MPW UCAS Application User Guide
- September 8, 2024
- MPW
Table of Contents
UCAS Application
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Specifications
- Product Name: UCAS Application Guide
- Author: Sander Kristel, Chief Operating Officer, UCAS
- Pages: vii – 107
- Content: Higher education application process guide
Product Usage Instructions
Part I: In the Think Tank
The first part of the guide covers essential considerations
before applying to higher education. It includes sections on
determining if higher education is the right path for you, career
planning, financial aspects, choosing a study area, and selecting a
university.
Part II: The Admissions Procedure
This section details the application process, interviews,
offers, and post-application steps. It provides insights into
making applications, handling non-standard applications, preparing
for interviews, dealing with exam results, and more.
Part III: Your UCAS Application
Here, you will find guidance on starting your UCAS application,
providing personal and nationality details, information about your
residence, contact details, supporting information (such as finance
and funding), diversity and inclusion aspects, and additional
information about your educational background.
FAQ
Which qualifications should I add in the application?
When adding qualifications to your UCAS application, include all
relevant academic achievements such as high school diplomas,
certificates, and any other qualifications that demonstrate your
educational background.
How can I check the progress of my application?
You can track the progress of your UCAS application by logging
into your UCAS account online and monitoring the status updates
provided there. Additionally, you may receive email notifications
regarding important milestones in the application process.
“`
Contents
Foreword by Sander Kristel, Chief Operating Officer, UCAS vii
Introduction
1
The job of UCAS
1
Using this guide
2
Timetable for advanced-level students
3
Part I. In the think tank
7
1| Is higher education right for you?
8
Overview of higher education today
8
All about you
8
Chapter summary
10
2| Looking to the future: career routes
12
Developing a career plan
12
The graduate skill set
14
Work experience
16
Chapter summary
22
3| A matter of money
23
Tuition fees
23
Living expenses
24
Funding your studies
25
Additional support
27
Other sources of cash
30
Chapter summary
31
4| Choosing what to study
32
Which subject area?
32
Which qualification?
34
Which mode of study?
37
Which courses?
39
Chapter summary
40
5| Choosing where to study
41
Working out your priorities
41
Staying close to home?
42
Researching your shortlist
43
Selecting the final five
45
Chapter summary
45
6| Academic requirements
47
What might the entry requirements be?
47
How are entry requirements expressed?
50
Targeting the right courses
58
Chapter summary
59
iii
How to Complete Your UCAS Application
Part II. The admissions procedure: applications,
interviews, offers and beyond
61
7| Applications and offers
62
Making your application
62
Decisions and offers
64
What if you don’t get any offers?
67
8| Non-standard applications
69
Oxford and Cambridge
69
Applying to study at a conservatoire
70
Medicine, dentistry and veterinary science/veterinary
medicine courses
72
Mature students
73
Deferred entry
74
Making a late application
76
International students
76
9| Interviews and selection
78
Interviews
78
Auditions and portfolios
82
Aptitude tests
83
Other entrance tests
86
10| Exam results and afterwards
87
Before results day
87
Results day
88
Retakes
93
Part III. Your UCAS application
95
11| Getting started
96
Register with UCAS
96
Looking for apprenticeships?
97
Starting your application
97
Your written reference
98
Navigating your application
99
Checking the progress of your application
100
Security tips
102
How the rest of this book works
102
Stop and think!
103
12| Personal details
104
Personal information
104
13| Nationality details
105
UK nationals
105
International
106
Visa and passport details
107
14| Where you live
108
Home address
108
Residential category
108
iv
15| Contact details Postal address Nominee access
16| Supporting information Living or working in the EU, EEA or Switzerland
17| Finance and funding Sponsorship
18| Diversity and inclusion Ethnic origin Religion or belief Sexual
orientation Transgender Care support information Parental education
Occupational background
19| More about you Students with a physical and/or mental health condition,
long-term illness, or learning difference Estranged students Students with
caring responsibilities Students with parenting responsibilities Refugees,
asylum seekers and students with limited leave to remain Students with a
parent or carer who serves in the UK Armed Forces, or has done in the past
Students who have served in the UK Armed Forces Students receiving free school
meals
20| Education Unique Learner Number Places of education Add qualifications
Which qualifications should I add?
