Penstripe Student Planner Catalogue 24-25 - Flipbook - Page 83
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APPLICATION TO HE
APPLYING TO UCAS
Application to Higher Education
Applying to UCAS & making the grade
How do I apply to university?
You need to apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) using the online
application system at: www.ucas.com/apply.
Timeline of events and your action plan
You will need to start thinking about the application up to 18 months before your intended
university start date. See the timeline diagram below and use it as your ‘action plan’.
IMPORTANT EVENTS/DEADLINES
DONE
Start formal UCAS application.
October
15th October: deadline for completed applications to be
received by UCAS for medicine, dentistry, veterinary and
Oxbridge applications.
January
26th January: deadline for all UK university applications
(except some Art & Design courses). Some students will
now begin to receive decisions. This is also the time to
apply for your student finance on the website:
www.gov.uk/student-finance
February
Late February: ‘UCAS Extra’ can be used if all choices are
used up and you have been unsuccessful. You can add
another course/university choice up until clearing begins.
March
Mid March: deadline for some Art & Design courses.
August
Mid August: ‘Results Day’.
April
Begin UCAS process at HE Events and in school/college.
May & June
Research courses/universities and UCAS system.
Year 12
Obtain information on courses/universities.
Receive careers guidance from professionals.
Visit universities. Attend open day events.
July & August
Begin to restrict number of courses/universities.
Produce a draft UCAS application & personal statement.
Year 13
September
Check draft UCAS application in early September.
Clearing system starts shortly after results day.
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September
University start date.
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application is checked thoroughly and that high quality references are written. These
deadlines will give you the best possible opportunities – please respect them.
You will also need to confirm your Firm and Insurance choices to your universities.
Each will have their own deadlines for this.
Effective planning is the key to a successful application
Description
Application to HE
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They will provide you with the information you need to make your online application.
You are allowed to choose up to 5 courses from the full range of institutions.
You need to apply between early September and mid January.
UCAS circulates your application form to all of your chosen institutions.
University/Admissions tutors assess each application.
UCAS will issue you with a personal ID number; this will enable you to log onto
UCAS track to check the progress of your application.
Decisions and offers are made via UCAS track.
Types of offer
Conditional
Unconditional
Alternative Course Offer
Unsuccessful
- to be accepted, you need to achieve a certain points score or grades.
- your place is not determined by points/grades.
- a different course is offered from the one applied for.
- the university are not able to offer you a place.
Choices
After you receive offers you will be asked to make 2 choices:
Firm Choice
- your first choice (ensure you have a realistic chance of meeting the
entry requirements).
Insurance Choice
- your second choice (usually has lower entry requirements than the Firm).
UCAS Extra will give you a further opportunity to make additional choices if you have been
unsuccessful in your initial choice(s).
Points to note
Applications to Oxford or Cambridge must be submitted by 15th October.
You cannot apply to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same year.
You can only choose 4 courses if applying for medicine, dentistry or veterinary
plus one other of any choice.
Other points to note
Schools and colleges may issue their own deadlines in order to ensure that your UCAS
The UCAS directory lists all participating institutions. Log onto www.ucas.com
Speak to your tutors/career advisors about the correct method of application.
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For some specialist dance and drama courses, you apply directly to the institution.
Making the grade
If you meet the grades of your Firm Choice, you will have a place on the course.
Your Insurance Choice may provide an alternative if you don’t meet your Firm Choice.
If you don’t get the grades you may be able to find a course through ‘Clearing’.
Log onto the UCAS clearing website to find details of all the universities clearing
opportunities, or contact the UCAS helpline on: 0371 468 0468
UCAS Application hints and tips
Check your spelling and grammar carefully.
Be aware of key dates and plan well in advance to meet deadlines.
Read all the instructions carefully and follow them exactly.
Don’t be afraid to speak to UCAS, or the universities, with any questions.
Be confident you can make the grade.
REMEMBER
Make sure all the details are correct; errors can delay your application.
Aim to get your applications in as close to the start of the UCAS application cycle
(beginning of September) as possible.
Do not miss the deadline for returning your statement of decisions to UCAS or
they will assume you have withdrawn your application.
Do not go on holiday on, or directly after, results day.
Description
Applying to UCAS
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MONTH
How to apply
Applications for the majority of higher education courses are made through UCAS.
