UCAS - Student Guide

Strode‟s College
APPLYING TO UCAS
FOR
ENTRY IN AUTUMN
2017
GUIDE
APPLYING TO UCAS
Entry in Autumn 2017
Introduction to Strode‟s Guide to UCAS Application
Welcome to the Strode‟s College UCAS process for entry in Autumn 2017.We have an
excellent tradition of students progressing to university. Last year 32% of students who
applied, went to Russell Group Universities.
It is really important to follow the guidelines in this booklet and meet the deadlines given.
Remember, the earlier your apply the more help you get and the earlier admission tutors will
look at your applications.
If you need help talk to your Tutor or go to the Careers Office in Student Services. You can
make appointments with an Advisor by emailing careers@strodes.ac.uk.
Considering or planning to take a gap year?
Strode‟s College can continue to support you with any future applications to university. As
the Careers team will be responsible for checking your application and writing your
reference, please contact us as soon as you register with UCAS careers@strodes.ac.uk
Good Luck!
Page
TIMELINE
2-3
On-line UCAS Application Guide:
1. REGISTRATION
4-6
2. PERSONAL DETAILS
7-9
3. CHOICES
9-10
4. EDUCATION
11-12
5. PERSONAL STATEMENT
13
6. CHECKING
14
AFTER APPLICATION SUBMISSION
15-17
Page 1
May – Dec 2016 University Application Timeline
Strode‟s Dates
23 MAY
UCAS Launch
MAY 24
UCAS Apply
opens for 2017
entry
UCAS APPLY
W/C 13 JUNE
UCAS Dates
Visit Universities:
www.opendays.com/
Students register on UCAS
JUNE
Try out Taster Days:
www.london.ac.uk/5197.html
W/C 20 JUNE
Personal Statement workshop
Look out for Summer
Schools
JULY
Take advantage of the support
provided by Strode‟s College.
Keep a look out for notices of
workshops
21 SEPT 2.30pm every
Weds for 5 weeks UCAS
workshops
28 SEPT EARLY
APPLICATIONS
COLLEGE DEADLINE
eg. Oxbridge, Medicine
8 JULY PERSONAL
STATEMENT HANDED TO
TUTOR
AUG
SEPT 6
This is a really important
deadline for you to keep if
you want to be on top of
the application process.
Completed
applications can be
submitted to
universities &
colleges
OCT 15
2 NOV
COLLEGE DEADLINE
FOR APPLICATIONS
DEADLINE
Oxford Cambridge,
medicine,
dentistry
NOV
NOTE: We cannot
guarantee applications
received after this date
will reach UCAS by their
cut off date
DEC
Page 2
Jan – Oct 2017 University Application Timeline
15 JAN UCAS
DEADLINE
JAN 15
UCAS
DEADLINE
18:00
FEB 25
UCAS Extra
Opens
24 MAR DEADLINE FOR SOME
ART & DESIGN COURSES
18:00
MAY
APR
JUN 30
Final date for
submission
MAY
JULY 4
Final date to apply
in Extra
17 AUG A Level, BTEC
results day
4 MAY – DEADLINE FOR YOU TO
REPLY – If you have received all
offers by 31 March
5 MAY - Offers received - if you
applied by 15 January you will have
received all offers by today.
8 JUNE – DEADLINE FOR YOU TO
REPLY – if you have received all
offers by 5 May
22 JUNE – DEADLINE FOR YOU
TO REPLY – If you have received
all offers by 8 June
13 JULY – Offers received - If you
applied by 30 June you will have
received all offers by today. YOU
NEED TO REPLY BY 20 JULY
JULY 5
Clearing
Opens
JUN
25 AUG GCSE results
day
Apply for Student Finance – apply
BEFORE 27 May to ensure loan is
on time
www.gov.uk/student-financeregister-login
MAR 24
APR
MAR
1 JULY Applications after 30 June
go into clearing
Your reference must be
completed before your
application can be sent
15 AUG
DEADLINE
MAR31
Remaining
offer
Oxford
Cambridge,
conditions must
medicine,
be met.
