UCAS Applications 2024 Entry – Everything You Need to Know

Applying to university for the 2024 entrance can be a scary and stressful process, and your UCAS Application may seem like an impossible task – it’s not! Here we have provided some useful tips and things to remember when writing your Application and Personal Statement. It’s important to make sure you have read and fully understand each part of the UCAS Applications process, so your application goes through seamlessly. From choosing your course to choosing your university, you can find all the help you need here!

Contents

What is UCAS?

What is a UCAS Application?

What is the application fee?

When can I apply for UCAS 2022?

UCAS Undergraduate Application

UCAS Postgraduate Application

Application Process

UCAS Application Form

UCAS Personal Statement

What happens after you submit your application?

UCAS Application Deadline

Choosing your course

Clearing

Tips for success

UCAS is short for ‘University and Colleges Admissions Service’ and is the platform which you will use to apply for a degree course at a university or college. You will send your UCAS applications and personal statement through UCAS, and it also provides information and advice on their website should you need it.

Your UCAS Application is how you will apply to your chosen universities and courses. UCAS collects information from you which will then inform your application, for example, your exam grades, qualifications, and your UCAS Personal Statement. This can all be done online.

Applying through UCAS requires a fee, depending on how many universities you are applying to. Current fees for 2022 entry are £20 for a single choice, or £26 if you are applying to multiple. You are only required to pay the fee once all the other sections of your application, made on ‘Apply’, have been completed. If you are applying through a school or college, they will send your UCAS applications through once you have paid. If you are applying independently and not through a school or college, you will need to enter your payment details on the relevant page once your reference has been added.

You can apply for your chosen courses from the 1st September. If you are applying from outside of the UK, you can apply after 26th January until the 30th June. Whilst universities consider applications equally no matter when they were submitted, it is always best to get your form and documents submitted before Christmas if possible.

If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you will apply to your chosen universities through UCAS. It is worth noting you can only apply once every academic cycle.

When filling in the various forms, admissions tutors will look for qualified students with a genuine passion for their subject. If you haven’t chosen the subject before, make sure can demonstrate that you’ve researched it and pursued your interests outside of the classroom.

Postgraduates can use UCAS to apply to their desire course, however, this may not always be necessary. Check to see whether your chosen university or college needs you to apply via UCAS or directly to them.

Simiarly to undergraduate UCAS applications, you need to register and fill in personal details. You will be required to submit a Personal Statement – this is your chance to convince admissions team that they should accept you onto your chosen course.

If you’ve studied a degree previously, what skills and knowledge did you learn? How will this postgraduate programme help your personal and professional development?

When you begin your application, you will be asked to fill in your contact details. Make sure that these are correct and up to date! UCAS will use your email to inform you of any notifications from universities, and universities will likely contact you through email too. If your details are incorrect, or your inbox is full, or you simply don’t check your emails regularly enough, you could miss out on crucial information. You need to watch out that the email address you have provided will still be valid by the time exam results come around – some school emails may expire after you leave.

As part of the form, you will have to list all your current exam results and the exams you will be taking. It’s crucial that you enter the details correctly. If your exam results don’t match up with what you put on your application, there could be delays in the confirmation of places. List the full title of each exam you are taking, and specify whether you are taking A-Levels, International Baccalaureate, or BTECs (or equivalents).

Universities use fraud and plagiarism detecting software when considering UCAS applications, so it is vital you are completely honest on your form and supporting documents. If it is discovered that you have provided false information, your place will likely be jeopardised.

Your choices, personal information, and Personal Statement will all be submitted through ‘Apply’, the service UCAS provide on their website.

It doesn’t have to be done all at once – UCAS applications can be completed it in stages.

The exact type of application you make through UCAS depends on what type of degree you are applying for, how you are studying (e.g. part-time or full time), and where. So make sure to double-check what you are required to submit!

If you are applying for part-time study, you may need to check with the universities how they want you to apply.

Applying for postgraduate courses can be done on the UCAS website, but this will be done through UCAS’ Postgraduate service – not the Undergraduate one.

On the ‘Apply’ section, as part of your UCAS application, you will be asked to register your details and create an account. There are several sections to complete – read each carefully. Make sure to fill in the right contact details so UCAS and your university choices will be able to reach you. You will be asked to answer further questions, such as what school you went to and the exam results you achieved. You will then make your course choices, and there is a special section for adding your Personal Statement.

