Student Life Information

New Planner to Get Students Ready For University

A new online planner, to help students prepare for university, is today being launched by the DfES.  Bringing together, for the first time, a wealth of information available to prospective students, the ‘Countdown to Uni’ planner runs from June to September highlighting key dates, deadlines, tips and advice.

Having polled recent graduates on their experiences of preparing for university, the DfES found that the majority (90 per cent) weren’t fully prepared when they arrived.  Based on the findings, and anecdotal responses of more than 1,300 graduates, this poll has helped to shape the planner to help this year’s undergraduates get it right.

From ensuring soon-to-be students get their Student Finance applications in by 29 June so they get their financial assistance at the beginning of term (those who miss that deadline will receive the money later on in the term), to Clearing, to applying for Railcards and Freshers’ Week, the planner is a definitive source for the summer months./p>

And with the poll finding that 48 per cent of ex-students spend just two days or less of their summer holidays getting ready, it should help this year’s intake avoid some of the mistakes, money wasting and embarrassment of previous years.  A third (31 per cent) of graduates said they took far more than they needed; with more than one in three toasters, kettles and irons taken to university never used.  And 35 per cent admitted to taking ‘embarrassing items’ with them, including bedside pictures of pets, teddy bears or comfort blankets and unfashionable clothes.

But its not just what undergraduates do or don’t take, many of those questioned said they were woefully under-prepared for day-to-day living.  One in 10 hadn’t got round to opening a bank account and 24 per cent didn’t know how to pay their bills, while a quarter didn’t know how to boil an egg or wash their own clothes according to the poll.

Bill Rammell, Minister for Higher Education, said: “There are several key deadlines for undergraduates over the summer months and it is important that they, and their parents, put enough time into preparation.  The deadline for financial help for university costs, in the form of loans, grants and bursaries, is 29 June to ensure that students have the money available to them when their first-term starts. 

“The new system of student finance support is better and fairer than the old one. Undergraduates can apply for an annual Tuition Fee Loan of up to £3,070, regardless of their household income, so they don’t have to find the money to pay their fees upfront.  Students can also apply for a Living Cost Loan to help with rent or food and the loans don’t have to be repaid until they have left their course and are earning more than £15,000.   Students from lower income households can apply for a non-repayable Maintenance Grant of up to £2,765 a year and many universities and colleges are offering non-repayable bursaries to provide additional financial support.   

“I’m today urging students, and their friends and families, to log onto our online planner to ensure that they are fully prepared come the start of term.”

Available at www.direct.gov.uk/countdowntouni, and designed in an easy-to-use calendar format, the ‘Countdown to Uni’ starts in June and gives key dates and tips on planning from now until undergraduates have moved in, unpacked, and started to enjoy student life.

ey dates covered include:

• 29 June – deadline for Student Finance applications to ensure money arrives at the beginning of term (11 per cent of respondents said they wished they had applied earlier)
• 16 July – apply for a Railcard (20 per cent of ex-students forgot)
• 20 August – to draw up a budget (33 per cent of respondents said they didn’t know how to budget)

As well as facts and information on Clearing, Freshers’ Week and packing.

The planner combines information from DfES partners, including UCAS, moneysavingexpert Martin Lewis, the NUS and the Student Loans Company.

www.direct.gov.uk/countdowntouni