UCAS Personal Statements
Applying to university can seem intimidating. It’s a big part of your education. Your UCAS applications can seem scary, but it’s quite easy when you know what to do.
Most people struggle with the UCAS submission. International students, mature students, and first-time students are all met with a wave of information to consider.
Let’s talk about your UCAS application 2023 and how it can be easy to do.
Your Introduction to UCAS
So, let’s cover a bit about what UCAS is to get started. UCAS stands for University and Colleges Admissions Service. The UCAS hub is the platform you’ll use to keep track of key dates, apply to college and university degree courses, and learn about entry requirements for your course. You can also learn about things like student finance.
Your UCAS Admission
The UCAS admission process is all about how you apply for courses. Using the information you provide, like your predicted grades, the system can help you submit an admission form and personal statement for a university of choice.
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Application Costs
It’s worth noting that there are some UCAS application fees. However, these fees depend on who you apply to. For a single application, you’ll pay £20. For multiple applications, you’ll pay £26.
When Can I Start Applying?
All UCAS courses are open for UK residents from September. International applicants will need to wait until January.
Undergraduate Applications
UCAS undergraduate applications are handled through the website. Admissions tutors will favour qualified students who show passion for their subject. Your undergraduate application should show your diverse interests outside the classroom as well as your new interests.
Postgraduate Applications
You can also use UCAS to apply for postgraduate positions. However, you may not need to - some universities have in-house progression teams.
The Application Process
When you start the admissions process, you’ll be asked to fill in your contact information to complete the UCAS register. You’ll get a UCAS login which you can use to access the site and get information about your applications.
You’ll have to list all your exam results and expected results as part of your registration. You should also make sure all the information you provide is accurate - universities employ plagiarism and fraud detection tools.
Understanding Your Application Form
Your application form is submitted through the UCAS website. It’s a good way to save money and time instead of doing it yourself independently. Most applications are made in stages - you don’t have to submit them all at once.
The application you submit depends on the degree you’re trying to study and other criteria. You’ll want to check with the university if you want to study part-time.
Your Personal Statement
Your university will look at your exam results and qualifications to work out if you’re a good fit. Your personal statement is a way to sell yourself as a person.
We’ve talked about personal statements before - you get 4000 characters, and there are plenty of examples to look at. Make sure your final product is original, however.
Submitting an Application
When you’ve submitted an application, you’ll get a message confirming your successful admission. You can then track it through the UCAS site. If you’re not sure what to do, use the adviser portal.
If your chosen university is going to offer you a place on the course, you’ll get an email. You can get either an unconditional offer, which means that you meet all requirements, or you get a conditional offer which is contingent on you getting the right grades. You may also need to perform admissions tests.
UCAS Deadlines
You should keep a close eye on the deadlines which are on offer - they make a big difference. The application deadline for conservatoires applications is the 1st of October.
The UCAS deadline 2023 medicine is the 15th of October. This is also the final date for dentistry, veterinary science and applications for Cambridge and Oxford.
Most undergraduate applications will be on the 26th of January. You’ll need to respond to any offers you get by either May or June.
Picking a Course
You need to make sure that you do the proper research before you pick a course to apply for - it is a big commitment. You can have up to five choices, but if you apply for a medical course like dentistry or general medicine, you only get four.
Thankfully, there are thousands of different courses on offer, and you can use the course search system to find the qualifications you want to study. If you take a look at the modules on offer, you’ll be able to get an idea of what courses are right for you.
We caution the importance of being sensible with your courses. You need to be realistic about what grades you can get and how this will make an impact.
Universities will offer open days, which is a good idea for any student. You’ll want to go and take a look at what’s available and how it will impact your learning. Plus, you’ll be able to get a chance to talk to tutors, who will be able to answer any questions you might have.
Understanding Clearing
If you can’t get into your desired course, then you’ll want to look at clearing and what it can offer people. Clearing is a great way to make a new opportunity for yourself by seeing which courses still have a space available. You should contact the admissions team for whichever course you want to do through clearing and see what’s on offer.
Top Tips For Success
Here are a few top tips for success with an application:
You should make sure that your application is always proofread and checked before you submit it. Make sure that someone else reads it to pick out mistakes you might have missed before you send it in.
If you’re worried about the personal statement side of things, then we can help you. We have extensive experience when it comes to getting a statement written, so please feel free to speak to us.