Higher Education.
A guide for students and parents
Including calendar for 2009-2010
What is UCAS?
- The University and College Admission System.
- It is the only way to apply for a University.
How Does it Work?
- Students complete the online UCAS form that contains four vital pieces of information:
- Personal details (DOB, address, GCSE results, etc.)
- Five choices of Universities and courses
- A personal statement
- An academic school reference – including predicted A Level grades
- Some students will be invited for interview
- From the offers made, students accept a firm offer and an insurance offer.
- When the results come out in August 2010 universities will decide if students have met the offer or not.
What are the Deadlines?
· You should normally submit your application in the autumn of the year before you enter higher education. Universities process forms as soon as they arrive. There is a distinct advantage in getting forms in early (see calendar).
What is the Personal Statement?
This is the students’ opportunity to sell themselves and convince the Admissions Tutor that they are committed to, and appropriate for, the course. An interesting CV will help the student’s case.
What happens after Applying?
· Conditional offers
This will specify what AS/A2 grades or points must be obtained in the forthcoming exams before the university will admit you.· Unsuccessful
This decision is final, and means that the institution concerned cannot admit the applicant for the course in question. Institutions or UCAS are not required to give reasons for an unsuccessful decision.
In some cases the offer may be expressed in terms of a points score to be achieved in GCE A level examinations or a combination of A level and AS examinations. (See UCAS tariff on back page).
Once offers have been made students must accept one offer (Firm Offer) and choose a second offer that requires lower grades (Insurance Offer).
Applicants should be aware that if they accept a conditional offer for a degree course, whether firmly or as an insurance, and it is later confirmed, they will not be able to decline it in order to enter Clearing. It is important, therefore, that they accept offers from institutions only if they are prepared to study there.
UCAS Extra is a process that allows applicants to apply to additional universities or colleges that still have vacancies. It means that they do not have to wait until Clearing to apply for other courses.
To use Extra applicants need to have:
- already made five choices;
- received decisions from all these choices; and
- either had no offers or declined all the offers they have received.
What Happens if Students Do Not Achieve Their Offer Grades?
If students don’t achieve their firm offer grades, the university makes the decision as to whether to accept them or not. If they reject them, students are automatically given their insurance offer through UCAS if they meet those grades. If they do not meet the insurance offer and the university does not accept them they are automatically put into clearing.
What is Clearing?
This is the system that sorts out spare university places. It takes place immediately after results and involves students contacting universities directly. It is therefore important that students are not on holiday when results come out so that they can deal with clearing if necessary.
How Can Parents Help?
· By encouraging students to complete the UCAS form early!· By encouraging visits to Universities.· By proof reading personal statements.· By doing mock interviews or arranging for family or friends to do so.
What about a Gap Year?
Students and parents often ask whether a year’s break between school and university is advisable. The attitudes of institutions will vary, but bear in mind the following points:
· A year out should be carefully planned and well used to broaden your experience and make you a stronger candidate for Higher Education.· Many Sixth Formers who decide against higher education may later change their minds. It is advisable for all students to complete a UCAS application.· It is wise to apply for deferred entry so that a place may be secured before embarking on a year off.· Further information from www.gapyear.co.uk
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AS Grade Points A2Grade Points
A 60 A 120
B 50 B 100
C 40 C 80
D 30 D 60
E 20 E 40
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Spring Term 2009
Summer Term 2009
Autumn Term 2009
Spring Term 2010
Summer 2010
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