Your UCAS application

1
Your UCAS application
2
Contents

• What happens next?
• Tariff information
• Support available
• Top tips

• Introduction to UCAS
• Key dates
• Application process
• Making informed choices

3
What is UCAS?

• Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
• Centralised application processing service
• On-line system and application form
• Secure site, can be worked on anywhere
• Not just used for applying to university
• Stamford test
• Entry profiles
• UCAS Fair dates.

4
UCAS key dates 2009/2010

• 26 February - UCAS Extra begins (for late
  applicants, those that have changed their mind or
  those who have no offers)
• 31 March - majority of decisions made by
  institutions
• 30 June - last day for late applications
• 19 August - results day

• 1 September - form processing begins
• 15 October - closing date for Oxbridge, medicine,
  veterinary science
• 15 January - MAIN UCAS CLOSING DATE

5
Making an application

• Over 50,000 courses to choose from
• Only have five choices available on your form
• UCAS processes over 2 million undergraduate
  applications a year
• Lots of competition it is important to have a
  strong application form

6
Making informed choices

• Research the 4 Cs (course, career, campus and
  city)
• Be realistic about your choices, for example
• x2 ambitious entry requirements to aim for
• x1 match to your predicted grades
• x2 lower entry requirements to fall back on.
• If you cant decide between courses try and
  select similar subjects eg Business and
  Accounting. This will make your personal
  statement more focused.

7
Applying online

• Seven key sections to complete
• Can be completed in any order
• Can return to a section to make changes if
  necessary
• Write down your username and password and keep
  them safe
• can be found on key sections of the UCAS
  form and provides answers to FAQs
• UCAS will notify you of progress via email and
  text messages

8
What happens next?

• UCAS acknowledges receipt of your form
• You can track your application process online
  (using UCAS track facility)
• University Admissions Tutors assess each
  application
• Possible invitation to an interview (not
  required for all courses)
• Decisions/offers made via UCAS track
• Universities send offer letters too

9
Types of offer

• Conditional offer
• Unconditional offer
• Alternative course offer
• Unsuccessful
• Offers may be expressed in either grades or UCAS
  points, for example, BBB or 300 UCAS points

10
UCAS points system A Levels
11
UCAS points system BTEC
12
UCAS points system IB
13
After the offer

• Select two choices firm and insurance
• You have now entered into an agreement with these
  universities, if you change your mind you will
  need to by released by the institutions
• UCAS Extra for late applicants and those who
  change their mind
• Results day
• Clearing

14
UCAS support available

• Guide books
• UCAS card
• All available through the UCAS website
  www.ucas.com

• Big map
• Parents Guide
• UCAS fairs
• Jargon buster

15
Top tips

• Make informed choices do your research
• Read all instructions carefully
• Accuracy check your spelling and grammar
• Be aware of key dates
• Print a finished copy for future reference
• Dont be afraid to contact universities/UCAS
• with questions