Guide to filling out the online UCAS application

Welcome to the UCAS Application Guide! This guide is designed to help US students complete the UCAS application. If you do not have US qualifications and are not a current US resident, please contact your local British Council office at http://www.britishcouncil.org/. This guide to application is for instructional purposes only. This document provides advice on how to fill out confusing parts of the application, but it cannot be used to apply. You will need to access the online UCAS Course Directory http://www.ucas.com/search/index.html for course information. You will need to have information on any standardized tests or Advanced Placement examinations you have taken or will take. This includes test dates and scores. You will need credit card information to submit your application online (not for the simulator). The fee is 15 pounds. If you apply for one course at one university or college only (using only one of the maximum five entries available on the UCAS application) the fee is 5 pounds. You will be able to save partially finished sections of your application after youve registered and return to them at a later time. Progress/status indicators next to the name of each section allow you to quickly determine your status in that section. When you are ready to submit the application to UCAS, you must complete all sections in full and click the "finished" button at the end of each section. (Please note that even if you have clicked the "finished" button on a specific section, you can return to it at a later point if you have not yet authorized the final application to be sent to UCAS.)

Overview: 10 Steps to Apply 1. Go to http://www.ucas.com/apply. Click on Register / Log in to use Apply. 2. Register. After accepting the UCAS terms and conditions, the system will ask you if you are registering through: A school or college A careers organisation Another organisation As an individual. You should register "as an individual" unless your school is a registered UCAS Centre and has given you a buzzword (password). 3. Enter your personal details, including permanent location, postal address, phone numbers, and email address. 4. Enter details of your high school diploma or IB Diploma and any standardized tests you have taken or will take. 5. Enter details of your high school diploma or IB Diploma and any standardized tests you have taken or will take.

6. Write a personal statement. 7. Copy and paste your reference into the reference section. 8. Enter your credit card details. 9. Submit your application. 10. Send any supporting information (school profile, transcripts, etc.) directly to the institutions you have applied to with your UCAS application reference number. Exceptions If you are applying to any of the options below, you will need additional instructions for completing the UCAS Application. Otherwise, click Next. Im applying to Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary Medicine/Science. Im applying to either Oxford or Cambridge. Im applying to art and design programs. Note if no image comes with the text, the text was from the side bar of the page and no image was available Im applying to Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine/Science If you are applying to Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine/Science you can only make four choices. The deadline is October 15, 2007. Only about 5% of medical applications are successful. If you are unsuccessful, you can still make two more program choices up until June 30, 2008. In addition to the UCAS application, you may need to have completed the UK CAT or BMAT. Please check with the institution you are applying to for details. Im applying to either Oxford or Cambridge You can only apply to Oxford OR Cambridge. The UCAS application deadline for these universities is October 15, 2007. In addition, you will need to submit independent, institution application forms to Oxford by September 20 or Cambridge by October 15. Please contact the respective institution for details. You also have the option of choosing a college within your university of choice: each college will have a UCAS code. If you are unsure which college to apply to, you can make an open application and if successful, will be placed in an appropriate college. If Oxford or Cambridge is interested in pursuing your application, you will be invited to an interview in November. Oxford interviews in New York City, NY and Vancouver, Canada. Cambridge interviews are held at Cambridge although sometimes the interview can be conducted by video conferencing. Im applying to art and design programs There are two ways to apply for art and design courses - Route A and Route B. University prospectuses will state whether the course is Route A or Route B. Route A Applications: For courses using Route A, you can enter up to six choices in the order that they appear in the UCAS Directory. UCAS will send your application to each of your choices

at the same time. UCAS must receive your form between September 1, 2007 and January 15, 2008, but they recommend you apply by mid-November to allow the universities and colleges more time to see your portfolio.

Route B Applications: Route B courses contain an E in the course code. For courses using Route B, you can enter up to three choices. If you make more than one choice, you must give your order of preference. UCAS must receive your form between January 1, 2008 and March 24, 2008, but they recommend that you apply by March 7, 2008 if possible to avoid the last-minute rush. UCAS will start sending Route B applications to first choice institutions from February 13, 2008. If they receive your form after this date, they will send it to your first choice as soon as they have processed it.

You can apply for courses through both Route A and Route B, but you cannot choose more than three Route B courses.

