Careers Advice

Applying for University

• Registering With UCAS
  

  The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is the central organisation responsible for processing applications for full-time undergraduate study at UK universities.

  When it comes to registering your details and completing your application, you can do this through your school or college and they'll send it to UCAS on your behalf. However, it's important to confirm the college deadline, as this may be earlier than the one set by UCAS.

  Alternatively, if you've already left college, or you're an international student looking to study in the UK, you'll need to register with UCAS as an individual and apply to them through their online system, while adhering to the timeframe set out below.

• Applying Through UCAS

  Online applications for full-time study are made at UCAS Apply, where you'll be able to find all details relating to entry requirements and filling in the information. When applying, you can select up to five courses at different universities.

  The 2017 application process is underway, with UCAS having accepted completed applications since 6 September 2016. The application fee for 2017 is £13 for a single choice, with this rising to £24 for two choices or more. Your college may collect the payment for entry, or they could ask you to pay UCAS directly.

  Before the application deadline you'll need to have;

  • Filled in all your details, qualifications and courses selected
    
  • Written your personal statement
    
  • Included a written reference from a tutor or teacher who knows you
    
  • Ensured that your UCAS application fee has been paid.

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• Points System

  While institutions do ask for grades in certain subjects at A-level (or equivalent) as part of their course entry requirements, they may also request a particular amount of UCAS Tariff points. Although this system is optional, it is often used by admissions staff when comparing applicants.

  It's important to remember that course providers don't immediately dismiss those that fall short of their exact requirements, so you may still receive an offer for a place on a course if you don't manage to get your predicted grades.

  
  

• UCAS Application Deadlines

  Course application deadlines can sometimes be well in advance of the final deadline set by UCAS.

  For applicants that have used all five choices but are not holding any offers (or have declined those received), you can consider the UCAS Extra service. This allows you to add one more choice.

  If you still have choices remaining from the five originally available, you may be able to enter more using Track. However, this will incur a further application fee and needs to be done before the final UCAS deadline. Also, you can't do it if you've accepted or declined your offers.

  
  

• Tracking Your Application

  Once your application has been sent in and you've received a welcome email, you can follow its progress by logging in to UCAS Track. To use this online system, simply sign in with your personal identification and password.

  You'll then be able to find out if you have any offers for a place on a course or receive an invitation to attend an interview. You can also respond to any offers you receive from your chosen universities.

  Don't worry about missing out on important updates, as you'll be notified by email of any progress. If there's not much activity at first, this is quite normal as it take months to receive decisions.

  While there are some things that can still be changed, you'll need to be aware of the timescales involved.

• Applying Directly To The University
  

  If you choose to study part time, you'll need to contact the university directly to apply, although you can still search for courses on the UCAS website between July and September. The application process is also a lot shorter, but exact deadlines are set by the individual course provider.

  Although international students will apply through UCAS, you may still need to send proof of your qualifications to the university. Speak to the institution to find out their policy on receiving results.

• Getting Offers

  It can take months before you start receiving offers, but when a university makes an offer, you'll receive a notification email (as long as you're set up in Track). You can then log in to Track and view the offer.

  The four types of offers are:

  • Conditional - you'll still need to meet the entry requirements, typically your A-level results.
  • Unconditional - you've been allocated a place on the course, but a few things may still need to be arranged - for example, you may need to get a DBS check, provide proof of your qualifications or meet other medical or financial requirements.
  • Unsuccessful - the university has made the decision not to offer you a place on their course, but you may or may not be given a reason.
  • Withdrawn - either you or the university chooses to withdraw a course choice. In these circumstances, you should receive an explanation from the university through Track.

  Instead of simply making you an offer, universities might first decide to invite you to an interview or audition.

  Once all your offers are in, you'll then have to make a decision and respond by a specific deadline. You can:

  • Pick a firm choice, your preferred option
    
  • Select an insurance choice as back-up, if your firm choice is conditional
    
  • Decline the other offers.

  You may choose to decline all the offers, adding more courses through the UCAS Extra service.

  If you have a conditional place on a course, your status will be updated by the university once they've received your exam results.

  Once you've been firmly accepted by a university, your confirmation letter will be viewable in Track between five and seven days following confirmation of your place.

• Student Finance

  As soon as you've sent off your application you can begin to look for ways to fund your study.

  There are various options available, including tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and non-repayable grants. Eligibility will usually depend on where in the UK you live.

• Results Day and Clearing

  If you've received offers which are conditional on your exam results, A-level results day becomes even more highly anticipated and stressful. For those looking to go to university in 2017, this day falls on 17 August 2017.

  In the majority of cases, exam results are sent directly from UCAS to your various choices.

  All's not lost if you didn't receive any offers or if you didn't get the grades you hoped for, as Clearing has been set up for universities and colleges to fill any remaining course vacancies. You can use the regularly updated UCAS search tool to find courses between July and September each year.

  Adjustment allows those that gain better than expected results to look for an alternative course. If you decide that you want to swap what you're studying, you can register for this through Track. You'll need to contact university admissions offices directly to discuss course vacancies. Make sure you only verbally agree just the one course choice, as it will appear as a new option for you to confirm on Track. You can then update the UCAS service with your final decision.

  
  

  Information sourced from prospects.ac.uk