UCAS Universities and Colleges Admissions Services

What is UCAS? Central Application Agency for full-time: Undergraduate degree courses Dip HE courses HND/HNC courses Foundation degrees offered at UCAS member institutions

Two-stage Process Gaining a place at university or college has two stages: Research Self-Presentation (i.e. your UCAS application)

Britain : Higher Education (HE) capital of Europe The largest choice of higher education courses in Europe. In total, a mind-boggling 55,000 different courses! 1970 – less than HE 500,000 students 2003 – over one million HE students (Source : UCAS Statistics)

Qualifications Rule OK An increasing number of careers and professions are no-go areas without a higher education (HE) qualification. Examples include: MedicineArchitecture LawBusiness Administration EngineeringSocial Work PhysiotherapyTeaching

Factors to Consider Institution ? Home and away? City or rural? Accommodation Facilities Transport Course ? Specialised Modular Sandwich element Job-related Length

Sources of Information HE Fairs Prospectus Websites Open Days Personal Visits Reference Books Virtual Tours Information/Taster Sessions UCAS Website –

UCAS Website Course Search (including detailed entry requirements) Entry Profiles Links to HE websites Open Days/pre-taster courses – HE conventions

Key Facts about the UCAS Scheme Maximum of six choices Simultaneous consideration (except for Art and Design Route B) Conditional offers – 2 can be held August – confirmation of offers Clearing £15 Registration Fee (£5 for single choice)

When to Apply 1 September 2003 to 15 January 2004 (15 October 2003 for Oxford University, Cambridge University, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science/Medicine) For Art and Design courses Route A 1 September 2003 to 15 January 2004 Route B 1 January to 24 March 2004

Receipt of UCAS Forms from Sept 2001 to Jan 2002

Ways of Applying Paper application form Electronic Application System (EAS) APPLY - the web-based version of EAS Applicant’s fee - £15 (or £5 for one choice)

Section 3 of the UCAS Form

Section 7 - Qualifications 7A – Qualifications completed To be listed : –All certificated qualifications e.g. Standard Grades, Intermediate 2 and Highers 7B – Qualifications not yet completed To be listed : –Qualifications still to be taken e.g. Highers, Advanced Highers

Section 10 – Personal Statement (1) Explanation of choice of recent studies and HE course – how do they relate? Motivation, careers aspirations, commitment to the subject Skills/activities/experience – with particular emphasis on relevance to course being applied to Structure – use paragraphs/headings?

Section 10 – Personal Statement (2) Avoid: Criticising your college for lack of facilities or a restricted subject menu Putting down things that you are unable to talk about at interview Repeating material that already appears elsewhere on the application form

Common Problems Incorrect date of birth Choices incorrectly entered Criminal Convictions Box not completed Form not signed Sticking/stapling/splitting form Completing form in blue ink Too many choices for Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary Science

After You Have Applied You will receive: –an acknowledgement letter (AS2) – check it carefully –instruction leaflet –details of Web Enquiry Service HEIs make decisions independently but send them through UCAS They may invite you to: –interview before making decision –visit, usually after making an offer but before you have to reply

Conditional Offers Expressed in: –H grades e.g. ABBC or –new UCAS Tariff points score or –a combination of both Over 60% of HE courses indicate their entry requirements in terms of points

Points Offers Points offers : –include Higher results already on UCAS form –are highly flexible Points offers may be qualified to specify: –minimum amount of depth e.g. 3 Highers –required subject(s) e.g. H Mathematics –specific points or grade in required subject –exclusion of a qualification e.g. Intermediate 2

Web Enquiry Service Allows applicant to view own record 24 hours 7 days per week access Shows choices, offers, personal information Password on Acknowledgement letter Lost password service via Web Currently 20,000 dial-ups daily Can use it to reply to offers

UCAS Extra Additional choices (one at a time) available for unplaced applicants from mid-March Reduces need to rely on Clearing Applicants informed automatically of eligibility Vacancies on UCAS website

Clearing Designed to fill vacancies on HE courses Gives you a final chance if you have not been placed anywhere Vacancy information in newspapers and on the web You have to take the initiative to contact an HEI which has vacancies Important to be available in late August/early September

Help! UCAS provides detailed advice –READ IT! Speak to your careers advisor/tutor If in doubt contact UCAS Enquiries –Tel: