A Guide For parents And Guardians - University of Teesside

a guide for
parents and
guardians
of young people in
years 12 and 13

contents
Vice-Chancellor’s Welcome 2
Understanding
Why go to university 3
Choosing
Choosing a course and a university 4
Reasons to choose Teesside 5
Discovering Teesside 7
University accommodation – a great place to live 8
Discovering the region 9
Applying
The right course 10
Help with applying 11
Studying and Support
Supporting your son or daughter at university 12
Student finance 12
Costs 12
Financial support 13
Graduation and Employment
The world of work 15
Further study 15
Find Out More 16

welcome
At the University of Teesside,
we recognise the crucial role
parents and guardians play
in raising the aspirations of
their children. Along with our
partner schools and
colleges, we want to help all
young people in our region
to fulfil their dreams, their
talent and their potential.
Your child is, of course, the
future of our region.
The University of Teesside is your
university. We are dedicated to delivering a
quality education which stimulates the
mind, improves career prospects and
provides every opportunity for your son or
daughter to develop as an individual.
Whilst at school and college, your child will
have the opportunity to engage in a variety
of activities here at the University. We are
national leaders in working with young
people and firmly believe it is never too
early to think about higher education and
we hope this Guide will provide a starting
point for dialogue with your child about their
potential to progress.
We wish your son or daughter every
possible success in their current and future
studies.
Professor Graham Henderson
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

understanding
3
A university education has
many benefits – graduates are
more likely to get a job than
non-graduates, it can lead to a
more rewarding or better-paid
job and for some professions a
relevant qualification is a
necessity.
understanding
Why go to university
Employers are primarily looking to recruit
young people with a good knowledge
base, and the ability to work with others,
analyse problems and think for
themselves. Going to university is likely to
give graduates a head start in all these
skills.
At Teesside, we believe higher education
is an investment for the future. We make
sure our students get the most out of
their experience here, developing
confidence and a range of personal skills
as well as gaining qualifications.
• For some professions, for example law,
a relevant degree is essential
• Universities are thriving social and
cultural centres with lots to offer
students of any age, nationality or
social background
• Taking on the challenge of higher
education can improve confidence,
personal skills and independence
• Graduates are well equipped to take
their place in the world of work or go
on to further study and research
• Graduates will have studied a subject
they have enjoyed at school or have
explored a new subject which
fascinates them.

Choosing a university or college course can be difficult for young
people and stressful for you as their parents or guardians. There
are thousands of courses to consider at hundreds of institutions, so
where do you start in helping them with decision making This
section aims to answer some of the most frequently asked
questions about universities in general, and more specifically
about the University of Teesside.
choosing
Choosing a course and a university
The best university for any student is the
one which most suits their particular needs.
Different students have different priorities,
however generally the things your son or
daughter needs to consider are:
The right course
Which university offers the most
appropriate course What are the entry
requirements The same subject may have
a different emphasis and content at
different universities. What are the methods
of assessment A professionally-accredited
course may be required in certain
professions, for example health and social
care, law and psychology.
Location
Where does your son or daughter want to
live in relation to home, and what type of
campus would appeal to them most Do
they want to enjoy the exciting experience
of a new place to live or the practical
benefits of studying closer to home Think
about the financial implications of travelling
costs.
Facilities
Ask about the facilities and equipment for
their course of study and the services in
general, for example the library and
information services. Consider
arrangements for work placements and the
possibility of studying abroad. Facilities for
sport and leisure time are important too –
what’s available to suit their interests
Quality and investment
Each university is regularly assessed on the
quality of its academic provision and
student satisfaction. Details can be found
on the Quality Assurance Agency website
at www.qaa.ac.uk and should also be
available on a university’s website.
Scholarships and bursaries
Most English universities offer scholarships
and bursaries. The amount available to
students will differ from one university to
another and could depend on factors such
as household income, postcode and
academic achievement.
Accommodation
Compare accommodation costs between
universities and the general living costs.
Would halls of residence suit them or a
shared house be more suitable
Social life
Making new friends and trying out new
activities are important aspects of university
life. The Students’ Union is key – look
what’s on offer.

