibly cheap but if can manage a step up to Tennis Courts which is great value for money (still relatively cheap but just been refurbished with big new kitchens and also shortest walk to lectures on campus) then opt for the 'Green Community'. Its meant to promote recycling etc and when you apply you have to fill in half a page as to why you want to live in a 'green' community and promote green issues on Campus. But because the majority of applicants don't want to bother, if you make the effort I'm told you are almost Guaranteed a room there and it is v nice for the money. That may be hearsay but seems to hold true

Yes it does, Oratory. Manchester does as well, but you need A A A, (unlikely here!) while Brum allows just AA or A A* for a higher amount.

Oops, no, Brum is A A or A A A*

Ha Ha yes I don’t think DS will be troubling the panel. I might dangle it in front of him though as another incentive. He needs one A star and always aims for just enough - I really need to get him to aim for two in the hope of getting one 😂😂

DD not well today so we took the time to do Student Finance this afternoon...all done and dusted.

Oneteen can you do the student finance before you have put your firm and insurance in?

Yes, if you know what your firm will be - DD knows that she will firm Warwick....all pretty straight forward you just need your earnings for 2018/19.

Morning all.
On way to Paddington and the Exeter. Hopefully storm Jorge is kind to us!
I'll keep an eye out for fellow MNs,

Hi. I’m a lurker posting for first time. In Northern Ireland. Dd always hoped to go to Queen’s but has an achievable offer from St Andrews which is very appealing to her.
It would be much more expensive and also a lot further away (and she has health problems) so it’s a hard decision.
I’m trying not to interfere as it needs to be her choice but it’s hard!

@DuckyMcDuck we were there last Saturday! It’s a lovely campus, lots of trees to shelter under if the weathers really bad 😂

Hi - first time here, finding all the info on this thread really useful. I have 2 boys hopefully off to uni this year. One is applying for Business / Marketing and has offers from Nottingham Trent, York and Newcastle. Waiting to hear from Leeds. So far he is most impressed with Newcastle and leaning towards it.
My other son has been ill which affected his a levels and wants to do film / media production. He's doing A Levels remotely and will have 2 at the end of this year. Luckily he has an unconditional offer from South Bank which is a massive relief. Still waiting to hear from a few others.
I don't suppose anyone would know what are the chances of getting university accommodation after the first year at LSBU? It's pretty good value but obviously anything else in London will be ££££

We made good use of the trees at Exeter yesterday @errorofjudgement
DS was impressed and it will be his insurance with Warwick as his firm.

Now he just has to get the grades

DS2 had 5 fantastic years at Warwick (4yr course and yr in industry), it’s a great uni and Leamington is a lovely town after first year.

Good luck to your DS in getting the grades he needs