Applying to HE

How to apply for a full-time HE course

If you have decided that applying to do a Higher Education (HE) course is right for you then you need to understand how the application process works.  UCAS is the organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK.

When you are in Year 12 you can register free of charge for a UCAS card giving you access to information about higher education and much more.  To find out how to register go to www.ucas.com/ucascard.

The UCAS website takes you through the process including:

• what to do before you apply
• important dates which you need to know so you don't miss any deadlines
• what happens after you apply including using the Track service to keep up-to-date with your application and reply to offers.

You can apply for up to five courses.  There is a step by step guide to the online process called Apply on the UCAS website.

The Personal Statement is a very significant part of your application.  Some individual HE institutions include hints on completing your personal statement on their websites.  For some general tips look on www.push.co.uk/writing-a-personal-statement/

If you don't succeed - Extra and Clearing

If you have used all five choices and you have not received any offers Extra enables you to have an additional choice through UCAS.  The Extra procedure operates from mid-March to the end of June.  Universities and colleges with vacancies list them on the UCAS website.  Applicants who are eligible will be able to refer themselves electronically via Track for courses with vacancies.

Clearing starts in mid-August after exam results are announced. If you don't receive any offers, or you don't achieve the required grades or points for the offers you are holding, Clearing gives you a further opportunity to obtain a place.