APPLYING TO HIGHER EDUCATION

1. APPLYING TO HIGHER EDUCATION UCAS/CAO IN THE CONTEXT OF AQUINAS Clare Foster Head of CEIAG

2. UCAS 500000+ Applicants. 400000+ Places. 50000 + Degree Courses. 335+ Institutions. There is something for everyone.

3. The UCAS Process (On-line videos www.ucas.com) Step 1: Choosing courses. Step 2: Applying. Step 3: Offers. Step 4: Results. Step 5: Next steps. Step 6: Starting university.

4. Key Features of the UCAS Scheme • Standard fee - £23 (£12 for single choice) • Maximum of 5 choices • Simultaneous consideration • Invisibility • There are opportunities for other choices Extra Clearing Adjustment

5. Important deadlines 15 October 2013 - application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications for all medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and veterinary science courses and for all courses at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.15 January 2014 - application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications for all courses except those listed above with a 15 October deadline, and art and design courses with a 24 March deadline. 25 February 2014 - UCAS Extra opens 24 March 2014 - application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications for art and design courses except those listed with a 15 January deadline. 30 June 2014 - Last date for the receipt of all other applications for immediate consideration. Those received after this date will be held for Clearing. 14 August 2014 - GCE A Level results are published and decisions are communicated to students via Track. Full clearing information service starts.

6. Course combinations that you can have • A maximum of four courses in any one of medicine/dentistry/veterinary medicine/veterinary science. • Universities of Oxford and Cambridge: • You can use your remaining choice(s) for any other subject. For example, if you apply to four medicine courses, you could still make one choice for veterinary medicine. However, be aware that your personal statement will be sent to all universities and colleges you've chosen.

7. Additional requirements • Some courses require an admissions test. It's your responsibility to find out whether your course(s) need you to take one, and to register by the relevant deadline. NB. Aquinas is a centre for Cambridge Assessment tests.

8. Aptitude Tests BMAT UK CAT LNAT HPAT-ULSTER HPAT-IRELAND ELAT HAT PAT STEP Entrance Examinations.

9. HPAT at University of Ulster Dietetics BSc Hons. Occupational Therapy BSc Hons. Physiotherapy BSc Hons. Podiatry BSc Hons. Radiography BSc Hons. Speech and Language Therapy BSc Hons. http://www.hpat.org.uk

10. UCAS.com Ucasapply is a secure, web-based, online application system requiring no installation. Student Area‘Buzzword ‘ ‘uniapplication’

11. Making Your Application Every applicant has 7 sections to complete Personal Details Additional Information Student Finance Choices Education Employment Personal Statement Forward to coordinator Reference

13. Timetable for Completion Early September Subject teachers write a Subject Report. Mid September Subject Reports forwarded to Writing Team. Students complete a Personal Profile. October Writing Team compiles references based on Subject Reports and Personal Profile. October - December Applications sent to UCAS on-line. (Once submitted, the form cannot be changed).

14. Students wishing to apply for Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary should make themselves known to me tomorrow morning as their formsmust be with UCAS by 15 October 2013.

15. University and College Decisions Applicants will receive one of three decisions: • Conditional Offer – we want you provisionally • Unconditional Offer – we definitely want you NB. There may be some non-academic requirements Most will receive conditional offers, based on: • Grades • Tariff points • A combination of both • Non-academic conditions

16. What do universities use to make their decisions? A combination of any of these sources: • Information on Apply - Your qualifications - Your personal statement - Your reference - Work experience • Interviews/additional work/portfolios/auditions • Admissions tests

17. Applicant Replies When applicants have received decisions from ALL of their choices, they will be asked to make replies and given a date to reply by. UCAS will send reminders – but if applicants fail to reply by this date, their offers will be declined by UCAS automatically. Applicants are able to hold 2 of their offers to the end of the cycle (others are declined). Firm - Applicant’s first choice. Where they really want to go. Insurance – Applicant’s back up choice but nevertheless a commitment like the firm and they will be placed here if they do not meet the conditions of the firm. NB. You cannot swap between the firm and insurance.

18. Courses Outside UCAS systemTeacher Training at St. Mary’s University College (QUB) Nursing (QUB) is now through UCAS

19. Nursing/Midwifery/Social Work • Personal statement and relevant work experience is very important for these courses. • Social Work asks for an additional statement separate to the UCAS personal statement. • Applicants need to read the entry profiles (including essential and desirable skills) carefully for these courses and highlight how they meet these in both their statement and at interview.

20. Interviews • Oxbridge • Medicine • Nursing and Midwifery • Dentistry • Veterinary Science • Teaching • Social Work • Music and Drama courses may require auditions

21. CAO(Central Applications Office)Universities in the Republic of Ireland Apply on-line at www.cao.ie

22. Cao.ie Many courses based on 4 A2s. No personal statement. No reference. Offers and acceptances made when results are published. Random selection operates for high demand courses. Pay by credit/debit card.

23. Student Finance

24. Thank you