Applying to University
The UCAS Process
UCAS – The System
• University Central Admissions System
• www.ucas.com
• All UK applications to university are made using
this online system.
• Very helpful website with key sections for
students, parents and teachers/advisors.
• Customer Services 0871 468 0 468
• Students should always have their UCAS ID
number if contacting UCAS or universities.
UCAS Deadlines for 2013 entry
• October 15th 2012
• Medicine, Vet Med, Dentistry, Oxbridge.
• January 15th 2013 for other courses.
• March date for some Art courses.
• Our internal deadlines are September 28th and
October 25th to give time for checking and
writing/adding reference.
UCAS Website
• http://www.ucas.com/
Helping students to choose a
course
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UCAS Convention & Seminars (today!)
Higher Ideas software in school
UCAS website and the Stamford Test
Personal Research
A careers interview in school
University Open Days
Prospectuses
Links from Rossett School Website (Sixth Form
section)
Choose your courses and institutions
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Five choices, no order of preference.
•
Not advisable to choose widely differing courses
– the same personal statement is sent to each
institution.
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Each university does not ‘see’ your other
choices.
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For Oxford or Cambridge you can apply early
and then add the other 4 choices after.
Oxbridge, Dentistry, Medicine and
Veterinary Medicine.
• no more than four choices in any one of the
following three areas: (i)medicine; (ii)dentistry;
(iii) veterinary medicine or veterinary science
• no more than one choice for Oxford University
or the University of Cambridge (there is an
exception to this but only for graduate
applications).
Other factors to consider :
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Interest
Modular vs linear;
Sandwich course/year in industry/abroad.
Flexibility e.g ability to transfer to a different
degree if desired.
• UCAS points/grades required – do they match
UCAS predicted grades?
• At this time we have not made the predicted
grades so as a guide I suggest students use their
target grades.
UCAS Predicted grades/target grades?
• All students have a target grade set at the top
25th percentile based on ALPS.
• This is where we would like them to aspire to.
• The UCAS predicted grade is what we think
students are going to get – hopefully they are the
same!
• However, the UCAS grade can be higher or lower
than the school’s target grade – it all depends on
progress in that subject.
UCAS Tariff
• Each A level grade is ‘worth’ a different number
of UCAS points:
A level Grade
A*
A
B
C
D
E
UCAS Tariff
140
120
100
80
60
40
BTEC National Certificate
(Sport)
BTEC National Award
(Performing Arts 2012)
Certificate
Tariff points
Award
DD
240
DM
200
MM
160
MP
PP
D
120
M
80
P
40
Entry Requirements
• Sometimes this is stated in terms of grades.
• Sometimes specific A levels and specific grades.
• Sometimes points score – but the points only
‘count’ once.
• E.g. AAB and C at AS would give
120+120+100+40=380 points
• Read very carefully.
The application form.
• Completed online, can complete different parts
in different order. Some sections time out after
about 40 minutes so make sure the application is
saved.
• Main sections are
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Registration
Personal details (no silly email addresses)
Additional information
Course choices
Education (i.e. qualifications)
Personal Statement
The Personal Statement
• 47 lines, 4000 characters (includes spaces)
• Approximately three quarters of a page of typed
A4, arial 12 point.
• Use the websites to look for the key
qualities/skills/attributes the university is
looking for.
• Sometimes this is included on the UCAS website
as the ‘career entry profile’.
• Tutor support and checked thoroughly.
The Personal Statement continued..
• Must be student’s own work.
• Must be able to say why they want to study that
subject.
• Must use examples to evidence their qualities.
• Must be in continuous prose.
• Useful guide on UCAS website
• http://www.ucas.com/students/applying/howto
apply/personalstatement/whattoinclude
Hints & Tips.
• Start the whole process early – use the next few
weeks and the Summer holidays to encourage
students to research courses.
• UCAS Points/Grades – are they being realistic?
• Consider courses carefully – can students say
convincingly why they wish to apply for this
course?
• Link experiences to skills acquired/attributes
demonstrated – don’t list.
TIMELINE
• June/July – register with
UCAS & search for courses.
Attend Open days, speak to
staff, careers advisers and
carry out personal research.
• August – begin to draft
personal statement, making
lists of work experience,
volunteering, paid work and
hobbies and link this to
skills/qualities you have
demonstrated or gained.
• September – get predicted
grades for A levels at
beginning of term and refine
your course choice decision.
Write personal statement,
using help from Realsmart,
UCAS website and tutors as
well as family/friends.
• Complete Personal Statement
in WORD.
Timeline continued..
• Friday 28 September 2012
- School deadline for
applications for Oxbridge,
Medicine, Dentistry and
Veterinary science.
• Thursday 25th October
2012 - School deadline for all
other applications.
• There is some evidence that
there is an advantage to
applying early.
• For many courses Universities
do make offers to early
applicants even before Jan 15th
deadline.
Pay & Send
• Once the online form is completed and checked
by us we will tell students they are ready to ‘pay
& send’.
• This means it is sent to their referee (which is
technically Ms Harland or Mrs Grabham) for the
reference to be added.
• Payment must be by credit, debit or solo card.
• £23 for 5 choices, £12 for one choice.
• We need time to add the reference. Once added,
we allow students to read the reference then we
send it off to UCAS.
How Parents Can Help.
• Help with drafting and checking spelling,
punctuation and grammar.
• Read their personal statements. Do they sound
passionate/interested in their degree subject?
Can they evidence their passion?
• What have they read, done, experienced that has
helped them gain an insight into their course?
How Parents Can Help.
• Keeping an eye on the deadline of October 25th.
(September 28th for early UCAS deadline)
• Help with course searches and researching
funding and accommodation.
Any
questions?