An introduction to UCAS

1. An introduction to UCAS

2. Apply 2019 Key facts • Application is entirely online. • Maximum of five choices. • Some choice restrictions: • medicine, veterinary medicine/science, dentistry (maximum of four) • Oxford or Cambridge • Simple application cost: • one choice – £13 • two to five choices – £24 • Equal consideration. • ‘Invisibility’.

3. Key Dates 23rd May 2018 –UCAS Undergraduate Apply opens for 2019 entry. 6th September 2018 –Completed applications can be submitted to UCAS. 15th October 2018 6pm –Deadline for applications to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge and for most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science. Students need to have their part of the application complete and sent to us before 1st October. 30th October 2019 – Internal deadline for submission of completed application to form tutor. 15th January 2019 6pm (UK time) –Deadline for applications for the majority of undergraduate courses. 24th March 2019 6pm(UK time) –Deadline for some art and design courses.

4. The application process • Applicant researches and chooses courses. • Registers online with UCAS Apply. • Completes application and processes payment. • Reference added by centre/independent referee. • Centre/applicant sends application electronically to UCAS. • UCAS processes application and sends to chosen provider(s). • Decisions made. • Applicant views decisions in Track. • Applicant replies to offers. • Place confirmed. KEY: Red– Sackville Green – UCAS Blue– Uni Black– Learner

5. How Sackville helps: • Register online with UCAS Apply. Help will be given in morning registrations during July and September. There is guidance on how to complete the form on our VLE. • Students ask subject teachers for references and predicted grades, these are discussed and cannot be changed once agreed. • Students attend a full day personal statement workshop in September. One to one clinics with representatives from Sussex University will also be available.

6. 4. Once a student completes their application, including their personal statement, they need to process the payment (‘pay and send’). The completed application is then forwarded to the form tutor by the student. Pressing ‘pay and send’ does NOT send the application to UCAS. It is school UCAS coordinator who sends the application to UCAS.

7. How Sackville helps: • Form tutor writes overall reference and goes through this with the applicant. This will be done within 2 weeks of submission of the final application. • The whole application is checked by the UCAS coordinator and if there are any errors the application is returned to the student for amendment. IT PAYS TO GET YOUR APPLICTION IN AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE There is a full guide to choosing universities and the UCAS process on the Sackville Website.

8. Provider decisions • Universities and colleges will review the: • personal statement • reference • qualifications • admissions test results • interviews • portfolios • auditions • You’ll get 1 of 3 decisions: • Unconditionaloffer • Conditionaloffer • Unsuccessful

9. A level UCAS Tariff BTEC UCAS Tariff And their equivalents at full A level There are lots of online UCAS calculators – try googling them

10. Applicant replies • Applicants wait for all decisions from all choices, then they can choose one: • firm – if all conditions are met, where they will be placed • insurance – usually lower conditions in case firm conditions are not met • Any other offers must be declined. • They don’t have to have an insurance.

11. Clearing process • Places secured via Track. • A verbal agreement must be made between applicant and university. • Eligible applicants will have a ten digit Personal ID number (PID) and a six digit clearing number. • Should be able to quote both to the universities they contact. Applicant placed on course

12. Personal statements and references

13. Most common opening lines ? 1. From a young age, I have (always) been [interested in/fascinated by]… [1,779] 2. For as long as I can remember, I have… [1,451] 3. I am applying for this course because… [1,370] 4. I have always been interested in… [927] 5. Throughout my life, I have always enjoyed… [310] 6. Reflecting on my educational experiences… [257] 7. Nursing is a very challenging and demanding [career/course]… [211] 8. Academically, I have always been… [168] 9. I have always wanted to pursue a career in… [160] 10. I have always been passionate about… [160]

14. Points to remember • Strong opening paragraph. • Research into courses applied for will help. • 80% academic, 20% extra curricular. • Be honest. • Draft, redraft, and proof read. • There’s no perfect statement.

15. What is being looked for? • Independent study skills. • Self-awareness. • Motivation and commitment. • An understanding of the course. • Good numeracy and literacy. • Research skills. • Essay writing – don’t write lists. • Enthusiasm – going beyond the syllabus. • Time management skills. • Reflective thinking.

16. ABC rule…so what? Activity: what have you done? Benefit: what skills have you gained? Course: how will this prepare you for the course?

17. Changes at UCAS • New for 2019 cycle. • Alternative optionsfor students including apprenticeship information and adviceand the ability to searchfor apprenticeships, graduate jobs, and internships. • Widening participation, including a factsheetexplaining what contextualised admissions means. • Offer rate calculator.