Applying for University in Applying for University in September 2016 (UCAS) September 2016 (UCAS)

Paul GerrardPaul Gerrard

Head of Sixth FormHead of Sixth Form

What is UCAS?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 15th of January to apply

• http://www.ucas.ac.uk/

What is UCAS ?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

What is UCAS ?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

Exams marked out of 200 – Exams marked out of 200 – UMS marksUMS marks

Grade AS A2

A 160 320

B 140 280

C 120 240

D 100 200

E 80 160

/200 /400

Exams marked out of 300 – Exams marked out of 300 – UMS marksUMS marks

Grade AS A2

A 240 480

B 210 420

C 180 360

D 150 300

E 120 240

/300 /600

Predicted GradesPredicted Grades

• Released after AS results

• Consultation period

Tariff Points (UCAS points) 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

The A* at A2 (only)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

Entry Requirements Entry Requirements (course specific 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.

UCAS decisionsUCAS decisions

• Students receive one of three decisions through UCAS

Conditional OfferConditional 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

Unconditional OfferUnconditional 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

RejectionRejection

• The student is not offered a place

• A reason for the rejection does not have to be given

ExtraExtra

• 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

Clearing Clearing

• Students do not meet the grades from their conditional offer

• Starts the day A level results are published

AdjustmentAdjustment

• For if you get better grades than you thought you were going to get when you get your A2 results in the summer

Partner ProgrammesPartner Programmes

CHOICESCHOICES

• You make 5 choices

• FIRM choice

• INSURANCE choice

• Ideally your insurance choice will be LOWER than your firm choice – it’s a SAFETY NET.

CUKAS for musical performanceCUKAS 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

Biomedical admissionsBiomedical 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

UKCATUKCAT

• 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/

Law admissionsLaw 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

Oxford & CambridgeOxford & Cambridge

• Applications by Wednesday 7th October

Applications NOT to Oxbridge

• Internal school deadline for all other applications Thursday 12th November

What now?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?

CareersCareers

• 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

UniversitiesUniversities

• www.universityoptions.co.uk

• www.whatuni.com

• http://www.timesonline.co.uk/TimesGoodUniversityGuide

• UCAS site – Course Search Apply 2016

• www.opendays.com

FinanceFinance

• Tuition fees – up to £9,000

• www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

• UCAS website