Common use of Provision of Information to Students Clause in Contracts

Provision of Information to Students. The University has a strong system of student services and support including a team of financial advisors and student counsellors. As part of current widening participation activity, provision of information to both students and parents takes place on a regular basis through information packs and open and information evenings. With the introduction of variable fees it is recognised that students need more than ever to be given clear and accurate information. The University has adopted a number of strategies, building on existing good practice, and increasing current levels of resource to ensure that prospective students are provided with the appropriate information. Additional emphasis has been placed on pre-entry guidance and the provision of both on-line and face-to-face support to enable applicants to plan how to finance their study and provide information about the level of support available through bursaries and other forms of financial assistance. The University has considerable expertise in helping students with difficulties through the Student Finance and Financial Support Section of the office of Student Affairs and through the cross-University committee where judgements are made on fee remission. Bursaries and financial support will be centrally administered through a standard set of criteria. Financial support and advice will draw on the experience of staff in gaining a rounded view of a student’s financial position and providing appropriate advice and referral systems. Specific actions for prospective students includes: • the provision of financial information, with ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ and illustrations of the cost of study for students on different types of courses, through a dedicated and interactive section of the University website and an annually updated booklet; • named financial adviser with particular responsibility for provision of fee information relating to variable fees, state support, bursaries and scholarships; • incorporation of financial and fees advice as an integral part of information provided for prospective students through open days, the website, the prospectus and other publications; • a series of talks in local schools and colleges; • inclusion of financial planning in our ‘Preparation for HE’ course which forms part of our range of outreach activity (see Annex); • an information pack sent to all full and part-time students receiving offers of places on programmes, clarifying their position in relation to fees and financial support; • a communications campaign developed by the Marketing Office. For new and continuing students financial support and advice will be provided by the Student Finance and Financial Support team within the Office of Student Affairs. The University has been commended by QAA for its strong student support service. The team of advice and support staff will provide information and assistance to students through our ‘one-stop shop’ facilities. We will: • provide administrative support for the Access to Learning Fund and a new Greenwich Financial Support Fund; • add financial advice to the student user section of the University’s web site; • provide support sessions on finance. The Students’ Union, and in particular its team of student advisers, will also play an important role in providing additional support and in telling students about sources of information and help. The Students Union also has a grants and funds database to provide information to current students. Information on Student Union services will also be widely available to students through the University’s ‘one-stop shops’.

Provision of Information to Students. The University has a strong system of student services and support including a team of financial advisors and student counsellors. As part of current widening participation activity, provision of information to both students and parents takes place on a regular basis through information packs and open and information evenings. With the introduction of variable fees it is recognised that students need more than ever to be given clear and accurate information. The University has adopted a number of strategies, building on existing good practice, and increasing current levels of resource to ensure that prospective students are provided with the appropriate information. Additional emphasis has been placed on pre-entry guidance and the provision of both on-line and face-to-face support to enable applicants to plan how to finance their study and provide information about the level of support available through bursaries and other forms of financial assistance. The University has considerable expertise in helping students with difficulties through the Student Finance and Financial Support Section of the office of Student Affairs and through the cross-University committee where judgements are made on fee remissionAffairs. Bursaries and financial support will be centrally administered through a standard set of criteria. Financial support and advice will draw on the experience of staff in gaining a rounded view of a student’s financial position and providing appropriate advice and referral systems. Specific actions for prospective students includes: • the provision of financial information, with ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ access to a budget calculator online and illustrations of annually updated Bursaries and Scholarships information available on the cost of study for students on different types of courses, through web and in a dedicated and interactive section of the University website and an annually updated booklet; • named financial adviser with particular responsibility for provision of fee information relating to variable fees, state support, bursaries and scholarships; • incorporation of financial and fees advice as an integral part of information provided for prospective students through open days, the website, the prospectus and other publications; • a series of talks in local schools and colleges; • inclusion of financial planning in our ‘Preparation for HE’ course which forms part of our range of outreach activity (see Annex); • an information pack sent to all full and part-time students receiving offers of places on programmes, clarifying their position in relation to fees and financial support; • a communications campaign developed by the Marketing Office. For new and continuing students financial support and advice will be provided by the Student Finance and Financial Support team within the Office of Student Affairs. The University has been commended by QAA for its strong student support service. The team of advice and support staff will provide information and assistance to students through our Matrix accredited ‘one-stop shop’ facilities. We will: • provide administrative support for the Access to Learning Fund and a new the Greenwich Financial Support Fund; • add financial advice continue to the enhance our student user section of the University’s finance web site; • information and services to students provide support sessions on student finance. The Students’ Union, and in particular its team of student advisers, will also play an important role in providing additional support and in telling students about sources of information and help. The Students Union also has a grants and funds database to provide information to current students. Information on Student Union services will also be widely available to students through the University’s ‘one-stop shops’.