UCAS Application Please select the option you would like to learn more about: Personal Details Choices Education Employment Statement Reference

Once You Have Applied Personal Details Most of the fields in this section are straight forward. We have summarized the few fields that might cause some difficulties: Fee Code - Choose one code from the drop-down menu to show how you expect to pay for your tuition fees. Student Support Arrangements - You should say here how you will pay for your course. If you live outside the European Union, you must pay the full cost of your course, which is higher than what EU/British students pay. Universities and colleges will publish overseas student fees in their prospectuses and they may ask you for a financial guarantee before they accept you. You should enter your source of funding (for example, private finance or student loans) under student support arrangements or leave it blank. Nominated Access - If you will be away during the application period, you may wish to appoint someone to act for you (parents, guardians, etc.), with whom UCAS can discuss

your application if necessary and who can make decisions on your behalf in your absence. Should you wish to appoint such a person please enter their full name(s), and their relationship to you. Choices This section is not as straight forward as it may seem; you must choose an institution before you choose a course code. To do this, click add a choice. Please read the following instructions before you submit your online application: Institution Code - Enter the university or college code, which will be a letter followed by 2 numbers. You can also click see list and select the relevant letter from the alphabet across the top of the page, which will then give you a list of universities and colleges starting with that letter. When you click on a name the system will automatically input the correct institution code onto the application for you. Course Code - Click see list to find the course to which you would like to apply. If you do not find all the information you need, please check http://www.ucas.com/students/coursesearch/index.html
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Campus Code - Some universities are comprised of multiple campuses or colleges from which you can choose. Details of such colleges will be available in a university's prospectus or in the UCAS course directory. If the universities to which you are applying do not have multiple campuses or colleges, leave this blank. Further Details - The UCAS course directory will include further details, which you must include in this section. If there are none, leave it blank. Live at Home - Click the button next to "Yes" if you plan to live at home while you study. Otherwise, click the button next to "No". Defer Entry - If you want to start the course in 2009 instead of 2008, put "D" in the box. Otherwise, leave it blank. Point of Entry - Leave this blank unless you have agreed with the university or college that they are willing to consider your application to start the course in Year 2 or 3 instead of Year 1. For example, if you are applying to start in Year 2, put 2 in the box. Education The education section consists of two parts: information about the schools you attended and information about the classes and exams you have completed or are going to complete. Please be sure to include all qualifications that apply - including diplomas and exams and check the entry requirements of your chosen universities before you begin. Where Have You Studied Qualifications Education Section One: Where Have You Studied In this section, you should list any universities, community colleges, or high schools (secondary schools) that you have attended. Include the dates you attended the institution and your type of attendance (full-time, part-time, or sandwich). *American Translation: Sandwich Course - A training course with alternate periods of formal instruction and practical experience

Education Section Two: Qualifications As "Apply" is used by students worldwide, the qualifications section must accommodate a variety of international courses and exams. In order to assist you with inputting your qualifications, we have created a series of examples detailing how you should enter the qualifications you have earned in the US. Please enter your information in the fields exactly as we have done in the examples to avoid any problems. Before beginning to fill out the Qualifications section, make sure you have the following information: The date the qualification was completed or will be completed The exact title of the qualification The awarding body Once you have entered your school information, click add qualifications. Education Section Two: Qualifications The qualifications section should include classes/exams that you have taken or will take before entering your chosen institution. You do not have to try to provide an equivalent UK qualification. I am applying with an International Baccalaureate Diploma. I am applying with a US High School Diploma or similar. Education Example: International Baccalaureate 1. If you are applying with an International Baccelaureate Diploma, select I and then select International Baccalaureate. Education Example: International Baccalaureate 2. Enter in the details for the International Baccalaureate.

