This document provides information about applying to university through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). It explains that the application process opens in mid-September and closes on January 15th. Students apply online and the application is sent electronically to their school for a reference and submission to UCAS. Conditional offers, unconditional offers, and rejections are decisions students may receive. Exam requirements, subject requirements, and different admissions tests for specific fields are also outlined.

1. Applying for University in
September 2013 (UCAS)
Paul Gerrard
Director of Sixth Form Studies

2. 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 15 th
of January to apply
• http://www.ucas.ac.uk/

3. 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 ?
• 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 –
UMS 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 –
UMS marks
Grade AS A2
A 240 480
B 210 420
C 180 360
D 150 300
E 120 240
/300 /600

8. Predicted Grades
• Released in the next week

9. 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)
• Have to get 90% in your A2 modules
• 180/200
• 270/300
• Plus a grade A in your AS modules

11. Entry 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 decisions
• Students receive one of three decisions
through UCAS

13. Conditional 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 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. Rejection
• The student is not offered a place
• A reason for the rejection does not have to
be given

16. Extra
• 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. Clearing
• Students do not meet the grades from
their conditional offer
• Starts the day A level results are
published

18. CUKAS 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

19. Biomedical 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

20. UKCAT
• 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/

21. Law 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

22. Oxford & Cambridge
• Applications by Friday 5th October
Applications NOT to Oxbridge
• Internal school deadline for all other
applications Friday 16th November

23. 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?

24. Careers
• 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

26. Universities
• www.universityoptions.co.uk
• www.whatuni.com
• http://www.timesonline.co.uk/TimesGoodU
niversityGuide
• UCAS site – Course Search Apply 2013
• www.opendays.com

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