1. St. Francis' College What is UCAS? UCAS stands for the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service. Manages all applications to UK universities, for home, EU and non-EU students.

2. St. Francis' College What goes on the UCAS form? The institutions you would like to apply to (up to a maximum of five) and the courses you would like to study at each. GCSE results. Predicted A2 grades. Other formal qualifications e.g. Duke of Edinburgh Award. Personal Statement. School Reference. Not included: AS results, although some universities will ask for module results separately. Universities cannot see: Where else you have applied. Any order of choices.

3. St. Francis' College What are universities basing their decision on? Academic aptitude for and interest in the course applied for. Proven ability to perform. Appropriate preparation for the course in terms of academic subjects offered. Ability to cope within the university environment: independence, self-organisation. Evidence of relevant work experience or extra-curricular interests. Universities vary as to which aspects of an application they put the most weight on.

4. St. Francis' College Timescales Applications for those applying for Vet. Science, Medicine, courses at Oxford or Cambridge, and some Art must go by mid-October. Overall deadline for all other courses is mid-January, however we will aim to send ours earlier. Decisions start to come in soon after the October deadline, although some universities will take longer than others. Students who have heard from all universities by the end of March must confirm which offer they would like to have as their ‘firm’ choice, and which they would like to have as their ‘insurance’ offer in early May. On results day in August, those offers will then be confirmed, assuming requirements have been met.

5. St. Francis' College Offers Offers can be made as grades or points. They can refer to as many A2 subjects as the student has listed on their UCAS form and can exclude subjects, for example some will not accept Chinese if you are a native speaker. They can specify grades in particular subjects. They can ask for grades in the AS that has been dropped. Points can be accrued from both the A Level courses and other activities: a full list can be found at http://www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/. http://www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/ Points offers will usually specify a minimum that must come from A Level study. Information in university prospectuses on usual offers is a guideline only.

6. St. Francis' College Competitive courses The more competitive the course, the more they will be looking for evidence of academic potential. Students applying for Medicine, Vet. Science and courses at the top-rated universities must be aware that the academic profile sought by those courses can be very competitive indeed. Extra-curricular and work experience must be linked to the course. For Medicine, Vet. Science and Physiotherapy evidence of significant work experience is vital. Extra admissions tests may apply, such as the BMAT test for those wishing to study Medicine.

7. St. Francis' College How can your daughter have the best chance of success in the UCAS process? Do as well as she possibly can at AS. Use her summer holidays wisely to spend time on activities that will strengthen her application: relevant reading, visiting exhibitions, work experience, attending lecture series. Prepare her Personal Statement early – and then be selective about getting advice! Think carefully about where to apply and look to include at least one ‘safety net’ choice. Be realistic. Medics and Vets can only apply to up to four Medical/Vet Science courses; think carefully about what to put for the fifth choice, as the same Personal Statement will go to all five institutions. Bio-medical Science is usually a relatively safe choice. Think carefully about which subject (if any) to drop for A2 – do check course requirements.

8. St. Francis' College How will we be supporting your daughter? UCAS Convention Visit on Wednesday, 18 th June. University Applications Day towards the end of June: log on to UCAS, Personal Statement workshop, provisional predicted grades issued, chance to speak to recent leavers about their experiences during the applications process and their first year at university. Prospectuses and other materials available in the library. Support available throughout the year from Sixth Form Tutors and Head of Sixth Form, whether it’s advice on choosing a course, reading through Personal Statements, or helping choose which offers to accept. UCAS workshops after school in the Autumn Term. Interview workshops.

9. St. Francis' College What if things don’t go as expected? UCAS Extra Clearing Adjustment Re-apply after A Levels

10. St. Francis' College What now? Course research and Open Days. Data taken from The Times Good University Guide 2014

11. St. Francis' College What now? Course research and Open Days. Data taken from The Times Good University Guide 2014 UniversityName of courseUniversity rankingCourse rankingAverage rankingOffer CambridgeGeography111A*AA DurhamGeography624A*AA St AndrewsGeography454.5AAA SheffieldGeography18813AAB LSEGeography396AAA ExeterGeography8109AAA UCLGeography91110AAA LancasterGeography121312.5AAB NottinghamGeography231418.5AAA KCLGeography271521AAB GlasgowGeography251620.5AAB

12. St. Francis' College What now? Course research and Open Days. Data taken from The Times Good University Guide 2014 UniversityName of courseUniversity rankingCourse rankingAverage rankingOffer CambridgeGeography111A*AA DurhamGeography624A*AA St AndrewsGeography454.5AAA SheffieldGeography18813AAB LSEGeography396AAA ExeterGeography8109AAA UCLGeography91110AAA LancasterGeography121312.5AAB NottinghamGeography231418.5AAA KCLGeography271521AAB GlasgowGeography251620.5AAB

13. St. Francis' College More information: www.ucas.ac.uk