1. Near or far? – the choice is yours… 329 Universities and Colleges 50,000+ courses

2. Two-stage Process Gaining a place at university or college has two stages: Research Self-Presentation (i.e. your UCAS application)

3. Key features of UCAS School or college-based applicants apply before they know their final exam results Every applicant can make five choices £17 registration fee (£7 for a single application) Application will be made on a computer Main annual closing date – 15 th January Oxbridge/medicine/dentistry/vet science – 15 th Oct

4. Filling in your Application Every applicant has five sections to complete: courses education employment about you personal statement

5. Listing your courses and institutions

6. The Importance of the Reference Every UCAS application must be accompanied by a reference Usually written by a member of staff at school or college

7. My application has been sent to UCAS, what happens next? UCAS will send you an individual acknowledgement Copies of forms speedily sent to candidates’ choices www.ucastrack.servicewww.ucastrack.service

8. ucastrack  Allows applicant to view own record  24 hours 7 days per week access  Shows choices, offers, personal information  Password on Acknowledgement letter  Can use it to reply to offers (over 300,000 students used the service, 2005 scheme)

9. University and College Decisions An admissions tutor can, on receipt of an application, make one of three decisions:  Conditional Offer  Unconditional Offer  Unsuccessful

10. Conditional Offers Expressed in: UCAS Tariff points or A level grades e.g. BCC or a combination of both

11. UCAS Key Facts GCE AS GCE A level VCE AS VCE A level VCE Double Award AAAAAA BBBBAB CCCCBB DDDDBC EEEECC 60 50 40 30 20 120 100 80 60 40 60 50 40 30 20 120 100 80 60 40 240 220 200 180 160

12. Confirming your place Summer results come out and (it’s good news) you have made your offer Your HE place is now guaranteed

13. Extra  Available for applicants who have used all 5 choices and have no offers  Starts 26 th February until 30 June  Allows further choice(s) one at a time  May lead to offer  UCAS tells eligible applicants about it

14. Clearing  Operates in late August/September  Gives you a final chance if you have not been placed anywhere  Vacancy information in newspapers and on the web  You have to take the initiative to contact an HEI which has vacancies

15. Contacting UCAS UCAS Applicant Enquiries: 0870 1122211