UCAS APPLICATIONS 2018-19 and Personal Statement Guide
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UCAS APPLICATIONS 2018-19 And Personal Statement guide “The personal statement - a blank screen and the job of selling yourself in no more than 4,000 characters and 47 lines* can seem daunting. Some students will find it hard to talk positively and glowingly about themselves - that's natural - but it's something that should be overcome and then embraced.” UCAS blogspot “We pay a great deal of attention to the personal statement, as it provides important indications of ability, motivation and potential. We will look for evidence of your interest in the subject and make sure that this aligns with the kind of programme we offer. We will also take account of your extra- curricular interests and achievements, where these provide evidence of skills that will be relevant to the programme.” Dr Roseanna Cross - Head of Undergraduate Admissions, University of Bristol Find out more and some top tips from four admissions tutors at: http://ucasonline.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/personal-statements-universities-tell.html Or watch this UCAS video to get you started: https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/when-apply/writing-personal-statement *Word limit includes spaces 1 The UCAS Application Process UCAS Application Timeline Activity Date /Deadline Oxford and Cambridge student conference, St James’ Park, 22nd March 2018 Newcastle STEP Maths registration 26 Feb -26 April 2018 Teesside UCAS exhibition, Metro Radio Arena 24th April 2018 UKCAT - registration 1st May – 1st October 2018 Identification and preparation of Oxbridge, MEDICS Vets May/June 2018 etc. Including draft personal statement Lectures – how to write an effective personal statement May/June 2018 UCAS session 1 - Attend scheduled UCAS briefings and w/c 4th June 2018 begin filling in personal details and qualifications on your UCAS application UKCAT testing begins 2nd July 2018 Personal statement - first draft to Tutor 22nd June 2018 Student context report first draft to Tutor 22nd June 2018 LNAT registration (Oxbridge) 1st August – 5th October 2018 Review any AS results, finalise plans for courses 18th August 2018 BMAT and other Cambridge administered tests (Oxbridge 1st Sept – 1st October etc.) – TSA; CAT; ELAT; HAT; MAT etc. - registration 2018 LNAT testing begins 1st September 2018 LNAT testing ends (Oxbridge) 20th October 2018 Personal statement - second draft to Tutor 7th September 2018 Student context report final version to your tutor – this 7th September 2018 information will help your teachers write a reference tailored to you and the courses you want to take UCAS predicted grades to students 14th September 2018 UCAS predicted grades published to parent portal w/c 23rd September 2018 UCAS predicted grades finalised 28th September 2018 UCAS session 2 - Attend scheduled UCAS briefings and w/c 24th September complete UCAS application 2018 Internal deadline for Group (i) Applicants: Oxbridge, 1st October 2018 Medicine and Veterinary – this is a no later than date UKCAT testing ends 2nd October 2018 UCAS deadline for Oxbridge, Medicine and Veterinary 2nd October 2018 Cambridge Assessment Admissions Tests – test day 31 Oct 2018 Internal deadline for Group (ii) Applicants: Russell Group, 5th November 2018 competitive applications and those sure of their course – this is a no later than date Internal deadline for Group (iii) Applicants: those least 3rd December 2018 sure – this is a no later than date UCAS deadline for most courses 15th January 2018 NB Test dates above are for guidance and not exhaustive – please check admissions requirements for your chosen course and institution 2 Qualifications and exam boards 2018-19 cycle LEVEL SUBJECT EXAM BOARD GCSE Business Studies AQA GCSE Classical Civilisation AQA GCSE French AQA GCSE Geography AQA GCSE German AQA GCSE Physical Education AQA GCSE Religious Studies AQA GCSE Spanish AQA GCSE Computer Science Edexcel GCSE Art OCR GCSE Latin OCR GCSE Drama WJEC GCSE Music WJEC International GCSE Biology CIE International GCSE Chemistry CIE International GCSE Creative iMedia CIE International GCSE Design Technology CIE International GCSE History CIE International GCSE Physics CIE International GCSE English Language (A) Edexcel International GCSE English Literature Edexcel International GCSE Maths (A) Edexcel Cambridge Pre-U Art and Design: Fine Art CAIE Principal Subject Cambridge Pre-U Literature in English CAIE Principal Subject Cambridge Pre-U Physics CAIE Principal Subject Free standing Additional Maths OCR Mathematics (Adv.) GCE Advanced Level Business Studies AQA GCE Advanced Level Chemistry AQA GCE Advanced Level Economics AQA GCE Advanced Level French AQA GCE Advanced Level Geography AQA GCE Advanced Level German AQA GCE Advanced Level History AQA GCE Advanced Level Physical Education AQA GCE Advanced Level Physics AQA GCE Advanced Level Religious Studies AQA GCE Advanced Level Spanish AQA GCE Advanced Level English Language CAIE GCE Advanced Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) Edexcel 3 GCE Advanced Level Design Technology: Product Design Edexcel GCE