Applying to University

Key dates:Early September – College can start submitting applications

Deadline for most applications – 15th January

Art & Design and some music/drama courses may have different courses

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UCAS Check List

Below is a list of stages and steps to work through in order to complete your UCAS application form. Tick off the stages you’ve done and use the space at the

bottom of the page to complete a to-do list.

Identify a subject/course you would like to study at University. (access power point #1 and #2 on the portal for some ways to gets going)

Access the UCAS resources on the Carlisle College Portal.

Research universities which offer my chosen course and start making a short list. (See page 4 in this booklet + (access power point #1 and #2 on the portal for some ways to gets going)

Have a discussion with my tutor about my predicted grade to help me research appropriate courses. (use the tariff table on Page 3 to work out your points)

Set up an application form on www.ucas.com and link your application using Buzzword: Carlisle21 (Look at the resources on the portal for support)

Draft and re-draft (and re-draft) a personal statement. (Look at page 8 onwards for tips and hints)

Have a member of staff double check my application form for errors or mistakes.

My to-do list (Early September)

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My potential UCAS points:3

Researching CoursesBefore you can apply for your chosen course, it is important that you

research the universities who offer your course as they are likely to have different entry requirements.

It is important to look at the following areas carefully:

Entry requirements – e.g. 124 UCAS points, plus a C in GCSE English.

Distance from Carlisle – google the train times and cost.

Course structure – e.g. is there a work placement? Employability statistics.

Some useful websites when researching courses are:

www.ucas.comFor advice and information on university courses, a course search facility, and to apply online.

www.gov.uk/student-finance For information on all aspects of student finance for those who are resident in England.

http://university.which.co.uk Really useful website to compare courses and university. Can get information on the course assessment methods and employment statistics.

www.unitasterdays.com Useful to find open days and taster days.

www.opendays.comFind out when universities and colleges are holding open days – and book your place online.

www.ukcoursefinder.comUseful if you want to search for courses.

www.applytouni.com Useful for sample personal statements and research.

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk & www.whatuni.com Two more useful websites for doing research and comparing courses.

Researching your choices

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use the tables below to record courses that you are interested in.

University name and the course

title

Entry requirements

Living costs for the university?

E.g. En-suite or catered??

Course module of interest

When are the next

University’s open days?

(opendays.com)

University name and the course

title

Entry requirements

Living costs for the university?

E.g. En-suite or catered??

Course module of interest

When are the next

University’s open days?

(opendays.com)

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Researching your choices

University name and the course

title

Entry requirements

Living costs for the university?

E.g. En-suite or catered??

Course module of interest

When are the next

University’s open days?

(opendays.com)

University name and the course

title

Entry requirements

Living costs for the university?

E.g. En-suite or catered??

Course module of interest

When are the next

University’s open days?

(opendays.com)

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Researching your choices

University name and the course

title

Entry requirements

Living costs for the university?

E.g. En-suite or catered??

Course module of interest

When are the next

University’s open days?

(opendays.com)

University name and the course

title

Entry requirements

Living costs for the university?

E.g. En-suite or catered??

Course module of interest

When are the next

University’s open days?

(opendays.com)

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Writing a Personal Statement A personal statement allows you to explain and demonstrate why you

would be a good student for your chosen subject.

You have a maximum of 4,000 characters (including spaces).

You have a maximum of 47 lines.

Always check your spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Before starting, list all the subjects you take and all the skills you have developed or gained in each subject.

Next, list all your enrichment and voluntary work, and list the skills you have gained from. You must reflect on what you have learned.

(Use the skills table boxes and list of skills below to help)

When you write your personal statement avoid being too descriptive. By following your ABC’s:

A- Activity (describe the activity/hobby/employment/work experience you do) E.g. I currently work part time in a shop.

B – Benefit (the skills you have improved) E.g. By working in this shop I have improved by communication skills with a range of people.

C – Course – how does this activity/skill link to the course you’re applying for. E.g. Part of the course requires me to do presentations which are assessed in front of my other students. For example:

EXAMPLE: In order to gain an insight into the daily life of a nurse I spent two days shadowing a nurse on a ward at my local hospital. During these two days I started and finished at the same time as the nurse, from this I was able to see first-hand that nursing is both a physically and mentally demanding job. During these two days I was also struck by the emotional side of being a nurse, that as

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well as being physically tired, nurses have to be strong emotionally. I know at the moment that this would not be my strength, but I hope to develop this during my time training.

What Admissions Tutors are looking for:

o Why have you chosen this subject?

o What in particular interests?

o An understanding of the subject and its current relevance in society.

o Current Studies – what skills and knowledge have you developed through sixth form.

o Aspirations after university

o Enthusiasm for the course

o Relevant Work Experience, Volunteer Work

o Extra-curricular activities such as summer schools, mentoring schemes, any other courses or programmes of study you have taken part in

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o Details of non-accredited skills and achievements gained through activities such, e.g. Duke of Edinburgh.

o Your social, sports or leisure interestsUCAS have created a mind map to help you write your personal

statement. You can annotate the mind map below to get started with your ideas.

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Getting starting – why do you want to study….. ?

