Have you picked the right course?
Take a moment to visualise a roadmap of your next five years. If you study this course, what experiences will you have that you wouldn't have on other courses? What skills would you learn? After you graduate, what jobs will be available for you to go into? Is there a specific job that you aspire to get, or are you looking for a course that will open a variety of doors after you graduate?
Do you go for something you’re good at, or something you like doing? The age old head over heart. You might be a mathematical wizz, but if you have a passion for illustration, then maybe you need to choose wisely!
You have probably already decided which course you want to pursue by now, but it’s never too late to change your mind. It is important to remember that your life will be centered around your studies for the next several years, so it's important to choose the right course for you! Make sure to read the full course description to find out exactly what you will learn, to ensure it is right for you.
As important as the course is, you also need to make sure the location is right for you. Check out the universities you are applying for in great detail – look out for the accommodation, location and transport links.
Take Pride in Your Application
Make sure you proofread your application thoroughly. You don’t want to let a little mistake effect how universities judge your application. For example, that last sentence had a mistake in it – can you spot it? If you’re not sure, then you might want to look at some writing tips before submitting to UCAS. This site has some useful information that might help you with your statement.
Using a spellchecker is a great start, but it is a good idea to get a friend, parent or teacher to read over your application. A fresh pair of eyes may spot something yours don’t. By the time you send off your application you’ll be sick of reading it, but at least you’ll know it’s right.
Sort Out Your Finances
Most students rely on Student Finance to fund their university journey. It is important to check the course fees, and look in to the cost of accommodation, shopping and even your favourite latte at Starbucks to make sure you're budgeting for the life you want to have at uni.
You’re advised to start applying for Student Finance in May, but it is good to get an idea of what to expect at this stage so you can be fully prepared. Our Finance pages have lots of useful information that might help.
Depending on your circumstances, you might qualify for additional funding. Many universities offer scholarships and bursaries to students who meet the right criteria. If you’re applying for a health-related course, you can apply for NHS funding.
Students with dependents can apply for childcare grants or a parent’s learning allowance, depending on the age of their children. Make sure you know how much extra funding you could receive-you don’t want to miss out on the help.
GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME
Applications must be sent by 6pm on 25 January, but this does not mean you should put off finishing it until just before!
Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to have parents and teachers review your application, and factor in enough time to make any amendments.
Get in touch with your referee and ask them to let you know once they’ve finished your reference. If you don’t hear from them, you may need to sort out an alternative reference, so keep someone in mind just in case. You can keep an eye on your application’s progress via UCAS Track, so keep checking on it in case something should go wrong.
DON’T WORRY IF THINGS GO WRONG
It’s important to try and make your decisions and perfect your application before the deadline on 25th June. If this isn’t possible, or you change your mind later in the year, try not to worry too much.
Applications will still be accepted up until 30th June, but universities will no longer be obliged to consider you for an interview. You should get in touch with your choices directly to see if they will accept a late application. Keep an eye on UCAS Key Dates to plan accordingly.
If the worst should happen and none of your universities accept your application, then you can use UCAS Extra from February to find an alternative university or course that you might be better suited for. You can also wait for the university clearing period in August to try and get on a course you like – universities will be trying to fill as many positions as possible, so if you get the right A levels, you’re highly likely to get your place. Remember that you have alternatives should anything go wrong with your application in January, so don’t let yourself get too worried!
These are some of our top tips for ensuring your UCAS application is a success. Now it’s up to you. Best of luck with your applications, and we hope to see you in the next academic year.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?
You are ready to take that next step. Ready to make that life-changing decision and work towards your career goals. By downloading our prospectus you will have the world at your fingertips.
You can browse our 100+ unique course options and have access to finance and support information to get you started. Discover all the courses available to you from Arts to Zoology – we’re excited to see what you choose.
Want to find out more?
You are ready to take that next step. Ready to make that life-changing decision and work towards your career goals. By downloading our prospectus you will have the world at your fingertips.
You can browse our 100+ unique course options and have access to finance and support information to get you started. Discover all of the courses available to you from Arts to Zoology – we’re excited to see what you choose.
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