References are normally sorted by your school or college, however, if you’re applying independently, UCAS will require your referee’s details.

Universities will consider your exam grades and any qualifications you have. However, your Personal Statement is where you can show them why you want to study your chosen subject.

When writing your Personal Statement, it is important to remember to allow plenty of time before the deadline. You only have 4,000 characters to use, and it may take some time to plan and edit what you want to say. Have a look at course catalogues and descriptions to see what kind of student the university is looking for – this can be a good place to start.

Spelling mistakes and poor grammar can easily be missed but may harm your application. It’s a good idea to therefore get at least one other person to read over it before you submit.

Your Personal Statement is meant to tell your chosen universities why you want to study this specific subject. You need to show that you are genuinely interested in it, and have relevant work or voluntary experience to enhance your application.

Whilst your academic achievements do have a significant role, universities and colleges also want to see that you will be able to contribute to student life. So ask yourself the following questions:

• What extracurricular activities to I take part in?

• What have I learnt from them?

• What skills have I developed?

Similarly, when explaining any voluntary or work experience relevant to your course, make sure to tell the admissions tutors what you learnt and the skills you developed, in addition to describing your roles and responsibilities. It is important to show that you can apply the skills and knowledge you have gained.

If English isn’t your first language, it’s a good idea to give an impression of your abilities – have you taken any qualifications to prove your language skills? Have you had any opportunities you’ve been able to practice in?

You can apply through UCAS even if you intend on going to university the following year. If you are taking a gap year, make sure to explain what your plans are, how it relates to your chosen degree programme, and what you will learn.

It’s important to make your Statement stand out, however, don’t attempt to use any cliches or humorous lines. Admissions tutors want to see that you will approach your studies with a serious and conscientious attitude.

Once you have completed your application through ‘Apply’, you will get a confirmation message. This will confirm what you have applied for and give you your new log in details for ‘Track’.

‘Track’ is where you will keep track of all your UCAS applications, any offers, and any rejections. Don’t worry if you don’t hear back from a university immediately. Some respond just days after submitting your application, some respond months later. Try not to overthink and stress if you’re yet to receive an offer or rejection. The best thing you can do is focus on preparing for your exams.

If a university wants to offer you a place, you will receive an email with the details of the offer. You may receive an unconditional offer, which means you have met all the necessary entry requirements. Or, you may receive a conditional offer, which means you will have to reach the specified grades.

You may get rejected – this means that you either don’t meet the entry requirements or may have simply been one of the too many applicants to that specific course. If so, you may receive a counteroffer for a different degree course.

Keep an eye out for any deadlines – these vary depending on where and what you will study.

1st October is the deadline for music applications if applying via UCAS Conservatoires.

15th October is the deadline for Cambridge and Oxford, and often courses in Dentistry, Medicine, and Veterinary Science. You have five choices to make – some of these can be made after this deadline if appropriate.

26th January is the deadline for most undergraduate applications.

Depending on when you receive your offer, you will need to reply in May or June.

Clearing opens in July.

It is worth noting that some courses will need you to take to additional tests as part of your application.

It’s a good idea to have seriously researched and thought about what you want to apply for before you start filling in your application. You can apply to five choices, but Dentistry, Medicine and Veterinary Sciences are only allowed four.

There are thousands of courses on offer. Use UCAS course search to find the course you want to study. Have a look at the specific modules you can study on the course and the facilities of the university.

Be sensible – how likely are you to get the exam grades needed for the entry requirements?

Universities provide offer holders’ open days. These are excellent opportunities to get a feel for the place where you may live for the next few years. Tutor’s will be on hand to answer any questions you may have, and help you gain an impression of what it would be like to study there.

If you don’t get into your top choices, Clearing is a great chance to see what other courses are on offer. Universities will list any courses that still have spaces on ‘Clearing’. You may need to write an alternative personal statement, and it’s a good idea to ring up the admissions tutors to get an informal offer on the phone.

Make sure you carefully proofread your application, ensuring all grammar and spelling is correct. Ask a teacher or adult to check over it for you, and don’t leave it until the last minute.

Still feeling overwhelmed or nervous?

We can help you write your Personal Statement and guide you through the application process. Our expert tutors all have graduated with at least 2:1s and are highly qualified. Get in touch today to find out how we can help!