1. UCAS INFORMATION EVENING
TUESDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER
2016

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

3. THE APPLICANT JOURNEY

4. 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

5. THE APPLICANT JOURNEY - OVERVIEW
Search
Apply
Track

6. 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

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

8. WHY GO TO UNIVERSITY?

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

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

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

12. 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?

13. CHOOSING YOUR COURSE

14. IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

15. IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

16. IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

17. IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH
completeuniversityguide.co.uk

18. IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH
completeuniversityguide.co.uk

19. IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

20. IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

21. IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

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

23. HOW TO APPLY – THE APPLICANT JOURNEY1
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

24. 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

25. 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)

26. 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

27. HOW TO APPLY
1. Personal Details

28. HOW TO APPLY
Student Finance

29. HOW TO APPLY
3. Choices

30. HOW TO APPLY
4. Education

31. HOW TO APPLY
5. Employment

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

33. 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

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

35. 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

36. USING TRACK
Replies
Replying to Offers

37. 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

38. 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

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

40. ANY QUESTIONS?