What is UCAS?

1. What is UCAS? • Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (also CUKAS for Conservatoires) • Centralised application processing service • On-line system and application form • Secure site, can be worked on anywhere • Not just used for applying to university: • Course profiles (Course Specific Requirements) • Advice on choosing courses, interviews, student life, etc • Useful links

2. UCAS key dates 2014/2015 • Early September – applications can be processed by UCAS • 1 October – HCC advisory deadline for applications for Oxbridge, medicine, dentistry and veterinary science • 15 October – UCAS closing date for Oxbridge, medicine, veterinary science • 31October – HCC advisory deadline for applications • 15 January - MAIN UCAS CLOSING DATE (except some Art and Design Courses which have 24th March as deadline) • 25 February - UCAS Extra begins (for late applicants, those that have changed their mind or those who have no offers) • 31 March - majority of decisions made by institutions • 6 May – applicants need to reply to any offers by this date • 30 June - last day for late applications • 13 August - results day

3. Making an application • Over 50,000 courses to choose from • Up to five choices available on the form (4 for Medicine, Veterinary Science or Dentistry) • Lots of competition – it is important to have a strong application form

4. Making informed choices • Research the 4 C’s (course, career, campus and city) • Unistats.direct.gov.uk– very useful for quick reference for specific courses at specific universities • Check your predicted grades – these are based partly on AS result, partly on current performance and partly on teacher’s expectation of what you can achieve. UCAS expects predicted grades to be honest. Over-predicting final grades could result in you receiving unachievable offers from universities. • Be realistic about choices, for example: • x2 ambitious entry requirements to aim for • x1 match to your predicted grades • x2 lower entry requirements to fall back on. • Apply for similar courses across institutions. If you can’t decide between courses try and select similar subjects e.g. Business and Accounting. This will make the personal statement more focused.

5. Applying online • Seven key sections to complete • Can be completed in any order • Can return to a section to make changes if necessary • Students need to write down username and password and keep them safe • can be found on key sections of the UCAS form and provides answers to FAQ’s

6. ThePersonal Statement • Will need to be drafted several times. Ask your parent/carer to read it through and feed back as well as your coach/teacher. • Should be tailored to your chosen subject, where possible, and focused on: • Why you want to study that course • Evidence to support your choice of course • Evidence of your academic ability • Other qualities/skills/interests you can bring. • See UCAS.com for detailed guidance. • Must not be plagiarised – this is checked.

7. What happens next? • UCAS acknowledges receipt of the form • Students must track their application process online (using UCAS track facility) • University Admissions Tutors assess each application • Possible invitation to an interview (not required for all courses) • Decisions/offers made via UCAS track • Some universities send offer letters or emails as well

8. Additional Selection Processes • Some courses, such as Medicine or Teaching, require students to complete additional tests in advance of application. • Several institutions require students to complete entrance tests or assignments for specific courses, e.g. Law. • Universities requiring completion of such tests will declare this in the Entry Requirements section for the course on UCAS.

9. Interviews and Selection Days • A minority of universities require candidates to attend interviews or selection days for specific courses. • These can take the form of group activities, informal chats, structured panel interviews, Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs or stations)…. • Students are informed about the process ahead of the day. • Remember that interviews are a two-way process. You shouldn’t be put off applying to a course which requires an interview – the benefits include a better understanding of the course/department, as well as the opportunity to talk and make a connection with tutors.

10. Types of offer • Conditional offer • Unconditional offer • Alternative course offer • Unsuccessful • Offers may be expressed in either grades or UCAS points, for example, BBB or 300 UCAS points

11. UCAS points system A Levels

12. UCAS points system BTEC Nationals

13. After the offer • Students need to select two choices– firm and insurance. Use the insurance choice wisely! • Students have now entered into an agreement with these universities, if they change their mind they will need to by released by the institutions • UCAS Extra – for late applicants, those who change their mind or students who receive no offers • Results day – 13th August • Clearingfrom 13th August

14. Student Finance The Headlines • Students do not need cash up front to go to university • They only repay when earning over £21,000 and the debt is wiped after 30 years • Monthly repayments are lower than under the previous system • They will owe money for longer and pay a lot more • Many will never pay it all back

15. What support could students get?

16. Tuition Fee Loan • They don’t need to find the money for fees up-front, they can take a loan which does not depend on income • The amount they get depends on the cost of their fees – up to max £9,000 in 2015 • Before applying for a full-time course , they should check with their university or college how much their tuition is likely to cost • They pay back once they have graduated, when they are earning. • Student Finance pay the university or college the fees,

17. Loan RepaymentComparison

18. Living Cost SupportMaintenance Loan • Some of the amount students receive depends on their parental/household income, but not all of it – everyone can get some sort of loan support • A loan of up to £5,555 will be available for students who live away from home and study at a university outside of London • A larger loan of up to £7,751 will be available for students who live away from home and study at a university in London • A loan of up to £4,418 will be available for students who • stay living at home whilst at university • Loans have to be repaid!

19. Living Cost SupportMaintenance Grant • Extra help with living costs for some students • How much students could get depends totally on their parental/household income • Maximum grant in 2014 will be £3,387 • Households with income below £25k will receive full support, households with income up to £42,620 will get less depending on income • Grants don’t have to be paid back.

20. Living Cost SupportMaintenance Loan & Grant – away from home outside London

21. Additional Support • There is a National Scholarship Programme to help students from lower income families. • Extra support is available if they have are disabled or have a learning difficulty • Extra support is available if they have adults or children who are dependent on them • Trusts, funds, charities or employer sponsorship, Mum, Dad, other family!

22. Scholarships and bursaries • University of Sussex – family income below £42,620 will benefit from a £1,000 cash bursary in the first year, plus a choice of £2,000 rent reduction to help them live on campus or a £2,000 fee waiver. • First Generation Scholars – up to £3000 plus other benefits

23. Additional Information • A student loan is very unlikely to affect a students ability to get a mortgage (The Council for Mortgage Lenders ) • Mortgage lenders are most interested in monthly income (‘ability to repay’)

24. How to apply for Student Finance • Online It’s the quickest and easiest way to apply : www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance • Register and provide personal and course information • In most cases students can just provide their UK passport number and parent’s/partner’s National Insurance Numbers – they can then automatically check the identity and household income • Opens early in 2015.

25. Getting things right • You can estimate how much support you can get online: • www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinancecalculator • Start research early – students should know when to apply, how much they might get and what information they might need. • Do not wait until they have a confirmed place – students can always amend their finance application later on via ‘My Account’ • Send in any evidence they request straight away

26. Support for Students www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance twitter.com/sf_england facebook.com/SFEngland

27. Universities Abroad • America • Ireland • Spain • Italy • Holland • Australia • New Zealand

28. UCAS support available • Through UCAS website www.ucas.com • HCC presentations and resources from college website • PSHE lessons and tutors • Websites: http://unistats.direct.gov.uk www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk http://university.which.co.uk/ • Subject staff • Coaches • Mr Howard, Ms White and Mrs Thoburn • Careers/University Resource Room – esp. Degree Course Offers 2015 • University admissions tutors

29. How can I help my young person with their application? • Discuss their choices – students need to research courses thoroughly • Visit university open days. Often parents events alongside student events • Proof read applications and personal statements • Note key dates • Don’t be afraid to ask questions – contact us or UCAS directly with queries.