Advanced Level Further Mathematics Edexcel GCE Advanced Level Mathematics Edexcel GCE Advanced Level Politics Edexcel GCE Advanced Level Psychology Edexcel GCE Advanced Level Classics OCR GCE Advanced Level Classics: Latin OCR GCE Advanced Level Computer Science OCR GCE Advanced Level Drama and Theatre Studies WJEC Eduqas GCE Advanced Level Music WJEC Eduqas GCE Advanced Quantitative Methods (Introduction To MEI Subsidiary Level Quantitative Methods) Level 3 Extended Project Qualification AQA Level 3 Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory OCR Diploma in IT 4 What is UCAS? UCAS is the ‘Universities and Colleges Admissions Service’, a UK charity which manages the application process for most British higher education institutions. With the introduction of student fees (£9250 a year) and no limitation on places, it has become a ‘buyers’ market’ and good students should aim high when making an application – think about applying for a course which is just above your predicted grades. It is worth remembering that a university would rather accept a good candidate with a strong application, but who just misses their grades, rather than accept someone they have never heard of through ‘extra’ or ‘clearing’. Higher education qualifications explained The table below outlines the main post-18 qualifications framework. Most university students will have applied for a bachelor’s degree – either a BA or BSc. Some students apply directly for a master’s degree, while others may need to do a foundation degree first. Undergraduate qualifications Undergraduate qualifications are the next step up from A-levels and are delivered by higher education institutions, such as a university. The most common undergraduate qualifications are: 5 Higher National Certificate and Diploma (HNC/HND) HNCs and HNDs are work-related courses provided by higher and further education colleges in the UK. They focus on ‘learning by doing’ and are designed to give you specific work skills. A full-time HNC takes one year to complete. An HND is the next level up and takes two years to complete full-time or three to four years part-time. Generally, an HND is equivalent to the second year of university and it is often used as a stepping-stone to a full degree. Foundation Degree (FdA) Foundation degrees have largely replaced HNDs to become the vocational alternative to a traditional degree. They are designed to combine practical work-based learning with academic study and aim to train you for a specific job. The qualification is often favoured by students who want to work and study at the same time. Once you have completed your Foundation degree you can go straight into work or you can ‘top-up’ your studies to achieve a full degree. Top-up Degree Top-up degrees are designed for students who have successfully completed a Foundation degree or HND or a DipHE. A top-up course, or progression route, allows you to enter the final year of university study so you can upgrade your qualification to a full degree. This typically takes one year of further study, full-time. Bachelor’s Degree This is the most common form of higher education and it is the ‘traditional’ qualification for students to take after A-levels. It typically takes three years full-time or four years part-time to complete but can take longer if the course includes a work placement or a year abroad. The most common titles are ‘Bachelor of Arts (BA)’ and ‘Bachelor of Science (BSc)’ and the BA/BSc prefix will be used at the beginning of your degree title. Postgraduate qualifications Postgraduate qualifications are typically studied after a Bachelor’s degree. If you wish to further your studies beyond an undergraduate degree, the options are: Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma (PGCert/PGDip) PGCert and PGDip are levels within a Master’s degree, which can be studied as standalone qualifications. These can be useful if you want to test a subject, don’t want to commit to a full degree or have a specific interest in a small number of modules. They are also proportionally cheaper than a full Master’s degree. 6 Masters (MA, MSc, MBA) Master’s degrees are the most popular form of postgraduate study and you will be expected to undertake more research and independent learning at this level. Masters courses are split into two categories: ‘taught’ and ‘research’ degrees. The most common titles are Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc). A taught-master’s typically takes one year full-time and two years part-time to complete. Doctorate (PhD) A Doctorate is the highest level of academic degree. Students work independently to produce a substantial piece of original research (this can take years to complete). The qualification is highly regarded and those successfully completing a Doctorate are entitled to call themselves ‘Dr’. What’s in a name? Universities are independent institutions, but often collaborate with other similar universities. Universities have different histories, missions and character. Ancient, Red Brick and Plate Glass Ancient The ancient universities are seven extant British and Irish medieval universities and early modern universities founded before the year 1600.