UCAS – Entry 2015 Index Page Content 1 Index and Key dates 2 UCAS registration 3 Personal Details 4 Education 5 HP Exam Boards 6 - 8 Course Research 9 UCAS Tariffs 10 - 14 Writing a personal statement 15 - 17 Personal Statement – Planning grid 18 - 20 Examples of personal statements Key Dates Date Student Deadline W/C 23 rd June Register with UCAS 27/06/201 4 Personal Details, Additional Information, Education and Employment sections to be completed on your UCAS application form. 14/08/201 4 AS and A level Results Day W/C 1 st September All students to receive predicted grades 15/10/201 4 Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science. 15/01/201 5 UCAS Deadline for the majority of courses. 1
Transcript
UCAS – Entry 2015
Index
Page Content1 Index and Key dates2 UCAS registration3 Personal Details4 Education5 HP Exam Boards
6 - 8 Course Research9 UCAS Tariffs
10 - 14 Writing a personal statement15 - 17 Personal Statement – Planning grid18 - 20 Examples of personal statements
Key Dates
Date Student DeadlineW/C 23rd
JuneRegister with UCAS
27/06/2014 Personal Details, Additional Information, Education and Employment sections to be completed on your UCAS application form.
14/08/2014 AS and A level Results DayW/C 1st
SeptemberAll students to receive predicted grades
15/10/2014 Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science.
15/01/2015 UCAS Deadline for the majority of courses.24/02/2015 UCAS Extra begins24/03/2015 UCAS deadline for some Art and Design courses
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UCAS Registration – Entry 2015
1. www.ucas.com - On the UCAS home page click on ‘Apply’.
2. Click on ‘Register/Log in to use Apply 2015’. Then click on ‘Register’. You will need to read through the terms and conditions.
3. You will then need to provide various details including name, address, email, mobile number etc. The UCAS apply system will then transfer these details to your application.
4. The registration process generates a username and you create your own password, which you will need to log in to your application.
5. You will be asked to provide answers to 4 security questions. You can choose from the following:
Logging-in for the first time
1. You are now ready to log-in. Use your username and password.
2. You will then be asked: How are you applying? Tick – ‘Through my school/college’
3. You then need to put in the buzzword = chaucer
4. This will then produce the following – ‘You are registering through NCN High Pavement VI College – Is this correct?’ Tick ‘Yes’.
5. This will generate a drop down menu of all the tutors at High Pavement. Find the name of your new A2 tutor or click on ‘Don’t know’.
6. Then – note down your personal ID number.
7. You will then be able to start completing the various sections – which you will find on the left of the page: Personal details Choices Education Employment Statement
The details that you provided when you registered will be filled in automatically.
E-mail address: if you enter an e-mail address, you need to verify that it is correct. Your email address needs to be verified before you can send your application to UCAS.
Please note – when you see an icon that says ‘See List’ – click on this and then click on the one that is appropriate for you. Anything with a red asterisk must be completed.
Remember to click on the ‘save’ icon at the bottom of the page.
UCAS will identify areas that are incomplete in ‘green’. If this happens do not panic - it is just there to remind you.
Make sure you do the following:
Country of Birth; Nationality; Area of Permanent Residence; Residential Category
Student Support: Where/whether you will be looking for funding and/or sponsorship. The Fee Code is 02.
Student Support Arrangements: this is a drop-down menu of local authorities e.g. Nottingham, Nottinghamshire.
Criminal Convictions: If you have any criminal convictions. You will be asked to tick a box if you do have a relevant criminal conviction. If you do not leave the box blank.
Disability/Special Needs – click on ‘see list’
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Education
In this section you must include all schools and colleges that you have attended since the age of 11.
For each school and college you must provide details of the following: All qualifications for which you have accepted certification from an
awarding body, even if you are retaking all or part of the qualification. All qualifications for which you are currently studying or for which you are
awaiting results.