Education Example: International Baccalaureate 3. You can also add your IB classes as separate modules. Click add another module and enter your score from 1 to 7 you achieved for that class. If you do not yet have a score, leave it blank. Please note, it is quite common for students to submit their application to UCAS without having filled in key academic information such as your IB score. (British students for instance, submit their applications without their A-level results.) *American Translation: A-levels - Students in the UK intending to pursue university studies take Advanced-Levels subjects known as A-levels or AS-levels (Advanced Supplementary). Students usually study three or four subjects between the ages of 16-18, culminating in Alevel exams, which are necessary for entrance into university. If you are applying with a US High School Diploma or similar, select U and select one of the USA qualifications on the list. You will have the chance to enter as many as are appropriate - you do not only have one choice. Check with the universities to which you are applying for their exact entry requirements. Choose all that apply from the list below to learn how to correctly fill out your academic details:

USA - Advanced Placement Test USA - American College Testing Program (ACT) USA - Associate Degree USA - College Level Examination Program (CLEP) USA - High School Graduation Diploma USA - SAT Reasoning Test USA - SAT Subject Test Other (International) - for other US degrees or qualifications (in the event you possess a qualification that is not listed, such as an undergraduate degree) Employment In this section you should enter details of your "paid" employment to date, including weekend or summer jobs. Please note: you should include details of any internships or volunteer work in your personal statement. Statement This is your chance to tell the universities and colleges you have chosen why you are applying, and why they should want you as a student. Admissions officers will want to know why you are interested in your chosen subjects. A good personal statement is important to your application and is different to an American college admissions essay. The personal statement should focus more on your academic abilities and passion for your chosen major(s). You should not mention the universities to which you are applying, as each one will read the statement. You do not have to use all the space provided, but you cannot exceed 47 lines on the online form. UCAS suggests including some or all of the following points: Why you have chosen the courses you have listed. What interests you about your chosen subject(s). Include details of what you have read about the subject. Particular interests you have in your current studies. Any job, work experience, or voluntary work you have done, particularly if it is relevant to your subject. Your future plans. Your social, sports, or leisure interests. Why you want to study in the UK. If you have had a position of authority or used your communications skills in any activity. If you are a non-traditional student, you should give details of any relevant work experience, paid or unpaid, and information about your current or previous employment. Reference In order to include the letter of reference on the online form, you must contact your referee and ask him or her to send you the letter as an electronic document (i.e., an email or an e-mail attachment). You then must cut and paste the text of the document to the space allotted on your online UCAS application. Alternatively, complete the online application at your school and have your teacher or college counselor write the reference directly. Please note that the reference is not confidential and you may request

it from UCAS at any time. The reference can be no longer than 48 lines (approximately 4000 characters). Who should write the reference? Your referee should know you well enough to write about you and if you are suitable for higher education: referees should comment on the applicant's academic abilities and potential to succeed on their chosen program of study, including filling out predicted grades. References from family members, relatives, and friends will not be accepted. You must have a full written reference. The name and address of the referee are not enough. If you are at school or college or if you have only left recently, you should ask your principal or an appropriate teacher. If you are a non-traditional student, you should ask a responsible person who knows you. This could be an employer, a teacher, or a senior colleague in employment or voluntary work. The reference letter should include your predicted grade scores. For further advice on how to write the reference see http://www.ucas.com/students/startapplication/apply/reference.
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Once You Have Applied 1. UCAS Track: Once youve applied, you can track the progress of your application online using UCAS Track. 2. Timeline: UK admissions work on a rolling basis it will take anywhere from weeks to months to receive an offer. Learn more about the steps that follow submission of your application at: http://www.ucas.com/students/afteryouapply/whatwedowithyourapplication.
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3. Assessing your qualifications: Your application will most likely be read by an admissions tutor for a particular academic department. This person will assess your academic qualifications, interest, and career aspirations in studying your major and suitability for studying in the UK. S/he will also consider your predicted grades outlined in the reference letter. 4. Responding to offers: When a university has made a decision, it will inform UCAS and UCAS will contact you with the result: unconditional offer conditional rejection You must receive all your offers (or rejections) before making a decision. Unconditional offers Unconditional offers are usually based on the qualifications you have already achieved, such as a high school diploma and relevant test scores. If you receive an unconditional offer you must firmly accept or decline the offer. If you have firmly accepted a conditional offer, you may also accept an unconditional offer as insurance (i.e., safety school). Conditional offers Conditional offers are usually based on the qualifications you have not yet achieved and are more common than unconditional offers. If you receive a conditional offer, the letter

will spell out exactly what you need to achieve in order to gain admission. You must firmly accept, accept as insurance (i.e., safety school) or reject the offer. Rejections If you dont receive any offers you may be eligible for UCAS Extra or Clearing, which help students to find suitable places on available programs. UCAS will contact you if you are eligible.