Kate Bickerdike, Rhona Hajcman, Jill Muirden ......Kate Bickerdike, Rhona Hajcman, Jill Muirden Undergraduate Admissions College of Humanities & Social Science University of Edinburgh

The Application Process

Kate Bickerdike, Rhona Hajcman, Jill Muirden

Undergraduate Admissions

College of Humanities & Social Science

University of Edinburgh


• Three main stages you will need to work through if you're thinking of coming to university:

1 )The pre-application months; how and when to arrange

visiting campus, the qualifications you will need for entry and when to apply for the degree you want to study.

2) The application procedure; how to apply through UCAS, the

importance of the personal statement and academic reference.

3) Decision time; accepting the right offer for you and getting

prepared.

1. The pre-application months

• Research: entry requirements, how popular is the course? Admissions policies do differ so try and find out how selection decisions are made

• Open Days and visits: see for yourself, meet teaching staff, meet current students

• Course choice: think carefully about your course choice before applying

• Future careers: is your chosen course the best way into your preferred career? What are the graduate destinations?

2. The application procedure

• All applications must be made online through UCAS

www.ucas.ac.uk

• Make 5 choices

• We do not see your other choices/universities/offers.

• Register for UCAS Track

http://www.ucas.ac.uk/

Dates and Times

• Oxbridge – early applications by 15th October 2013 but you can apply any time after 1st September 2013

• On time applications must be in by 15th January 2014. Check with individual universities to see if late applications are considered

• Decision process varies between institutions. At University of Edinburgh majority of decisions are made by 31st March.

The UCAS Application

What information is required:

I. Personal details – address/D.O.B etc

II. Academic grades achieved– including all Standard Grade/ Intermediate 2 /GCSE qualifications/Highers/A-Levels/IB

III. Academic grades predicted

IV. Personal statement

V. Academic reference

What happens when your application arrives?

Will vary from university to university but three main models

1. Interview – rare but still used by some universities

2. Academic staff selection with no interview

3. Specialist Admissions staff selection with no interview

What do admissions staff look for?

• Ability and potential • Motivation: is the applicant really keen to

study this subject above all others and is it clear they have researched their choice

• Other attributes: personal skills, suitability for programme e.g. communication skills, commitment, time management etc

• How supportive is the reference? Is the applicant ready for higher education?

Personal Statement - tell us why we should choose YOU…

• Motivation for course: – Why is this so important to you? – Have you researched your choice? – Read around the subject, demonstrate independent

thought.

• Work-life balance – Work, sport, hobbies, family (avoid lists) – What have you gained from these?

• Well written and articulate – Practice: write it then read it. – Ask someone else to read it as well and then read it out loud. – Remember to use paragraphs and check spelling.

3. Decision time

Universities communicate their decisions through UCAS. Use UCAS Track to keep up to date.

Three types of decision:

I. Unconditional

II. Conditional

III. Unsuccessful

I have an offer – what now?

• Check the conditions – ensure you understand what they mean

• Reply to UCAS in time: use the insurance choice wisely

• Loans and fees: Submit your application to SAAS or other local funding body

• Refer to university websites for information on bursaries

• Keep your universities informed of any change in circumstances

What happens if I don’t get an offer?

• Request feedback

• Make sure you have a realistic insurance choice

• UCAS Extra

• Clearing

• Reconsider your options

Final advice

• Do your homework!

• Be careful in your choices

• Have a Plan B – insurance choice should be genuine.

14

The Application Process Emma Szembek

Schools and Colleges Manager

Tuesday, July 23, 2013 15

Session outline

• Why choose higher education (HE)?

• HE: An investment

• The applicant journey

• UCAS: Things you need to know

• Top tips

• Questions


Why choose higher education?

• Academic interests

• Personal development

• Career choices


Higher Education: an investment!

• Financial investment

• Investment of your time

• Personal investment

A worthwhile investment…


What can I study?

• Around 51,000 courses on offer in the UK

• Over 300 different institutions

• Level of study

• How do you want to study?


