Applying to University
Here's an overview of how the process works, step by step.
Step 1: Choose Courses
Find out the UCAS codes for each of your child’s 5 chosen courses. You can find this on the UCAS course search, on the institution’s website, or prospectus.
Step 2: Apply to UCAS
You apply online, or often the school or college can do it for you. It’s a step by step process with lots of advice and you can always save and come back to it. It costs £19. Sections include:
- Course Choices & Personal Details
- Job History (if any) & Qualifications
- Personal Statement (Important! See our guide)
- Reference, usually from Guidance Teacher
The main deadline is the 15th January, but you need to apply by October, for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or any course at Oxford or cambridge Universities.
UCAS links: Apply Guide to Applying Ask a Question Application Timetable
Step 3: Interview
Your child might be invited to interview, especially if the course is competitive and/or vocational. Examples of vocational courses include: medicine, hairdressing, nursing, teaching, social work, etc.
Step 4: Offers
By May, the universities or colleges will reply with offers through the UCAS website. Offers will be either unconditional, conditional (depending on exam results) or no offer. If your child has no offers, they will enter ‘clearing’. See below.
The website will set a deadline for replying to offers. By that point, they must either firmly accept an offer, accept one as a backup in case they don’t get the grades they need, or reject the offer. See UCAS for more.
Step 5: Funding
If your child is made an offer, including a conditional offer, they should apply for funding NOW! If their course changes, tell SAAS.
Step 6: Results
If the offer was conditional, hopefully the exam results will get them in. Otherwise, they can fall back on their backup choice or go into ‘clearing’. If they had a conditional offer and they have much better results than expected, they can enter ‘adjustment’ which lets them apply for harder courses while still reserving their place.
Step 7: Clearing
If your child is unsuccessful in gaining a place on their first choice of course, clearing is a chance to apply for other courses which still have spaces.
What next? Getting Ready for College or Uni UCAS advice on getting ready Complete Uni Guide - Preparing