The document summarizes key aspects of applying to universities in the UK through UCAS, including: - The application process is more streamlined than in the US or Canada, with one online application sent to up to 5 courses. - Students typically study one course for 3 years, so they must be clear on their choice. - Offers are made based on predicted IB scores, and students can hold offers from two universities as "firm" and "insurance" choices.

1. UCAS Meeting
November 7, 2012

2. Comparisons
•Research and application processes are more streamlined than US or
Canada
•Course of Study is usually three years so students must be clear about
chosen course
•More difficult to change courses or transfer universities
•No SAT or Transcripts are submitted, just IB predicted scores and letter of
reference OR if no IB then AP and or SAT

3. IB Diploma
• Easiest entry for UK is the IB Diploma
• Four components of IB Diploma (six subjects with exams, TOK,
community service, extended essay)
• Students sit for exams in May of Grade 12
• Exams are scored on a sale of 1-7; (24-42 points for diploma)
• Results come out early July (after graduation)

4. What Courses?
• Typical courses are 3 years long so students must have a clear idea of
what to study; apply to 5 courses rather than universities; 10,000
• Single course – history
• 2 Similar courses – chemistry & physics
• 2 completely different courses – chemistry & philosophy
• One course with 3 or 4 subjects – combined sciences

5. UK Application
There is one on-line application (processed by UCAS - University
and College Application Service) for the 5 courses which includes
student’s personal statement, general school/personal
information, school recommendation with predicted IB scores
• Students complete application, forward to Counselor; Counselor
forwards to UCAS
• application is duplicated by UCAS and sent to the five courses
(universities)

6. UK Application (continued)
• Students apply by January 15 of Grade 12
• Offers are for places are made based on predicted IB scores from
the school’s letter of recommendation
• Usually students hear of all offers by March, and can accept two
offers (36 points with 7 in HL Math; 32 points with 5 in SL Math)
• Firm is higher offer (36 points) and insurance is lower offer (32
points)
• Students sit for exams in May; receive IB scores early July

7. Offers
• If students make their higher
offer, they must attend the
school that makes that offer
• If students make the lower
offer, they must attend the
school that makes the offer
• If they make neither offer,
they go to “Clearing”

8. Clearing
• Clearing matches students with no offers to vacancies in higher
education.
• Students will be notified by UCAS if they are eligible for
Clearing.
• “Official” Clearing starts mid-August
• UCAS will list vacancies and students should contact universities
and negotiate an offer (start with firm offer, then safety offer,
then other offers on the application because all research has
been done)

9. Adjustment
Overview:
New in fall 2009 - few takers
If students meet or exceed conditions of firm offer then can
research places which correspond better to their performance
Applicants nominate themselves; participation is entirely the
choice and responsibility of applicant; eligibility confirmed by
institution with UCAS

10. How Adjustment Works
Applicant holds firm offer; on results day, applicant meets or
exceeds offer and offer confirmed by UCAS
Student researches alternate courses and registers on “Track”
Student has five days to research courses but holds firm offer
Student speaks to universities for places available
University may offer a place; student can accept or stay with
original firm offer

11. UCAS Extra
Allows students with no offers to apply to a course with
vacancies, one university at a time
These are students who did not receive an offer or did not choose
to hold an offer; Students apply from end of February to
beginning of July
If students receive an offer they must accept it or move to
Clearing

12. More Details-Applications
• Oxford/Cambridge, vet/med/dental applications due to UCAS by
October 15 (SAS internal deadline is September 30); can apply to
four courses
• Can apply to Oxford or Cambridge but not both
• Supplemental forms – online @ (www.cam.ac.uk) (www.ox.ac.uk)
• Med/Vet/Den may require additional tests or earlier submission of
forms
• Route B Art and Design deadline is March 24 (Foundation year)
• UK “home students” should apply early so can be assessed for fees

13. Websites
• www.ucas.com (comprehensive website for course searches, on line
application, tips for personal statement, etc.)
• www.yougofurther.co.uk –social community website by UCAS
exclusively for students (housing, travel, healthy living, courses, jobs,
etc.); has all info needed for life at university
• www.toefl.org – if students need TOEFL scores – check directly with
university

14. Websites (continued)
Open days: www.opendays.com
Financial information: www.studentsupportdirect.co.uk
Life style/accommodations: www.push.co.uk
Gap year: www.gapyear.com
Special needs: www.ucas.com/students/disabledstudents/

15. Websites (continuted)
• UK Majors: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/list/
educationsubject
• UK university profiles:
• http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/list/educationinstitution
• Search, review, and compare subjects at UK universities; see job
prospects, employability, salary information: www.unistats.direct.gov.uk

16. Recap
The entry requirements for courses is different from campus to
campus but also within the same university
Students apply with one online application; no teacher
recommendations, SAT scores, or transcripts
UCAS processes all applications, duplicates them and forwards
them to universities
Students must be clear about their courses of study!