The Application Process

What is UCAS?

UCAS stands for 'Universities and Colleges Admissions Service'. It is a one-stop website for everything to do with applying to university or college, including a centralised application processing service using an online application form and a complete course search with course details and entry requirements.

Key dates

• 5 September - first applications may be sent to UCAS
• 15 October – UCAS deadline for medicine/vet med/dentistry/Oxbridge
• 25 January – UCAS deadline for all applications (except Art & Design courses with a 24 March deadline)
• 25 February – UCAS Extra opens (for late applicants, those with no offers or those who have changed their minds)
• 24 March – UCAS closing date for all remaining Art & Design courses
• 31 March – majority of decisions will now have been made by universities
• 4 May – last day for students to reply to offers if all decisions received by 31 March
• 5 May – If you applied by 15 January then all unis will make a decision on your application by today
• 8 June – last day for students to reply to offers if all decisions received by 10 May
• 22 June – last day for students to reply to offers if all decisions received by 8 June
• 30 June – last day for late applications – any applications received after this date will be entered into the clearing system.

Applying

1. On the UCAS website: The UCAS Huub in which you complete your application is accessible from any internet linked computer. There are 6 key sections of the application for you to complete online. You can complete them in any order and make changes at any time before the application is sent to UCAS. For the Education section you will need all your exam boards and achieved grades from your GCSE certificates. Mrs Elliot and your form tutor will review your Personal Statement with you. You have 5 course choices, but you can apply for more than one course at the same university (with the exception of Oxford and Cambridge).
2. You do NOT need to have all 5 choices on your application in order to submit it. You just need one and can then add other choices as and when you are ready to do so.
3. When completed, you must make an appointment to see Mrs Elliot who will finalise the reference section and then submit your application.
4. Your username, password and UCAS ID No. will be used throughout the coming year – write them down!
5. UCAS use email and text messages to contact you about the progress of your application so keep your personal details up to date with UCAS if they change. Make sure that you verify your e mail address when asked to do so.

Decisions

After your application is sent to UCAS you will be able to see the decisions from your choices in the Hub.

The decision will be one of the following three possibilities:

1. • Conditional offer: The University is prepared to offer you a place on the course, subject to your getting the required grades and meeting any additional requirements
   • Unconditional offer: You have already met the all the entry requirements of the course, and are offered a place without the need for further examination results etc. (This is usually if you apply after A-Level results)
   • Unsuccessful: No offer is made, either because you do not meet the requirements of the course or there are sufficient other better qualified applicants
2. Occasionally a university will make you an offer of an alternative course. Be aware of this and decide whether it is really what you want to do.
3. Offers will be made in terms of grades (BBB) or points (120 points)

Grade	A-Level points
A*	56
A	48
B	40
C	32
D	24
E	16

Acceptance

1. Once you have received all your offers you have until early June to reply. You must choose ‘firm’ (1st choice) and ‘insurance’ (2nd choice) offers. Your FIRM choice should always be your FIRST choice.

UCAS Extra

1. If you have used all 5 choices and have been unsuccessful you can enter another application using Extra. This button automatically appears in the Hub if you are eligible. See Mrs Elliot for help with this.
2. You can also use Extra if you have changed your mind about your course, although you will have to turn down any offers you have already received in order to do so.

Clearing

1. On results day, the first thing to do is check on the UCAS Hub whether you have a place at your firm or insurance choice. Even if you do not get the grades they have asked for they may still accept you.
2. If you have not met the terms of your firm or insurance offers, and they haven’t given you the place, then you will go into Clearing. This is the matching process between students and available courses and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
3. You will need to find a course – all clearing places are shown on the UCAS website and then telephone (NOT email) the university.
4. Be prepared to persevere as it may take some time to get through!

Top Tips

1. Make informed choices – do your research thoroughly
2. Read all instructions carefully
3. Be aware of key dates
4. Print a finished copy of your application for future reference
5. Don’t be afraid to contact universities/UCAS with questions – try FAQ’s and the customer service helpline.