Things to consider

• What interests you?

• What subjects are you currently studying?

• Jobs and careers you are interested in?

• Do you want to study something completely different?

• What degree courses are available to you?

• What can you commit to for a minimum of 3 years?

• Gap year?


How do I choose?

• What does the course offer?

• Core structure/assessment methods

• Entry requirements/offer grades

• Outcomes/graduate destinations

• Work experience/placements

• Size and location of institution

• What is it that you want out of your higher education

experience?

21

Choosing your course Over 35,000 courses available but:

How many courses are there related to:

• English

• Biology

• Veterinary Medicine

• History

• Advertising

• Sports Science

• Golf Management

• Music

- 2249

- 1100

- 8

- 2087

- 248

- 471

- 8

- 1012

22

LLB Law – Nottingham Trent University

Modules

• Banking Law

• Competition Law and Policy

• Evidence

• Immigration and Race Relations

• Insurance Law

• International Criminal Law

• Sexuality and the Law

• Welfare Law

• Placement and fieldwork opportunities

During the course students may apply

undertake independent mini placements

during vacations (amounting to at least ten

weeks in total).

• Assessment

There are diverse assessments including

unseen examinations, problems, essays,

oral communications, mooting, independent

projects, case studies, group projects,

negotiations, presentations, reports and

reviews.

• Study abroad options

There is the opportunity to take part in

International Summer Schools in

Strasbourg, Berlin, Tallinn, Geneva or

Amsterdam.

23

LLB Law – The University of Nottingham

• Assessment

These include essays and exams

• Study abroad options

Students registered on the LLB law

degree may apply at the beginning of

their second year to be transferred on

to one of the four year degrees. These

enable students to study abroad for a

year and include Law with...

- American/Canadian Law

- Australian Law

- Chinese Law

- European Law

- New Zealand Law

- South East Asian Law

Modules

• Child Law

• Comparative Civil Liberties

• Consumer Law

• Foundations of International

Criminal Law

• Public Procurement Law

• Conflict of Laws

• EU Employment Law

• Mental Health Law and Policy


The UCAS Process

UCAS (www.ucas.com)

• Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

• Central applications agency for HE applications in

England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland

• Handles over 600,000 applications per year


The applicant journey

▪ Starting university or college

▪ Next steps

▪ Results

▪ Offers

▪ Applying

▪ Choosing courses 1

2

3

4

5

6


UCAS – Key facts

• ‘Invisibility’

• Maximum of five choices (some exceptions)

• Simultaneous consideration

• Conditional offers – 2 can be held

• August – confirmation of offers

• £23 Registration Fee for 2013


How do you apply?

ucasapply

• 5 sections

– about you

– choices

– education

– employment

– personal

statement



UCASapply – Personal details


UCASapply – Choices


UCASapply – Education


UCASapply – Employment


UCASapply – Personal statement


UCASapply – Personal statement preview


Personal statement

• Most important element of the form

• Sells your skills and experience to the admissions

tutor

• 360 degree snapshot of you

• Listen to advice

• Be honest


References

• Written by a member of staff at your school/college

• Often written as a basis on AS study & performance

• Make an appointment to see your referee and explain

why you have chosen your university/college choices

The process

Apply

• Submit your application

• Tutor adds reference

Sent to uni’s

• Application is sent to your choices

• Wait for a decision from them

Your choices

• Make a firm and insurance choice

• Wait for your results!


The process

• UCAStrack

– allows you to view your own record

– 24/7 access

– shows choices, offers & personal information

– password on acknowledgement letter

– can be used to reply to offers


Top 10 tips!

• Start early

• Research thoroughly

• Use the advice and guidance available

• Websites

• Open Days

• Ask questions

• Get your application in on time

• Make sure it is what you want to do

• Be sure of your choices

• Good luck!

41

Questions?