Entering your GCSEs/BTECs etc: Click on ‘add new school/college’ – type in the name of your school. You can then add your GCSEs and other qualifications. You will be
presented with a range of qualifications – find GCSEs.
Entering your GCE AS and A levels: Click on ‘add new school/college’ – add ‘High Pavement’. You must list all subjects that have been certified at GCE AS level. Click ‘add
qualification’ – then type in AS level into the search box. You will need ‘AS Level First Award 2001’. This includes subjects that you are taking on to A Level. You should include a subject even if you are re-sitting an AS unit to improve you’re A level grade.
You must also enter your pending AS/A levels. This shows UCAS the subjects you have taken on to A2 level, and you are awaiting the result in summer 2015. Make sure you put ‘pending’ in for any qualifications you are awaiting results for.
You must include the examination boards for each of your subjects. The centre number for High Pavement is 28256.
The other sections are very straight forward. You will receive support with your choices, before you enter them onto your UCAS application.
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HP Exam Boards
Subject Level BoardArt & Design AS & A2 OCR
Applied Art & Design AS & A2 OCRGraphics AS OCRTextiles AS & A2 OCRBiology AS & A2 Edexcel
Business Studies AS & A2 AQAChemistry AS & A2 OCR
Communications and Culture
AS & A2 AQA
Dance AS & A2 AQADrama AS & A2 AQA
Economics AS OCREnglish Language AS & A2 AQAEnglish Literature AS & A2 AQA
English Lit/Language Combined
AS & A2
Film Studies AS & A2 WJECFrench AS AQA
Geography AS & A2 EdexcelGovernment & Politics AS & A2 Edexcel
History AS & A2 OCRICT AS & A2 OCRLaw AS & A2 AQA
Maths AS & A2 OCRFurther Maths AS & A2 OCRMedia Studies AS & A2 AQA
Music AS & A2 EdexcelPhysics AS & A2 OCR
Photography AS & A2 OCRPsychology AS & A2 AQASociology AS & A2 AQAStatistics AS OCR
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Course Research
Instructions: On the UCAS homepage you will see ‘Search for courses’. Click on this. On the next page there will be two options that will be relevant – ‘Search undergraduate and conservatoires’
courses’ and ‘Search for foundation degrees’. You will then be able to search by ‘course’ and ‘provider’. You will also be able to look at course content and entry requirements.
Course(Title & Code)
University Entry Requirements(Grades; UCAS Tariffs; Admissions
Tests; Auditions; Interviews)
Additional Information(Content/Modules etc)
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Course(Title & Code)
University Entry Requirements(Grades; UCAS Tariffs; Admissions
Tests; Auditions; Interviews)
Additional Information(Content/Modules etc)
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Course(Title & Code)
University Entry Requirements(Grades; UCAS Tariffs; Admissions
Tests; Auditions; Interviews)
Additional Information(Content/Modules etc)
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UCAS Tariffs
AS and A Levels
GCE A Level Tariff GCE AS Level TariffA* 140A 120 A 60B 100 B 50C 80 C 40D 60 D 30E 40 E 20
AS and A Level Double Awards
GCE A Level (Double)
Tariff GCE AS Level(Double)
Tariff
A*A* 280A*A 260AA 240 AA 120AB 220 AB 110BB 200 BB 100BC 180 BC 90CC 160 CC 80CD 140 CD 70DD 120 DD 60DE 100 DE 50EE 80 EE 40
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Writing a good personal statement(The following is guidance from Nottingham Trent University and University College London)
A good personal statement is designed to answer the following question:
“Why should we give you a place on the course?”
So, a personal statement is a chance to shine, to show qualities and convince the admissions tutors of the courses you are applying for. Your personal statement must include evidence of the following:
Passion and enthusiasm: why do you want to go to university and why do you want to study the courses you are applying for?
Your understanding of the course and subject: show that you have done your research. Look for common aspects of the courses you are applying to study.
