Introduction to UCAS

1.Make sure you know the ‘buzzword’ for your school/college.

2.Don’t try to fill it in all at once, take your time.

3.Have the information ready – passport, dates of education, exact qualification

names and exam boards.

4.Write your personal statement in a word doc first.

5.You do not have to complete the sections in order and you can save partially

completed sections at any time.

Our 5 top tips!

Register

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Tip: Make sure you have a sensible email address (ie not coolchick22@hotmail.com!)

UCAS Undergraduate Apply 2021 is now up and running – so you

can start filling in your application, ready to send it on its way

to the universities in September.

1. Go to www.ucas.com.

2. Click on register – undergraduate registration – register and

apply.

3. Enter your details as shown on your passport.

4. Set a password and security questions – make a note of these

somewhere safe.

5. You will be given a username – make a note of that too.

6. Click on ‘log in now’ to continue your application.

7. Select ‘Through my school/college’.

8. Enter the school/college ‘buzzword’.

Register

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1. Choose your tutor/application group.

2. You’ll be given a personal ID number – make a

note of this.

3. Click the button to verify your email address.

Tip: You can complete the

sections in any order and save your changes at any time

APPLYING

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Complete all sections (you can complete in stages)Disability/ special needs – give details where necessaryState all of your educational qualifications even if you are retaking all or part of the qualification.Save save save!

Personal details

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1. Complete all sections using drop down lists

where appropriate.

2. Student support (fee code) is usually 02.

3. Student support arrangements (enter

County).

4. Nominated access – can discuss your

application on your behalf eg parent.

5. Disability/special needs – give details where

necessary.

6. Save and tick if complete.Tip: Have your password to hand when completing this section

Choices

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• You have a maximum of 5 choices (four in

medicine, dentistry or veterinary science).

• There is no order of preference and the

universities cannot see where else you have

applied.

1. Use drop down menus to find institution

codes, course codes, campus etc - check you

have entered these correctly.

2. Point of entry – leave this blank.

Education

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1. Choose ‘Add new school/college/centre’ Name – use drop

down list.

2. Search and enter qualifications .

3. Remember to put grades in for all exams taken, enter the

correct exam board for each subject and save.

4. Also enter the qualifications you are currently studying for

(eg A level) – under ‘grade’ mark these as ‘pending’ .

5. Awarding organisation = Exam board.

6. You should have module/unit titles – if not, ask your subject

teacher.

7. All AS subjects must be inputted even if below an E grade.

Tip: Before you start, make sure you know the exact name of the course, the

exam board and module titles

Employment

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Only paid work

should be entered

here

Checking details

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1. Go to ‘view all details’.

2. Correct any errors that are highlighted in green.

3. Only send the application to your referee when you

have thoroughly checked all parts.

4. Apply early and do not miss the School/College

deadlines!

TRACK YOUR APPLICATION

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• Offers will appear on UCAS track.

• When you’ve heard from all unis, you can

hold one Firm Offer and one Insurance

Offer

• You’re expected to take up your Firm

choice if you get the grades.

• Your Insurance offer is your back-up.

Confirmation of places

1. Universities get the results a week before you.

2. Your place is confirmed (or not) on TRACK

PROGRESS on day of results.

3. You can access this remotely, but it’s best to be

in the country.

4. Your Firm choice now becomes Unconditional.

5. The University will let you know when to enrol.

UCAS Extra: opens February to June

1. If you receive no offers, or decline all your

offers you will be entered into Extra.

2. Apply through Extra for one place at a time.

3. Vacancies are marked ‘x’ by the course title.

4. You either Decline or Accept.

5. If you decline you get another choice.

6. If you accept you’re making your Firm

choice.

UCAS Extra and Confirmation

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GOOD NEWS IF YOU DO BETTER

What if you do better than expected?

1. You can upgrade your choice

2. Adjustment opens on results day

3. Ring universities and ask if they have places

4. Say you are applying through Adjustment

5. You have 5 days to find a new course

6. If you don’t find anything your original Firm

choice stands

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What is adjustment?

Head to UCAS.com to find out what to do if you’ve done better than expected

WHAT IF I DON’T GET THE GRADES OR CHANGE MY MIND?

Clearing is a chance for you to look for a place with other universities who may have spaces. You may go into clearing for a number of reasons; you didn’t get the grades, you changed your mind or you didn’t apply in the main cycle. Clearing is open from July to September

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What is clearing?

1. Check on Track to see if you have a place

2. Ring the university of your Firm choice and check if they’ll

take you – they might!

3. You might qualify for your Insurance choice – if so that

will appear on Track

4. If you still don’t have a place you will automatically be

entered into Clearing

Example Check List- create before results day

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UCAS ID/Password

UCAS Clearing ID

Exam Results

Personal Statement & CV

Copy to hand

Interview Questions

Prepared questions to ask; prepared answers for questions you may get asked?

University NameCourse and code

Tariff Points or grades

required

Telephone Number

Clearing Plus

DecisionOffer Yes

or No

Reply to decision

A* 56

A 48

B 40

C 32

D 24

E 16 UCAS Tariff A Levels UPDATE STUDENT FINANCE IF NECESSARY

You can find this out on Track-keep a note for the big day!

If you think you may end up in clearing or even adjustment you can already prepare this checklist ready for results day

UCAS.com

Visit UCAS.com for step by step videos and how-to guides

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17Good luck!