21| Employment Add your employment
22| Extra activities
23| Personal statement What are admissions tutors looking for? Top tips
Creating a winning personal statement Mature students
24| Adding a choice Add your university or college and your course Start date
Further details Point of entry
Contents
111 111 111
112 112
113 114
115 115 117 117 118 118 118 118
120
120 121 121 123
123
123 124 124
125 125 125 127 130
132 132
134
136 136 139 141 147
149 149 149 150 151
v
CHowntetontCs omplete Your UCAS Application
Living at home while studying?
151
Criminal convictions
151
Confirm choices
154
Admissions tests and assessments
154
25| Finishing your application
156
Declaration
156
Submitting your application
157
Payment
158
What happens next?
158
26| Troubleshooting
159
Some common problems
159
Need help?
160
And finally …
160
Further information
161
Glossary
165
Appendix: A note for staff on becoming a UCAS centre
167
vi
Introduction
This book is intended to be a guide for anyone wanting to gain a place on a UK
higher education course. In the 2022/23 application cycle, 752,025 people
applied for undergraduate courses, a decrease of 1.3% on the previous year. Of
these, 554,465 were accepted through UCAS to start an undergraduate course in
2023. All of these students had to complete UCAS applications to try to gain
their university or college place.
The job of UCAS
With very few exceptions, every application to a full-time higher education
course must be made through UCAS whether a degree, a course leading to a
degree, a Foundation degree, Higher National Diploma (HND) or Diploma of
Higher Education (DipHE). UCAS manages and monitors the flow of applications
to universities and colleges and their decisions to applicants. UCAS acts as
the intermediary between students and their chosen universities and colleges,
providing lists of available courses and the means by which prospective
students can apply for them.
As well as handling initial applications, UCAS offers Clearing as a way for
students to find a place when the summer exam results come out. Find out more
about Clearing in Chapter 10.
UCAS supports students to explore all their options entering higher
education, apprenticeships and employment and provides information and
advice to help you make the right choice. On ucas.com, you can:
l register for the UCAS Hub allowing you to explore and research your
options, and even chat to current students based at universities and colleges
around the UK
l take the UCAS Careers Quiz to find your ideal career and see what courses
previous students studied to get there from your UCAS Hub, virtually
experience university and the world of work before you apply, through Subject
Spotlights. You’ll have access to interactive university taster courses and
immersive and information virtual work experiences with leading employers
(from spring 2024)
l use the UCAS search tool to research the courses offered by different
universities and colleges using a number of variables, such as qualification
(degree, HND, etc.), subject, university or college, or geographical area
1
How to Complete Your UCAS Application
l use UCAS’s apprenticeship and graduate job search tool to search for
apprenticeships, filter by subject area, industry, role type, location and
level, and sign up for alerts to keep you posted on the latest opportunities
l explore jobs and careers, industry guides and employer profiles l use UCAS’s
CV builder to quickly and easily create a CV to support
your apprenticeship applications, using the details you entered when you
registered for the UCAS Hub (available from summer 2024) l use the
accommodation search tool for university-owned and private options l find out
the entry requirements for courses, including grades and Tariff points and
any additional requirements l find out more about each course, including its
content, teaching methods and method of assessment l make an application to
your chosen university courses and/or apprenticeship l follow the progress of
your application l find an additional course to apply to if you’ve used all
your choices and you aren’t holding any offers (through our Extra service) l
get information about financing your studies l go through Clearing* if you
have your results but no offers.
- All these terms are explained in the Glossary (see page 165).
Of course, applying through UCAS is no guarantee of a place on a higher education course. Every year, a number of people apply but aren’t offered places.
Using this guide
This book is divided into three parts. A brief outline of the content and purpose of each part is given below.
Part I. In the think tank
Before you make a UCAS application, research all your higher education options thoroughly. The first part of this guide gives you a number of ideas about the areas you need to consider carefully before you can be confident of making the right higher education course choices. These six chapters guide you through the decision-making process, helping you to find answers to key questions, such as:
l is higher education the right option for me? (Chapter 1) l how will a degree or higher diploma fit in with my career plans?
