How to apply for University
You have to apply for University through UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service). This is done online, through their online application system “Apply”. You will need to register with Apply before you can use this service. http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/apply/
When do I apply?
You can apply anytime from September before the year you want to start your course. There is an early closing date, usually around mid-October, for some courses such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or veterinary science, and also for applications to either Oxford or Cambridge University – please check carefully with the university and with UCAS.
Most courses start in September, although some courses start at different times – e.g. nursing and midwifery courses often have two intakes, September and January. Please check with the university or college where you want to study to see if you need to apply early.
Some art and design courses have two routes of study, route A and route B – applications for route B courses must be received by beginning/mid March – again, please check carefully with the University/College.
All other applications have a closing date of mid January – applications up to this date are considered “on time”. Applications received after this date, up until the end of June, will be considered, but only if there are still vacancies on the course in question.
The application is divided up into several sections, each of which has to be marked ‘complete’ before the application can be submitted. For more information, check this UCAS link
http://www.ucas.com/students/applying/howtoapply/
What if I want to take a year out?
If you want to take a year out, you need to:
• Check with the university in question that they will accept a deferred entry.
• Apply during the year before you intend to start, but apply for a deferred entry. You must meet all conditions for entry as if you were starting a year before you intend to. So, for example, if you want to apply to start a course in 2011, you need to go through the cycle as if you were starting your course in 2010, which means you would need to apply in the academic year 2009-10.
Does it cost anything?
Yes. The amount varies, depending on how many courses, universities and colleges you apply to. As a rough guide, if you apply to more than one course it will cost £17 and if you apply for just one course, it will cost you £7. However, please check the UCAS websites for updates, as prices may increase or change.
How many times can I apply in one year?
You can only apply once in each year’s application cycle. If you accept an offer starting in 2010, you can’t submit another application in the 2010 cycle, unless you withdraw the first application. If you do, your application will be cancelled and you won’t get your application fee refunded.
I’ve found a course I want to apply for – what next?
You need to register with Apply and then follow the instructions on how to fill in the application. If you go to:
http://www.ucas.com/students/applying/howtoapply/
you will find a walkthrough of the process, including a video to watch.
The application is divided up into several sections, each of which you have to mark as “complete” before the application can be submitted.
Probably one of the most important sections, the one that is your chance to make your application stand out from the rest and to really sell yourself, is the personal statement. There is some useful advice on how to fill in this section on the UCAS link above, but you can also click on this link to an article from The Guardian, which gives some useful ideas on how to write a good personal statement.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/may/12/ucas-form
One final, important note – make sure that your personal statement is all your own work. Don’t use someone else’s personal statement and copy it as your own or be tempted to copy anything from the internet - if you get found out, the consequences could be severe. UCAS use similarity detection software to check for copying and if you’re suspected of copying, you will be informed, as will the university or college you have applied to, who will take whatever action they see as appropriate.
What next?
Once you’ve submitted your application, you don’t need to wait for an offer before applying for financial help – you can start straight away.
Click here for financial information from DirectGov http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm .
Some courses offer places without interview, providing you meet the entry requirements – others will want to interview you. For an article from The Times on university interviews, check this link: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/student/student_life/article1538813.ece
Useful links:
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/ for the UCAS homepage.
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/apply/ to register for “Apply”.
Click here for a DirectGov guide on applying for a Higher Education course.