UCAS Application
Session 2014-15
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Applying to University
• Choices
• How to apply and personal statement
• What happens next
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Choices
Use…
• SWAP Progression routes
• UCAS Course Search
• University info
– Website
– Prospectus
– Admissions contacts, helpdesks etc.
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Deadlines
• The deadline is: 15th January 2015
• Your college deadline will be sooner so they can
complete references (Nov-Dec 2014)
• UCAS Guide in Prep for HE materials
• Help and videos on UCAS application/web site.
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UCAS Apply: www.ucas.com the click link
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Apply and track
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Register
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Complete personal details
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Applying through school/college
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SWAPWest Buzzword: swapwest2015
Buzzword is: swapwest2015
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Select group – your college/programme
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Welcome page
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Sections
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Personal details
Personal Details…
• Some filled in automatically
• Provide other details, e.g. fee code usually 02 – UK
• Declare any relevant criminal convictions (not spent).
Additional Information…
• E.g. Nationality
• If you have been in care
• Your family’s education background.
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Personal Details
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Student Finance
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Choices
• Select courses you would like to study and where
• Use all 5 choices
• Start date: Oct 2015 (can also apply for deferred place)
• For year 1 as point of entry, UCAS advises to leave box this
box blank.
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Choices
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Education
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Education
• Centre name (the field will be ‘greyed out’)
• Click on ‘Find’
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Add ‘Scottish Wider Access Programme’
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•
•
Perform a search for SWAP (NB: it will not be found)
Click the link “My school / centre is not listed here”
You will be returned to the Education page where you can then type in
‘Scottish Wider Access Programme’ in the space that was previously greyed
out.
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Education
• Centre name : Scottish Wider Access Programme (not listed)
• Centre number: 78792
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Education
• Click on add qualifications then National Units – Scotland
• Enter unit titles with codes, qualification date, awarding body
(SQA), level (Higher etc.) and result.
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Employment
• Can add up to five employers
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Personal Statement
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Personal Statement – UCAS TV
http://www.ucas.tv/ucas/video/48Mgg
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Personal Statement
• Use UCAS guides and SWAPWest guides
– What excites you about course; how did you get excited?
– Skills you have (academic/work/life), outside reading/learning,
experience. Evidence!
– What makes you unique? Hobbies/experiences etc.
• Avoid flowery language, clichés, rambling, plagiarism!
• Be authentic, positive and enthusiastic
• Be clear and concise, have structure, use paragraphs (e.g. punchy intro,
chunky middle and end on personal touch).
– Proofread; it will take you many drafts!
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Personal Statement mind map
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Declaration, payment and sending your application
Declaration
• When finished, agree to the declaration.
Payment and referee
• Pay using credit or debit card
• Application then sent to referee
• Form then sent to chosen universities.
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After sending your application
• Universities have until early May to respond
• Use Track at: www.ucas.ac.uk/students/track/
• Possible responses are:
Response
What it means
Unconditional Offer
University offer a place with no conditions
Conditional Offer
University offer a place on condition, e.g. on
successful completion of SWAP with BBB profile
Withdrawn
If you don’t respond to offers or attend interview
Unsuccessful
University will not offer you a place
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Replying to offers
You reply to your offers in three ways:
accept firm, accept insurance, and decline
Replying to offers:
• Accept conditional firm + conditional insurance
Decline all other choices
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I have been unsuccessful - what can I do?
• Contact the SWAP office
• Extra and Clearing are available
• For a back up or if not ready for university, HNC/D (apply!!!)
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Further assistance
Good luck!
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