APPLYING TO THE UK SEPTEMBER 2015
APPLYING TO THE UK
SEPTEMBER 2015
Presentation Overview
• Studying in the UK• Course selection• Application process • Tracking• Clearing Extra +
Adjustment• Timelines• Finances• Resources
Statistics from the UCAS Website
• 300 plus higher education institutions
• 35,000 courses available• 498,000 students
received offers last year• 57,000 were
international • 12% of the UK student
body is international(Taken from http://www.ucas.com)
Why Study in the UK?
• Long established tradition of educational excellence
• Respected and widely recognized qualifications
• A strong reputation with global employers
• Top teaching and research
• Multicultural environment(Taken from http://www.ucas.com)
Other Factors
• Three year degree programs in England and Wales
• A narrower focus on your chosen major
• Competitive tuition costs
• Easy and inexpensive application process
• No need for the SAT or ACT
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
• Search for a course or an institution
• Search for the relevant entry requirements
• Complete the online application
• Track progress
• Accept and reject offers
http://www.ucas.com
Application Overview
• The main application window is from September to January but there are a few exceptions to this
• Applicants can apply for a maximum of five courses with the exception of Medicine where only 4 (+1) applications are allowed
• UCAS guarantees invisibility of application
• The same application is received by all universities at the same time
• Almost all offers will be conditional unless the applicant has final exam results.
Alternative Deadlines
• Applicants to Cambridge University who would like to be interviewed in Asia have a 20 September deadline
• Other Oxbridge applicants and / or applicants for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science at all other UK universities must apply before 15 October
• Some Art and Design courses and Music Conservatoires have later application deadlines
• Applications can still be made after the 15 January deadline but are not accepted after 30 June
The Course Search Process
The UCAS Search Tool
Looking for a Specific Course
Browsing the Search Results
King’s College London
Biochemistry Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Helping the Student Decide
• Is the student being realistic? The total on the UCAS website is the minimum number of points required
• For international schools, the IB diploma is generally required for direct entry to an undergraduate course. For IB certificate students, it may be necessary to take a foundation year
• Other qualifications are accepted. More detailed information can be found on the UCAS website
• Be strategic. Does the student need a safety school?
Discuss Different Options
• City or campus life?
• Study Abroad options
• Specific course requirements
• Sandwich courses
• Fees and other costs
The UCAS Application
• Bio Data
• Personal Statement
• Predicted Grades
• Recommendation Letter
Personal Statement
• 4000 characters with spaces
• 80% about academics• Include relevant
additional information• Be formal and specific• Show don’t tell• Supply evidence• Dos and Don’ts
Predicted Grades
• Stressful for students and teachers
• Frame what is possible for the student
• Early and Late: September and November
• Optimistic or Realistic?
Recommendation Letter
• Subject teacher or counselor?
• Mostly subject specific
• Input from other teachers
• 4000 characters
Tracking Your Application
• UCAS Tracking Number
• Time Scale
• Receiving Conditional Offers
• Firm and Insurance Choices
• Final Confirmation
UCAS Extra
• For students who have made five choices and are holding no offers.
• Open from February to July
• Students use the UCAS Search Tool to look for courses available in Extra
• Students contact the university to see if they will be considered
• A decision is received quickly
UCAS Clearing
• A student becomes eligible for Clearing if they don’t get the grades they need and are declined by all their chosen universities
• Clearing opens in early July
• Courses open for Clearing are listed on UCAS
• Students should contact the university directly (by telephone) before applying and then apply on Track if encouraged to do so
UCAS Adjustment
• Adjustment is for students who have exceeded the conditions of their conditional offer and want to try and apply elsewhere
• Adjustment is open from 15 – 31 August
• There are no official listings, students just approach the university they wish to apply to
• Register in Track
• Adjustment students have five days to make the adjustment or the original offer stands
Tuition Fees and Other Costs
• EU / International Status
• Cost of Living
• Accommodation
• Work
ISM Application Timeline
Grade 11 • Junior University Kick Off in November• Meet with the students between
November and February to introduce UCAS and begin identifying universities
• Meet with students and parents between February and April to discuss options
• Ask teacher / counselor for Recommendation Letter
• Personal Statement workshop in May• University visits over the summer
Grade 12• Early applicants work on a first draft
of their Personal Statement over summer
• Meet with counselor and write first / second draft of personal statement
• Personal Statement Workshop Part 2 in September
• First round of predicted grades in late September and second round of predicted grades in November
• September and October application deadlines
• January 15 deadline
Useful Resources on the UCAS Website
• How To Guides
• Video guides
• UCAS Tariff
• Advice for Students
• Advice for Parents
• Statistics
• Other Resources