(Chapter 2) l how will I afford it? (Chapter 3)
2
Introduction
l how do I choose what and where to study? (Chapters 4 and 5) l will I meet
the entry requirements? (Chapter 6) You need to be ready to explain and
justify your decision. Admissions tutors read your UCAS application and may
interview you they’ll want to know why you’ve applied for a place on their
particular course. At the end of this book there’s a `Further information’
section suggesting points of reference you can access in your school or
college library, or your local careers centre. Ask advisers for help in
finding the most up-to-date materials.
Part II. The admissions procedure: applications, interviews, offers and beyond
Once you’ve decided which courses to apply for, Part II provides an overview
of the entire admissions procedure. It works through the whole process,
answering key questions such as: l when do I submit my application? (Chapter
7) l how do universities and colleges communicate their offers to me?
(Chapter 7) l how do I accept or decline offers? (Chapter 7) l what about non-
standard applications? (Chapter 8) l how can I maximise my chances if I’m
called for interview? (Chapter 9) l what happens on exam results day? (Chapter
10) l how do I use Clearing? (Chapter 10)
Part III. Your UCAS application
Part III covers the technicalities of filling in and submitting your UCAS
application online, taking you through the process step by step and offering
helpful advice and tips.
Timetable for advanced-level students
If you stick to the timetable, the whole process of applying to higher
education is straightforward. The application timetable below gives you an
idea of what to do and when. Please note: the term advanced-level students
doesn’t mean simply A level students it’s for all students doing any
advanced or level 3 course.
First year of advanced-level course
Autumn term l Start to explore the range of possible options beyond your
advanced-
level courses at school or college. (Chapters 1 and 2)
3
How to Complete Your UCAS Application
l Consider your GCSE or equivalent qualifications the range and grades
achieved and review any A level, Scottish Higher, International
Baccalaureate (IB), Irish Leaving Certificate (ILC) or BTEC National subjects
you’re taking. (Chapter 6)
l Will your qualifications help you to achieve your future plans? Discuss this
with your careers adviser.
Spring term l Work through a skills, aptitudes and interests guide like
MyUniChoices (www.myunichoices.com) or Morrisby Profile (www. morrisby.com
/morrisby-profile), Indigo (https://indigo.careers) or Unifrog
(www.unifrog.org) and/or complete a career development profiling exercise.
(Chapter 2) l Start to research your higher education options in the light of
these results. Prepare for and attend a UCAS higher education exhibition. From
30 April 2024, UCAS’s search tool will display 2025 courses. (Chapters 4 and
5) l Explore the financial implications of attending a higher education
course. (Chapter 3)
Summer term l Prepare for and attend a UCAS exhibition, if you missed out on
this
in the spring. (Chapters 4 and 5) l Attend university and college open days. l
Continue to research your higher education options, and check
UCAS course entry requirements. l Draw up a shortlist of possible universities
and/or colleges. l Make decisions on courses and modules to take next year. l
Arrange to do work experience during the summer. This is important
for entry to some courses, for example medicine, those leading to healthcare
professions (such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, radiography and
speech therapy), veterinary science and veterinary medicine, social work, the
land-based industries and teaching degree courses. (Chapter 2) l Try to obtain
sponsorship for courses write to possible organisations you have researched.
(Chapter 3) l Start to organise your year out if you plan to take a gap year.
