UCAS
When you have done all your research and narrowed your choice of universities down to five, you apply using Universities and Colleges Admissions Service( UCAS). All university applications are managed by UCAS who forward your application to the universities and colleges you have chosen. As well as stating your course preference, a UCAS form will typically ask you to state your personal details, your qualifications, your grades obtained and your predicted grades. There is also a separate section for your personal statement which is a great chance for you to set yourself apart from other applicants and to give the admissions tutor an insight into what motivates you. Admissions staff study all the applications in detail and if applicable, make an offer. Some universities give unconditional offers which means that you will receive a place regardless of your final results but a majority of institutions give conditional offers which are subject to the entry requirements being met.
Your UCAS application contains a‘ More about you’ section where you can disclose if you are part of a vulnerable group, such as being a young carer, a service child or estranged from your parents. You will not have to give any further details at this stage if you choose not to, however there is a free text box where you can provide further details if you wish. By sharing this information in your application, it will help universities to connect you to the right support for your needs and ensure you have all the information you need.
The information you give is treated sensitively and only shared with those responsible for arranging support and helping you with your application. Knowing about your circumstances may also help admissions staff consider your achievements more fully – this is called contextual admissions. Sharing this information doesn’ t reflect negatively on your application, nor will it affect your chances of receiving an offer.
The universities you apply to may get in touch to tell you more about how they can support you, but we recommend you contact them directly to discuss your needs. When choosing your university, it is important to know that not all universities offer the same type of support, such as offering financial help or bursaries, so research your options before you make your application to ensure they offer what you need.
You can find more information about disclosing via this link: https:// www. ucas. com / search / frequently-asked-questions
When I first thought about going to university, I didn’ t worry about the debt associated with it because I knew it was something I really needed to do to get into my career. The most important thing to do is budget. You have to spend quite a bit of time on it, and those who haven’ t budgeted find it quite difficult towards the end of the year. You get your funding in a lump sum, and it’ s up to you to use it wisely so it lasts the whole year, rather than spending it straight away on things you enjoy. james, sport and exercise science
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