Motivation and commitment: demonstrate this in a number of ways – reference to A levels, part-time employment, commitments to a team etc.
Enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus: refer to current events (if applying for Politics, Sociology, History etc), wider reading, membership of subject related groups etc.
Good literacy skills: check and double check spelling, grammar and tenses.
Relevant transferable skills: gained from study, work, extracurricular activities and responsibilities.
Give examples:
What have you done? Describe events clearly and in detail i.e. if you were a mentor at school make sure you explain this in some detail.
Provide information about responsibilities and duties. Discuss your skills. How and where did you develop them? Can they be
related to your course? Skills. You will have an extensive range of these - organisational skills,
speaking, listening, working independently, working to deadlines, team working, using initiative, problem solving, critical thinking etc.
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Use positive language
I took responsibility for … The role required me to demonstrate good communication skills I showed that I could … In this role I acted as a supportive role model … I am really interested in …
Common mistakes in personal statements
X Not positive enough – particularly about the area of studyX Not providing enough information.X Explaining the subject area to the admissions tutor.X Too much repetition.X Not making enough links to the course.X Don’t use ‘quirky’ opening lines – “To be or not to be … a chartered
accountant, that is the question!”X Don’t be ‘philosophical’ or too emotional i.e. “ I have wanted to be a
nurse since I was 2 years old …”; “I am applying to study Primary Education because I love children …”
X Don’t start or end with an inspirational quote.X Hobbies and interests not being current or recent enough.
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The structure of your personal statement
Paragraph 1: Knowledge of and enthusiasm for the course:
This is the most important section!
• Explain why you are applying for the course and subject areas that you have chosen e.g. “I am applying to study Sociology and Politics because ….”
• Explain why you enjoy the subject. Use your experience of A level study to support this. Discuss particular topics/units that you have enjoyed, both AS and A2. You can refer to other subjects to show dedication and commitment to learning.
• You should say that you are looking forward to studying the subject in greater depth i.e. studying Sociological theory at a higher level.
• You must show that you have done some research into the course/subject area. Write down some of the general aspects of the course/subject that interest you e.g. writing a dissertation, common modules – ideologies are a common feature across all Politics degrees; studying new and exciting areas.
• Show passion for the subject! Wider reading; inspirations – English Literature – favourite author; Film – genre/director; Politics – current events – nationally and globally.
• Do you have any career aspirations? Will the course help you to achieve these aspirations? This shows evidence of thought about the course and how it relates to your future.
• Refer to taster days, master classes and summer residentials you may have attended i.e. Sutton Trust, Ambition Nottingham etc.
• Discuss skills you have gained – presentation skills, working with others, deadlines.
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Paragraph 2: Work Experience
• You should discuss your work experience e.g. part-time job and voluntary work experience.
• If the work experience is directly related to the course then stress this. Some courses will want to see evidence e.g. Social Work or Primary Education.
• Show the skills and qualities that you have gained as part of your work experience.
• Highlight positions of responsibility that you have held at work.
You will have gained lots of skills through your work experience: Team work Leadership Speaking and listening Caring Planning and organization Meeting deadlines Problem solving Flexibility IT skills Working with professionals
Paragraph 3: Roles, Responsibilities and Achievements
It is essential to give examples of when you have taken responsibility for something.
You should give examples to demonstrate that you are self motivated, self-disciplined, sociable and independent.
Examples could include: being involved in a drama production, responsibilities at work, being a prefect or mentor, charity work, voluntary work, subject ambassadors at open evenings, being a member of the SU, being part of the college welcome team, captain of a sports team.
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Paragraph 4: Outside Interests
You must show that you are a bright, interesting and well-rounded person. You could include the following:
Membership of teams and organisations, details of awards, trophies and achievements.
Hobbies and interests – but explain these in some detail. Pursuits – outline what these involve. Experience of travel. You should write down examples of the skills you have developed
through your interests.
