UCAS PARENTS’ EVENING

WEDNESDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 2013

THE APPLICANT JOURNEY

AIMS

By the end of this session you will…

• Have an understanding of the UCAS application process

• Know how to support your son/daughter through the process

Search Apply Track

THE APPLICANT JOURNEY - OVERVIEW

UNDERSTANDING THE JOURNEY

• Applying to H.E. Is a very competitive journey

• Knowing how the ucas process works will enable you to provide the best possible support for your child

2010 2011 2012

Total Applicants 697,351 700,161 653,637

Total Placed 487,329 492,030 464,910

• Explore your options

• Decide on a subject

• Search for courses

• Check entry requirements

SEARCH: CHOOSING COURSES

WHY GO TO UNIVERSITY?

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

• Tuition fees

• Living costs – rent, food, books, clothing, transport

• Support is available from

CHOOSING YOUR COURSE

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

WWW.UCAS.COM

Course search

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

• UCAS TV

• University websites

• Prospectuses

• Open days

• UNISTATS website

Choosing a Course

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

HOW TO APPLY – THE APPLICANT JOURNEY

Researches where and what to study

Registers online with UCAS Apply

Completes all sections of form

Reference added by school

School sends form electronically to UCAS

UCAS processes form and forwards to chosen HEIs

HEIs submit decisions

Applicant views decisions on TRACK

Applicant replies to offers on TRACK

HEIs confirm places when results are released

THE UCAS CALENDAR – KEY DATES

Mid-June

Mid-September

15 October

15 January

24 March

30 June

• Apply available for student registration

• First date for receipt of Apply applications

• Early ‘on-time’ deadline: Medicine, Veterinary and DentistryOxford or Cambridge

• Deadline for all other ‘on-time’ applications

• Some Art and Design courses

• Last date for submission prior to Clearing

HOW TO APPLY

• On-line application through www.ucas.com

• One application per year

• Maximum of 5 choices (some restrictions for medicine/veterinary/dentistry)

• Cost: £23 for 5 choices or

£12 for 1 choice (CUKAS fee is £16)

HOW TO APPLY

• There are 7 sections to complete

• The first step is to register with UCAS. This takes about 10 minutes

• Get a username

• Create a password

• Set security questions

• Include the buzzword

HOW TO APPLY1. Personal Details

HOW TO APPLY

2. Student Finance

HOW TO APPLY

3. Choices

HOW TO APPLY

4. Education

HOW TO APPLY

5. Employment

HOW TO APPLY

6 & 7: Personal Statement and Reference

Using Apply 2014

USING TRACK

TRACK is the online system that allows you to follow the progress of your application.

• Follow the progress of your application 24/7

• See your choices and personal information

• See offer details

• Reply to offers online

USING TRACK

Decisions

Admissions tutors may initially make one of six decisions: Unconditional offer Conditional offer Rejection Withdrawal Full Invitation

USING TRACK

Replies

Once you have decisions on all your choices, you can hold a maximum of 2 offers:

• Firm: your first choice where you will be placed if you meet the conditions

• Insurance: acts as a back-up if you do not get into your ‘firm’ choice

USING TRACK

Replies

Making Sense of Offers

Eligible applicant

researches vacancies

Contacts institution(s) to discuss application

Applicant enters choice

details on Track

Institution considers

application

Applicant placed on

course

If rejected, applicant

starts over

NEXT STEPS

NEXT STEPS

Adjustment• It is optional

• It is for applicants who exceed the conditions of their firm choice

• Runs from mid-end August. An applicant has only 5 calendar days to use adjustment once their firm offer comes in

• There are no vacancy lists. Applicants must contact a university directly

Clearing and Adjustment

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES

• QUALIFICATIONS

• EXPERIENCE

• SKILLS

• TESTIMONY - Personal statement reference

Advice for Parents / Carers

ANY QUESTIONS?