1. Applying for University inApplying for University in
September 2015 (UCAS)September 2015 (UCAS)
Paul GerrardPaul Gerrard
Director of Sixth Form StudiesDirector of Sixth Form Studies

2. What is UCAS?What is UCAS?
• University & Colleges Admissions Service
• The application process for anyone who
wants to study a full-time undergraduate
course eg. degree or HND
• You apply electronically on line
• Students have from mid-September to 15th
of January to apply
• http://www.ucas.ac.uk/

3. What is UCAS ?What is UCAS ?
• You apply through school
• The school is registered as a centre
• You will be given a “buzzword” which
registers you with our school as a centre
• Once your application is completed you
send it electronically to your referee (the
school) via Apply

4. What is UCAS ?What is UCAS ?
• The school then write your reference &
submit the completed form to UCAS.
• There is a charge for this – £23 (?)
• Will go on the school bill at the end of the
academic year
• UCAS is not necessarily for everyone
• http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

6. Exams marked out of 200 –Exams marked out of 200 –
UMS marksUMS marks
Grade AS A2
A 160 320
B 140 280
C 120 240
D 100 200
E 80 160
/200 /400

7. Exams marked out of 300 –Exams marked out of 300 –
UMS marksUMS marks
Grade AS A2
A 240 480
B 210 420
C 180 360
D 150 300
E 120 240
/300 /600

8. Predicted GradesPredicted Grades
• Released after AS results
• Consultation period

9. Tariff Points (UCAS points)Tariff Points (UCAS points)
• Is a points score system for entry to higher
education
• Grade A* - 140
• Grade A – 120
• Grade B – 100
• Grade C – 80
• Grade D – 60
• Grade E – 40
• AS grades are half the A2 points score

10. The A* at A2 (only)The A* at A2 (only)
• Have to get 90% in your A2 modules
• 180/200
• 270/300
• Plus a grade A in your AS modules

11. Entry RequirementsEntry Requirements
(course specific requirements)(course specific requirements)
• Provide information about a course so that
candidates can make informed decisions
about the courses that they apply for.
• Course content
• Tariff points
• Skills
• Qualities etc …
• Home page – what to study.

12. UCAS decisionsUCAS decisions
• Students receive one of three decisions
through UCAS

13. Conditional OfferConditional Offer
• An offer subject to the student meeting
certain conditions
• GRADES OFFER eg. AAB
• POINTS OFFER
• 300pts – BBB, ABC, AAD, BBDb
• Grades in certain subjects may be
specified eg B in maths

14. Unconditional OfferUnconditional Offer
• Offer means that the student has already
met the entry requirements
• University is happy to accept them
• Offer usually made to students who have
already completed their qualifications

15. RejectionRejection
• The student is not offered a place
• A reason for the rejection does not have to
be given

16. ExtraExtra
• Students do not receive an offer from their
5 choices
• You can apply again BEFORE clearing
• Operates from February to early July
• Available courses highlighted on
www.ucas.com

17. ClearingClearing
• Students do not meet the grades from
their conditional offer
• Starts the day A level results are
published

18. AdjustmentAdjustment
• For if you get better grades than you
thought you were going to get when you
get your A2 results in the summer

19. CHOICESCHOICES
• You make 5 choices
• FIRM choice
• INSURANCE choice
• Ideally your insurance choice will be
LOWER than your firm choice – it’s a
SAFETY NET.

20. CUKAS for musical performanceCUKAS for musical performance
• For students wishing to apply for courses
in MUSIC performance
• Runs parallel to UCAS
• You can apply to CUKAS as well as UCAS
• Can apply to both simultaneously
• www.cukas.ac.uk

21. Biomedical admissionsBiomedical admissions
• For students applying to courses in MEDICINE &
VETINARY SCIENCE
• The test enables to institution to chose between
applicants whose academic results are
extremely similar
• Taken before students submit their UCAS form
• Start of November?
• www.bmat.org.uk

22. UKCATUKCAT
• For medical and dental schools
• A more informed choice for universities for
highly qualified candidates
• Registration opens – 1st
May
• Testing begins – 3rd
July
• Registration deadline – 21st
Sept.
• Last testing date – 5th
October
• http://www.ukcat.ac.uk/

23. Law admissionsLaw admissions
• For applications to LAW courses
• Again distinguishes between top level
candidates whose results are very similar
• www.lnat.ac.uk
• Usually taken before students submit their
UCAS application

24. Oxford & CambridgeOxford & Cambridge
• Applications by Monday 6th
October
Applications NOT to Oxbridge
• Internal school deadline for all other
applications Friday 14th
November

25. What now?What now?
• The job you want to do will influence which
university course you chose
• Start with what job you want to do
• Work back from there
• What courses put you on that career
pathway?
• What are the entry requirements for the
relevant course?

26. CareersCareers
• www.careers-portal.co.uk
• www.connexions.gov.uk/occupations
• www.worktrain.gov.uk/
• www.ajobin.com
• www.afuturein.com
• Check out the Sixth Form Facebook page

28. UniversitiesUniversities
• www.universityoptions.co.uk
• www.whatuni.com
• http://www.timesonline.co.uk/TimesGoodU
niversityGuide
• UCAS site – Course Search Apply 2015
• www.opendays.com

29. FinanceFinance
• Tuition fees – up to £9,000
• www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
• UCAS website