Provision of Information to Students. It is of paramount importance that the University’s provisions under the OFFA agreement are made known to prospective students in ways that are clear, comprehensive, accurate and timely. The University has a strong changes to the national student support system of student services and support including a team of financial advisors and student counsellorswill be fully explained in order that informed choices can be made. As part of current widening participation activity, provision of information to both students and parents takes place on a regular basis through information packs and open and information evenings. With the introduction of variable fees it is recognised that Prospective students need more than ever to be given confident that there is a funding system in place which is adequate for their needs, and additionally that if they select the University of Plymouth, there is a back up of extra support available both as an incentive and as a safety net. The University’s Student Funding Unit will provide comprehensive advice to prospective students. This will be done through: • Written material such as leaflets and entries in University publications • The Student Funding web pages • Presentations and question/answer sessions in schools and FE colleges • Open Day / visit day presentations • Telephone and e mail enquiries • One to one interviews A leaflet will be produced outlining the changes to the Student Support system, explaining the function of OFFA, and describing the University’s particular provisions under the OFFA agreement. This leaflet will also indicate total study costs for those taking courses which include additional costs such as fieldwork, placements and studio costs. Focus group research has provided the University with clear feedback about the context and accurate informationdesign of such material. This information will also be available as a web page with an associated FAQ system within it, and links to the regional and national Aim Higher web sites. More comprehensive material will be available to vulnerable groups such as young students from low income backgrounds, lone parents and students with disabilities. A dedicated enquiry line will be established for this purpose which parallels our dedicated mature student enquiry service. The University has adopted will also undertake to establish a number of strategies, building on existing good practice, and increasing current levels of resource system to ensure that prospective students are provided deal with the appropriate information. Additional emphasis has been placed on pre-entry guidance and the provision of both on-line and face-to-face support complaints relating to enable applicants to plan how to finance their study and provide information about the level of support available through eligibility for bursaries and other forms of financial assistancescholarships. The University has considerable expertise in helping students with difficulties through will also establish a staff development programme to train and enhance the Student Finance knowledge and Financial Support Section skills of the office of Student Affairs and through the cross-University committee where judgements are made on fee remission. Bursaries and financial support will be centrally administered through a standard set of criteria. Financial support and advice will draw on the experience of staff in gaining a rounded view of a student’s financial position and providing appropriate advice and referral systems. Specific actions for prospective students includes: • the provision of financial information, with ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ and illustrations of the cost of study for students on different types of courses, through a dedicated and interactive section of the University website and an annually updated booklet; • named financial adviser with particular responsibility for provision of fee information relating to variable fees, state support, bursaries and scholarships; • incorporation of financial and fees advice as an integral part of information provided for prospective students through open days, the website, the prospectus and other publications; • a series of talks in local schools and colleges; • inclusion of financial planning in our ‘Preparation for HE’ course which forms part of our range of outreach activity (see Annex); • an information pack sent to all full and part-time students receiving offers of places on programmes, clarifying their position in relation to fees and financial support; • a communications campaign developed by the Marketing Office. For new and continuing students financial support and advice will be provided by the Student Finance and Financial Support team within the Office of Student Affairs. The University has been commended by QAA for both its strong student support service. The team of advice staff and support academic staff will provide information and assistance to students through our ‘one-stop shop’ facilities. We will: • provide administrative support for the Access to Learning Fund and a new Greenwich Financial Support Fund; • add financial advice to the dealing with student user section of the University’s web site; • provide support sessions on finance. The Students’ Union, and in particular its team of student advisers, will also play an important role in providing additional support and in telling students about sources of information and help. The Students Union also has a grants and funds database to provide information to current students. Information on Student Union services will also be widely available to students through the University’s ‘one-stop shops’enquiries.