How to apply – the UCAS application form

Mandy Firth

UK/EU Recruitment Manager

Overview

Background The application process

How UCAS works The application form The Personal Statement

The university process Questions

What you need to know

Application timetable Competition for places Skills and experience needed Time for research Be thorough: avoid mistakes Increased use of unconditional offers

The context… There are over 370 HEPs in the UCAS

scheme 35,000 degree courses to choose from 699,000 applicants for 2014 entry (+ 3.4%)

and 512, 000 were placed ~ 18,000 home/EU applications to Keele

for 2015

What is UCAS?

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

Route to apply for undergraduate courses UCAS does not accept or reject applicants Range of services to students,

schools/colleges, parents, universities Hosts video clips to help with application www.ucas.com

The UCAS apply system

Apply online Apply for up to 5 institutions/courses Medicine, Dentistry, Vet Science – only

four choices plus alternative course Oxford/Cambridge – different application

deadlines No preference – list in alpha order

The UCAS apply system

The application fee for the UCAS service is £23 for two or more choices or £12 for a single choice

You are given a personal ID number which you should keep safe and memorise

Use of similarity detection software Track / Extra / Clearing / Adjustment

Key dates

Entry requirements

What is the ‘price’ to secure a place?

Do you have the correct qualifications: GCSE / AS or A-level / BTEC/or equivalent Some A levels are not accepted Admissions tests (e.g. UKCAT) What is required at the point of application?

Are you suitable for the course?

What skills and experience do you have?

Entry requirementsAccounting and Finance

Anglia Ruskin 300 tariff pointsKeele University ABC/BBB exc Critical Thinking or DDM

Forensic ScienceDe Montfort 260 points inc. Science > C Keele University ABC/BBB inc. Chem at B or DDD with units in Chemistry

LawKeele University ABB or DDMMiddlesex 300 points

The PSOpportunity to sell yourself – show

enthusiasm and commitmentOnly one PS for all 5 choicesMake sure the PS is fit for purposeWell structured, current and relevantAnalytical, not just descriptiveA statement that is ‘personal’ to the

studentKeep a copy. Basis for interview?

Entry profile Demonstrate both intellectual and creative abilities,

work well within a team as well as individually, good presentation skills, good written and oral communication skills.

Students must demonstrate a love of English and creative writing as well as an understanding of the Media.

A clear, well written personal statement outlining why they wish to study this subject is a must.

Students must have basic computer literacy, including knowledge of word, excel and power point.

Entry profileJournalism To that end evidence of writing experience

(e.g. on the school magazine, sports club or parish newsletter) will be an advantage as will any work experience with professional media.

Students must be interested in current affairs generally and the media specifically to study this course because journalism is about what is happening now.

Other skills…

Do’s and Don’ts

Think about the starting sentence Don’t start with ‘I have always been

fascinated by…’ or ‘I have always wanted to be…’

Quotes, cliches and sayings: health warning Don’t start every sentence with ‘I’ Don’t repeat information that is elsewhere Make sure you sound interesting/interested

Do’s and Don’ts

Make words work for you – a positive impression e.g. ‘achieved’, ‘committed’

Style – don’t try to impress, keep it simple Avoid lists and avoid waffle Demonstrate skills, evidence your claims –

link to the course/subject applied to Make sure PS is fit for purpose i.e. don’t

tell your life story Don’t refer to university by name

Do’s and Don’ts Be analytical: ‘I enjoy reading’… Try to inject some individuality.. But beware of humour/being too casual Be prepared to talk about your statement Finish with a punchy, positive sentence

Less of what has been done and…More of what you gained from it

Reference Written by tutors/Head of Sixth Form/College Background information about school/college Academic achievements Predicted grades Suitability for HE Evidence of commitment to chosen area of

study Personal qualities Extenuating circumstances

Once the form is submitted

UCAS sends info to the universities

Universities check: Correct details provided? Write out for any missing information Highlight issues - extenuating

circumstances or any discrepancies Qualifications obtained / to be obtained Call for interview or other evidence

Decision made

Made by admissions tutors Conditional – achieve the required

grade/points to gain your place Unconditional – conditions already met OR

once selected as ‘firm’ choice Select CF (Firm) and CI (Insurance) Take exams Place confirmed in August?

UCAS Track

Track is an online system that allows you to follow the progress of your application. You can see what's happening with your application, whether you've received any offers and the replies you've made.

UCAS will send you a welcome letter after they have processed your application– you can then use Track.

Online resources

www.ucas.com www.opendays.com www.unistats.direct.gov.uk www.brightknowledge.org www.thestudentroom.co.uk

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Colleagues from the Admissions office in the Exhibition Suite today

Thank you!