choosing
5
There are so many reasons for
your son or daughter to choose
Teesside – not least our
amazing range of innovative,
top-quality courses in groundbreaking
subject areas.
Reasons to choose Teesside
Our students love us!
• In the National Student Survey 2008
Teesside achieved an impressive set of
results. Our Design and Media students
are the most satisfied in the UK and our
learning resources received outstanding
scores placing us joint third in the UK.
The percentage of overall student
satisfaction has gone up for the third
consecutive year, rising to 84% amongst
degree students which is above the
national average.
• Students rank us as one of the top
modern universities in the UK (Times
Higher Education’s Student Experience
Survey 2009).
Excellent careers
• We’re in the top ten modern universities
for graduate prospects (Times Good
University Guide 2008).
Friendly and supportive
• On our compact, town centre campus,
we’re a close knit community. Our
students praise our support services for
their accessibility and sensitivity – they
tell us we’re excellent listeners.
• Our Student Services, including the
Careers Service, is accredited under the
Matrix national quality standard for
information, advice and guidance –
assuring your son or daughter of the very
best support to focus their career.
It’s worth it
• A first degree at Teesside is worth on
average £157,000 extra in lifetime
earnings and an HND is worth on
average £103,742 extra (Economic
Impact Report prepared by
PriceWaterhouse Coopers LLP,
January 2008).
A cutting-edge campus
• We’ve invested £100m in our campus.
The £12m Phoenix Building and the
£10m Athena Building are enhancing our
reputation as a leading university for
digital innovation. Add our brilliantlyequipped
Learning Resource Centre,
£6.5m centre for sport and top-notch
forensic facilities and you have a
dynamic learning environment.
• The hub of student night life is our
award-winning Students’ Union right
on campus.
Quality teaching
• Around 53% of students are on courses
in academic areas where the teaching
has been rated excellent by the national
higher education quality watchdogs.
We’ve also won seven National Teaching
Fellowships for excellence in teaching.
It’s affordable
• We offer a generous financial package
including a non-repayable bursary and
scholarships. And we have some of the
most affordable accommodation in the
UK – with free internet access (Push
and The Sunday Times University
Guide 2008).

choosing
7
Discovering Teesside
Nearly 24,000 full-time and
part-time students study at the
University of Teesside. It is on
one compact site in the centre of
Middlesbrough in the heart of the
Tees Valley in North East
England. Built on foundations
that stretch back to the 1930s,
Teesside gained university status
in 1992.
We have made huge investments in the
campus in recent years and students now
have access to some of the most up-todate
facilities available. Some buildings are
purpose built while others have been
refurbished to provide an excellent
environment for study and recreation.
Almost all of our amenities, including
lecture theatres, library and IT facilities,
accommodation, the Students’ Union,
coffee shops and sports facilities are
situated within easy walking distance of
each other. Conveniently, the University’s
town centre location means that students
can easily access all the major shopping
and social attractions of Middlesbrough
too.
At Teesside, student safety is paramount
and our priority is to offer a safe place to
live and work. The University Security Force
is committed to ensuring that students
enjoy a secure environment; our 24-hour
security operation includes patrols and
closed circuit television across the
University.

University accommodation
– a great place to live
We offer 726 accommodation places on campus in addition to 400
places through the University-managed Housing Scheme where the
University rents privately-owned accommodation off campus. If
Teesside is your son or daughter’s first choice, as a first-year student
undertaking a full-time course of study, they are guaranteed a place
in accommodation either owned or managed by us.
Once your son or daughter has been made
an offer of a place at Teesside, they will be
sent information about the accommodation
available. Application forms are
automatically sent to those who have been
made an offer of a place on a full-time
course.
University residences range from selfcontained
houses and purpose-built flats to
the traditional multiple-occupancy halls.
Accommodation is mixed although it is
segregated into male and female rooms.
Facilities vary according to accommodation
type but generally include study bedrooms,
shared shower/bathroom and laundry
facilities. Meals are not provided in
University residences, however, they are
available on campus throughout the week
at reasonable prices.
More information
Contact the Accommodation Office:
Tel: 01642 342255
Email: accommodation@tees.ac.uk
www.tees.ac.uk/studentservices
A booklet is also available from Student
Services on 01642 342277.