dentistry
SEPT 20
Deadline for 2017
JUL
APR
entry applications
18:00
17 AUG– Clearing vacancies
displayed & Adjustment
opens for registration
30 SEPT Clearing
vacancies removed
OCT 23
Deadline for adding
clearing choices
AUG
Page 3
APPLYING TO UCAS 2016/17
1. REGISTRATION
If you wish to apply for university entrance in August 2017, we suggest you register in June
2016. Follow the process below: Access internet site: www.ucas.com
Click on the Apply or Track box on the home screen
Click on Start an Undergraduate Application
Click on Register and Apply for 2017 entry
Click the Register button at the bottom of the screen
Register: Welcome. Read the information then click Next
Register. Please read, then tick the box to accept term and conditions. Click Next – note
you cannot press the “return” key!
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APPLYING TO UCAS 2016/17
1. REGISTRATION Cont…
Now complete all item marked * giving details accurately. Click ? If you need help.
Enter personal details as requested (click „next‟ each time to move on)
Security: Enter a password (6-14 characters including at least one number and one letter).
You will be asked to select 4 security questions and answers from a list (eg your mother‟s
maiden name).
You now have the following screen entitled “Register success”
Select „log in now‟
to continue the application
The software will then generate
a unique user name for you.
IT IS VITAL THAT YOU MAKE
A NOTE OF YOUR
USERNAME AND
PASSWORD. YOU WILL NOT
BE ABLE TO OPEN YOUR
FORM IF YOU FORGET IT!
Initial UCAS questions: How are you Applying? Select – „Through my School or College‟
You will be asked to enter a buzzword.
Strode‟s College is - progress17
Page 5
APPLYING TO UCAS 2016/17
1. REGISTRATION Cont…
It will confirm Strode‟s College
Select „Yes‟ to confirm
Then next
You will be asked to select a group. Select your current Tutor from the drop down list.
If you don‟t know who your tutor is
or your tutor initials are not there
then click on “ don‟t know”.
If you are no longer at Strode‟s
then choose Former Strode‟s
Student
Page 6
APPLYING TO UCAS 2016/17
2. PERSONAL DETAILS
Welcome
You need to put in an email address. Please use a suitable email address (for a
professional image), do not use your college email.
Make a note of your
Personal ID number
Verify your email address important! – follow instructions given
Copy the code sent to your email
Address in here. Then click on verify
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APPLYING TO UCAS 2016/17
2. PERSONAL DETAILS Cont…
Follow these instructions to continue.
The „Apply’ screen shows your progress in all sections of the form.
Select sections of the form
from the menu to the left
of the screen.
They do not need to be
completed in order, if you
wish to start your personal
Statement for example
click on the menu bar.
Use dropdown lists
where possible.
If you wish to leave the
form, click on save at
the bottom of the screen
then click on „log out‟.
Personal Details
Click on this section to continue to complete basic information wherever there is an *
Select country of birth from the dropdown menu - (UK is at the top of the list)
Area of Permanent Residence – select County (eg Surrey)
Residential Category – Most will be „A‟ (UK Citizen / EU National)
Student Support (Fee Code)– Usually 02 - Check with your Tutor if you are not entering 02 or
05 (for Health related courses)
Student Support arrangements – use drop-down menu to select county (eg Surrey)
Disability
– Enter No disability if you do not have a disability
or learning difficulty.
Give details where necessary e.g extra time required
in exams
Select SAVE and tick if section is complete
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APPLYING TO UCAS 2016/17
2. PERSONAL DETAILS Cont…
Additional Information
Activities in preparation for higher education - this means any taster courses, summer
schools etc. that you have been on either at a university or HE institution eg History &
Revolution - University of London Taster Course. It does not include university open days.
Parental education – this is for government data to ensure that people from all
backgrounds are encouraged to go to HE. If you are the first in your family, you may get
more financial help.
Occupational background – enter one of your parents‟/ carers‟ occupations. Usually the
main wage earner.