Make sure you explain your interests e.g. if you play a sport – to what level, membership of a team, position, awards and achievements in that sport etc.Make sure that what you write about is current, and very recent. Don’t include things from before the age of 15, unless you still do them.
However … don’t write that you like socialising, general reading, watching the TV – everyone does these things!
Other points to include
If you are deferring and taking a gap year – explain why and what you intend to do in that year – travel, work, voluntary experience etc.
You can finish with a small conclusion – to emphasise why you want to go to university and study the subject you are applying for. Keep this simple – again avoid philosophical statements! A good sentence to write might be:
“I have really enjoyed studying Psychology at A level, and so I can’t wait to study this subject at a higher level ….”
Your Personal Statement: Planning for First Draft
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1. What subject/course do you want to study at university and why?
2. What particularly interests you about the subject/courses that you have researched/are applying for?
3. What have you enjoyed about your AS/A level study? (specific units/topics etc)
4. Identify the skills that you feel you have developed during your AS year?
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5. Do you have a specific career aim/ambition, and how will the course you wish to study at university support this?
6. Identify and explain other supportive evidence to back up your enthusiasm for the subject/courses that you wish to apply for. (relevant voluntary experience; summer residential; Ambition Nottingham; Taster sessions/Master classes; Sutton Trust; being a course rep).
7. Discuss your work experience and what you have gained. Be specific and give examples (current part-time job; recent work experience – i.e. 2 weeks
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helping in a primary school; voluntary work experience etc). Refer to your job title, employer, roles, responsibilities and the skills that you have developed.
8. Discuss your various roles and responsibilities. (Include work, clubs, at school, college etc. Explain these as fully as possible, and again relate to the skills you have developed).
9. What are your hobbies and interests? Again – explain these as fully as possible! (Examples could include sport, music, dance, drama, politics, travel etc).
Examples of Personal Statements
Personal Statement 1
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(This student received 5 offers and is currently studying Politics at a Russell Group university)
If I were to be asked which single thing has the most influential impact on the world as we know it, I would undoubtedly reply with the word 'politics'.When choosing my A levels, I knew that my aim was to study International Politics atuniversity. My studies up to this point have only served to intensify this belief. Studying Government and Politics at A level has given me a real grounding in the subject; in political theories, political parties, pressure groups, and the ideologies that form the basis of political parties and the structure of the politics in the UK and throughout Europe. More specifically, I have been gripped by units of the course that dig deeper into more global politics, as far as the A level topic could go. The units that surrounded the structure of UK and Europe's electoral systems; the constitutional reforms that have facilitated devolution of primary/secondary powers to Scotland, Ireland and Wales; and the issues surrounding parliamentary sovereignty in the UK whilst keeping in line with EU legislation. I have found that the areas of the course that include more in the way of international politics have increased my interest and have inspired me to study this aspect in greater depth. I amintrigued by political debate and issues within the media such as the 'War on Terror', Libya's overthrow of their dictatorial regime under Gaddafi; and the impact of globalization although I appreciate the need for overlooking biased portrayals.
Mathematics, whilst being a fascinating subject in itself, helps me to think logically and to understand the mathematical basis of economic theory which is so influential to political changes and movements in the world. English Language enhances my analytical and writing composition skills and, combined with my experience in History, gives me context so vital to a course in International Politics.
In 2008, I won a place at a University residential visit at the University of Nottingham. The taster course inspired me from an early stage in my education to aim for qualifications to degree level or higher. Residing in student halls also gave me the necessary insight into what life could be like as a student of a higher education institution. I was also invited to attend a Talk & Reception about PPE held at Oxford University in 2011. This day visit opened my eyes to the possibility of studying a politics-based course and the opportunities such a course may lead to.
