Applying for Higher Education

Source: UCAStv

So you’ve done the research, you know which courses you want to study and where you’d like to study them.  You’ve been to visit the universities, you’ve talked to other students, you’ve used all the social networks you can find.  If necessary you’ve taken the admission test. You’re sure you’ve got it all sorted.  Now all you need to do is make the application.

Get it in early.  This is especially important if you’re thinking of studying at Oxford or Cambridge or studying medicine or veterinary studies.  If this is you, you MUST have your application in to UCAS by the 15th October the year before you might actually start the course.  If you miss this deadline forget those courses or those Universities for that year.  All other applications must be with UCAS by the 15th January.  If you miss this deadline you can go through Extra or Clearing but to be on the safe side get it in early.

The most important part of the application is the predicted grades.  Your tutors at school or college will add these for you so make sure you carry on working as hard as you can even while you’re filling in your application form.  Ideally you should have found out what grades they were predicting for you while you were doing your research so you can be sure you’re aiming at the right level. 

The next important bit is the Personal Statement.  Blow your trumpet!  Make yourself stand out from the crowd.  Over 2,500,000 courses were applied for last year so it’s not easy but to give yourself the best chance highlight:

  • Your love of the subject
  • Why you want to study it at HE
  • And what you are going to go onto after you have finished University.

Give evidence but only add it to your statement if it is relevant.  Being captain of the netball team and first violin is great - you should be proud - but what relevance has that to an Acupuncture degree?  Universities are especially keen to see planning in terms of work experience and a clear pathway after you’ve got your degree because this means you are likely to finish the degree and not drop out halfway through.

Do start your statement uniquely, keep it relevant to the subject you are applying for and finish it with your future plans. 

Don’t make jokes, don’t use slang, don’t use statements you’ve found or bought online.

Do ask at least three sensible people to read it, spell and grammar check it  and read it again before you send it.

For more information and advice about applying use the UCAS websites (see websites tab above).

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