3. CHOICES
Complete this section in the light of AS results & your predicted A level/BTEC grades.
You have a maximum of 5 choices. There is no order of preference and the
universities cannot see who else you have applied to.
•Use drop-down menus to find institution codes, course codes, campus etc. Check you have
entered these correctly.
•Click current entry start date September 2017 or if you wish to defer, September 2018
•If you will be living at home, click „Yes‟
•Point of entry – leave this blank.
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APPLYING TO UCAS 2016/17
3. CHOICES cont…
Keeps track of
number of
preferences
Add up to five
universities.
NOTE: These do
not need to be in
order of
preference.
Page 10
APPLYING TO UCAS 2016/17
4. EDUCATION
The unit names or module titles for your Level 3 subjects can be found on the
tutorial & careers Moodle or ask your subject tutor.
Choose „Add new school/college‟ Name - your secondary school
Centre Number is automatic.
If not add the centre number
that is on your exam certificates
Always remember to save
Add centre number ( on your exam
certificates )
Enter qualification gained whilst there
Select GCSE to enter your GCSEs (your
normal single subject GCSEs)
Remember to put grades in for all exams
taken, enter the correct exam board for each
subject and save.
If you did Double Science: add qualifications:
GCSE Double Award
Then go back again and select GCSE Short
Course if you did any eg RE. Mark this as
section complete
Choose „Add new school/college‟ Name - Strode‟s College
Add centre number - 64910
Add the qualifications to be gained here
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APPLYING TO UCAS 2016/17
4. EDUCATION Cont…….
• The unit names or module titles for your Level 3 subjects can be found on the
tutorial & careers Moodle or ask your subject tutor.
• Select AS levels, date August 2016 Results are „pending‟ at present and you must
return to this in August to add results.
• You must also enter module/unit title and unit code (e.g. GGA3 Geographical Skills) and
the grade you achieved – you must do this for all subjects including any you do not
pass ( U grade ) – All AS subjects must be inputted even if below an E grade.
• If you are taking the EPQ make sure you write in the title of your project rather than
just the subject it relates to.
• Add music, drama, dance, Duke of Edinburgh Award etc.
• For A2 2nd year subjects remember to put the correct date and leave the results as
„pending‟ - you will need also unit titles for these.
• Add Additional Admissions Tests if you are taking LNAT, BMAT, UKCAT etc.
• If you are studying BTEC Diplomas or Extended Diplomas you will need to input it
as one 12 or 18 unit qualification – do not split it between the first year and second
year. Your overall qualification grade should be “pending “ for 2016 and then add a Pass,
Merit or Distinction against individual modules once you have your results in August 2016.
Resits
• If you need to re sit any modules in June 2017, you will need to re-list the modules
in the A2 section, as an addition to your normal A2 units. The re sit grade should
say “pending”
• Employment – You only need to list your current or most recent job.
Page 12
APPLYING TO UCAS 2016/17
5. PERSONAL STATEMENT
THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!
Please note the deadline for all drafts to Tutors is 8 JULY 2016
Once your Personal Statement has been approved by your Personal Tutor, you can cut and
paste it onto your application form. „Apply’ will only use plain type so there is no point in
underlining or using bold or italics. Remember to format it in Word and use the spell-check
to identify mistakes. Save it on the College system. You have a maximum of 47 lines.
Use the useful Personal Statement tool to get you started:
WHAT TO INCLUDE:
• Academic performance
• Suitability for the course
• Skills ad qualities, such as aptitude and enthusiasm
• Current or past achievements in particular subject areas
• Relevant extracurricular
• Any commitments
• Factors that may affect performance
• Avoid unnecessary repetition
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
• Strong opening paragraph.
• Research into the courses will help you.
• 80% academic, 20% extra-curricular.
• Be honest.
• Draft, redraft and proof-read – too many statements are submitted with major spelling
mistakes in.
• There‟s no perfect statement.
Apply the
Question! What relevance is linked to
the course, your ability and skills that you will bring or what you
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have learnt.
