Planning Your Application

Here you will find some helpful hints on how to complete the application and what needs to be added to your personal statement. You will also find further information to help you on the UCAS website, Filling in your application section.

  • You can apply for up to 5 courses - you don’t need to worry about putting it into order of preference, as they will automatically be listed in alphabetical order. (If applying for medicine, veterinary science or medicine, or Dentistry you can only apply for up to 4 courses)
  • Don’t list 5 courses for the sake of it - just because you can apply for 5, doesn’t mean you have to . Don’t worry if there is a space on the form.
  • Choose either Oxford or Cambridge - you can only choose from one of these and not apply for both, so think carefully about which you feel will be best for your needs (attend open days to get a real feel).
  • All institutions you apply to will receive application at the same time - don’t worry about one getting it before/after anther.
  • You need to impress the college/university admissions Tutors - these or the members of staff within the institutions that will look over your applications and decide whether to accept or reject your application.
  • Read all the instructions before you start - you will find the instructions under the Filling In your Application section of the UCAS website.
  • Know the entry requirements - You need to do this for each course, don’t assume that they will all have the same entry requirements. You can find this out using the UCAS search tool.
  • Check the University/College websites - Many will have hints and tips on what they are looking for from the application on their websites.
  • Don’t complete your UCAS application in one go - Apply allows you to save your progress, and this means you have the time to really think about and gather all the information you need to ensure that your application covers all the points needed.
  • Detail all your qualifications - this includes the ones that you are still awaiting the results for. You also need to ensure you have the correct title of the course, as you will be choosing them from a list.
  • UCAS will not chase up missing information - for example you don’t list all your qualifications, or you put in the wrong grades. It is very important that you check, then check again and then check again. If you are lucky your school/academy/sixth form or college may check through them with you.
  • Verify your email address - if you provide your email address you will need to ensure you go to your email and verify your account, this will be done via an email that UCAS will send to you, you will just need to press on the link. If you do not do this you will not be able to continue with your application.
  • Pay the Fee - you will need to pay a fee for your application, you will find more information on this on the UCAS website under References, Payment and Sending. You may need to pay the fee yourself using a debit or credit card, or you may need to pay the school and they will do it for you.
  • Check whether your chosen college/university accept deferred applications - You may decide to take a gap year and if so it would be advisable to check with your chosen universities whether they will accept deferred entries.
  • Institutions can not see who you have applied for - your chosen university or college will not be able to see who else you have applied for a place with, but they will be able to see if you have applied for more than one course with their own institution.
  • Get your application in before the closing date - all applications that have been submitted before the closing date will be considered, but admissions tutors may accept candidates before the deadline has passed. You need to therefore apply early to increase your chances, especially on the more popular courses and universities/colleges.
  • Check your school/college deadlines - your school/academy/sixth form or college may have their own deadlines for the completion of references, personal profiles etc. This is to enable them to assist you with your application in a timely manner, so ensure you meet the deadlines they set.

What are admissions tutors looking for?

Admissions tutors will make the decision, based on your application, whether to accept or reject students that apply to the college or university they work for. It is therefore very important that you find out as much as you can about what they are looking for, for your course in the application.

This information can be found normally in the entry requirements, but you can also contact the admissions tutors and ask them what they want. This can be seen by them as using your initiative, and may hold you in good stead if they do remember your name when you apply.

Entry Requirements

This will tell you what subjects and grades students are expected to achieve before they will be considered for the course with the college or university.

You may also find out more information about what the college or university also considers to help them come to a decision.

Remember too that entry requirements are simply a guideline and does not mean you will definitely be accepted, they are simply the minimum requirements the college or university will accept.

You can find more information on entry requirements on the UCAS Search tool—locate the course and you will find details on the entry requirements, along with other useful information to help you with your application and choice.

Contacting the Admissions Tutors

If after looking at the entry requirements you still have questions that have been left unanswered, you can contact the admissions tutors directly.

Before you call them you need to ensure you know exactly what you want to find out from them, you want to ensure you create a good intention. This goes for any form of communication you choose to contact them, telephone, email, or letter. This contact can count towards your application, so make sure you are polite, check grammar and spelling, and don’t use any slang or text speak.

Below are some things it is worth finding out:

  • Is there a specific selection criteria - for example a set of standards they measure against, they may have these with the more popular courses, if not most.
  • What do they consider to be the most important information when selecting students? - is it the personal statement they focus on? Are the references where they make their decision? Is it the grades? Etc.
  • Will the course be over subscribed? - if there are more applicants than places, this will give you a good idea on the importance of standing out to the admissions tutor.
  • What personal qualities are they looking for? - most admissions tutors will be looking for hardworking students that are motivated and willing to work within a team/group setting. They will also be looking for students that can demonstrate the ability to manage their time effectively as well as use initiative. Are there any other qualities they are looking for, for the course you are applying for?