Applying to University
2016
rhscareers
1. UCAS (UK Universities)
2. CAO (Irish Universities)
3. European Universities
4. American Universities
UCAS
Step 1 - Choose up to 5 courses
* Check entry profiles and be realistic about
obtaining offers and required grades.
* Be prepared to study the courses.
* Be prepared to go to the university.
* Have a theme.
Choice restrictions –
•Max of 4 for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary.
•Oxford OR Cambridge
Step 2 – Student registers with ‘Apply’
and completes on-line application
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
choice
choice
choice
choice
choice
20th October
Referee
Step 3 – School adds reference and
sends completed application to UCAS
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
choice
choice
choice
choice
choice
15th January
UCAS
Step 4 – UCAS sends application to
Universities and waits for offers which
it then sends to applicant
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
offer
offer
offer
offer
offer
Offers may be 1. Unsuccessful
2. Unconditional Offer
3. Conditional Offer may be expressed in –
[a] UCAS Tariff points eg 320 points
[b] Grades eg ABB
[c] Combination eg 320 points including an
. A in Chemistry
Step 5 – Applicant replies to offers
• Applicant can make one of three replies –
F – Firm Acceptance (1st choice)
I – Insurance Acceptance (lower offer)
D – Decline
Only 1 firm and 1 insurance offer may be held
If an applicant has no offers…
UCAS ‘Extra’ may be used from February
to July but applicants can only apply to
one course.
Step 6 – Results published (August)
and offers confirmed by UCAS
Firm
Acceptance
(1st choice)
Firm
Acceptance
(1st choice)
Insurance
Acceptance
(lower offer)
UCAS
Clearing
How Parents can help with the
UCAS Application Process
(1) Spend time discussing both course and
university choices.
(2) Check all sections of completed application .
form before it is sent to referee.
(3) Discuss what should be included in your
child’s ‘Personal Statement’ and ask to
proof read it.
CAO (Irish Unis)
Up to 10 degree and 10 diploma choices
No personal statement or school report
Strictly order of preference
No conditional offers
Selection by order of preference and
results in August
Further Information will be given to pupils in
November 2015
European Universities
 Courses taught in English
 Greatly reduced (and even zero) tuition fees
 www.eunicas.ie
American Universities
• Careers Dept supports all applications by
providing the detailed ‘School Report’ and
references required.
• www.fulbright.co.uk