Preparing your students

for UCAS

Geography Teachers Conference – 2nd July 2014

PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCASOverview

• Context

• Facts and figures on applications

• Advice for applicants to all subjects

• What we are looking for from you

• What a Geography Admissions Tutor looks for…

• Discussion

• More students than ever applying and being

accepted into HE

• Removal of student number control – increasingly

competitive environment in Higher Education

• Changes to A-level and GCSE

PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCASContext

UCAS report 2013

• 495,600 placed through UCAS in 2013 – more than ever

• More offers than ever (1.7 million)

• Over 50% had 4 or more offers

• 363,300 placed at their firm choice

• 'Higher tariff' institutions increased acceptances by 10 per

cent to highest ever total

PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCASFacts and figures

2013 applications per subject (national)

Subject Applications Accepts Ratio

Medicine 84,395 7,515 11.2

Geography 35,065 6,400 5.5

History 51,425 9,425 5.5

Business 60,080 12,375 4.9

Law 103,460 19,150 5.4

Engineering 14,315 3,765 3.8

Agriculture 6,505 1,995 3.3

PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCASFacts and figures

• Do universities take any notice of references and personal

statements…?

• Yes! Essential part of UCAS process – they can make a real

difference

• 4,000 characters, 47 lines

PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCASThe personal statement and reference

• Informed and academic assessment of an applicant’s suitability

for further study

• The student's academic performance in their post-16 education

• Their potential for academic success in higher education – are they ready for

university life?

• Why the course they have chosen is suited to them, is this the right path?

• Any personal qualities which will benefit them at university, such as skills,

aptitude, enthusiasm

• What they can bring to the university, such as extra-curricular activities and

interests.

• Career plans

• Overall recommendation

PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCASWhat we want to see

Universities do NOT see what the candidate’s other choices are

• Note any factors that have affected the student’s achievement or

individual circumstances that might warrant special consideration.

– Family Circumstances

– Health issues

• Make sure the predicted grades refer to the right qualifications

• If predicted grades are not consistent with achievement so far, then

why?

• Remember that the reference is for ALL the student’s choices.

• Common qualifications do NOT need explaining

PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCASKey issues

• Make it readable

• Use a style that you feel comfortable with

• Read application – especially the Personal Statement

• Check where they have applied to

• Check what they have applied for

• Expand on their activities

• Use Entry Profiles

• Be honest

• Use concrete examples - this shows you know the applicant

PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCASReferences - Do…

• Use it to promote school or college

• Hide bad predicted grades in the text

• Ignore students’ Personal Statements

• Need to have references completed by the Head/Principal

• Directly mention one institution by name

• Paste in information on the wrong student

• Repeat information that can be found on the form

PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCASReferences – Don’t…