APPLYING TO UCAS 2016/17
6. CHECKING
Click on „View All‟ on this menu. This will preview all the details entered so far in each
section.
Correct any errors
that are
highlighted in
green
Only send the application to your referee (this is your Tutor) when you have thoroughly checked
all parts.
Check email regularly. If there are any errors on your form it will be returned to you by your
Tutor and this will delay your application.
Proceed to “send the form to referee” by paying online by credit/debit card. You will be
asked to enter your card details. The application fee for 2016/17 is £13 for one choice
and £24 for between two and five choices.
Your Personal Tutor (referee) will now add their reference and the form will be sent to UCAS.
THIS PROCESS MAY TAKE UP TO 20 WORKING DAYS.
Apply early and do not miss the College deadlines! The deadline for applications at
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Strode‟s is 2 NOVEMBER 2016
APPLYING TO UCAS 2016/17
AFTER APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Replying to offers
• Offers appear on UCAS Track
• Check each offer carefully for specific grades
• You should hear from all by the end of March
• You need to reply by:
• 4 May if you received decisions by 31 March
• 8 June if you received decisions by 5 May
• 22 June if you received decisions by 8 June
• 20 July if you received decisions by 13 July (if you applied by 30 June all decisions will
be received by 13 July)
Your Replies
• When you‟ve heard from everyone you can hold one Firm Offer and one Insurance offer
– you decline the others
• You‟re expected to take up your Firm choice if you get the grades
• Your Insurance offer is your back-up
Page 15
APPLYING TO UCAS 2016/17
AFTER APPLICATION SUBMISSION cont..
UCAS Extra: opens February to June
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
If you receive no offers, or decline all your offers you will be entered into Extra
Apply through Extra for one place at a time
Vacancies are marked ‘x’ by the course title
You either Decline or Accept
If you decline you get another choice
If you accept you‟re making your Firm choice
www.ucas.tv/ucas/video/69dr7
Confirmation of places
•
•
•
•
•
•
Universities get the results a week before you
Your place is confirmed (or not) on TRACK PROGRESS on day of results
You can access this remotely, but it‟s best to be in the country
Your Firm choice now becomes Unconditional
Your results will be sent to your College e-mail
The University will let you know when to enrol
What if you do better than expected?
•
•
•
•
•
•
You can upgrade your choice
Adjustment (open 17 August 2017)
Ring Universities and ask if they have places
Say you are applying through Adjustment
You have 5 days to find a new course
If you don‟t find anything your original Firm choice stands
http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/results/better-than-expected
What if you don‟t get the grades you want?
•
•
•
•
Check on Track to see if you have a place
Ring the University of your Firm choice and check if they‟ll take you – they might!
You might qualify for your Insurance choice – if so that will appear on Track
If you still don‟t have a place you will automatically be entered into Clearing
Page 16
APPLYING TO UCAS 2016/17
AFTER APPLICATION SUBMISSION cont..
What is Clearing?
Clearing is open from July to September
• Check on Track for your Clearing number
• Look on UCAS for places still available
• Ring Universities to say why you‟re applying
• If yes the place appears on Track
• You accept the place
• You‟ll need to reorganise accommodation
• You‟ll need to let Student Loans know
http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/results/if-you-have-no-offers
Eligible
applicant
researches
vacancies
If
unsuccessfu
l applicant
can start
again
Contacts
member
provider(s)
to discuss
application
Applicant
placed on
course
Member
provider
considers
application
Applicant
enters
choice
details on
Track
What if you haven‟t applied…?
•
•
•
•
UCAS is open to 30 June (be aware you may be limited on choices if late submission).
If you apply after that you go straight into Clearing (open July to September)
Look on Track for Clearing number
Clearing places released 5 July
• Ring Universities to say why you‟re applying
• If yes the place appears on Track
• You accept the place
If it all goes pear-shaped or you need any help/ support throughout the process come
Page 17
into Careers or make an appointment by emailing careers@strodes.ac.uk