THE UCAS APPLICATION
PROCESS
A Guide for Parents & Students
University Application Timetable
2014-2015
By the end of the summer holidays students will have:
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Received their AS level results
Visited universities of interest to them / attended Open Days
Completed thorough research on different courses
Met with staff
Logged on to UCAS and begun their Application
Completed the first draft of their Personal Statement?
KEY DATES:
• 15th October: Deadline for Oxbridge, Veterinary
Medicine/Science, Medicine, Dentistry applications
• 15th November: Internal Gordon’s deadline for
applications to be processed and references written
• 15th January: Deadline for applications to be guaranteed
consideration, except those listed above and those with a
24th March deadline.
KEY DATES:
• 31st March: Most offers made if application
before 15th January.
• 31st May: Deadline for applying for student
finance
• 30th June: Any applications after this must go
through clearing.
KEY PRIORITIES:
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Continue to research courses
Institution research
Complete the UCAS application form
Write a personal statement
CHOOSING A COURSE
• Speak to your subject teachers
• Speak to your tutor
• Use the online resources available
UCAS TARIFF
RUSSELL
GROUP
1994 GROUP
INSURANCE OFFERS
Make sure your insurance choice is:
• Completely achievable in terms of UCAS
points or grades
• A place you will be happy studying – you
must visit to make sure.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
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Distance from home
Cost
Accommodation
Two campus university
Insurance choice visits
SUMMARY
• Check the grades/UCAS points you will
need to get accepted. Be realistic about
what you can achieve
• Check that there are no GCSE subjects or
other qualifications required
• Check on matriculation, i.e. that you have
the basic qualifications needed to apply to
the university
FINANCE
• Tuition fee loan – up to £9000
• Maintenance Grant – to be paid back
• Maintenance Loan – low income homes,
not paid back
UCAS - www.ucas.com
• On the website there are informative helpful sections
for:
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Parents (including a Parent Guide)
Students
Stamford Test: what subject suits you?
Course search
Typical grades/points offers made for each subject
Links to other HE sites
Links to university/ college websites
Information on finance
ucasapply
ucastrack
UCAS APPLY
• UCAS applications are made online through the ‘APPLY’ section of the
website.
• The Personal Statement
• Interview
• Five courses
• Tutor completes reference
• Checked and sent by Head of Sixth Form
The Personal Statement
• The main opportunity for the student to sell themselves!
• Reasons for choosing the course (at least half the
statement).
• Background of your interest in the course.
• Any employment / work experience / shadowing
completed and the skills / insight gained from doing so.
• Achievements – exam based, musical, sporting etc.
• Career aspirations – linked with the course hoping to be
studied.
• Hobbies and interests – sporting, musical etc.
• Any non-examined subjects or courses being studied.
• Try and relate everything written to the course you wish
to study.
A few other hints…
• Try to avoid too much use of the word ‘I’.
• Copying - Similarity Detection Service searches personal
statements for plagiarism.
• Make sure you’ve done the things
you claim – you may be questioned
on them!
• Draft and re-draft.
• Speak to subject staff who may well have done a similar
degree to the one you are wishing to study.
• Make it professional – no mistakes, slang terms.
• Complete it as soon as possible.
SUMMARY:
• Full research
• Be realistic
• Be aware of the deadlines
• Maximise any opportunities they can to enhance their
application
• Pay particular attention to the Personal Statement.
• Ask for help at any time when they are unsure.
NEXT?
• Higher Education Day – 20th June
• Personal statement writing workshop at
the Holt School (Russell group)
• Open Days and taster visits continue
• Personal Statement writing day – 12th
September
• Contact
rbrazendale@gordons.surrey.sch.uk with
any queries