UCAS /Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a real job where you learn, gain experience and get paid. You’re an employee with a contract of employment and holiday leave. By the end of an apprenticeship, you’ll have the right skills and knowledge needed for your chosen career.

It can take between one and 6 years to complete an apprenticeship depending on which one you choose, what level it is and your previous experience. It’s funded from contributions made by the government and your employer.

What are the benefits?

Apprenticeships are an exciting option –  you get hands-on training and also the chance to put your skills into practice.

Apprenticeships are available at multiple levels. From school leavers, people upskilling in their careers and complete career changes. There are hundreds to choose from and some include a qualification, like a degree. 

More Information

Click here to find out more information about Apprenticeships

Real Stories

What is UCAS?

UCAS is an independent organisation providing information, advice, and admissions services for all UK universities (including Oxbridge and Russell Group) and conservatoires.

They’re there to support students with their application, as well as processing it on their behalf and handling all of the administration.

In 2019, the UCAS undergraduate admissions service handled 2.79 million applications from over 700,000 UK, EU, and international students, with students securing a full-time place at one of 337 universities and colleges across the UK.

How will we support you during Post 16?

Here at Grace, we will support you every step of the way with your UCAS application. This includes dedicated sessions as part of the tutor program giving you the time and insights to explore your options and put together an application for the University and courses of your choice.

Key Terms

As you complete your application, you’ll hear a lot of terms you may not be familiar with. Below, we have explained some of the most common terms you might come across.

• Undergraduate - Higher education starts at the Undergraduate level. It’s the first level of study and what most students applying to university for the first time do. Whilst you are studying on an undergraduate course, you’ll be known as ‘an undergraduate’ or ‘undergrad’.
• Graduate - What you do when you successfully pass an undergraduate course. You’re also ‘a graduate’ when you pass an undergraduate course.
• Postgraduate - Once you’ve graduated, you can study a postgraduate course such as an MSc or a PhD. You’re also ‘a postgraduate’ once you successfully pass a postgraduate course.
• Apply - This is the UCAS online application service.
• Choice - A course you apply for. You will be able to make 5 choices as part of the application process.
• Oxbridge - This is a term used to describe applying or studying at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge.
• Russell Group - This is a collection of 24 universities that are considered some of the top places to study in the country. These universities are: University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, Durham University, University of Edinburgh, University of Exeter, University of Glasgow, Imperial College London, King’s College London, University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, London School of Economics & Political Science, University of Manchester, Newcastle University, University of Nottingham, University of Oxford, Queen Mary, University of London, Queen’s University Belfast, University of Sheffield, University of Southampton, University College London, University of Warwick and University of York.
• Track - The UCAS online service to check how your application is progressing and to respond to offers from your chosen universities
• Decisions - After you’ve applied, your university will make a decision about your application. There are 3 main decisions you’ll receive.
• Decision Unsuccessful - Unfortunately, you haven’t been accepted by this choice.
• Decision Conditional Offer - You need to achieve certain grades during Post 16 or to meet other conditions before you can start the course.
• Decision Unconditional Offer - You’re on the course subject to successful completion of your Post 16 program of study
• Replies - Once you’ve had a decision from all 5 of your choices, you need to reply to them. You cannot reply to any choice until you’ve had a decision from all 5.
• Reply Firm - The university you definitely want to attend.
• Reply Insurance - You can opt to commit to an insurance choice as a backup if you don’t get into your firm choice.
• Reply Decline - To inform a university that you will not be accepting their offer.
• UCAS Extra - If you don’t get any offers from your first five choices, you might be able to use the UCAS Extra process to apply for one more choice.
• Clearing - An opportunity to apply for alternative choices if you’re unsuccessful in receiving offers or don’t meet the requirements for your firm or insurance choice.
• UCAS Adjustment - You can use adjustment to apply for an alternative course if your grades are better than the conditions of your firm choice. 

Video Guides

Students with a 2025 entry/start date

30 APR 2024 - UCAS’ search tool displays 2025 courses

14 MAY 2024 - Undergraduate applications open for 2025 entry

Students can start their applications and send them to you for references and approval.

10 JUL 2024 - Conservatoire applications open for 2025 entry

Applicants can register, pay, and send their applications.

03 SEP 2024 - Completed undergraduate applications can be submitted to UCAS

02 OCT 2024 (18:00 UK time) - Application deadline for conservatoire music applications

Applications for dance, drama, and musical theatre courses may have a different deadline – check conservatoires’ websites for information.

