1. UCAS University and Colleges Admissions Service. www.ucas.com

2. What is it? A central organisation through which applications for entry to full time higher education (HE) courses in England, Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland are processed. A central organisation through which applications for entry to full time higher education (HE) courses in England, Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland are processed.

3. What is it? It operates on behalf of all member institutions to market their HE courses: It operates on behalf of all member institutions to market their HE courses: Undergraduate degree Undergraduate degree Foundation degree Foundation degree HNC/HND HNC/HND

4. Some Statistics UCAS applications received from N Ireland Students : UCAS applications received from N Ireland Students : 2009 – 15 939 2009 – 15 939 2010 – 18 435 2010 – 18 435 2011 - ? 2011 - ? % change +15.7% % change +15.7% Source: UCAS Source: UCAS

5. The Applicant Journey Research!!! Research!!! Be Thorough! Be Thorough! Course Search on UCAS website. Course Search on UCAS website. UCAS Website – Stamford Test UCAS Website – Stamford Test www.shimnacollege.org.uk for essential look ups and the sixth form blog. www.shimnacollege.org.uk for essential look ups and the sixth form blog. www.shimnacollege.org.uk www.direct.gov.uk/unistats. www.direct.gov.uk/unistats.

6. Research In successmaker you will find: In successmaker you will find: Copies of every UK university prospectus. Copies of every UK university prospectus. Prospectuses for universities in the Republic of Ireland Prospectuses for universities in the Republic of Ireland The Big Guide The Big Guide Times University Guide Times University Guide The Virgin University Guide The Virgin University Guide University Degree Course Offers (Heap) University Degree Course Offers (Heap) Specialist books for medicine, law, dentistry, veterinary science, UKAT and LNAT Specialist books for medicine, law, dentistry, veterinary science, UKAT and LNAT

7. Applying You apply online for a maximum of five courses. You apply online for a maximum of five courses. You can apply for more than one course at the same university. You can apply for more than one course at the same university. It does not matter what order you put them in on the form. It does not matter what order you put them in on the form. The universities you apply to do not know where else you have applied. It is a blind system. The universities you apply to do not know where else you have applied. It is a blind system. The fee for 2011/12 is £22.00. The fee for 2011/12 is £22.00. UCAS tariff/grade system. UCAS tariff/grade system.

8. Applying There are restrictions on the amount of choices for some courses: There are restrictions on the amount of choices for some courses: - You may only apply to a maximum of four courses in any one of medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine/science. - You may only apply to a maximum of four courses in any one of medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine/science. - One course at either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge. (Oxbridge) - One course at either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge. (Oxbridge)

9. Applying You can use your remaining choice(s) for any other subject. You can use your remaining choice(s) for any other subject. For example if you have made four choices for medicine you could still make one choice for veterinary science or any other subject. For example if you have made four choices for medicine you could still make one choice for veterinary science or any other subject.

10. UCAS Application Deadlines 15 October 2011 for dentistry, medicine, veterinary science/medicine and for all Oxbridge courses. 15 October 2011 for dentistry, medicine, veterinary science/medicine and for all Oxbridge courses. 15 January 2012 for all other courses. 15 January 2012 for all other courses. Some art and design courses have a 24 March deadline. Some art and design courses have a 24 March deadline.

11. Shimna Deadlines 8 October 2011 for dentistry, medicine, veterinary science/medicine and Oxbridge applicants. 8 October 2011 for dentistry, medicine, veterinary science/medicine and Oxbridge applicants. 5 th November 2011 for all other applicants. 5 th November 2011 for all other applicants. We have set these deadlines to give you a realistic chance of being made an offer. You must stick to them. We have set these deadlines to give you a realistic chance of being made an offer. You must stick to them.

12. Application Sent To UCAS UCAS will distribute your choices to the universities you have chosen. UCAS will distribute your choices to the universities you have chosen. The decision process begins and the information will come to you via the UCAS track system. www.ucas.com/track The decision process begins and the information will come to you via the UCAS track system. www.ucas.com/trackwww.ucas.com/track Log on to track using your personal ID, user name and password at least twice a week. Log on to track using your personal ID, user name and password at least twice a week.

13. Once the form is submitted you may have to…. Attend an interview. Attend an interview. Sit an admissions test. Sit an admissions test. Submit a piece of work Submit a piece of work Submit a portfolio of work Submit a portfolio of work Attend an audition Attend an audition This information will be relayed to you via UCAS track. This information will be relayed to you via UCAS track.

14. Admissions Tests Medicine and Dentistry Medicine and dentistry applicants need to register for the UKCAT before 23rd September 2011 and sit the test between 5 July and 7 October 2011. Medicine and dentistry applicants need to register for the UKCAT before 23rd September 2011 and sit the test between 5 July and 7 October 2011. Registration is now open. www.ukcat.ac.uk Registration is now open. www.ukcat.ac.uk www.ukcat.ac.uk These tests are designed to test aptitude rather than academic ability. These tests are designed to test aptitude rather than academic ability.

15. Admission Test. Law The following universities require you to sit the LNAT for admission to study law: The following universities require you to sit the LNAT for admission to study law: Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Glasgow, Leeds, Nottingham, Oxford, Kings College London and University College London. Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Glasgow, Leeds, Nottingham, Oxford, Kings College London and University College London. Registration is now open. www.lnat.ac.uk Registration is now open. www.lnat.ac.ukwww.lnat.ac.uk For Oxford you must sit the test by 15 October 2011 or before. For Oxford you must sit the test by 15 October 2011 or before. For all other universities in the list, by 15 th January 2012 or before. For all other universities in the list, by 15 th January 2012 or before.

16. Interviews Admission to competitive courses is decided by an excellent application and an interview. Admission to competitive courses is decided by an excellent application and an interview. If you apply to Oxbridge and/or medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, nursing, teaching, drama, music and art and design courses you will have an interview. If you apply to Oxbridge and/or medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, nursing, teaching, drama, music and art and design courses you will have an interview.

17. University and College Decisions Admissions tutors can make one of three decisions: Admissions tutors can make one of three decisions: Conditional offer Conditional offer Unconditional offer Unconditional offer Unsuccessful Unsuccessful Applicants then keep a maximum of two offers: Applicants then keep a maximum of two offers: Firm = first choice Firm = first choice Insurance = second choice. Insurance = second choice.

18. What happens next? Refer to page 67 – 73 of “The Little Guide” Refer to page 67 – 73 of “The Little Guide” Here you will find all the information you need in terms of offers and replying to them. Look at the FAQ section. There are also useful websites listed at the back of the little guide. You can ask me too. Here you will find all the information you need in terms of offers and replying to them. Look at the FAQ section. There are also useful websites listed at the back of the little guide. You can ask me too. Log onto www.ucas.com/track on a twice weekly basis during the application cycle for the most up to date information regarding your application. You will need your personal id, user name and password. Log onto www.ucas.com/track on a twice weekly basis during the application cycle for the most up to date information regarding your application. You will need your personal id, user name and password.www.ucas.com/track

19. Benefits of an early application Applications to university by January deadline. Applications to university by January deadline.

20. By January 2010 UCAS applications were up by 22.9% from January 2009. By January 2010 UCAS applications were up by 22.9% from January 2009. A very competitive market with 6000 fewer places for 2010/11 application cycle being predicated. A very competitive market with 6000 fewer places for 2010/11 application cycle being predicated. NI applications up by 15.7% in 2010. NI applications up by 15.7% in 2010. So, the earlier you get your application in the better your chance is of getting an offer. So, the earlier you get your application in the better your chance is of getting an offer.

21. And Finally… Any Questions?