Beginners Guide to UCAS

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Beginners Guide to UCAS
Tony Charlton, Professional Development Officer
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Objectives

• After this presentation you will
• Understand basic UCAS application processes, key
  dates and services
• Know where to find out more detailed information
  about UCAS
• Have insight into the importance of the
  applicants personal statement

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The role of UCAS

• Put simply, we exist to bring clarity and
  cohesion to the process of applying for a
  full-time UK HE course
• 500,000 plus applicants (2007 Scheme)
• We are also an important source of factual
  information about choosing what and where to
  study

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The UCAS network of colleges and universities

• 327 Universities / Colleges
• 50,000 courses

• 315
• 50,000

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Paper based research
Big Map (Checklist) Open Days Big
Guide Progression Series
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Electronic research

• UCAS website can help with
• Stamford Test
• Course Search
• Entry Profiles
• Entry Requirements
• Bursary and scholarship comparator
• Links to HE websites
• www.ucas.com

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Entry Profiles

• Provide clear, up to date information about
  undergraduate courses
• Same course title (e.g. nursing) different
  experience
• Invaluable source of information about entry
  requirements
• Bursary and scholarship comparator

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Key features of admissions scheme (1)

• Number of choices (2008 onwards)
• Every applicant may make up to five choices for
  standard registration fee of 15.00
• Some subject restrictions
• Dentistry, Medicine or
• Veterinary - max. 4 choices
• Art and Design Route B - max. 3 choices

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Key features of admissions scheme (2)

• When to apply
• 1 September - Annual opening date for
  applications
• 15 October - Closing date for Oxbridge/Denti
  stry
• Medicine Veterinary
• 15 January - Advisory closing
• date for UK students
• 24 March - Closing date for Art and Design
  Route B

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Key features of admissions scheme (3)

• How to apply
• 2007 Scheme 99 electronic applications
• Applying online is popular with applicants
  because of its flexibility

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Apply 2008 new-look design
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Key features of admissions scheme (4)

• Q. I have completed all the sections of my UCAS
  application, what happens next?
• Your college will add a reference and then send
  it to UCAS. We, in turn, will send copies of the
  application to all your choices.

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Key features of admissions scheme (5)

• University and college decisions
• Simultaneous consideration of all applications
  (except Art Design Route B)
• Admissions tutors can make one of three
  decisions
• Conditional Offer
• Unconditional Offer
• Unsuccessful

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Key features of admissions scheme (6)

• Conditional offers
• Expressed in
• UCAS Tariff points
• or
• grades e.g. BCC in A levels, or MPP in BTEC
• ND
• or a combination of both (e.g. 260 points,
  including a B in Mathematics)

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Key features of admissions scheme (7)

• Replying to offers
• A maximum of two offers may be held after all
  final decisions have been made
• Applicant can make one of three replies
• F firm acceptance
• I insurance acceptance
• D decline

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Key features of admissions scheme (8)

• If an applicant has no offers
• Two further stages to gain a place
• UCAS Extra (mid-March end of June)
• Clearing (mid-August onwards, for A level
  students)

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Key features of admissions scheme (9)

• Track
• Enables students to follow the progress of their
• applications (access via password)
• Quickest way to find out about new offers
• Students can reply to offers online

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(No Transcript)
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Key feature of admissions system (9)

• Confirmation
• Exam results are issued (e.g. A levels
  mid-August, BTEC ND in July)
• Admissions staff check if applicant has matched
  the conditions of the offer
• If yes, the student will be sent an official
  confirmation of their place
• Time to celebrate!!

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The personal statement

• The only part of the application where applicants
  have the freedom to tell the HE selector
• all about themselves
• in their own words
• Make the case for being admitted
• Explain what they want to do and why
• Give evidence of motivation and commitment

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The personal statement

• Extra evidence to help HE selectors make
  decisions
• and hence make an offer
• Important for both selecting and recruiting
  courses
• Assume that admissions tutors will read it
• In many cases it will substitute for an
  interview

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The personal statement

• Refer to proposed career
• Indicate relevant experience, work, skills and
  interests emphasis on what they have got out of
  the experience
• List achievement of all kinds not listed as
  qualifications eg sports, Duke of Edinburgh,
  adventure activities,HE summer school,Young
  Enterprise
• Can optionally give unit information

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The personal statement

• Evidence to tell HE selector what they are like,
  i.e. transferable skills and personal
  characteristics
• Committed and motivated
• Self-reliant and well organised
• Autonomous learner
• Interested in and aptitude for subject
• Good team-worker

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The personal statement

• Students should
• Give reasons if applying for deferred entry (gap
  year)
• Mention any special circumstances
• Be clear and concise

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Personal statement funnies (1)

• Choosing my A levels put me in a Catch-12
• situation

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Personal statement funnies (2)

• My paintings set out to challenge the pubic
• consciousness
• (Note he meant to write public consciousness!)

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Here are some extracts from real personal
statements are they well written?

• A good nurse is like a good cake decorator
  always aware of the customer's needs, a steady
  hand, and a keen attention to detail. Nursing
  draws on the skills of one of my favourite
  hobbies cake decorating.
• I am a responsible, caring and sympathetic
  person with good comunication skills.

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Support resources for advisers

• Paper-based
• 2008 edition of Adviser Guide published March
  2007
• Web-based
• Dedicated section of UCAS website
• (go to schools and colleges on UCAS home page,
  then
• click on information)