UCAS APPLICATION ANDPERSONAL STATEMENTS

APPLICATIONS PROCESS

www.ucas.com

What is UCAS?

• central organisation

• processes applications

• for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges

• web-based

• tracking system

APPLICATIONS PROCESS

Here are some of the sections you will have to complete:

APPLICATIONS PROCESS

Registration- Name, address, DOB. - Username and Password.

Personal details- Residential status, special needs, disabilities. - Sensible email address. - Nominate someone to discuss application with UCAS

Course Choices- Enter your choices in any order you like. - Apply will rearrange them in alphabetical order

Here are some of the sections you will have to complete:

APPLICATIONS PROCESS

Registration- Name, address, DOB. - Username and Password.

Personal details- Residential status, special needs, disabilities. - Sensible email address. - Nominate someone to discuss application with UCAS

Course Choices- Enter your choices in any order you like. - Apply will rearrange them in alphabetical order

Here are some of the sections you will have to complete:

APPLICATIONS PROCESS

Registration- Name, address, DOB. - Username and Password.

Personal details- Residential status, special needs, disabilities. - Sensible email address. - Nominate someone to discuss application with UCAS

Course Choices- Enter your choices in any order you like. - Apply will rearrange them in alphabetical order

Here are some of the sections you will have to complete:

APPLICATIONS PROCESS

EducationEnter all qualifications you are:- currently taking- have already received

Employment- Enter any paid work you have done- If unpaid, include in personal statement

Personal Statement- Why are you applying for the course? - Why should they give you an offer?

Reference - Written by someone who knows you academically

APPLICATIONS PROCESS

EducationEnter all qualifications you are:- currently taking- have already received

Employment- Enter any paid work you have done- If unpaid, include in personal statement

Personal Statement- Why are you applying for the course? - Why should they give you an offer?

Reference - Written by someone who knows you academically

APPLICATIONS PROCESS

EducationEnter all qualifications you are:- currently taking- have already received

Employment- Enter any paid work you have done- If unpaid, include in personal statement

Personal Statement- Why are you applying for the course? - Why should they give you an offer?

Reference - Written by someone who knows you academically

APPLICATIONS PROCESS

EducationEnter all qualifications you are:- currently taking- have already received

Employment- Enter any paid work you have done- If unpaid, include in personal statement

Personal Statement- Why are you applying for the course? - Why should they give you an offer?

Reference - Written by someone who knows you academically

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

(1) UCAS will process the application

(2) UCAS will send a welcome letter

(3) The chosen universities or colleges will look at the application

(4) The chosen universities or colleges will decide whether or not to

make an offer

DECISION PROCESS

Possible decisions

Conditional Offer Rejection

Unconditional Offer

offer made with NO conditions attached

offer made with conditions attached

Unsuccessful application

REPLYING TO OFFERS

You will receive a Final Decisions Letter from UCAS

Accept one university as Firm Choice

Accept one university as Insurance Choice

Decline the other offers

Be aware of individual deadlines

Ensure replies reach UCAS on time.!

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T RECEIVE ANY OFFERS?

UCAS EXTRA End of Feb to end of June in application year

Use UCAS ‘Course Finder’ for vacancies

You can only apply for one Extra course at a time

WHAT IS A UNIVERSITY LOOKING FOR?

Appropriate academic qualifications

A good reference

A good personal statement

THE ADMISSIONS TUTOR WILL ASK…

Are you suited to the course?

Do you have the right qualifications?

Are you hardworking?

Can you work under pressure?

Will you be able to adjust to the university environment?

Do you have good communication skills?

Are you genuinely interested in the course and shown you have researched it?

WHAT MAKES A GOOD PERSONAL STATEMENT?

‘Enthusiasm, wider reading....personal.. ’

‘Careful research ... individuals who understand and show motivation for the course of their choice’

‘An element of reflection and analysis really makes the difference to the application. It’s not what you’ve done but how you think about what you have done.’

How do you start a personal statement?

A GOOD STARTING POINT

Research course details

Decide on course

Research course

requirements

Research up-to-date

information

ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS…

Why does the course interest me/Why study it in more depth?

What specific topics do I enjoy and why?

Do I understand what the course/profession involves?

Have I done extra reading and research?

What are my career plans?

Have I attended any courses/field trips?

REMEMBER!

You can apply to up to 5 courses!

Different universities cannot see:

Use themes, not specifics

What else you have applied for

Which universities you have applied to

Extra Information to include

Hurdles they’ve overcome

WorkExperience

Gap year plans

Activities outside of

school

Volunteer work

Evidence of self-motivation

Sports, hobbies, interests

Positions of responsibility

WORK EXPERIENCE

Tutors want to see reflection

Analysis of duties

Highlight transferable skills

YOUR SKILLS PERSONAL EXAMPLES

Communication Dealing with customers face-to-face in my retail job. Difficult customers can be a challenge, but I have learnt techniques to manage these situations. These techniques are…..

Organisational

Working as part of a team

Leadership

Information Technology

Creativity

Problem-solving

Other languages

Negotiation

Remember to relate the skills to your course!

GENERAL POINTS

DO DON’T…Plan it first …Start with ‘I’ve always wanted to

study…’

…Sell yourself …Sound boastful

…Be honest and sound natural …Try to be funny or controversial

…Type in Word 12 pt, then cut & paste. Check spelling!

…Use repetitive language

…Proof read and get someone else to proof read

…Leave it to the last minute

TIMELINE

Register with UCAS

Write personal statement

Apply to UCAS

Oxford/Cambridge/ medicine deadline

Receive offers and choose 2 universities

Summer 2013

September onwards

October 2013

January – Easter

2013

2014

THINGS TO REMEMBER

Application

Register (sensible email)

Up to 5 courses

Personal Statement and Reference

Firm/Insurance Choices

UCAS Extra or Clearing

Personal Statement

Enthusiasm/Passion

Research

(Course details / Entry Requirements)

60-70% Course, 30-40% Extra-Curricular

Reflection and Analysis

Don’t rush!

Take it seriously!

www.unipodadvice.com

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT UNIVERSITY

USEFUL WEBSITES

UCAS ‘How to’ Videos: www.ucas.tv

UCAS Books: www.ucasbooks.com

Disability Rights UK: www.disabilityrightsuk.org

Oxford Brookes: www.brookes.ac.uk

Unipod Advice (Brookes): www.unipodadvice.com