Applying to UCAs

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) fulfils a similar function to the CAO.  The biggest difference is that you add a Personal Statement and an Academic Reference as part of the application.

All undergraduate programmes must be applied for online -  the online system will save your application and you do not need to complete it in one sitting. You can also print it out to review.  You do not need to log on to the same computer to access your application at a later date.

Used for all applications to undergraduate courses in the UK, including Medicine, Pharmacy (including MPharm), Social Work (including Masters in Social Work).

At most 4 Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary course choices is allowed. Otherwise, you can apply for up to 5 courses. 

Using the UCAS ’apply’ online service

Detailed instructions are available on the UCAS website.

New ucas.tv website has videos to show you how to use Apply, Track, Clearing, Reply to an offer and has case studies to follow. They are also on www.twitter.com/ucas_online and www.facebook.com/ucasonline  

Register and log in 'as an individual'.

Closing date for Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry, Cambridge, Oxford 15th October. All others 15th January.
Maximum of 5 choices (4 for Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry).

Application fee – pay by credit card.

Application guide online http://www.ucas.com/students/applying/howtoapply/

NUI Galway’s school code is S89868. Other students should contact their current place of study for help with applying. 

References: Applicants will be asked to provide contact details of their referee. A request will be sent by email to the referee asking them to complete and submit a reference through the secure website. (from: http://www.ucas.com/news/september/applyref - please read this carefully).

Remember: UCAS is not used for applications to Postgraduate courses i.e., Higher or Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters (except MPharm and Social Work) or PhD courses.   See UKPASS for these applications.

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Tips for successful applications:

Spend time on your Personal Statement. 

Each university decides whether or not they are interested in the applicant and this is your chance to ’sell’ yourself as the ideal candidate for the course. 

Give details of past work experience, interests, reasons for applying as well as telling them of your motivation, commitment and suitability. 

See the ’Writing Personal Statements’ file in the Career Development Centre.

Please note that UCAS use software to look for plagerism and will spot similarities between personal statements submitted by different applicants. Our advice is to use samples only if you are unsure as to layout etc. and not use a template or standard phrases. If UCAS staff find similarities between your personal statement and another applicant's, they will inform the colleges that you are applying to which could adversely affect your chances of getting an offer. See UCAS website for more tips.

UCAS Guide to Personal Statements: Includes 3 downloads: 1)Look at our timeline to see when you need to start researching and writing your personal statement. 2) mind map summarises what you need to know about the personal statement, including preparation, presentation and what to include. 3)Worksheet designed to help you think about information you could include in your personal statement. We've included space for you to write down any thoughts you have as you work through it.

Your reference can include dates of winter exams so that universities can take this into account for interview purposes.

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Getting an offer

UCAS Offers gives details on the process.

What happens if I don’t get an offer?

UCAS allow you to monitor your application through their  Track Service.

Applicants who get no offers will be sent details of UCAS extra or  Clearing 

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