HOW TO SIGN UP TO UCAS AND APPLY FOR UNIVERSITIES
UCAS is a website to help create an online profile to apply to universities, the maximum to apply for being 5 universities with the courses that you would want to attend and graduate. As a group we applied for UCAS separately to be able to apply to universities. All of the images above show the process of applying for UCAS and putting in the information needed to send off to universities for them to become interested in your profile and application.
STARTING UP AN APPLICATION
When applying they will show a page explaining what you need to do and what you need to enter in and different ways that you can apply to UCAS. You should take your time to read through this to make sure what applies to you before continuing as it contains some important information that you may wish to know. After reading this, press next and it will next ask about your date of birth and name before asking for your postcode. If your postcode doesn't register as an address, you can re-enter by following the instructions that appear on the screen to register. On this page it will confirm your postal address and ask for your phone number and email address. These are needed as all information with an asterisk need to be filled in.
USERNAMES AND ENTRY
After putting in this information, you will be given a user name. It is important that you write this down as they will only show you your username once so make sure to get a back up of the username. Next it will ask how you are applying to the website, meaning if you are signing up with college or individually. For my own, I have to follow the college entry. If you select college entry, it will ask for a buzzword. The buzzword will be provided by the college for you to enter.
It will next ask the course you are studying, enter this and then press next to continue.
Next it will give you your personal ID. You must also write this information down and keep in case it is needed again.
PERSONAL AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Next there are options down the side on the menu. You will need to fill these out and start with the personal information. The personal information is such as your name and nationality, you only needing to fill out the boxes with asterisks, if you scroll down it will ask about criminal convictions, you needing to fill this out. Next click on the side box of "Additional Information" and fill in the rest of the details that needed to be filled in. By putting in the information it will help you apply for courses closer to you and will allow them to contact you easier.
STUDENT FINANCE
There is an option in the same side box called "Student Finance." When signing up, you do not need to enter this information and can fill it in on a later date when you learn more about finance. Take the time to research into student finance before ticking the boxes, gaining some understanding in what may be offered to you for tutoring prices and what you may need to pay yourself if you aren't fully covered. This is part of the application that you should look into before going any further to understand what you may need to pay back and what you will be in debt with but don't allow this to stop you from going to study and university.
CHOICES
Next there is an option for "Choices" in the side box, this is where you put in your options for courses that you want to study at university. Take the time to search in UCAS to see what courses are available to you and what they offer through the course before writing down their details, filling in this section. Make sure that these are the courses that you want to study and fit you best, being the courses that will help you gain more experience in the field that you want to learn in and will apply to your needs and wants. You will also need to write a personal statement to put into a different tab on the side box to ensure that it helps you gain a place at your chosen universities.
EDUCATION
Next click education. In the education section, it will ask you for your educational history such as the schools that you have been to and what year you graduated.. You are able to add multiple schools but only add those that you gained qualifications at. After entering the schools, you now have the chance to put up your qualifications that you have gained at your schools. Make sure to look over this information before moving on to ensure that you have put in the correct information.
EMPLOYMENT
Finally you can select "Employment" and enter the information on whether you have been employed or not. This doesn't need to be filled in if you're unemployed but will be information to help you get a place at university. Being employed in a job similar to the course you are applying for adds a level of experience that is impressive to the universities but isn't expected from those of young age or those that are applying through a college.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Under the title of 'Personal Statement' you need to make sure that you write under 4000 characters as that is the maximum number. Personal statements are to make yourself stand out compared to others applying for the same course as you to heighten the chances of you being enrolled onto the course. Speak about yourself, your achievements and why you are applying for the course. You will have to do multiple drafts of this to make sure it is at its best. Have others you trust to read through it to make sure that it is the most like you and related to you as possible and double check your spelling.
PAY
Once you have paid for your application you will get a list to view all of your work and an email sent to you. Keep an eye on your emails over the next few months to see if you get an application and they will send you a booklet in the post. Before you pay, make sure to double check all of your information as you cannot change it after paying, making sure all the information is correct before finishing your application.
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