APPLYING TO THE UK

SEPTEMBER 2015

Presentation Overview

• Studying in the UK• Course selection• Application process • Tracking• Clearing Extra +

Adjustment• Timelines• Finances• Resources

Statistics from the UCAS Website

• 300 plus higher education institutions

• 35,000 courses available• 498,000 students

received offers last year• 57,000 were

international • 12% of the UK student

body is international(Taken from http://www.ucas.com)

Why Study in the UK?

• Long established tradition of educational excellence

• Respected and widely recognized qualifications

• A strong reputation with global employers

• Top teaching and research

• Multicultural environment(Taken from http://www.ucas.com)

Other Factors

• Three year degree programs in England and Wales

• A narrower focus on your chosen major

• Competitive tuition costs

• Easy and inexpensive application process

• No need for the SAT or ACT

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

• Search for a course or an institution

• Search for the relevant entry requirements

• Complete the online application

• Track progress

• Accept and reject offers

http://www.ucas.com

Application Overview

• The main application window is from September to January but there are a few exceptions to this

• Applicants can apply for a maximum of five courses with the exception of Medicine where only 4 (+1) applications are allowed

• UCAS guarantees invisibility of application

• The same application is received by all universities at the same time

• Almost all offers will be conditional unless the applicant has final exam results.

Alternative Deadlines

• Applicants to Cambridge University who would like to be interviewed in Asia have a 20 September deadline

• Other Oxbridge applicants and / or applicants for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science at all other UK universities must apply before 15 October

• Some Art and Design courses and Music Conservatoires have later application deadlines

• Applications can still be made after the 15 January deadline but are not accepted after 30 June

The Course Search Process

The UCAS Search Tool

Looking for a Specific Course

Browsing the Search Results

King’s College London

Biochemistry Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements

Helping the Student Decide

• Is the student being realistic? The total on the UCAS website is the minimum number of points required

• For international schools, the IB diploma is generally required for direct entry to an undergraduate course. For IB certificate students, it may be necessary to take a foundation year

• Other qualifications are accepted. More detailed information can be found on the UCAS website

• Be strategic. Does the student need a safety school?

Discuss Different Options

• City or campus life?

• Study Abroad options

• Specific course requirements

• Sandwich courses

• Fees and other costs

The UCAS Application

• Bio Data

• Personal Statement

• Predicted Grades

• Recommendation Letter

Personal Statement

• 4000 characters with spaces

• 80% about academics• Include relevant

additional information• Be formal and specific• Show don’t tell• Supply evidence• Dos and Don’ts

Predicted Grades

• Stressful for students and teachers

• Frame what is possible for the student

• Early and Late: September and November

• Optimistic or Realistic?

Recommendation Letter

• Subject teacher or counselor?

• Mostly subject specific

• Input from other teachers

• 4000 characters

Tracking Your Application

• UCAS Tracking Number

• Time Scale

• Receiving Conditional Offers

• Firm and Insurance Choices

• Final Confirmation

UCAS Extra

• For students who have made five choices and are holding no offers.

• Open from February to July

• Students use the UCAS Search Tool to look for courses available in Extra

• Students contact the university to see if they will be considered

• A decision is received quickly

UCAS Clearing

• A student becomes eligible for Clearing if they don’t get the grades they need and are declined by all their chosen universities

• Clearing opens in early July

• Courses open for Clearing are listed on UCAS

• Students should contact the university directly (by telephone) before applying and then apply on Track if encouraged to do so

UCAS Adjustment

• Adjustment is for students who have exceeded the conditions of their conditional offer and want to try and apply elsewhere

• Adjustment is open from 15 – 31 August

• There are no official listings, students just approach the university they wish to apply to

• Register in Track

• Adjustment students have five days to make the adjustment or the original offer stands

Tuition Fees and Other Costs

• EU / International Status

• Cost of Living

• Accommodation

• Work

ISM Application Timeline

Grade 11 • Junior University Kick Off in November• Meet with the students between

November and February to introduce UCAS and begin identifying universities

• Meet with students and parents between February and April to discuss options

• Ask teacher / counselor for Recommendation Letter

• Personal Statement workshop in May• University visits over the summer

Grade 12• Early applicants work on a first draft

of their Personal Statement over summer

• Meet with counselor and write first / second draft of personal statement

• Personal Statement Workshop Part 2 in September

• First round of predicted grades in late September and second round of predicted grades in November

• September and October application deadlines

• January 15 deadline

Useful Resources on the UCAS Website

• How To Guides

• Video guides

• UCAS Tariff

• Advice for Students

• Advice for Parents

• Statistics

• Other Resources