How to
Apply
UCAS 2015
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Presentation title | 2
© Middlesex University
• Central organisation through which applications are
processed for entry to full time higher education courses
in the UK.
www.ucas.ac.uk
• Operates on behalf of Higher Education Institutions
(HEI) with full time courses
If you are applying part time, apply directly through the HEI
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Application Process
• Things to know, to begin with:
— UCAS aren’t involved in the decision making
— Same form sent to Admissions staff at all five
universities you choose
— Subject tutors may also look at your application
— You can track your application UCAS
— Keep track of your passwords
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UCAS Deadlines
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September
Application process begins
15th October
Dentistry, Medicine, Oxbridge
15th January
Closing date for all other applications
(apart from art and design courses
with the 24th March deadline)
24th March
Art and design courses (apart from
those which had 15th January
deadline)
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UCAS Cycle
1
2
3
4
5
• You need to make up to five choices on your application.
• UCAS will send your application to each chosen institution.
• You will receive a decision for each course. You may be asked to come in
for an interview, given a conditional / unconditional offer or be rejected.
• Respond to UCAS and confirm your ‘Firm’ and ‘Insurance’ choices.
• Wait until your results have been published to see if the entry
requirements of the institution have been met.
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UCAS Tariff Points
• The Tariff is a number that illustrates your qualification grades
• Not all Universities and Colleges use the UCAS Tariff.
• Some prefer to make offers on particular qualifications and grades
140
BTEC
Nationals
Certificate
UCAS
Tariff
Points
BTEC
Nationals
Diploma
UCAS
Tariff
Points
A
120
DD
240
DDD
360
B
100
DM
200
DMM
280
C
80
MM
160
MMM
240
D
60
E
40
A Levels
UCAS Tariff
Points
A*
© Middlesex University
AS Levels are exactly half the A Level Tariff points
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© Middlesex University
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Step 1 – Choose a Course
• 43,000 + courses
• Use UCAS Course Search
• www.ucas.com/search
• Hundreds of Universities
• Do your research
• Check Universities websites
• Same course title – different experience
• Attend UCAS fairs and Open days
• Think about future careers, hobbies and
interests.
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Step 2 – Choose your 5 Universities
• They must offer your course
• Decide what your priorities are
— Location?
Accommodation?
— Facilities?
Best course available?
— Student Mix?
Teaching styles? Nice area?
• Go to Open Days
• Even if there is only one University you really want to go
to, we still advise you to use all your choices
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Step 3 – Personal Statement
• Compulsory and an extremely important part of UCAS
application
• Helps you stand out over other students with the same grades
• Be honest, sell yourself and explain why you are a good
applicant for university and your course
• Give examples and evidence to prove you have useful skills
• A good structure
• Write enough to fill the space
— (around 400 words, 47 lines or 4,000 characters)
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Recap
• Visit www.ucas.ac.uk and
do some research
• Choose your course and
universities carefully
• Offers are made on Tariff
points; these are different
for different universities
• Leave lots of time to write
the Personal Statement
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Any
Questions?
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