1. University and Colleges Admission Service 2018 entry

2. UCAS Figures
Over 360 institutions on UCAS site, some of which are private. If you apply to these (there are 41) fees and finance alters and it may leave gaps in student loans!
Over 35,000 courses are available – the largest degree sector in the world!
Over 650,000 students applied through UCAS last academic year

3. The UCAS process simplified
Register through UCAS apply
Complete form and payment
Academic reference added/independent referee
UCAS process form and forward to HEI’s
HEI’s submit decision (offer or unsuccessful)
updates sent to applicants
HEI’s confirm places when results are released

4. Test to be aware of LNAT – National admissions test for Law
UKCAT - The UK Clinical Aptitude Test
BMAT - BioMedical Admissions Test
HAT – History Aptitude Test
Oxbridge have aptitude/admissions test for most subjects

5. The Timeline March – September 2017 Research courses and universities
Write personal statement & complete Progression Module
15th October 2017
Deadline for Oxford and Cambridge applications
Deadline for medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses

6. The Timeline Wed 22nd November 2017
College deadline for UCAS applications. After this date we can not guarantee that tutor references will be attached in time to meet the final deadline, or that additional guidance can be given on personal statements
15th January 2017
UCAS application deadline

7. The Timeline December – April Offers start to come in Early May 2018
Deadline for responding to offers
16th August 2018 (expected date)
A Level Results Day

8. Researching courses and universities
Sources of Information
Tutors
Internet – or
UCAS Fairs & Open Days (attended recently)
University prospectuses (over 100 in 6th Form office)
Contact the universities
You can apply for up to 5 courses (exceptions Medicine/Dentistry where you can only apply to 4)

9. What things to consider
Which subjects interest me?
What are my talents?
What job would I like to do after attending university or college? Almost the idea of working backwards from where students want to be in 4 years time

10. Entry Profiles
Available from University website, Unistats website and in prospectuses.
They give a clear statement of the grades and other requirements the university is looking for
It is the student’s responsibility to provide their tutor, who writes their reference, with a copy of the entry profile

11. How to apply
Students are to complete the application form via the internet.
Student must attach their personal statement.
Sixth Form Office will attach their tutor reference.

12. Personal Statements
Always put relevant work experience in at the start
If you apply to a University that interviews students, the questions will likely be based on your personal statement
Use paragraphs
“Apply” doesn’t have spell check
Bold, italics and underlines are removed by UCAS
Universities are wary of parents writing personal statements!!

13. Different Types of Offers
Conditional – 85% are these and this links to A2 grades, tariff points and certain criteria
Unconditional – You are guaranteed a place no matter what (be aware that these are sometimes conditional on the students putting that University as a first choice)
Unsuccessful – You will not have a place at that University or on that course

14. Points

15. Example grade combinations
12/05/2018
Example grade combinations
A level grade
Old Tariff
New Tariff
A*A*A*
420
168
A*A*A
400
160
A*AA
380
152
AAA
360
144
AAB
340
136
ABB
320
128
BBB
300
120
BBC
280
112
BCC
260
104
CCC
240 96
CCD
220 88
CDD
200 80
DDD
180 72
These tables provide examples of total new Tariff points for certain grade combinations for a small range of qualifications. All new Tariff points can be found in the new Tariff Qualifications List.

16. Provider example Current Tariff requirement New Tariff requirement
BA Hons Business Studies
Current Tariff requirement
New Tariff requirement
UCAS Tariff points: 300 points required. (Minimum 200 from two A levels or equivalent, excluding general studies).
UCAS Tariff points: 120 points required. (Minimum 80 from two A levels or equivalent, excluding general studies).
BSc Hons Dietetics
Current Tariff requirement
New Tariff requirement
BBB. Minimum BBB points required. Minimum of BBB from three A levels (excluding general studies and critical thinking) to include chemistry and one other science subject.
No change (non-Tariff)
The next few slides illustrate some possible examples from universities as to how current entry requirements will be translated into new Tariff points.
Please note that these are early indications that providers have kindly provided to UCAS because teachers and advisers are extremely keen to see real examples of new Tariff point offers, so that they can understand the impact of the new Tariff.
Leeds Beckett’s early thoughts are based upon a learner presenting three A levels: The business course was 300 points (3 x B = 3 x 100), now 120 (3 x B = 3 x 40).
They have explained that they will give all entry requirements careful consideration to ensure they have fully thought through the impact of the repositioned AS and any other qualifications that may have changed under the new Tariff, for example small qualifications. This is to ensure their new Tariff entry requirements can accommodate the qualifications their learners typically present.
NB: Whilst the above accurately reflects the 2016 entry requirements in terms of the current and new Tariff, entry requirements for 2017 have yet to be set for any course at our university and thus may change before publication.

17. Provider example BA Hons Accounting and Finance
Current Tariff requirement
New Tariff requirement – including an AS alternative
300 points including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications or one AVCE double award. We accept general studies. Key Skills qualifications are not included.
112 UCAS Points, including at least 64 points from two A Levels or equivalent BTEC National Qualifications. We accept AS levels and general studies. Or
96 UCAS Points from three A Levels or equivalent BTEC National Qualifications. We accept general studies.
Again, Sheffield Hallam University has simply translated the current headline entry requirement into the new Tariff, although they have taken the opportunity to standardise some of the wording as part of this process and remove reference to some qualifications we are now less relevant e.g. key skills. However, for courses which allow points from AS levels to count toward this offer they have also introduced an alternative entry requirement which asks applicants to achieve a slightly lower number of points from A levels or BTEC Nationals alone. This follows feedback from some of their partner schools and colleges that where applicants are no longer able to study AS levels they may feel that the headline entry requirements were unattainable.
NB: Whilst the above accurately reflects the 2016 entry requirements in terms of the current and new Tariff, entry requirements for 2017 have yet to be set for any course in our university and thus may change before publication.

18. Success Students must be well organised
Courses and universities must be thoroughly researched
We advise to have applications ready before the October Half Term
Ask for advice – your tutor is there to help you

19. Help Careers advisor/tutor at school/college Careers library
University admissions teams
(lots of information about everything)
unistats.direct.gov.uk
UCAS schools team contact
Open Mon-Fri 8.30 to 17.30
They have 150 advisers on results day dealing with around 20,000 calls