choosing
9
Discovering the region
Middlesbrough is a large, vibrant town undergoing a renaissance.
The University is a key player in the new developments. Multimillionpound
investments in Middlesbrough’s centre and in our own campus
are creating a lively environment in which to study and relax. It is an
important town for business, administration, shopping, entertainment,
and cultural and leisure activities. It has all the facilities you would
expect of a university town and caters well for its large student
population. It’s also one of the most affordable places to live in the
UK with student discounts widely available.
Middlesbrough has some beautiful parks
and green spaces, including Stewart Park,
home to the Captain Cook Birthplace
Museum, which explores the life and times
of Captain James Cook and his voyages of
discovery. Dominating the town’s skyline,
the unique Transporter Bridge was
originally designed to allow tall ships to
pass beneath it – it’s now an interesting
tourist attraction. The nearby Tees Barrage
offers a world-class white water rafting
venue and the River Tees Watersports
Centre provides top-quality facilities.
mima (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern
Art) is a landmark building in the heart of
Middlesbrough. The £19.2m art gallery and
square showcases an exciting programme
of internationally-significant temporary
exhibitions. It is also home to the town’s
outstanding permanent collections of fine
art, ceramics and jewellery. Nearby the
recently-refurbished Dorman Museum, a
few minutes’ walk from campus, has a
variety of collections displayed in a range of
themed galleries.
Middlesbrough has some of England’s
most beautiful countryside and coastal
scenery on its doorstep including the North
York Moors National Park and the North
Yorkshire coastline. The town is also well
situated for those who want to explore the
North East – the historic cities of Durham,
York and Newcastle are all within 50 miles.

applying
The right course
The University of Teesside’s
full-time undergraduate
qualifications include first
degrees – BA (Hons), BSc
(Hons), BEng (Hons), LLB
(Hons) – foundation degrees
and higher national diplomas
(HNDs).
Degrees
Our full-time degrees are three-year
courses or four-year sandwich courses,
which include a year-long work placement.
Some courses such as nursing and
health-related ones incorporate practice
placements spread throughout the
three years.
A number of courses require entry
qualifications in specific subject areas while
others indicate the overall grades or points
expected. Full details of entry requirements
can be found in the University’s
Undergraduate Full-time Prospectus and
on our website www.tees.ac.uk. The
University uses the UCAS tariff. Where
relevant, conditional offers will be made in
terms of a tariff score.
The University also offers:
• joint honours degrees where two
subjects are studied as part of the same
course, for example English and Media
Studies, and subjects are typically
weighted equally
• major-minor honours degrees, which
provide an opportunity to study two
subjects as part of the same course and
subjects are weighted differently, for
example History with English where
approximately two thirds of the student’s
time is spent studying History.
Foundation degrees
Flexible, work-related foundation degrees
integrate academic and work-based
learning and are designed in partnership
with employers to equip students with the
higher-level skills which industry needs.
Students who complete the two-year fulltime
programme may choose to join the
final year of an honours degree at the
University. For further details visit
www.tees.ac.uk.
Higher national diplomas
HNDs are vocationally-oriented
qualifications which normally last for two
years full time. They are designed to
provide practical, job-related skills and are
recognised by employers nationally. They
are also ideal for those who wish to
continue their studies to degree level. HNDqualified
students are normally able to join
a relevant degree at the beginning of the
second year. The University of Teesside
also offers conversion courses especially
for students with HNDs who wish to convert
their qualification into a degree.

applying
11
Help with applying
All applications to UK universities for fulltime
undergraduate courses must be made
through UCAS. Your son or daughter can
apply through their school/college or online
at www.ucas.com.
UCAS allows applicants to choose up to
five courses for 2009 entry. Your son or
daughter’s careers adviser or access
course tutor should help them complete the
application, write a personal statement and
consider references.
When they have heard from all the
universities they’ve applied to, your son or
daughter needs to pick one university as
their firm choice and a second as
insurance. They should have a good think
about the offers – there’s no need to rush
into a decision.
For more details to help you
understand the UCAS process,
visit www.ucas.com/parents
or call UCAS on 0871 468 0468.
UCAS Extra and Clearing
Universities advertise vacancies from mid
February through UCAS Extra. This allows
applicants not holding an offer from their
first five choices to continue their
application. Your son or daughter can apply
to one institution at a time until they receive
and accept an offer.
Clearing starts in mid August and allows
unplaced applicants to contact individual
universities about their unfilled places.
UCAS will automatically send out
information to eligible applicants.

