UCAS 2018

Coombe Dean student guide to UCAS application cycle 2018

8:40-9:35 - overview of process (dates, courses....) 9:40-10:40 - session 1 - personal statement writing with Robyn from Plymouth University11:00-12:00 - session 2 - registering on Apply – P10 with Daniel from University of St Mark and St John.

12:00-13:00 – add qualifications to Apply 2018 and individual queries - VKL13:00-14:00 - lunch14:00-15:00 - period 5 as normal

https://www.ucas.com/connect/videos/ucas?v=/preparing-higher-education

Preparing for Higher Education

What do you know about UCAS?• What does UCAS stand for?• How many characters is the limit for the personal statement?• How many choices can you make?• How much does the application cost?• True or false – the deadline for all applications is 15th January?• True or false – the deadline is midnight• True or false - all offers are made in points tallies?• How many applications (nationally) were made through ucas

during the 2015/16 cycle?• How many acceptances (nationally) were there?

• What does UCAS stand for? The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

• How many characters is the limit for the personal statement? 4000• How many choices can you make? Up to 5• How much does the application cost? £25 (£14)• True or false – the deadline for all applications is 15th January?

False (15th Oct, 24th March)• True or false – the deadline is midnight? False (18:00)• True or false - all offers are made in points tallies? False• How many applications (nationally) were made through UCAS

during the 2015/16 cycle? (718,350)• How many acceptances (nationally) were there? (535,175)

https://www.ucas.com/connect/videos/ucas?v=/how-can-volunteering-help-me-get-job

Why volunteer?

Extra?if you've used all five choices and you're not holding any offers, you might be able to add another choice.

Clearing vacancies will be displayed in the search tool

Clearing

https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-and-track/results/no-offers-learn-how-clearing-works

Adjustment

https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-and-track/results/ucas-adjustment-%E2%80%93-if-you%E2%80%99ve-done-better-expected

ChoicesWhy is this important?Competitive applications

Headline figures..... • Competition is intense: around 16,000 candidates are chasing just

under 3,400 undergraduate places. • Churchill College has 39 places in natural sciences and more than

170 direct applicants (Cambridge University, Guardian 2012)

Academic profile• Most universities have different entry requirements:• Most specify exam grades or Tariff points

A Level Grades Tariff Points

A* 56

A 48

B 40

C 32

D 24

E 16

AS Grades Tariff Points

A 20

B 16

C 12

D 10

E 6

BTEC Yr 12 Grades Tariff Points

D* 28

D 24

M 16

P 8

BTEC Yr 13 Grades Tariff Points

D* 56

D 48

M 32

P 16

• How we assess your application• In considering your application, we consider:• Your achieved academic performance in level 2 and 3

qualifications (GCSEs, A and AS Levels, and their equivalents)

• Your predicted performance in future examinations• Your personal statement• Your reference• Any additional statement supplied by your school or

college regarding any special personal or extenuating circumstances which may impact, or have impacted on your studies.

https://www.ucas.com/connect/videos/ucas/undergraduate?v=/choosing-courses-how

Choosing a course

Exploring what is right for youThe 4 Cs

• Course

• City

• Campus (Accommodation)

• Career

Choosing your Course

• Things to consider:

- Single/Joint Honours

- Length of course

- Practical/theory balance

- Teaching/assessment styles

- Career destinations

- Entry requirements

- Professional accreditations

- Work placements.

Location, location, location Things to consider:

- Distance from home

- Transport links

- Number of sites

- Rural or urban campus

- Cost of living

- Style of facilities

- City attractions

- Safety

- Cultural and faith support.

Popular Universities• Recruiting Universities• Selecting Universities – Russell Group• Choice often based on fashion e.g. Newcastle and St.

Andrews or location – Bath, Warwick, York, or just the name - Oxford Brookes

• Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Newcastle, St. Andrews, Imperial, Oxford Brookes, Warwick, York, London (King’s),(UCL) (LSE) etc.

Career Information that may help your choices:

- Important to select a course that supports your career aspirations

- Browse potential jobs (www.prospects.ac.uk)

- National Careers Service – Next Steps

- This will give an indication of courses relevant to a career, salaries and personal qualities required

- Speak to your careers adviser / post-16 staff in school.

How and where to research•List your priorities

•www.ucas.com

•Use prospectuses, course brochures, websites

•Check out open days/taster days

•Ask questions

•Apply early but continue to research, you can always change your mind

https://www.ucas.com/connect/videos/ucas/undergraduate?combine=open%20days&v=/open-days

Open Days

https://www.ucas.com/connect/videos/ucas?v=/journey-application

Support - https://www.unifrog.org

GWcoombe18 GWmhwcoombe18 MHWSIcoombe20 SIsjccoombe18 SJCVKLcoombe18 VKL

https://www.ucas.com/connect/videos/ucas?v=/applying-student-finance-201718

Student Finance video

• https://www.ucas.com/connect/videos/ucas?v=/student-finance