1. Universities and Colleges Application System
UCAS
Universities and Colleges Application System

2. UCAS – Universities and Colleges Admissions system
Covers application to 50,000+ full time courses in over 300 colleges and universities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Most who apply to UCAS also apply to the CAO – completely separate systems.
Application fee: 1 course - £11, 2-5 courses - £22.
All applications are now completed using the online system ‘apply’ at
Lots of application info. also at including UCAStv video guides.

3. Applicants to UK from ROI - 2010
Scotland 3840 (+53%)
NI 2241 (+44%)
England 5235 (+52%)
Wales 1239 (+37%)

5. Application Flowchart
Applicant researches courses, completes form online and sends it to the school
School checks application, adds reference to form and sends it to UCAS
UCAS sends welcome letter to applicant who checks details carefully
Up to 5 courses can be put on the form
(not in preferential order).
15th October – closing date for courses in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Oxford and Cambridge. (UKCAT, BMAT)
No more than 4 courses in any one of the above medical areas may be put on the form.
Only 1 course from Oxford or Cambridge may be put on the form.
15th January – closing date for all other courses.
It is advisable to get application in as soon as possible before deadlines.
UCAS sends a copy of application to each university
Each University views complete application and makes a decision
Offer is made.
Sent to Applicant
No offer made
Unsuccessful

6. Application Flowchart
Offer is made to student via Track
Unconditional Offer
Conditional Offer based on LC results
Generally by March 31 a letter will arrive which will summarise all decisions and invite the applicant to reply to these.
Conditional offers usually quoted in terms of certain grades to be achieved in the L.C. (may also quote ucas tarrif score)
Decisions from all chosen courses are sent to applicant, who replies via Track
Applicant can only accept 2 places.
One Firm and one Insurance
Examination results are published
Firm offer must be taken if college confirms offer.
Usually the insurance acceptance will require less grades than the firm.
Grades achieved.
University confirms place
Grades not achieved
No place confirmed

7. UKCAT – UK Cognitive Abilities Test
Medicine and Dentistry Courses
Key dates and Information
UKCAT registration opens: 03 May 2013
UKCAT testing begins: 05 July 2013
UKCAT registration deadline: 23 Sept 2013
UKCAT last testing date: 07 Oct 2013
UCAS application deadline: 15 Oct 2013

8. UKCAT Universities 2012 Entry
Most Medical and Dental Schools in the UK require you to take UKCAT as part of their admissions process.
Candidates are required to take the UKCAT by the 7th October 2013 deadline.
University UCAS Course Code
University of Aberdeen A100, A201
Brighton and Sussex Medical School A100
Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry A100, A101, A200, A201
Cardiff University A100, A104, A200, A204
University of Dundee A100, A104, A200, A204
University of Durham A100
University of East Anglia A100, A104
University of Edinburgh A100
University of Glasgow A100, A200
Hull York Medical School A100
Keele University A100, A104
King's College London A100, A101, A102, A202, A205
Imperial College London Graduate Entry A101
University of Leeds A100
University of Leicester A100, A101
University of Manchester A104, A106, A204, A206
University of Newcastle A100, A101, A206
University of Nottingham A100
University of Oxford Graduate Entry A101
Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry A100
Queen's University Belfast A100, A200
University of Sheffield A100, A104, A200
University of Southampton A100, A101, A102
University of St Andrews A100, B900
St George's, University of London A100
Warwick University Graduate Entry A101

9. BMAT – British Medical Admissions Test
Medicine, Veterinary & Health Science Courses
Key dates and Information
Standard entry closing date: 30th September 2013 (£42.50) Standard entry fees will apply until 5pm BST
Last date for BMAT Entries: 14th October 2013 (£72.50) Late entry fees will apply until 5pm BST.
BMAT takes place: 2nd November 2013
BMAT results released: 23rd November Results will be released to candidates online.

