How to apply - The UCAS System - Mandy Firth Recruitment, Outreach and Access

How to apply –
The UCAS System

          Mandy Firth
Recruitment, Outreach and Access

Talk content
   Background
   The application process
       How UCAS works
       The application form
       The Personal Statement
   Questions

What you need to know
   Application timetable
   Competition for places
   Skills and experience needed
   Time for research
   Be thorough: avoid mistakes
   Be aware: use of unconditional offers

Some statistics…

   There are over 300 institutions in the UCAS
    scheme
   35,000 degree courses in the UCAS system
   580,000 applicants for 2014 entry
   Over 18,000 home/EU UG applications to
    Keele University for 1,400 places in 2014

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
   www.ucas.com

Applications to UCAS
These subject areas received the greatest
number of applications:
  Business and Admin Studies
  Subjects allied to Medicine

  Biological Sciences

  Engineering

  Social Studies

  Creative Arts and Design

Entry Requirements

Are the ‘price’ to secure a place at university.
You must check you have the correct
qualifications:
 GCSE

 AS or A-level/BTEC/or equivalent

 Admissions tests (e.g. UKCAT)

 What is required at the point of application?

Entry Requirements

   Work and voluntary experience
   Reference based on work done in Year 12
   Some A-level subjects are NOT accepted:
    Critical Thinking/ General Studies – please
    make sure you check before applying
   Policy on resits

Variation between universities

Psychology
Sheffield University – AAB
Southampton Solent University – 240 Tariff
     points
Law
Keele University – ABB
Middlesex University – 300 Tariff points

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

Key dates

Mid-June        Applicants can register and start to complete their application.

Mid-September Schools can start to submit completed applications to UCAS.

15 October      Medicine, dentistry, veterinary science/medicine and Oxford or

                Cambridge.

15 January      Application deadline for most courses.

24 March        Many art & design courses (check each course for deadline).

30 June         Applications after this date held for Clearing.

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 which you should
    keep safe and memorise (UCAS ID number)
   Use of similarity detection software
   Track / Extra / Clearing

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.

UCAS Extra and Clearing
   UCAS Extra operates from February to place
    those without any offers
   Vacancies posted on UCAS web site
   If a student does not meet the offer of their
    CF and CI choice, they automatically enter
    Clearing
   Clearing process matches students with the
    vacancies still available
   ‘Trading up’ opportunity (adjustment period)

The personal statement
   Opportunity to sell yourself – show
    enthusiasm and commitment
   Only one PS for all 5 choices
   Make sure the PS is fit for purpose
   Well structured, current and relevant
   Analytical, not just descriptive
   A statement that is ‘personal’ to the
    student
   Keep a copy. Basis for interview?

The personal statement
   Why do you want to study the chosen subject?
   What is stimulating and interesting?
   What abilities/motivations/knowledge you have?
   Suitability for the course?
   Career goals/aspirations?
   Skills: work experience, responsibility positions,
    social interests.
   Plans for a year out (if any)

Common mistakes
    ‘Dodgy’ unsuitable email addresses; use
     personal not school address
    Further details on Choices section; may
     need to include second subject
    Assuming software has checks for spelling
     and grammar
    Not giving correct award title e.g. BTEC
     Diploma / Extended Certificate
    Not reading around the subject

Your information
   Academic potential and background:
       Do you meet the institution’s entry requirements?
       Do you meet the subject entry requirements?
       What are your GCSE grades?
       What is needed at the point of entry?
       What are your predicted grades?
   This is captured in the Education section of
    the form so don’t repeat unnecessarily

Entry profile for English
   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 profile for Journalism…
Journalism
 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.

Skills to evidence
Evidence of:
 Independent study skills

 Critical approach

 Good level of numeracy and literacy

 Ability to construct an argument

 Research and analysis

 Time management

 Enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus

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 sent…

UCAS sends info to the universities
Universities check:
   Correct details provided?
   Highlight issues - extenuating
  circumstances or any discrepancies
   Qualifications obtained / to be obtained

Decision
Made by admissions tutors
 Conditional – achieve the required
  grade/points to gain your place
 Unconditional – conditions already met

 Select CF (Firm) and CI (Insurance)

 Take exams

 Place confirmed in August?

Online resources

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

Questions?
If you have any questions, please
       do not hesitate to ask.
 Colleagues from the Admissions
   office in the Art Gallery today

        Thank you!