l Gather up material evidence from which to draft a personal statement for
your UCAS application. (Chapter 23) l Research details for sitting the
University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), which is required for entry to
medicine and dentistry at some universities. You can register from 14 May
2024, book your test between 18 June and midday on 19 September 2024, and take
the test between 8 July and 26 September 2024. (Chapter 9)
4
Introduction
Summer holidays l Undertake the work experience you arranged during the summer
term. Keep a diary of what you did so that you can refer back to it when you
write your personal statement. (Chapter 23) l Possibly attend a taster course
(which can be arranged by many universities). (Chapter 4)
Second year of advanced-level course
Autumn term l Between 3 September 2024 and the equal-consideration date
(which is either 15 October 2024 or 29 January 2025 depending on your course),
submit your completed UCAS application. `Equal consideration’ means that your
application will be considered inthe same way whether it is received by UCAS
on in early September or on 15 October 2024 or 29 January 2025 depending on
your course. (Chapter 7 and Part III) l Registration and booking for the Law
National Aptitude Test (LNAT) for 2025 entry opens on 1 August 2024; testing
starts on 1 September 2024; the standard closing date for booking a test is 20
January 2025; and the last date for sitting the LNAT is 31 January 2025. (NB:
Some universities have an earlier closing date.) (Chapter 9) l Before 26
September 2024 (last available date) take the UCAT test if necessary. l Before
18.00 (UK time) on 15 October, submit your UCAS application for the
universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The University of Oxford requires some
extra information for some international interviews and for choral or organ
awards. (Chapter 8 and Part III) l Before 18.00 (UK time) on 15 October,
submit all UCAS applications for entry to medicine, dentistry, veterinary
science and veterinary medicine.
Spring term l 29 January 2025 at 18.00 (UK time) is the equal-consideration
date
for UCAS to receive applications for all courses except those with a 15
October deadline. Use the UCAS search tool at www.ucas. com to check your
course deadline. l Apply for bursaries, sponsorship or scholarships as
appropriate. l Prepare for possible interviews with admissions tutors; a mock
interview if your school/college offers them is useful at this point. l If you
live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you should make your application
for financial assessment through the Student Loans Company, whatever your
particular circumstances. Applicants from Scotland make their application for
financial assessment to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). l If
you used all five choices in your application but aren’t holding an offer of a
place, you can use the Extra option. Extra applications can be made from 26
February 2025.
5
How to Complete Your UCAS Application
Summer term l By 14 May 2025, decisions should have been received from all
universities and colleges if you applied by 29 January. l Once you have
received all your university and college decisions,
you need to reply to the offers by 4 June 2025. l 30 June 2025 at 18:00 (UK
time) is the last date for receipt of
applications before Clearing. l Until 4 July, further applications can be made
using UCAS Extra (if
you applied for five courses originally and are not holding an offer). Summer
holidays l 5 July 2024 is IB results day (the date for 2025 is still to be
confirmed). l 15 August 2024 is A level results day (the date for 2025 is
still to be
confirmed). l 6 August 2024 is Scottish Highers results day (the date for 2025
is
still to be confirmed). l From 5 July 2025, UCAS Clearing vacancy information
is available.
If you don’t get the results you were hoping for, you may need additional
support through Clearing to find an alternative higher education option or
further information and guidance from your local careers service. l 24
September 2025 is the last date for new Clearing applications for 2025 entry.
You have until 20 October 2025 to add a Clearing choice to an existing
application.
6
Part I In the think tank
1| Is higher education right for you?
Overview of higher education today
Applying for entry to higher education may well be the most important step
that you’ve taken up to now. It’s one that will certainly affect the next
three or more years of your life and in the long term will affect your career
choices and prospects, which in turn will impact on your future lifestyle.
There are plenty of people who can help you choose your higher education
course and place of study your careers adviser, your careers and subject
teachers, your present employer and your family and friends. The decision is
ultimately yours though, and you’ll need to be confident about the suitability
of your chosen higher education course. Every year, people take up places only
to find that the course content, teaching style or institution isn’t what they
expected and they subsequently leave their courses. The average non-
continuation rate during the first year of study on a full-time first degree
course is 5.3% for the UK as a whole, but the rate at individual universities
and colleges varies considerably (source: Higher Education Statistics Agency).
This can be difficult, not just for the student but also for the university or
college, so it is worth taking the time at this stage to make sure that your
application choices are right for you.
All about you
Before considering higher education courses have a think about the following
questions.
Are you happy to continue in education? Going on to higher education is a big
step to take. Put simply, you’ve got to be committed and enthusiastic. If you
don’t enjoy your chosen course, you will find your time in higher education
very difficult.