15 OCT 2024 (18:00 UK time) - Deadline for applications to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and for most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science

The reference must be completed before the application can be sent to us.

29 JAN 2025 (18:00 UK time) - Equal consideration date for applications for most undergraduate courses. The reference must be completed before the application can be sent to us. Deadline for most conservatoire undergraduate dance, drama or musical theatre courses. Check on the specific course to be sure.

26 FEB 2025 - Extra opens. Applicants who have used all five choices and are not holding any offers may be able to add another choice in their application.

30 JUN 2025 (18:00 UK time) - Applications received by this deadline will be sent to universities and colleges. After this time, applications are automatically entered into Clearing.

04 JUL 2025 - Last day for applicants to add an Extra choice in their application

05 JUL 2025 - Clearing opens for eligible applicants, and vacancies are displayed in UCAS’ search tool. Applicants can release themselves into Clearing.

Finance Facts

• Universities can charge anything up to £9250 tuition fees per year on every course
• Universities can decide what they charge, and some vary according to the subject you study
• There are two types of Student Loan: Tuition Fees and Maintenance Loans
• One loan to cover tuition fees and a separate loan for living costs from Student Finance England
• Bursaries, scholarships and additional support available

Tuition Fees

• University tuition fees will not only vary between institutions, but potentially within the institution as well depending on the subject you (the student) study
• Eligible students won’t have to pay any tuition fees before starting or whilst they are studying
• This loan will be paid directly to the university

Living Costs – Taxable Income

• Means tested student finance – Maintenance Loans are determined by a students’ taxable household income i.e. students’ parent(s) or partner
• 2024 entry – provide proof of taxable income for 2022/23 financial year
• If household income decreases by 15% or more, students can request that their student finance is reassessed for the academic year

Living Costs – Maintenance Loan

The maximum loan available in 2023/24 to students is as follows;

• Parental Home Rate: live at home while you (the student) study = £8,400 per year
• Elsewhere Rate: live and study away from home outside of London = £9,978 per year
• London Rate: live and study away from home in London = £13,022 per year
• All paid in 3 equal payments to you (the student) at the start of each term

Repayment of Loans

• The Student Loans received for maintenance and tuition fees will be combined into one amount
• Start repaying loan from the April after you (the student) have completed or left your course
• Repayments are linked to income – you (the student) don’t start paying anything back until you (the student) are earning over £25,000 a year
• Repay 9% of your annual income over £25,000 per year
• Interest rates are normally set at Retail Price Index (RPI) and capped at 7.3%
• Repayments are made automatically through the tax system and how much you (the student) pay is determined by how much you earn
• For example, if you earn £30,000, only £5,000 is over the £25,000 threshold. Therefore, you (the student) would pay back 9% of £5,000, £450, or about £38 per month. If you earn £60,000, £35,000 is over the £25,00 threshold. Therefore, you (the student) would pay back 9% of £35,000, £3,150, or about £263 per month.
• Any student debt is cancelled after 40 years with no consequences

Bursaries & Scholarships

• Bursaries and scholarships vary between institutions and their courses – look at their websites or contact them to see what is available
• These are additional to the Maintenance Loans and do not have to be repaid
• Must contact the universities directly to apply for scholarships

Parental Concerns

Am I (the parent) expected to help financially?

In some cases funding from Student Finance may not cover all expenses but it is your (parental) decision whether or not to help financially. Talk to your son/daughter beforehand so that you are all clear on any financial matters

Will it affect their ability to get a mortgage/other credit and loans in the future?

Student loans are unsecured government lending and are very different to commercial loans. They don’t go on credit files or show up on credit check and will not affect the ability to get a mortgage.

If my child is unable to repay their loan, do I have to foot the bill?

No. Student loans are the sole responsibility of the student who takes them out

Additional Support for Students

NHS course funding – for Nursing, Midwifery and Radiography students click here

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) – helps UK students with the extra essential costs you (the student) might have as a direct result of your disability, long-term illness or specific learning difficulty, click here

Adult Dependents’ Grant – for eligible UK students with an adult who depends upon them financially (e.g. partner)

Useful Websites

• www.gov.uk/student-finance
• www.discoveruni.gov.uk
• www.moneysavingexpert.com/students
• www.thestudentroom.co.uk
• www.theuniguide.co.uk
• www.ucas.com
• www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/study-and-training/considering-or-university/financial-support-university
• www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa

University Finance Guides:

• Newcastle University
• University of East Anglia

To help Year 13 Students who have applied to University, via UCAS, we have put together the following bits of key information. If you have any questions, staff will be available on Results DAY to help and support you.