We have a comprehensive
network of support staff who
provide confidential help
and advice to students on
academic, personal and
financial matters.
studying
and support
Supporting your son
or daughter at university
Located in the middle of the campus, the
Student Centre provides a first point of
contact for all student services including
accommodation, disability issues, finance,
careers, counselling, health, immigration
issues and the orientation programme for
international students. The Centre employs
professional counsellors and advisers with
whom students can discuss problems or
issues in confidence. It also provides help
and advice on financial matters, ranging
from information about tuition fees to
assistance with money management. In
addition, pastoral care is available through
the University Chaplaincy.
Student Services, including the Careers
Service, is accredited with the Matrix
national quality standard for information,
advice and guidance.
Prior to and throughout their time at
Teesside, disabled students can get advice
and assistance from trained advisers in the
Student Centre and each academic School
of the University has its own disability
co-ordinator.
Help and information on a range of issues,
such as finance or course matters, is also
available from the Advice Centre in the
University of Teesside Students’ Union.
The Students’ Union can also help your son
or daughter find part-time employment.
More information
Contact Student Services:
Tel: 01642 342277
Email: studenthelp@tees.ac.uk
Minicom: 01642 342285
www.tees.ac.uk/studentservices
Contact the Students’ Union:
Tel: 01642 342234
Email: advice@utsu.org.uk
Student finance
Many parents have concerns over student
finance. As a parent, it is important to be
aware of the types of costs involved and
financial support available. The costs
associated with university will vary
depending on whether your son or
daughter moves away from home and
where they live. For some students, the
potential for student debt will have a big
influence on the university they choose.
Financial support for higher education is
available from Student Finance England via
www.direct.gov.uk/StudentFinance and
from the university your child applies to.
Costs
The majority of UK universities will be
charging tuition fees of £3,225 per year in
2009. The good news is that students don’t
have to pay these fees while they study – a
loan is available to cover tuition fees. So
your son or daughter will study first and pay
back their loan when they have finished
university and are earning over £15,000.
Other costs may include accommodation
and travel, bills, food and clothing, books
and socialising.

Financial support +
Maintenance loan
This is sometimes referred to as the student
loan and for most students this is the main
source of money to help with living costs.
Not all students take out a student loan.
Those who decide to live at home, work
part time and/or receive a maintenance
grant, may feel they do not need to take a
loan. Students will only start repaying a loan
once they have graduated and are earning
more than £15,000 per year. For the
purposes of repayment, the money
borrowed to cover tuition fees and living
costs will be added together and collected
as a single loan. Graduates pay a
percentage of their income above £15,000
each month (like a tax). This percentage is
set at 9% of a salary over £15,000*.
Repayment examples*
A graduate earning £20,000 a year
will pay £8.65 a week
A graduate earning £25,000 a year
will pay £17.30 a week
Maintenance grant
Health-related courses
Students can also apply for a nonrepayable
maintenance grant from the
government + . The amount awarded
depends on household income and less
well-off students will receive up to £2,906 a
year*. Students can use this money to help
with living costs.
Household income
More information
non-repayable maintenance grant*
£25,000 or less
£2,906 per year
Between around £25,001 to £50,020
a percentage of £2,906
Above £50,020
no maintenance grant
Contact Student Services:
University Bursaries and
Scholarships
Universities which charge £3,225 per year
for tuition fees must provide a bursary of at
least £319 per year*. This is a nonrefundable
package of support. The
amount your son or daughter receives may
be based on your household income and
will differ from institution to institution. Some
universities will also award a number of
scholarships to applicants as an additional
non-repayable package of support.
Scholarships are usually linked to
academic ability and each institution will
have different eligibility criteria.
*Examples relate to financial arrangements in
2009-10
+ Available to UK students only
Students studying on some health-related
courses may be eligible for an NHS bursary
to cover both tuition fees and living costs.
Information on NHS funding can be
obtained by calling the NHS Student Grants
Unit on 0845 358 6655 or by visiting
www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk.
The government produces a wide range of
information on the directgov website
www.direct.gov.uk/StudentFinance.
The University’s Department of Student
Services is a useful source of up-to-date
information on fees and financial
entitlements.
Tel: 01642 342277
Email: studentfinance@tees.ac.uk
and ask for a copy of the booklet A Guide
to Student Funding.
Please note: this information may be subject to
change and you are recommended to seek the
most up-to-date details.

