Standard application process when applying to universities in the UK.
What is UCAS ? What does it offer students ?
UCAS is an organisation which aims to help students apply to universities and colleges and make informed choices that are right from them, helping them, advising them through a particular education process. They work with the majority of students from the United Kingdom and with many different universities and colleges all over the UK,
When applying through UCAS to gain your first degree, you will need to check out the undergraduate courses on offer. Many different universities offer many different courses, for vary lengths of time and these are some of the features they may have or some of the options you can choose from:
When applying for courses, always check the entry requirements expected of you depending on the qualification you are doing. Certain course may ask for a particular grade or number of points for a certain subject. Only if you think you can meet those requirements will you be able to apply to those courses with grades attained in potentially the first year i.e. AS and the grades teachers predict you will get in the next year i.e A2. For example, getting 4 A’s in your AS, may allow teachers to predict that you will get 2 A, B at the end of the year. The grades which you get as a result of your final year are the grades needed for you to get into university.
When applying through UCAS to gain your first degree, you will need to check out the undergraduate courses on offer. Many different universities offer many different courses, for vary lengths of time and these are some of the features they may have or some of the options you can choose from:
- 3 - 4 Years Courses – also known as a bachelor's, undergraduate or first degree. These are academic environments with lectures and seminars, usually made up of different modules adding up to the full degree. You might get to choose some of the modules you take, so you'll be able to study the parts of your subject you're most interested in.
- 2 Subjects preferred? Take a joint course (50/50) or a major/minor (75/25).
- Work experience? Do a sandwich course and work for a year in the industry your subject is based on.
- What next? After you graduate you'll be closer to a career, or you can move on to postgraduate study.
When applying for courses, always check the entry requirements expected of you depending on the qualification you are doing. Certain course may ask for a particular grade or number of points for a certain subject. Only if you think you can meet those requirements will you be able to apply to those courses with grades attained in potentially the first year i.e. AS and the grades teachers predict you will get in the next year i.e A2. For example, getting 4 A’s in your AS, may allow teachers to predict that you will get 2 A, B at the end of the year. The grades which you get as a result of your final year are the grades needed for you to get into university.
Step by step guide on how to apply to university through UCAS.
1. First you register to use ‘Apply’
Add some personal details, get a username, create a password and set your security questions. If you're applying independently you will have to answer a few questions.
2. Then log in to fill in the rest of your personal details
Funding and sponsorship options, residential status, any special needs or disabilities and any criminal convictions – plus you can give a parent, guardian or adviser nominated access if you'd like them to be able to speak on your behalf. Add your email address – it will show you how to verify it. Any time your application is updated, UCAS will email you (Therefore- use an email address that you regularly check!)
3. Then you add your course choices
You can choose up to five courses (all now or some later) – there's no preference order and your universities/colleges won't see where else you've applied until after you reply to any offers you get.
HOWEVER- you can only have a maximum of FOUR courses in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or veterinary science.
Furthermore, you can only apply to ONE uni out of Oxford and Cambridge
OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE: All applicants will be interviewed- for international students, a time will be arranged via Video Chat and may have to undertake further tests
4. Your education so far
All your qualifications that have been certified by an awarding organisation, as well as any you're currently studying or waiting for results.
For course results you're still waiting for (your pending qualifications) just remember to send the results on to your choices when you get them. (But either way you still need to add all your qualifications into this section, even if they're not on the list.)
5. Your employment history
If you've had any paid jobs – full-time or part-time – here's where you can enter details for up to five of them. Include company names, addresses, job descriptions and start/finish dates. Mention any unpaid or voluntary work in your personal statement.
6. Then you write a personal statement!!
This is your chance to show course providers why you want to study the course and why you'd make a great student. UCAS have a useful video online!
7. Double check the view all details page
See if you need to make any edits, then mark it as complete, save it and agree to the declaration (which allows UCAS to process your info and send it to your universities/colleges).
8. Then get a reference, pay your fee and send your application to us
Then the reference and pay and send sections go one of two ways, depending on whether you're applying individually or through a school, college or centre registered with UCAS. You'll be getting a reference from a teacher, adviser or professional that knows you.
Pay either £12 if you're applying to just one course, or £23 for multiple courses and for applications sent after 30 June.
Add some personal details, get a username, create a password and set your security questions. If you're applying independently you will have to answer a few questions.
2. Then log in to fill in the rest of your personal details
Funding and sponsorship options, residential status, any special needs or disabilities and any criminal convictions – plus you can give a parent, guardian or adviser nominated access if you'd like them to be able to speak on your behalf. Add your email address – it will show you how to verify it. Any time your application is updated, UCAS will email you (Therefore- use an email address that you regularly check!)
3. Then you add your course choices
You can choose up to five courses (all now or some later) – there's no preference order and your universities/colleges won't see where else you've applied until after you reply to any offers you get.
HOWEVER- you can only have a maximum of FOUR courses in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or veterinary science.
Furthermore, you can only apply to ONE uni out of Oxford and Cambridge
OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE: All applicants will be interviewed- for international students, a time will be arranged via Video Chat and may have to undertake further tests
4. Your education so far
All your qualifications that have been certified by an awarding organisation, as well as any you're currently studying or waiting for results.
For course results you're still waiting for (your pending qualifications) just remember to send the results on to your choices when you get them. (But either way you still need to add all your qualifications into this section, even if they're not on the list.)
5. Your employment history
If you've had any paid jobs – full-time or part-time – here's where you can enter details for up to five of them. Include company names, addresses, job descriptions and start/finish dates. Mention any unpaid or voluntary work in your personal statement.
6. Then you write a personal statement!!
This is your chance to show course providers why you want to study the course and why you'd make a great student. UCAS have a useful video online!
7. Double check the view all details page
See if you need to make any edits, then mark it as complete, save it and agree to the declaration (which allows UCAS to process your info and send it to your universities/colleges).
8. Then get a reference, pay your fee and send your application to us
Then the reference and pay and send sections go one of two ways, depending on whether you're applying individually or through a school, college or centre registered with UCAS. You'll be getting a reference from a teacher, adviser or professional that knows you.
Pay either £12 if you're applying to just one course, or £23 for multiple courses and for applications sent after 30 June.