@UniofNottingham

The University of Nottingham

www.youtube.com/user/NottmUniversity

Want to know what it’s like to be a student? Find out at

http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/studentlife

Not sure which university is for you? www.which.co.uk/university

www.youtube.com/user/NottmUniversity The University of Nottingham

http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/studentlife

http://www.which.co.uk/university


Dr Tom McCunnie

School of Social Sciences

Application Process

• Admission Criteria

• Politics Courses

• Entry Requirements

• Personal Statement

• Academic Reference

Important Dates

• 1st September: UCAS applications open

• 15th October: Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science

Oxford & Cambridge universities

• 15th January: All other applications

• Internal School / College deadlines earlier

• 5 choices - recommend no more than 2 at any university

Admissions Criteria

• Academic performance to date - GCSE’s

• Predicted Grades

• An understanding of what the programme requires

• Academic reference and personal statement

• Interview or admissions test

Politics Courses at Manchester

• Politics and International Relations

• Politics / Philosophy / Economics

• BA Social Sciences – Politics / Philosophy / Criminology

/ Social Anthropology / Sociology

• BA Economic and Social Studies – Politics / Economics /

Accounting / Finance / Business / Development Studies /

Philosophy / Sociology / Criminology

Entry Requirements

• A levels - ABB / AAB

• IB – 34 / 35 points

• Some courses have specific subject requirements

• Note: We also accept a range of other qualifications:

www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/2013

Personal Statement

• Increasingly important element of the application

– especially for competitive courses

• Predicted grades not enough to guarantee an offer

• Should be original, interesting and enthusiastic

• Should be applying for the course – not the career

Personal Statement

• Introduction – why you want to study the course

• Main body – academic skills / knowledge / A levels /

reading

• Work experience / voluntary work

• Extra curricular activities – sports / interests / hobbies

• Conclusion

Academic Reference

• Communication with your academic referee/s is crucial

• Make sure they are aware of what you do outside the

classroom e.g. extra-curricular, involvement in

school/college activities, work experience

• Teachers like to be positive, but have a duty to you and

your university choices to be realistic

Summary

• Research courses thoroughly - attend open days / check

university websites for up to date information

• Reflect this knowledge in your personal statement

Have clear goals but also be realistic and listen to the advice

of your teachers on your predicted grades

Ensure you meet all deadlines and details on UCAS Form

are accurate to avoid delays

www.qmul.ac.uk

Applying to university

Sophie Camfield, Education Liaison Officer

Queen Mary, University of London

UCAS

• The Universities & Colleges Admissions

Service

• Most UK universities are members of UCAS

Applying through UCAS

• All applications are made via the UCAS form

• Completed on-line at: – www.ucas.ac.uk

http://www.ucas.ac.uk/

The UCAS form

– Personal details

– University & course choices

– All qualifications

– Personal statement

– Teacher’s reference

University and course choices

• A maximum of five choices can be made

• Only four choices if the student is applying to study

either:

– Medicine

– Dentistry

– Veterinary Science

1st September

UCAS Apply available 15th October

Closing date for: Oxford/Cambridge, Medicine,

Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science

15th January

Closing date for all other courses

Late applications process starts End of February

UCAS Extra available

End of June

Late applications process closes

UCAS Extra closes

Mid August

Clearing starts

• UCAS Website

www.ucas.ac.uk

• Open Days

www.opendays.com

• League Tables/ Good University Guide

www.timesonline.co.uk / www.unistats.com

• Student Written Reviews

www.push.co.uk

• Prospects

www.prospects.ac.uk

Qualifications

• The first hurdle

– Minimum GCSE requirements

– A-Level entry – grades/points

– AS Module results

• Specific subject requirements

=Predicted grades

Admissions tests

• Increasing in popularity

– Only 3 medical & dental schools are not using

UKCAT / BMAT

– 10 Law Schools use the LNAT test

UKCAT

• 2 hour test

• Five sub-sections:

– Verbal reasoning

– Quantitative reasoning

– Abstract reasoning

– Decision analysis test

– Non-cognitive

Teacher’s Reference

• Will discuss the student’s suitability to the chosen

degree course

• Keep in close contact with your teachers

• They are never negative, however….