10. BMAT Universities 2012 The Royal Veterinary College: D100, D101, D102
University UCAS Course Code
The Royal Veterinary College: D100, D101, D102
Imperial College London: A100, B900,
University College London: A100
University of Cambridge*: A100, A101, D100
University of Oxford: A100, BC98

11. Making an Application – Choices
A lot of time and research (trawling) is necessary by applicants in order to choose the correct courses.
This can be difficult because:
(a) they are in another country,
(b) the sheer number of universities
(c) a vagueness in terms of the LC entry requirements.

12. Making an Application – Choices
Sources of information include:
University prospectuses and websites
UCAS website – course search
(course, college, requirements, selection, etc.)

14. Making an Application – Choices
Sources of information include:
University prospectuses and websites
UCAS website – course search
(course, college, requirements, selection, etc.)
Unistats Website –
Yougo website –

15. Making an Application – Choices
Sources of information include:
Previous UCAS applicants (friends, family, past pupils, etc.)
Open Days / Exhibitions (Higher Options, etc.)
Admissions staff in Universities (phone or )
UCAStv –

16. www.ucas.tv Choosing courses Personal statements Attending events
Using Track
Using Yougo
International students
Using Extra
Making sense of your offers
Replying to offers
Using Clearing
Using Adjustment

17. Why I want to study this course area Interests, Pastimes, Achievements
Statement
Personal
Approx.
500
Words
Why I want to study this course area
Research /Reading around course
Career / Work Experience
Interests, Pastimes, Achievements
Rounded Individual
Evidence of
SKILLS
Ucas.com
College Website
ucas.tv
Google.com

18. Making an Application – Personal Statement
It should be clear and concise, grammatically accurate and correctly spelled.
Get parents, English teacher, Guidance Counsellor and friends to read it and suggest possible improvements.
The statement should be drafted a few times before the finished product is ready.
Make sure all information is truthful, because if called for interview may be questioned about the content of the Personal Statement.
From 2008 entry anti-plagiarism software is being used.
If need to give further information (references) send it to individual colleges quoting personal ID number.
A badly written or presented PS can give a very negative impression of applicant.

19. Making an Application – Reference
This is where the school must comment on the applicant’s academic and non-academic activities to date in school.
In the reference the suitability of the applicant for higher education in general and in certain subjects is discussed.
The more information the school has the more thorough the reference will be.
Applicants need to provide Referee with as much information as possible to assist with reference.
Included in the reference are the predicted results of the applicants. Students need to discuss these very carefully with their teachers and parents before agreeing same with their referee.
Must be very realistic in this exercise. Go too high – generate lots of offers but with very high requirements, go too low – generate few if any offers. Error slightly high.

20. Making an Application – Fees for 2014 Entry
For students entering college in 2012, there have been major changes in relation to fees.
For an Irish student applying to study in the UK from 2012, the following appears to be the case:
There is no blanket fee for all courses in a university. Each courses fees must be determined individually. (UCAS website – Entry Profile)
The above does not include accommodation, living or travel expenses. If living in college residences expect to pay in the region of £3000 to £4000 per year, self-catering.
Area
Fee
Scotland
No Fees
Wales
£3465 (to be topped up by Gov. grant)
Northern Ireland
£3465
England
Up to £9000

21. Why apply to UCAS - courses
Generally speaking the following are the course areas which Irish students tend to apply to through UCAS:
Medicine
Dentistry
Veterinary
Physiotherapy
Speech Therapy
Pharmacy
Architecture
Primary Teaching
Nursing

22. Why apply to UCAS - courses
Generally speaking the following are the course areas which Irish students tend to apply to through UCAS:
Medicine
Dentistry
Veterinary
Physiotherapy
Speech Therapy
Pharmacy
Primary Teaching
PE Teaching
Architecture
Psychology
Nursing
Chiropracting

23. And finally If you need any help: Consult your Guidance Counsellor
Visit:
Contact UCAS on: