Everyone needs a break now and again, so we’ll be closed for a short time over the holiday period too. If you need to contact us, take a look at our opening hours.
Tuesday, 15 December 2015
Christmas opening hours
Friday, 11 December 2015
Five reasons to sign up to the UCAS newsletter
So you’ve followed us on social media and
you might have even downloaded our app.
You’ve probably read some of our blogs
and watched the videos
on our video wall, but did you know you can also sign up for monthly
newsletters? Here are our top five reasons why you should:
Get useful information and advice
Each month, we’ll include
useful advice on topics such as choosing courses, practical ‘how-to’ guides
about filling in your application, and guidance on what to write about in your
personal statement.
Never miss a deadline!
We’ll give you plenty of notice
about all the application deadlines and things you need to be doing for them.
You don’t need to do anything!
Once a month, we’ll send
your bite-sized newsletter directly to your inbox.
Get reassurance and tips from other students
Doing something new – like
applying to uni – can be scary! We’ll share tips, thoughts, and advice with you
from other students in your shoes.
Read about the things that matter to YOU
Your monthly newsletter
will include articles on things like careers, staying healthy, and saving
money. Some articles are written by experts and some by students, giving you a
balanced view on all sorts of topics.
What are you waiting for? Sign
up now!
15 January deadline - how to apply...
Looking to start uni for 2016 entry? The deadline for most
courses is 15 January. If you’re not sure what deadline your course has, check
in our search tool.
When you’ve found that dream course you’re interested in you
need to register, which will
give you a username and ask you to create a password. Once you’ve done that,
you can get stuck in with the application.
So once you’ve logged in, where do you begin?
Getting started
The basics come first; with questions based around your personal details so they should be straight-forward enough to answer. If you come across any questions that aren't clear, click on the red question mark which explains what you need to include. Check out our handy how-to video for a more in-depth view of the application.
Education
Here you need to add the schools or colleges you’ve attended since the age of 13, along with the qualifications you’ve studied. It’s worth having your certificates to hand as they’ll be useful if you’re unsure of any of the details, such as your awarding bodies. There’s quite a lot of info you need to add here so we’ve created this video to help you.
Personal statement
This is your opportunity to shout about your strengths, talk about your interests and expand on why you want to go to university and study your chosen course. On a practical note, it’s best to create a draft of your personal statement in a Word document first, then copy it over once you’re happy with it. It’s a good idea to ask someone in your family, a teacher, or a friend to have a look over it before you add it to your application. A second pair of eyes will help to spot any errors you might’ve made or remind you of some important information you’ve missed off. Reading it aloud a couple of times is a good way to check that what you’ve written flows correctly.
The basics come first; with questions based around your personal details so they should be straight-forward enough to answer. If you come across any questions that aren't clear, click on the red question mark which explains what you need to include. Check out our handy how-to video for a more in-depth view of the application.
Education
Here you need to add the schools or colleges you’ve attended since the age of 13, along with the qualifications you’ve studied. It’s worth having your certificates to hand as they’ll be useful if you’re unsure of any of the details, such as your awarding bodies. There’s quite a lot of info you need to add here so we’ve created this video to help you.
Personal statement
This is your opportunity to shout about your strengths, talk about your interests and expand on why you want to go to university and study your chosen course. On a practical note, it’s best to create a draft of your personal statement in a Word document first, then copy it over once you’re happy with it. It’s a good idea to ask someone in your family, a teacher, or a friend to have a look over it before you add it to your application. A second pair of eyes will help to spot any errors you might’ve made or remind you of some important information you’ve missed off. Reading it aloud a couple of times is a good way to check that what you’ve written flows correctly.
If you’re not sure where to start with your personal
statement, try out our handy personal statement tool which will get
you started.
Reference
You need a reference before you can finish your application. This is usually a current or previous teacher, but if you’ve been working for a few years someone who knows you in a professional capacity, such as an employer, may be the right person. Your referee can’t be someone in your family or a friend.
There are a couple of ways to get a reference – read on to see which is the right way for you.
i) If you’re applying through your school or college:
When you register, you’ll be asked to enter a buzzword when you select that you’ll be applying through your school or college. This will link your application to your school or college so your teacher can write your reference. They’ll also be able to look over your application and help you along the way, and when the time comes, they’ll send it to us on your behalf.
ii) If you’re applying independently:
There are a couple of ways to get a reference if you’re applying independently. If your previous school or college is happy to complete a reference then in the ‘Options’ section you can select ‘ask a registered school, college or centre to write a reference only.’ This route needs a buzzword from the school or college so remember to discuss this with them first.
Alternatively, you can enter your referee’s contact details in the reference section and we’ll send them an email with instructions on what to do.
If you’re opting for this route, make sure you speak to your referee first to check they’ll be able to provide your reference before you send them a request. Let them know something about the courses you are applying for so their reference is as relevant as possible. Once they've completed it you’ll be sent an email and the reference section will be marked with a red tick.
Good luck with your application!
If you have any questions about applying then have a look on our website. You can also get in touch with our advisers on Facebook or Twitter and they’ll do their best to help.
You need a reference before you can finish your application. This is usually a current or previous teacher, but if you’ve been working for a few years someone who knows you in a professional capacity, such as an employer, may be the right person. Your referee can’t be someone in your family or a friend.