Throughout my school career I have represented the wider student body as a member of school councils and I have now carried this forward to college, representing students' opinions within the college's Learner Voice Board. This has contributed greatly to building my debating, negotiation and listening skills. As well as retaining responsibilities within school and college, I have also been involved in charitable fundraising work for Scope UK as well as proudly achieving a target of GBP600 in fund raising for The Rosie May Fund through organising dance events around my local area.
For over a year I worked at a busy designer shop at weekends and during holidays and I have been employed by the clothes retailer USC since May 2011. This experience in a workplace has given me the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life whilst giving me a sense of achievement and independence.
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When my studying is done, I absorb myself in leisure activities, the main one being singing and song writing in a locally successful band. I have also had a keen interest in dance and performance since a young age. These hobbies have given me some great life experiences such as writing and producing music for a television sitcom; dancing with professional west-end performers as well as singing and dancing to live audiences at places such as Theatre Royal Nottingham and the Royal Concert Hall.
Personal Statement 2(This student received offers from all 5 courses that they applied for)
I am applying to study Primary Education because I want to become a primary school teacher. One of my key interests is the academic and social development of children and the way the help of the teacher can influence their achievements. I am particularly looking forward to the teaching and learning modules and applying them in a classroom context. Primary Education is a course I've wanted to study since secondary school, and my A Level choices reflect this. English Language is my favourite subject, as I find Language Acquistion extremely interesting. Through this, I am able to look at the development of language in different ages of children.I have really enjoyed studying History at A Level, particularly the Tudor period. In GeographyI am really enjoying the unit on Biodiversity, and so I'm looking forward to bringing theseaspects into the classroom for young children to explore. My enthusiasm for primary education was confirmed in Year 10 when I completed a 2 week work experience placement at a primary school in Mansfield. I worked with a Year 5 class arranging the classroom, taking small groups and practicing key skills such as reading and story writing. In addition I supported children with core subjects which included Literacy, Numeracy, Science and History. Through this experience I was able to gain a good sense of how an ordinary school day ran from a teacher's perspective rather than that of a pupil. Being able to work with teachers, teaching assistants and children was really inspirational and so I am looking forward to learning to become an imaginative and creative teacher. As such, I am looking forward to starting a work placement at St Philip Neri Primary School in Mansfield in January 2013. I currently have a part-time job working as a waitress in Frankie & Benny's, something Ireally enjoy! My responsibilities include taking control of a particular section within therestaurant and ensuring that customers are served efficiently and quickly. This requires me to work as part of an organised team and creating a friendly environment and working under pressured conditions. Until last year I used to compete for Nottinghamshire in cross country running, but this hasnow become more of a fun hobby rather than a competitive sport. I am also part of the Oak Tree Badminton centre in Mansfield, where friendly games are played on a regular basis throughout the week. This has helped me meet new people and become part of team. I am currently learning Ballroom and Latin dancing at the Richard Purdy School of Dance. Every month we are examined on our performances and given grades according to this. These hobbies, I believe will benefit me throughout my career as the curriculum involves Physical Education, a lesson some children really look forward to during the week. I believe this is important as some children can express their talent through Physical Education rather than
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academic knowledge and I feel passionate about being able to contribute to this.During the October half term 2012, I completed my National Life Guards Course atRadcliffe-on-Trent where I have obtained an NPLQ. This is something I've always desired to do and I believe it will prepare and equip me with many important life skills, some of which Ican bring to the curriculum for Primary Education. The idea of studying Primary Education at a higher level is extremely exciting. I can't waitto start teaching placements in schools, engaging with children and working with a range ofdifferent professionals. This will enable me to have the opportunity to approach my love oflearning with children, developing me as a person and as a professional and starting a careerI know I will love.
Plagiarism
UCAS scan all personal statements for evidence of plagiarism. UCAS use a software device (Similarity Detection Service or ‘Copycatch’) to screen all personal statements to detect any plagiarism.
Where evidence is found institutions will be notified You will also be contacted to highlight this Make sure your personal statement is your own work
