Applying to UCAS 2022? – here’s all you need to know
For those of you who are considering further study beyond your present course at Perth College UHI, you may already be well on the way to completing your UCAS application. However, there may be some of you who are still not sure about the next step. Whatever stage you are at, the information in this blog will hopefully help you on your UCAS journey and ensure you make a first-class application to the courses of interest to you.
UCAS stands for the University and Colleges Admissions Service. It is a UK-based organisation located in Cheltenham, whose main role is to process applications for full-time undergraduate courses. Each year, it handles over 350,000 applications!
Essential Facts:
All applications must be completed online at www.ucas.com
If you want a reference from Perth College UHI, you must register “Through my school/college” using the college Buzzword PERCOL2022 or if you are a SWAP applicant, SWAPEAST2022. This allows your referee to access your application and provide a reference. Your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) is often the person who knows you best so can be a good choice to provide you with a reference. If you are applying as an individual, but want a college reference from the college, it is essential that you contact Ian McCartney or Caroline Curley, Careers Advisers. See their contact details at the end of this blog.
You pay UCAS directly using a credit or debit card. It costs £22 if applying for one course or £26.50 for multiple courses.
Important Dates:
10th December 2021: The college recommends that you have completed your application form, so it is ready to be checked by your referee.
26th January 2022, 6pm: UCAS deadline for most undergraduate courses.
25th February 2022: UCAS Extra opens. If you have used all 5 choices, and you’re not holding any offers, you might be able to add another choice.
30th June 2022, 6pm: The deadline for late applications.
5th July 2022: Last date to apply in UCAS Extra.
6th July 2022: Clearing opens for eligible applicants
21st September 2022, 6pm: Last date to submit 2022 applications.
Course Choices:
You can apply for up to 5 courses (with a few exceptions). There is no preference order, and your chosen universities/colleges will not see where you have applied until after you have responded to any offers made to you. UCAS will let you know how to accept or decline an offer of a place.
For more information about completing your UCAS application, please watch the following video:
The Personal Statement:
This is the most important part of your UCAS application and is your chance to stand out from the crowd! To do this, there’s a few golden rules:
Give yourself plenty of time to write it – draft and redraft until you are happy with it.
Carefully research the courses you are interested in by reading prospectus and course leaflets, checking out websites, going to Open Days, or visiting/speaking with staff in those universities/colleges. Courses vary in content and emphasis, so it’s important to do your homework.
Be able to talk about why you are interested in the course(s) you are applying for.
Organise your statement into paragraphs which flow logically. You have 47 lines or 40,000 characters including spaces, so make the most of the space you have – it is a letter, CV, job application and interview all in one!
It will help if you have a well-structured statement covering the following questions:
Why have you chosen this particular course?
How can you demonstrate your interest in the course subject?
How do your present/past academic studies relate to your chosen course?
How are your hobbies/interests/work or voluntary experiences relevant to your chosen course and university life?
How do your ambitions link to your career choice?
Don’t repeat material already on your application form, such as listing subjects being studied.
Check spelling and grammar – get someone to read over your application.
Don’t be tempted to copy someone else’s statement. UCAS have systems in place to identify plagiarised work.
For more information about writing a good personal statement, watch this video:
There are also copies of ‘Personal Statements – How to write a UCAS Personal Statement’ by Paul Telfer in the library at Perth College UHI. Ian McCartney and Caroline Curley, the two College Careers Advisers based in the Careers and Employability Centre, are more than happy to look over your statements too, providing advice and guidance to help you. See the end of this blog for their contact details.
Useful Links/Information:
www.ucas.com
For your UCAS applicationwww.ucas.com/connect
For information/advice, videos and tips to help you get through the application processwww.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/filling-your-ucas-undergraduate-application
Applying to UCAS advicewww.discoveruni.gov.uk
The official website for comparing UH higher education course datawww.planitplus.net
A careers website providing information about university and college courses in Scotland
What happens after you have applied?
You will receive a welcome letter from UCAS confirming your choices. The universities/colleges you have applied to will then decide whether to make you an offer. Some may ask you to come for an interview before taking that decision.
The decisions made will be either:
Support available within Perth College UHI to help with UCAS applications
Presentations about UCAS from the Careers Advisers – check with your PAT about this.
There are UCAS drop-ins throughout Semester One at the Careers and Employability Centre in the library (Brahan building) at the following times:
Monday: 10-11am
Tuesday: 1-2:30pm
The UCAS Information Guide 2022, and other supporting materials, are available from the Careers and Employability Centre and in the careers section of the library.
If you have any questions or need help with anything including looking through personal statements, please speak with your PAT or get in touch with one of our Careers Advisers.
Caroline Curley
Careers Adviser,
01738 877866
caroline.curley.perth@uhi.ac.uk