graduation and employment
15
graduation
and
employment
The world of work
A degree from the University of Teesside will stand your son or
daughter in good stead when seeking skilled professional work after
graduation. The University’s emphasis on professionalism,
commercial know-how and the development of courses relevant to the
world of work can give students a head start.
Through programmes of careers education,
group sessions and individual interviews,
the University’s Careers Service helps
students to explore their options, make
effective applications and get ready for
interviews. It maintains a wide range of
resources in the careers library, including
DVDs, magazines, journals and employer
and occupational files. An IT area also
enables students to research jobs and
vacancies online. Teesside graduates find
themselves working all over the world and
in all sorts of jobs.
We offer invaluable opportunities to develop
workplace skills and knowledge. Many of
our courses include a period of work
experience, overseas study or the
opportunity to undertake a live project on
behalf of a commercial company. There
are, too, schemes which offer students the
chance to work with pupils in local primary
and secondary schools.
Additionally, students can get involved in
the Community Volunteers Project, working
with voluntary and community organisations
or with student-led activities, through
VolunTees. For more information visit
www.voluntees.ac.uk.
Accreditation by professional bodies is
another important feature of many of our
courses. Accreditation can provide
graduates with membership of professional
organisations and/or offer exemptions from
professional examinations.
Further study
For those graduates who decide to stay on
and undertake further study, the University
of Teesside has an interesting range of
postgraduate courses.
More than 2,600 of our students are
currently studying at postgraduate level.
Courses range from professional
development certificates to master’s
degrees and doctorates in a variety of
subjects. Our MPhil/PhD opportunities
include professional master’s and
professional doctorate programmes for
those who wish to undertake research
which is more relevant to their work. For
detailed information see our website
www.tees.ac.uk/postgraduate.

We hold open days and events
throughout the year for you
and your son or daughter. You
can gather information and
get a feel for what it would be
like for them to study at
Teesside.
find out more
Higher education parents’
evenings
Parents’ evenings include a general talk on
higher education, applying to university and
student funding issues as well as an
opportunity to tour the campus.
University open days
Open days include campus tours and
special lectures on student finance,
accommodation and graduate careers as
well as a chance to look around academic
Schools. They are held in June and
October each year.
Applicant open days
Applicants in the current applications cycle
will normally be invited by the relevant
academic School to attend an applicant
open day, which includes a tour of the
facilities, subject lectures and an
opportunity to meet staff. Applicant open
days start in January.
Campus visits
Campus visits include a presentation about
our accommodation, a chance to speak to
current students and a tour of the campus.
Discovery days for Year 12
and 13 students
Discovery days are especially useful for
those who can’t decide which subject
they’d like to study. They include lectures,
course projects and workshops, and
sessions covering preparing a university
application, careers and employability.
Discovery days run throughout the
academic year in a full range of subjects.
Passport Scheme
Your son or daughter may also be
interested in the University’s Passport
Scheme as a way of finding out more about
higher education.
If they study at a local further education
college, sixth form college or 11-18 school,
they can enrol on Passport at the beginning
of Year 12. Passport aims to answer all the
key questions students have about higher
education through a variety of activities.
These activities enable students to sample
their chosen subject(s) and find out what
it’s like to study at university. Parents and
guardians of Passport students are invited
to attend a higher education parents’
evening at the University of Teesside.
For more information contact Schools &
Colleges Partnerships:
Tel: 01642 342275
Email: scl@tees.ac.uk
www.tees.ac.uk/schoolsandcolleges
Enquiry Service
Ask for a copy of the University of
Teesside’s Undergraduate Full-time
Prospectus and DVD – A guide to the
University of Teesside. Both will give you a
useful introduction to the University.
Contact the Enquiry Service:
Tel: 01642 342942
www.tees.ac.uk
Useful websites for more information
include www.dfes.gov.uk,
www.aimhigher.ac.uk and
www.ucas.com (provides up-to-date
information about which courses are
available and where).

find out more
17

This publication is available in alternative formats
on request. Please contact the Enquiry Service on
01642 342942 or email enquiries@tees.ac.uk.
All details correct at time of publication.
UNIVERSITY OF TEESSIDE
MIDDLESBROUGH TEES VALLEY TS1 3BA UK
TEL: +44 (0) 1642 218121 FAX: +44 (0) 1642 342067
www.tees.ac.uk
Published by the Corporate Communications Unit CAG 6131