Why do you want to study this course? Where did my interest in this area start? What was my trigger?

Why is this subject important to society? How does it link with current affairs?

Which part of the course are you most looking forward to studying? Why?

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Skills table

Skills you’ve shown/developed at College (give examples of when you’ve shown the skill)

Skills you’ve used in work experience/placement

Skills you’ve used in part time job or other activities

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Skills you can take from your subjects and enrichment

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Time management

Team work

Public speaking

Flexibility Commitment Communication

Organisation

Leadership Adaptability

Independence Financial independence

Learning new skills

Carrying out research

Evaluation skills Analytical skills Initiative

Empathy Reliable

Structuring your Personal Statement

If you are applying for a course which doesn’t necessarily require any work experience, then the following structure might be useful to you:

o Part 1 : Why this course/subject?

You must firstly explain why you want to study your chosen course. You need to explain your interest in the subject and give evidence of this interest (e.g. wider reading or voluntary experience).  What first caught your attention: a lesson, a topic, a t.v. programme, family holiday?  You may have read a book or article, seen something in the news or heard a radio programme about the subject – mention it here.

Universities want you to demonstrate that you understand what is involved in the course and give evidence supporting why you are suitable for the course.

o Part 2 : What have you learned from your college subjects?

Which subject are you studying in college? Why these subject? What have you learned? What skills have you learned/developed? What modules/topics have you enjoyed? How will this subject/skills help you succeed/be more suitable on your chosen course?

o Part 3 : Work experience or enrichment activities linked with your topic

In this paragraph write about any work experience you have completed – where did you go? What did you enjoy? What did you learn? What skills did you develop? Mention any extra reading or projects you have completed linked to your chosen area.

o Part 4 : Extra-curricular interests and achievements out of school

In this paragraph talk about any hobbies you have, a part time job you have, or other activities you did when at school or in your spare time, e.g. Duke of Edinburgh, NCS, being captain of the local football team and general interest. Make sure you talk about the skills you developed through that activity.

o Part 5 : Rounding off paragraph – one to two sentences which outlines your suitability and sums up your qualities. You could include your future plans/jobs/careers in this section.

Structuring your Personal StatementIf you are applying for a course such as nursing, physiotherapy, midwifery, social

work or teaching, the following structure might be useful:o Part 1: Why this course/vocation?

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You must firstly explain why you want to study your chosen course. You need to explain your interest in the subject and give evidence of this interest (e.g. wider reading or voluntary experience).  What first caught your attention: a lesson, a topic, a t.v. programme, family holiday?  You may have read a book or article, seen something in the news or heard a radio programme about the subject – mention it here.

Universities want you to demonstrate that you understand what is involved in the course and give evidence supporting why you are suitable for the course.

o Part 2: Work experience

What enrichment, work experience or voluntary work have you done to show your dedication to your subject? What did you learn from these experiences? What skills have you developed which you can transfer to the course? What were the qualities of the professional you observed? How will these activities and skills help with your chosen course? What shocked/surprised you the most?

o Part 3 : Other extra-curricular interests and achievements out of school

What interests/hobbies/reading/clubs do you do/attend outside of college which show your interest in the course? What skills have learned/developed? How do these hobbies link with your chosen course and make you more likely to succeed?

o Part 4 : What have you learned from your college subjects?

Which subject are you studying in college? Why these subject? What have you learned? What skills have you learned/developed? What modules/topics have you enjoyed? How will this subject/skills help you succeed/be more suitable on your chosen course?

o Part 5 : Rounding off paragraph – one to two sentences which outlines your suitability and sums up your qualities. You could include your future plans/jobs/careers in this section.

Some useful phrases…..

o My motivation to become a….. comes from…….

o I wish to study…… because………

o My interest in………. first started……….

o From a two week work placement at….. I have realised the

importance

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o As a volunteer with……. I have shown that I have exceptional…….

skills..

o Completing a work placement with a local charity who specialise in

supporting adults with learning difficulties has been really

rewarding. I was able to help with……. which helped to improve

my…….. skills.

o I have really enjoyed studying Computing at level 3, in particular I

really enjoyed the module on…… . At university, I am really looking

forward to improving my knowledge in this area.

o Nurses play a really important role in health care, as they……

o In the future, I would like to work with understanding computing

systems, by studying this course I have I can….

o Outside of my studies, I have completing some extra reading on the

topic of…… . This is an area of interest to me and something I hope

to learn more about at university.

o Outside of college, my biggest hobby is rock climbing. I have

participated in this for several years and shows that I am a

dedicated and motivated individual, as I constantly push myself.

o Last summer I completed the National Citizenship Scheme. I was

part of a team who completed an expedition in the Lakes and time

away from home. During this time I really improved my…..

o As the captain of my local football team for 2 years, I showed my

natural leadership ability. I also showed…..

o I recently read a book on programming because this was a unit I

was really interested in. From reading this I was able to learn

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more……

o I have always been motivated to develop my skills and gain extra

experience. So during college I participated in…..

It’s important to mix up the sentences that you use, and make

sure you don’t just copy these ideas – use them to get going and

get your creativity going.

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