Applying to UniversityThe 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•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• Five choices, no order of preference.

• Not advisable to choose widely differing courses – the same personal statement is sent to each institution.

• Each university does not ‘see’ your other choices.

• 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 :•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 UCAS TariffA* 140

A 120

B 100

C 80

D 60

E 40

BTEC National Certificate (Sport)BTEC National Award (Performing Arts 2012)

Tariff points

Certificate Award

DD 240

DM 200

MM 160

MPD 120

PPM 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 ▫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/h

owtoapply/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?