Applying to UCAS

The Essential guide to UK UniversitiesUK UniversitiesThings to considerOxford and CambridgeArt and DesignMedicine / Law

Overview of UK UniversitiesAncient UniversitiesUniversity of London (1836)Civic Redbrick Universities (Latter part of 19th Century)Plate Glass Universities (1960s)New universities (1992)

What do I need to consider?What are you studying / proposing to study at HL in IB?HL courses determine types of degree courses

Predicted grades?Determine the universities you can apply to - be realistic as you only have 5 choices Students will do 3 HLs, university offers generally based on these.

Research excellenceWhat is the significance of these universities?Research intensiveVery competitiveStudents need to demonstrate independenceFewer contact hours with professors

How to get in?Strong academic gradesComprehensive study planStrong reference letter

Average UCAS pointsValue of IB scores:IB 40 = 611 UCAS pointsIB 39 = 589 UCAS pointsIB 38 = 567 UCAS pointsIB37 = 545 UCAS pointsIB 36 = 523 UCAS pointsIB 35 = 501 UCAS points

Scores are combined with SL and HL be realistic with your expectations, average IB score around the world has consistently been 30 for 40 years.

IB score distribution

Highest number of applications

Applications per placeLSE 11.5Edinburgh 8.6St Andrews 8.4Kings College London 7.8Bristol 7.7UCL 7.7Warwick 7.4Imperial 6.6Oxford 5.5Cambridge 4.7

Post 1992 Universities (Teaching Excellence)Specialise in teaching (vocational courses)Many academics have industrial or business experienceMore contact time with professorsResearch suggests that new universities are academically more effective at teaching (Quality Assurance Agency QAA)Build industry links and promote internships

How to choose the right course/university?Predicted grades? (SL exams will give an idea)What do you want to study?What is more important, course or university?

Choosing the right course:Use UCAS searchList entrance requirements

Result of UCAS search for EconomicsBirmingham require 38 points minimum 665 with 6 in maths

Cambridge require 39-42 points minimum 776 with 7 in maths

Durham require 39 points minimum 665 with 6 in maths

Leicester require 34 points minimum of 5 in all subjects at HL

Leeds require 34 points minimum of 5 in all subjects at HL

UCL require 39 points minimum of 766 with 7 in maths

Oxford or CambridgeCan only choose oneWill be expected to get highest grades possible If you wish to apply for an undergraduate place at Cambridge, you need to be in the top one or two per cent of your year group, and doing very well in the subject area you'd like to study.Application deadline is 15th OctoberComplete SAQ (supplementary application questionnaire), sent via emailAttend interviewEnglish Language Minimum of B in GCSE or 5 in SL IB

Oxbridge InterviewsDoes this person show outstanding ability in their subject?Have they the potential to bring something new to the field?Would this person gain academically from my tuition at the college?Is this a person I would enjoy teaching?Would this person enjoy life at Oxbridge?Likely to be asked questions that need consideration. Potential tutors will want to see how you react to ideas for team work or general guidanceArt and Design ProgrammesSpecialist schools for fine art include:

Slade School of Art (University College London)University of the Arts, London (Central St Martins) Edinburgh School of Art (University of Edinburgh)University for the Creative ArtsGlasgow School of Art

Foundation programmes are not specified, but students have a better chance of acceptance at the above institutions if they have done one.

Art and Design ProgrammesMany of the 1992 universities offer these programmes and are very good at preparing students with vocational skills. In terms of art and design, courses on offer include:Product DesignShoe / Clothing & Fashion DesignCar DesignGraphic Design / Computer GamesCeramicsAnimation / IllustrationPhotography / Media

Art and Design deadlinesThere are two deadlines for Art and Design Programmes, 15th January and 24th March.

You can apply for 15th January courses and 24th March courses later on same application

Medicine / DentistryDeadline 15th OctoberYou can only apply to 4 institutions, the 5th programme must be something differentApplicants must take UKCAT (most common) or BMAT (Oxbridge / Imperial / UCL) Can be done in TaiwanMedical InterviewInternational places = 7% of available places

UKCAT and BMATCan do once a year, check for test dates on respective websitesUKCAT / BMAT test:Verbal ReasoningQuantitative ReasoningAbstract ReasoningDecision AnalysisEach of the sections are marked and an average score is taken. UKCAT score up to 900 650+ = a competitive score. BMAT score up to 9, 5 is average, 6 is seen as competitive.Both tests are 2 hours long and multiple choice

Other TestsLeading universities need the LNAT test (National Admissions Test for Law), universities include:Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Glasgow, Kings College, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, UCL2 hours42 multiple choice questions - measure reading, comprehension and logical reasoning skills (Oxbridge forums state 18+ on multiple choice is good).Reading40 minute essay question

What are the best universities?There is no best university, they all have different missions. This is highlighted in the following that shows which universities have the best recruitment record:

The University of Surrey

96.9

Harper Adams University College

96.5

The Robert Gordon University

95.9

The University of Cambridge

95.2

King's College London

94.6Choosing a course

How to choose your course:What are you interested in?If you are not sure you can check online careers guidance at http://www.fasttomato.com/ or more detailed Centigrade test (30 for international students) http://www.coa2.co.uk/centigrade/?pagename=index

Check the UCAS site for important dates (deadlines)

Personal Statement Why universities should choose youWhy do you want to study the course? Can link skills/experience Check spelling and grammarKeep sentences short (12-20 words)Each sentence should add something new, not increase word countQuality of writing reflects quality of thoughtDont be too formal or familiar80% of statement should focus on course for competitive universitiesBe honest the statement can be used as basis of interviewGet someone to check your statementCompleting the ApplicationPayment 23 for 5, or 12 for oneReferenceSubmission to UCASUCAS EXtraIf you've used all five choices and are not holding any offers, you may be able to use Extra to add another choice if:you've received decisions from all five universities or colleges, but want to change courseyou weren't accepted or you declined any offers you received

Offers and accepting offersConditional / Reject?Deadline to accept (set when all universities have made a decision)Accept Firm / InsuranceWait resultsUnconditional (?)

Clearing and AdjustmentClearingAdjustmentUniversities know grades before students doIf grades are lower and university has not accepted you, need to go into clearingCheck UCAS to see what courses are available. Contact university.Be careful, if you accept a course, cannot continue lookingIf you did better than expected, can apply for more competitive course. Like clearing, call university and see if they accept youWont lose course at original firm

Q & AStill confused? Need more help?Upcoming Events:October 10th: Study World, Songshan Park Eslite, Taipei New Horizon (6F) No 88 Yanchang Road, Xinyi Dist.

More Information:Jack Shull TES University & Careers CounsellorUKEAS 3 Offices in Taipei - open for counselling from 10am to 7pm, Monday to FridayWebsite: www.ukeas.com.tw