University Application processHighcliffe Sixth Form

The Process of applying to University STEP 1 - Research courses/universities and attend open days

STEP 2 – Register on UCAS and complete the application form

STEP 3 – Reflect on Predicted Grades / UCAS Tariff & Admission Grades

STEP 4 – Write a personal statement – tutor & parent support

STEP 5 – Reference & University Predicted Grade Checked : 2 week turn around

STEP 6 – Send application to UCAS

STEP 7 - Complete any further requirements – portfolio / essay / admissions tests / revise for examinations

STEP 8 – Wait for offers / rejections / Interviews: GCSE Grades, Predicted A Level/BTEC Grades, Personal Statement, reference

STEP 9 – Make a FIRM and INSURANCE choice

STEP 10 – August Results Day – Confirmation / Clearing & Adjustment

£25

The application form

PERSONAL DETAILS

GCSE RESULTS

A LEVELS/BTEC & PREDICTED GRADES

5 CHOICES

PERSONAL STATEMENT

REFERENCE

£25

The application form

PERSONAL DETAILS

GCSE RESULTS

A LEVELS/BTEC & PREDICTED GRADES

5 CHOICES

PERSONAL STATEMENT

REFERENCE

£25

How university grades are predictedTeachers Predictions are based on:

• Aptitude in the subject

• Achievement in internal assessments

• Internal examination results – June 2019

• Evidence/ quality of independent study

• Quality of home study

• Acting on feedback

• Attendance

• ATL / progress

• Going above and beyond

12 Progress Check 3 (due early July)

University Predicted Grade will be included for parents to view

Predicted Grade – most likely prediction

June Internal Exam Result

Attitude to Learning (ATL)

UCAS tariff points (how universities make their offers)

Grade A LevelTariff

EPQTariff

BTEC Business/IT/MusicCAM TECH

Health Social Care or Sport

A* 56 28 Distinction * 56

A 48 24 Distinction 48

B 40 20

C 32 16 Merit 32

D 24 12

E 16 8 Pass 16

• Universities may ask for grades such as BBC or points such as 112 points • They may also ask for a specific grade in a subject such as grade A in Biology• They can also ask that applicants sit an admissions test

EXAMPLE STUDENT Are the courses I'm searching in my reach?

Student has ACB or 144 points - so should look at courses reflecting this

A

C

B

EPQ A

A Level Biology:

A Level Psychology:

A Level French:

University Predicted Grade

1. Grades

EPQ

A Level Biology

A Level Psychology

A Level French

Total UCAS points

2. Tariff Points

A = 24

A = 48

C = 32

B = 40

144

Some universities make offers based on 3 A levels, however, students who have completed an EPQ may have their offers lowered by one or two grades.

A course asking for AAB may be lowered to ABB or ABC if the student has completed an EPQ

University Predicted Grade

EXAMPLE STUDENT Are the courses I'm searching in my reach?

Student has ACB or 144 points - so should look at courses reflecting this

A

C

B

EPQ A

A Level Biology:

A Level Psychology:

A Level French:

University Predicted Grade

1. Grades

EPQ

A Level Biology

A Level Psychology

A Level French

Total UCAS points

2. Tariff Points

A = 24

A = 48

C = 32

B = 40

144

Some universities make offers based on 3 A levels, however, students who have completed an EPQ may have their offers lowered by one or two grades.

A course asking for AAB may be lowered to ABB or ABC if the student has completed an EPQ

University Predicted Grade

A

A

A*

A = 24

A = 48

A = 48

A* = 56

176

The personal statement4000 characters - with spaces(approx. 650 words) / One side of A4

If the statement is over the character count it will not be accepted when it is uploaded on to their UCAS application

Personal Statement

1. Opening paragraph - Why they want study the subject?

2. Evidence - What they have done in the past that makes them a suitable candidate

3. Transferable skills – what skills they have developed during their academic studies

4. Personal interests - What are their interests? What else have they done that would contribute to the university community?

Evidence Evidence Evidence

4000 characters -with spaces(approx. 650 words) One side of A4

If the statement is over the character count it will not be accepted when it is uploaded on to their UCAS application

The reference • 4000 characters

• 620 words

Introduction - tutor

Subject reference 1 (Most relevant)

Subject reference 2

Subject reference 3

Subject reference 4/EPQ (if taken)

Summary – tutor

A subject reference from each of their teachers

about how well the student has progressed during

their academic studies

Their skills and qualities such as level of

independent study, ability to meet deadlines,

quality of work, how well they act on feedback

Evidence of suitability to the course

Contribution to the school e.g. mentoring, open

evenings

Any additional information that may support their

application

SEND TO UCAS

Students check status of application via

UCAS TRACK…

CONDITIONAL OFFER

UNCONDITIONAL OFFER

INVITE TO INTERVIEW/AUDITION

SEND WORK/PORTFOLIO/ADMISSION TEST

REJECTION

Response from Universities

ONCE ALL 5 RESPONSES RECEIVED…

Must narrow to two choices:

1. FIRM CHOICE

2. INSURANCE CHOICE (must be lower grades/tariff choice)

AUGUST RESULTS DAY…. CHECK UCAS TRACK

Accepted?

Rejected?

Eligible for Adjustment?

Clearing?

Deadlines: Early entry (Dentistry, medicine, veterinary, Oxford, Cambridge)

Internal deadline: Friday 20th September

UCAS deadline: Tuesday 15th October*

*Applications will be sent by the end of the day on Friday 11th October

How students can support their application STUDENT ACTION PARENT SUPPORT

• Use unifrog to search courses, find entry

requirements etc

• Work on their personal statement

• Read beyond the curriculum (books/

journals/ news articles)

• Gain work experience / job shadowing

• Online courses (relevant and other areas

of interest)

• Open days/virtual tours

• Meet internal deadlines

• Mentoring

• Strive to achieve

• Check the courses they are searching are appropriate

• Check progress checks ATL – are the yon target?

• Support transport /provide support for Open Days

• Check the progress of their personal statement and ensure they meet the deadlines

• Proof Read their personal statement

• Ensure they are working and revising for texts / exams

KEY WEBSITES

UCAS Website: www.ucas.com

UCAS advice for parents : https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/ucas-undergraduate-advice-parents-and-guardians

Applying to University https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-to-university

Adjustment: https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-and-track/results/ucas-adjustment-if-youve-done-better-expected

Clearing: https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/results-confirmation-and-clearing/what-clearing

Finance https://www.ucas.com/sfe