University applications: Ucas dates for your diary - Telegraph.co.uk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/01/2014 - 11:55

Waiting for your results? Or about to apply to university? Here's a handy crib
sheet to make sure you're prepared for all the stages of your Ucas
application.

Results Day 2014

Getting accepted:
When the exam results are issued they are sent direct to Ucas, which
automatically notifies the universities. Even if you don’t get the required
grades, one of your choices may still agree to accept you.

If not, you will automatically be entered into Clearing, where unplaced
applicants can apply to any course that still has vacancies.

It’s a frenetic and stressful process, so you should welcome any parental
advice and support offered. The plum places are filled fast, so don’t be on
holiday when the exam results come out.
When? August 14

Apply through Adjustment or Clearing:
If you exceed the conditions for your firm choice, you could think about
looking for an alternative course through Adjustment. This won't affect your
firm choice unless you make the decision to swap courses.

If you fail to meet your course requirements you will be entered into Clearing
and given the opportunity to look elsewhere. The
Telegraph's Clearing app
can help with this.

When? From August 14. Applications to Adjustment close on August 31,
the Clearing vacancy search closes on September 30, and the deadline for
universities and colleges to accept Clearing applicants is October 22.

Check out the Telegraph's
University Course Finder

Choose a course:
This is now becoming urgent, as the application process will soon be in full
swing. The Telegraph’s
University Course Finder
and Ucas Search
Tool
are both invaluable for discovering which institutions offer
which courses.

But syllabuses and teaching methods vary, so make sure that you have also
consulted the university websites to ensure that the courses offer what you
really want.
When? From September 2014

Visit universities:
This is highly advisable, and something parents can really get involved with.
Most institutions run open days for prospective students, where you can quiz
the teaching staff and view the campus and accommodation facilities.

You may need to book in advance. Self-guided, ad hoc visits are sometimes
possible, too.
When? Check our universities
and colleges
guides for open days

Register with Ucas:
The application process is handled by Ucas for a fee of £23 (or £12 if
applying for only one course). Sixth-form students usually register with
Ucas through school.
When? From September 2014

Write a personal statement:
This vital document explains why you want to study at university and why
you're a good candidate for consideration. Because most courses now don't
require an interview, it’s usually the only way for applicants to sell
themselves.

>> Ucas guide to the personal statement

It’s often the hardest part of the entire process, so parental support is
invaluable. Where possible, get them to proofread your statement; they might
have some advice for making it even better.
When? By October half-term 2014, earlier for Oxbridge and
medicine/dentistry courses

Complete the application:
This is done online and is fairly straightforward; schools often check and
finalise it. You can apply for up to five courses, with no order of
preference.

The deadline for most courses is January 15 (October 15 for Oxbridge and some
medical subjects). But many universities start making offers earlier, so the
sooner you apply, the better.

When? Ideally before Christmas 2014

Accept offers:
Most universities should reply to applications by the end of March. Offers are
conditional on your exam results, and the required grades may not exactly
match the course prospectus, so it pays to check carefully.

Once all your universities have responded, you must confirm your first
(“firm”) choice. Most people also accept a second (“insurance”) choice,
usually requiring lower grades.

There’s a hard deadline for replying, after which any offers not accepted are
automatically declined, so don’t miss it.
When? By 6 May, 2015 (if all responses have been received by March 31)
When you have to accept your place depends on when you received all your
university and college decisions. Check out the table below for more info.

Apply for finance:
As soon as you have a firm choice you can start applying for finance (loan and
grant). Parents will need to furnish evidence of their income, too.

>> Student finance: how to apply for funding

There’s a deadline, usually around the end of May depending where in the UK
you are applying; if you apply after this date the cash may not be available
by the start of your first term. Also check whether you need to apply now
for university scholarships or bursaries.
When? For students in England, 29 May, 2015

Find accommodation:
Most universities make an effort to accommodate all first-year undergraduates
in halls of residence. Single rooms with self-catering facilities are the
norm and en suites are common, but not all halls are on campus. It’s usually
first come, first served.
When? As soon as possible after accepting an offer

Apply through Ucas Extra:
For those of you that have either received no offers or who have declined
those that have been received, don’t despair; you can apply through Ucas
Extra.

>> Ucas Extra: how does it work?

Ucas Extra, which opens on February 25, is for prospective students who used
all five choices in their initial round of applications and gives candidates
the chance to apply for places on courses that still have vacancies.
When? February 25 to July 2, 2015