Personal Statement

• 47 lines

• 4000 characters (including spaces)

• Just under 700 words

• Around 75% should focus on your subject

Why is your personal statement

important?

• Admissions tutor knows nothing about you

• Over subscribed courses

• Demonstrate an informed decision

• Don’t be afraid to sell yourself – Be positive!

Admissions tutors

Full-time lecturers

– They are very busy people

– Will see thousands of applications

What do admissions tutors look

for?

• Motivations

– Detailed reasons

– Evidence that the student has researched their

chosen subject (taster days/reading lists)

– Career aspirations

– Life experience


for?

• Awareness of current affairs

– Students must be able to link their studies with

the outside world

– Evidence of reading around their subjects


for?

• Academic ability…

– Must show enthusiasm for current A-Levels

– Discuss links between A-levels

– Examples of relevant coursework? Extended

Project?


for?

• Students must show ‘staying power’:

– How?

• Discuss positions of responsibility

• Achievements – both academic and non-

academic


for? • Relevant work experience

– For subjects such as medicine, dentistry and teaching, relevant work experience is essential

– To develop a realistic understanding of the career


for?

• Outside interests

– Admissions tutors are searching for well rounded

individuals

– Mention hobbies, membership of clubs and

societies, outside achievements

– UCAS Course profiles

What Not To Include

• Information about one particular

university

• Negative comments

• Inappropriate language

• Information included elsewhere on the

UCAS form

How to write it • Write a plan first

• Make notes using sub headings

• Write multiple drafts

• Don’t forget to proof read

• Don’t copy – Plagiarism!

Personal Statement Structure

1. Reasons behind your application

2. Experience related to course

3. Broader demonstration of skills

4. Extra curricular activity

5. Career aspirations & concluding

sentence

Good words to use

• Achievement

• Active

• Developed

• Evidence

• Transferable Skills

• Planning

Words to avoid

“It is my intention to study politics at university as I have developed a keen interest in this subject. The point at which I became fascinated with politics was whilst visiting my home country Libya, in year ten. Witnessing the damaging effects of a dictatorship first-hand, I realised the importance of democracy to modern-day civilisation. I was enthralled by my grandparents’ stories of the military coup that hindered my homelands’ ability to develop.” “I enjoy keeping in touch with current affairs by following programmes such as Doha Debates and Question Time. As of late, I have been closely following the US and Libyan elections.”

Examples….

“As the leader of the debating society in my school, I have discussed controversial topics including assisted suicide and western intervention in the Middle East. This has shown me that nothing in this world is monochrome, there are many aspects to an issue and who is right or wrong can be down to politics and morality.” “A solid foundation of core skills and knowledge is essential for this course, which my A Level subjects have provided. Law not only complements by Politics A level, but has also improved my analytical and communication skills.” “Politics has opened my eyes to the world around me, as well as helped form my own political views. It has motivated me to keep up to date on current affairs and critically evaluate the actions of political figures or events.”

“Having attended a variety of courses at universities I am excited about beginning my own life as a student of Politics, perhaps becoming part of some future change in our country.”

“Having been born and raised in Britain’s culturally diverse society and being of Middle Eastern descent, I have learned the importance of tolerance and global co-operation between nations of different backgrounds. I believe politics will provide a strong foundation on which to build my character and achieve my dream job of working for organisations such as the UN and Amnesty International.”

Points To Remember

• One statement : 5 UCAS choices

• Only 4,000 characters

• Check grammar and spelling

• Be positive

• Always provide examples

Any questions?

Please feel free to ask any questions

Education Liaison Office

0207 882 5544

Thank you for listening!

Documents

Kate Bickerdike, Rhona Hajcman, Jill Muirden ......Kate Bickerdike, Rhona Hajcman, Jill Muirden Undergraduate Admissions College of Humanities & Social Science University of Edinburgh