Thinking of Applying to University? Read top tips for UCAS below
Top things admission teams will look at in your application:
- Previous qualifications
- The quality of the content of your written personal statement. Make sure you display your passion for the subject, while demonstrating motivation and enthusiasm, and what skills and experiences will enable you to succeed
- References
- Knowledge of, and commitment to, the subject
- Good attitude to learning and personal development
- Ability to articulate yourself fluently and accurately in writing
How to apply?
1. Register with UCAS
Register on the UCAS website to begin applying to university. You’ll be asked for some personal details and given a username, asked to create a password, and set your security questions. Remember to add the buzzword your school, college or centre gave you if applicable, or if you’re applying independently there’ll be a few questions you need to answer.
2. Complete your details
- You must complete all mandatory questions and you can’t skip any sections.
- Make sure your email address is always up-to-date
- Information about personal circumstances – such as your parental education, if youve been in care or involved in widening participation activities, so universities and colleges can form a more complete understanding of you as an individual.
- How you plan to fund your studies
3. Add your education history
- If you’re waiting for results: remember you’ll need to send the results on to your chosen universities and colleges when you get them.
- If you studied at a uni or college but didn’t finish the course: you still need to enter these details. Include the start and finish date, and state that you didn’t receive any qualifications there.
- If you are currently studying for a qualification or awaiting results: it is important you make sure your referee adds your predicted grades to your application – some universities and colleges will not consider your application without them.
4. Complete your employment history
If you’ve had any paid jobs this is where you can enter details for up to five of them. Include company names, addresses, job descriptions, and start/finish dates.
Any unpaid or voluntary work shouldn’t be included here but do mention that in your personal statement.
5. Select your course choices
You can choose up to five courses, 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.
6. Write a personal statement
This is your chance to tell universities and colleges why you’d like to study with them, and what skills and experience you have. It’s got to be at least 1,000 characters long – but you have up to 4,000 characters/47 lines – whichever comes first.
7. Submit your application
Once you’ve completed your application, you’ll be shown your full application – make sure you review it and make any edits.
You’ll then be asked to read and agree to the declaration
8. Get a reference, pay your application fee and send off your application
A reference is a written recommendation from a teacher, adviser or professional who knows you academically. Everyone needs a reference, unless you get permission from your chosen universities and colleges.
- If you’re applying to study in 2021: £20 for a single choice, or £26 for more than one choice.
- If you’re applying to study in 2022: £22 for a single choice, or £26.50 for more than one choice.
When to apply?
If you’re applying through your school/college, please check their deadline, and follow this to get your application in on time. This gives them enough time to read your application, check you’ve entered your qualifications correctly, write and attach your reference, and submit your application to UCAS.
- 15 October 2021 for 2022 entry at 18:00 – any course at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, or for most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry. You can add choices with a different deadline later, but don’t forget you can only have five choices in total.
- 26 January 2022 for 2022 entry at 18:00 – for the majority of courses
Good luck!!
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