There are a couple of ways to get a reference – read on to see which is the right way for you.
i) If you’re applying through your school or college:
When you register, you’ll be asked to enter a buzzword when you select that you’ll be applying through your school or college. This will link your application to your school or college so your teacher can write your reference. They’ll also be able to look over your application and help you along the way, and when the time comes, they’ll send it to us on your behalf.
ii) If you’re applying independently:
There are a couple of ways to get a reference if you’re applying independently. If your previous school or college is happy to complete a reference then in the ‘Options’ section you can select ‘ask a registered school, college or centre to write a reference only.’ This route needs a buzzword from the school or college so remember to discuss this with them first.
Alternatively, you can enter your referee’s contact details in the reference section and we’ll send them an email with instructions on what to do.
If you’re opting for this route, make sure you speak to your referee first to check they’ll be able to provide your reference before you send them a request. Let them know something about the courses you are applying for so their reference is as relevant as possible. Once they've completed it you’ll be sent an email and the reference section will be marked with a red tick.
Good luck with your application!
If you have any questions about applying then have a look on our website. You can also get in touch with our advisers on Facebook or Twitter and they’ll do their best to help.
Monday, 30 November 2015
How to make the most of your visit to an open day in four simple steps
It’s always a good idea to get a taste of a university
before you apply there or accept an offer of a place from them. The best way to
do this is by attending an open day! Not sure how to find them or why you
should attend? This blog has it covered…
Why should you attend
an open day?
They give you the chance to get a first-hand impression of the
uni that you can’t get online – so important if you end up spending three years
living there. You’ll get to see the university in action, find out more about the
course, ask the tutors questions as well as the opportunity to meet their students
who will know the uni inside out.
Search for open days
and make a shortlist
There are over 370 unis and colleges in the UK, so you won’t
be able to attend them all! Make a shortlist of the unis and courses you’re
interested in by looking at our search tool.
Once you’ve done that, search for open days on our website.
If the uni doesn’t have any listed, have a look on their website or give them a
quick call to find out if they have any events lined up.
Prepare for open days
The uni will have a planned itinerary that will usually
consist of a tour of the grounds, staff and student talks, and opportunities to
ask questions. Consider what sort of questions you’d like to ask and what
departments you’d like to see before you attend.
Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to arrive as you
don’t want to miss any important info. Most unis will have advice on their
website on public transport links and sat nav instructions to get there so have
a quick look when you plan your journey.
Can’t make it? There
are alternatives
We appreciate that trying to attend numerous open days can
be expensive, tiring, and not always logical. If this is the case then try the
next best thing, our virtual
tours! These shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for open days, just an
alternative if you can’t visit.
Some unis offer taster courses,
which include workshops and seminar sessions led by academic staff. They
provide you with valuable insight into how the university or college works. You
can search for taster courses on our website.
Friday, 27 November 2015
Do you hate getting up for school?
Don’t you hate it when your alarm goes off and for a split second you think it’s a mistake? There’s no reason to get up and you can just snuggle down and stay in bed. Then it hits you: it’s Monday morning and it’s time to get up for school. However there are thousands of young people around the world that don’t have the same feeling, because school isn’t an option for them due to war and conflict.
That’s why as an education charity, UCAS is supporting UNICEF’s campaign to protect children and schools in emergencies. You can show your support too just by adding your signature.
Samer’s is someone who’s been affected by conflict. Read his story…
Samer missed a year of high school because of the conflict in Syria, but eventually finished his secondary studies and was accepted to study business at the University of Damascus. But the war interrupted his plans again. Samer and his family were forced to flee to Jordan. While making their escape, they witnessed the horror of war first hand as three people they were travelling with were killed.
“At first the fighting was with bullets, but when I saw bombs we decided to leave. It’s like an earthquake when the bomb hits the ground. We were so scared,” Samer recalls.
Now at a refugee camp in Jordan, Samer is continuing his studies. When he left Syria he brought two language books with him and has since taught himself to read and write in English. He was also given a guitar and has learned how to play. Music and poetry are helping him cope, as he anxiously waits to find out if he can finally go to university.
Join over 60,000 people who have already shown their support for young people like Samer. Sign up to support the Unicef campaign by adding your signature here. It costs nothing and only takes a moment.
That’s why as an education charity, UCAS is supporting UNICEF’s campaign to protect children and schools in emergencies. You can show your support too just by adding your signature.
Samer’s is someone who’s been affected by conflict. Read his story…
Samer missed a year of high school because of the conflict in Syria, but eventually finished his secondary studies and was accepted to study business at the University of Damascus. But the war interrupted his plans again. Samer and his family were forced to flee to Jordan. While making their escape, they witnessed the horror of war first hand as three people they were travelling with were killed.
“At first the fighting was with bullets, but when I saw bombs we decided to leave. It’s like an earthquake when the bomb hits the ground. We were so scared,” Samer recalls.
Now at a refugee camp in Jordan, Samer is continuing his studies. When he left Syria he brought two language books with him and has since taught himself to read and write in English. He was also given a guitar and has learned how to play. Music and poetry are helping him cope, as he anxiously waits to find out if he can finally go to university.
Join over 60,000 people who have already shown their support for young people like Samer. Sign up to support the Unicef campaign by adding your signature here. It costs nothing and only takes a moment.
Image credit: © UNICEF/Jordan-13/Noorani
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