UCAS INFORMATION EVENING TUESDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016

THE APPLICANT JOURNEY THE PERSONAL STATEMENT STUDENT AWARDS AGENCY SCOTLAND ALTERNATIVES TO UNIVERSITY UCAS PACKS AND SCHOOL DEADLINES

THE APPLICANT JOURNEY

AIMS By the end of this session you will… understand how to apply know the resources available to support you understand how to apply know when and how to submit your application understand how to track your application and reply to offers

THE APPLICANT JOURNEY - OVERVIEW Search Apply Track

UNDERSTANDING THE JOURNEY APPLYING TO H.E. IS A VERY COMPETITIVE JOURNEY KNOWING HOW THE UCAS PROCESS WORKS WILL ENABLE YOU TO BE BETTER PREPARED TO MAXIMISE YOUR CHANCES OF SUCCESS 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 TOTAL APPLICANTS 700,161 653,637 677,400 699,700 718,500 TOTAL PLACED 492,030 464,910 495,600 512,400 532,300

SEARCH: CHOOSING COURSES EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS DECIDE ON A SUBJECT SEARCH FOR COURSES CHECK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

WHY GO TO UNIVERSITY?

TYPES OF DEGREE COURSES ORDINARY / HONOURS SINGLE / JOINT UNDERGRADUATE PGCert (e.g. PGDE) MASTERS PHD POSTGRADUATE

TYPES OF DEGREE COURSES MEDICINE ACCOUNTANCY ENGINEERING ARCHITECTURE VOCATIONAL HISTORY ENGLISH POLITICS BIOLOGY NON- VOCATIONAL

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS TUITION FEES LIVING COSTS – RENT, FOOD, BOOKS, CLOTHING, TRANSPORT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE FROM

CHOOSING YOUR COURSE DOES IT INTEREST YOU? DO YOU FIND IT ENJOYABLE? IS IT GOING TO LEAD TO SOMETHING? WHAT ARE YOUR LONG TERM PLANS?

CHOOSING YOUR COURSE

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH WWW.UCAS.COM

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH www.the completeuniversityguide.co.uk

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH www.the completeuniversityguide.co.uk

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH www.unistats.direct.gov.uk

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH www.unistats.direct.gov.uk

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH www.unistats.direct.gov.uk

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH UCAS VIDEOS UNIVERSITY WEBSITES PROSPECTUSES OPEN DAYS Choosing a Course

HOW TO APPLY – THE APPLICANT JOURNEY 1 Researches where and what to study 2 Registers online with UCAS Apply 3 Completes all sections of form 4 Reference added by school 5 School sends form electronically to UCAS 6 UCAS processes form and forwards to chosen HEI 7 HEIs submit decisions Applicant views decisions on Track 8 Applicant replies to offers on Track 9 HEIs confirm places when results are released 10

THE UCAS CALENDAR – KEY DATES 24th May 2016 6th September 2016 15th October 2016 15th January 2017 24th March 2017 30th June 2017 Apply available for student registration First date for receipt of Apply applications Early ‘on-time’ deadline: Medicine, Veterinary and Dentistry Oxford or Cambridge Deadline for all other ‘on-time’ applications Some Art and Design courses Last date for submission prior to Clearing

HOW TO APPLY ON-LINE APPLICATION THROUGH WWW.UCAS.COM ONE APPLICATION PER YEAR MAXIMUM OF 5 CHOICES (SOME RESTRICTIONS FOR MEDICINE/VETERINARY/DENTISTRY) COST: £24 FOR 5 CHOICES OR £13 FOR 1 CHOICE (UCAS CONSERVATOIRES FEE IS £24)

HOW TO APPLY The first step is to register with UCAS. This takes about 10 minutes Get a username Create a password Set security questions Include the buzzword

HOW TO APPLY 1. Personal Details

HOW TO APPLY Student Finance

HOW TO APPLY 3. Choices

HOW TO APPLY 4. Education

HOW TO APPLY 5. Employment

HOW TO APPLY 6 & 7: Personal Statement and Reference UCAS Apply 2017

USING TRACK Track is the online system that allows you to follow the progress of your application. Follow the progress of your application 24/7 See your choices and personal information See offer details Reply to offers online

USING TRACK Decisions Admissions tutors may initially make one of six decisions: Unconditional offer Conditional offer Rejection Withdrawal Full Invitation

USING TRACK Replies Once you have decisions on all your choices, you can hold a maximum of 2 offers: Firm: your first choice where you will be placed if you meet the conditions Insurance: acts as a back-up if you do not get into your ‘firm’ choice

USING TRACK Replies Replying to Offers

NEXT STEPS Eligible applicant researches vacancies If rejected, applicant starts over Applicant placed on course Contacts institution(s) to discuss application Institution considers application Applicant enters choice details on Track

NEXT STEPS Adjustment It is optional It is for applicants who exceed the conditions of their firm choice Runs from mid – end August. An applicant has only 5 calendar days to use adjustment once their firm offer comes in There are no vacancy lists. Applicants must contact a university directly Clearing

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES QuEST QUALIFICATIONS EXPERIENCE SKILLS TESTIMONY - PERSONAL STATEMENT REFERENCE

ANY QUESTIONS?