8
1 Is higher education right for you?
Advanced-level study for example GCE, A level, Scottish Higher, Irish
Leaving Certificate (ILC), International Baccalaureate (IB), BTEC National
Award and so on is an essential preparation for many aspects of higher
education, not just in terms of subject-specific knowledge but also in terms
of analytical skills. On your higher education course, you’ll be further
developing your powers of deduction, reasoning, critical analysis and
evaluation just as much as you’ll be learning new facts about your chosen
subject. Are you ready for this?
There are literally thousands of courses, and many include opportunities for
practical learning, work experience and studying abroad. Do you like the sound
of this?
Have you seriously explored your aptitudes, interests and career aspirations?
Do you want to learn more because you have strong ability in a particular area
and because you find the subject matter interesting? If so, you are in a good
starting position and you’re likely to enjoy your studies.
Some degree-level courses explore one particular subject area in great depth,
with no direct link to employment or a career structure (for example history,
anthropology, geography, physics, English, American studies and French). Have
you thought about what you’ll do once you graduate? How will your degree link
with your long-term career plan? (See Chapter 2 for more on this.) A degree
may only be a stepping stone to the start of a professional career once
you’re in employment, it is often necessary to continue studying to gain
professional qualifications. So you’ll need commitment to reach your goals.
Some people are influenced by promotional publicity or by the enthusiasm of
other people, and don’t consider the possible long-term impact of their choice
on themselves. You need to think carefully about this. Step back and try a
number of aptitude and interest guides that are available online and in
careers centres (see the `Further information’ section at the end of the
book).
Are you ready to be a student?
Student life is likely to offer you all of the social and extracurricular
opportunities you ever dreamed of. Are you confident you can balance your
social life with your studies especially if you apply for a course with
fewer scheduled contact hours, such as English or history? Remember, there’s a
big change from the guided learning you’ve experienced at school or college to
the self-management of study in higher education.
You’ll have to develop your own study skills and become an independent, self-
motivated learner. Your subject teachers or tutors can offer helpful guidance
on this point.
9
How to Complete Your UCAS Application
Don’t be surprised if you feel confused and uncertain about applying to
courses a long way from home. You’re taking an important decision that may
result in you striking out on your own, seemingly leaving behind everything
you find familiar. It’s natural to feel apprehensive about this many people
do experience insecurity and can feel isolated and disorientated at first, but
most find they adapt very quickly. If you’re feeling very worried about the
prospect of leaving home, talk to a friendly careers adviser, student adviser,
personal tutor, or a friend or relative, and focus on the positive aspects of
your higher education intentions. It’s important to make sure you’re clear
about your plans and the changes these will mean for your day-to-day life.
Lastly money. How you’re going to finance your higher education course is
likely to be a major consideration. You’ll need to give careful thought to the
financial implications of going through higher education. For example, some
people decide to live at home rather than go away in order to save money. Some
choose universities and colleges that offer cheaper accommodation. Others look
carefully at the scholarships and bursaries on offer at different places. This
subject is discussed in depth in Chapter 3.
Chapter summary
The decision to pursue a higher education course isn’t one to take lightly.
However, if you have read through the questions and points above and still
feel confident that higher education is the right choice for you, read on. The
rest of Part I will help you focus your research so you can narrow down the
huge number of courses on offer to the ones you’ll enter on your UCAS
application (you can add between one and five courses). As you work through
the following chapters, keep testing yourself by asking the following
questions. l Have I given enough consideration to each point? l Which
resources proved useful in my research? l Have I talked to people with
knowledge or experience in this area? l Will I feel the same in two or three
years? l Should I do more research?
10
1 Is higher education right for you? Essential research l Talk to subject
teachers, tutors or form teachers and careers
advisers. l Check to see whether your local careers service gives informa-
tion on higher education opportunities on its website. l Use the timetable on
pages 3 to 6 to draw up your own calendar
of important dates and deadlines. You will need to make decisions about
courses to apply to in the autumn term of 2024, and then you’ll need to meet
all subsequent UCAS deadlines. l Register for your UCAS Hub on ucas.com to
start your research and chat to current students.
11
References
- Careers Advice & Guidance Online Platform - Morrisby
- UCAS | At the heart of connecting people to higher education
- MUC | MyUniChoices
- Unifrog - The universal destinations platform.
- Thank you for visiting Indigo - Indigo