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Applying to University The online UCAS
Form APPLY By Natasha Mycawka Schools Liaison
Officer
Committed to your future
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Before applying to University...

• Why do you want to go onto Higher Education?
• What do you want to study?
• What are the entry requirements?
• Where do you want to study?
• Have you researched Universities and locations?
  
• E.g. course facilities, location, transport,
• student life, student support, accommodation?

TIP List all the factors important to you to
help you select a few institutions. Try to list
no more than ten.
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What is a UCAS form?

• UCAS University and Colleges Admission Service
• All UK students apply to HE through a UCAS
  form.
• UCAS handle applications for all full time
  courses.
• There are 340 Universities and HE Colleges in
  the UK.
• Over 50,000 different degree courses in the UK.
• You must not apply direct to HE Institutions.
• The UCAS form contains information on you -
  exam grades, reference and personal description.

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UCAS Calendar
Mid October Applications must be in for
medicine, dentistry and veterinary science
courses and all applications to Oxford and
Cambridge. Mid January Closing date for normal
applications (unless going through Art and
Design Route B). Mid March Start of UCAS
Extra. End March Closing date for A D Route
B. April - June Universities and Colleges have
to decide whether they will offer you a
place, you must then send your decision to
UCAS. June Last date for late applications -
any received after this will go straight into
the Clearing process. July - September Clearing
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Filling in the UCAS Form

• Can fill in the UCAS form on the web (APPLY),
  through a PC package (EAS) or on paper.
• Electronic options becoming increasingly
  popular as it is easier to change mistakes and
  once sent are normally processed in one working
  day.
• You can apply to six institutions (four if
  applying for medicine, dentistry or veterinary
  science).
• The cost is 5.00 for one choice, 15.00 for up
  to six choices
• Electronic and paper forms MUST be checked by a
  tutor before sending to UCAS.

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What do UCAS do with your form?

• Once received, UCAS will check your form is
  complete and send you confirmation of your
  choices.
• Distribute your form to all your choices
  (individual institutions will not know your
  other choices).
• Institutions decide whether to make you an
  offer. UCAS send you this information.
• Once every institution has made a decision, you
  must decide which two offers to hold.
• Once you receive your exam results, UCAS send
  you confirmation of your place or details of
  Clearing.

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How do I use APPLY?

• APPLY is a web-based application form.
• You will need a BUZZWORD from your school
  before you begin.
• You register yourself and choose a PASSWORD and
  MEMORABLE PHRASE. Once registered you will be
  given a USER NAME. You will need these every
  time you log on.
• You can save your application and continue
  anywhere you have access to the internet.
• Help options are available on all screens of
  the application form.

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Using APPLY
The sections are listed along the top of the
screen Courses Education Employment
About You Personal Statement You do not
have to fill out the form in sequential order.
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Using APPLY

• The status of sections are shown on the main
  screen NOT STARTED, IN PROGRESS or COMPLETE.
• After completing a section you will need to
  select SECTION FINISHED so that the status of
  the section changes.
• Any inaccurate or compulsory data left out will
  be highlighted in red - so you cant go wrong!
• Instead of a signature, must click on I agree
  to the Declaration.

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Paper V Web

• You will be warned if you try to put in an
  invalid course or institution code.
• You wont be able to make simple mistakes such
  as such as putting todays date instead of your
  DOB.
• Most options, such as qualification type or
  institution choices, are on drop-down lists.
• Paying your fee - through your school or over
  the web.
• Once completed, it is possible to change
  mistakes.
• You can follow your application using the
  Applicant Enquiry Service on the UCAS web
  site.
• YOU WILL HAVE A BOOKLET WITH GUIDELINES - USE IT!
  

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Points to remember...

• Your form cannot be sent direct to UCAS - it
  must go to your school co-ordinator / referee
  first.
• If you forget your password, your school
  co-ordinator can generate a new one for you.
• If you log in unsuccessfully, your account
  will be locked.
• If your screen is inactive for 60mins, APPLY
  will log you out.
• YOUR FORM WILL BE A5 SIZE WHEN SENT TO
  INSTITUTIONS

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Deferring entry to university

• You can still apply Autumn 2004 if you want to
  start in 2006 (rather than starting 2005)
• Check with the institutions to which you are
  applying that they accept deferred entry.
• Use your personal statement to explain how and
  why you are taking a gap year.
• If you wait to apply while in your gap year you
  will not have the same support.
• If you accept a place for 2006, you can not
  reapply if you change your mind, unless you
  withdraw completely.

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• Personal Statement
• Very important part of the application form
• Sell yourself - make yourself stand out from
  other candidates
• Be honest - you may need to back up your
  statement in an interview at a later date
• Be concise - do not repeat information from
  elsewhere in the application form
• TIP Ask friends to read through your draft -
  they may notice things you have forgotten

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Admission Tutors look for
Potential for academic success Potential for
vocational success Potential for personal and
social success
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What to include...

• Reasons for choosing the course - evidence?
• What you hope to gain from the course
  University as a whole
• Career aspirations
• Relevant background information or experience
• Any other interests that will help describe
• you as a person

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Do not put...

• Grades you have or are working towards - this
  is already in your UCAS form
• Do not put obvious statements such as
• I read
• In my spare time I do a, b, c, d, e, f.
• I socialise with my friends

Do put...

• If you have applied for different courses, DO
  think about what is relevant in your personal
  statement

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Presentation of your P.S.

• Use positive and appropriate language
• Concise paragraphs
• Check for spelling and grammatical errors
  (dont just use the spell-check on the computer)
• If word-processed, no smaller than pt 12
• In APPLY, you have 53 lines (approx. 580 words)
  of space
• TIP Practice on a photocopy

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Positive Language
Use a thesaurus to help increase the range of
words that you use. Make sure you use positive
words and make sure that it reads well. Good
words to use Accomplished Enthusiasm Achieved Ve
rsatile Motivated Demonstrated Flexibility Tea
m Contributed
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Make a good impression and spend time and energy
on your UCAS form www.ucas.com