All you need to know about UCAS

Are you planning to pursue higher education in the UK? Well, a majority of the UK universities accept applications via UCAS for their undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Students who aspire to study in the UK should familiarize themselves with the system of UCAS.

With some of the oldest universities across the globe, a world-class education system, numerous research opportunities, and a unique culture, the UK has a lot to offer. Find out everything you need to know about UCAS and how to use it to apply for a university in the UK.

Table of Contents

• What is UCAS?
• UCAS Application Procedure
• UCAS Track
• UCAS Deadline 2022
• UCAS Clearing

What is UCAS?

Universities and Colleges Admission Services is a central organization that handles all the admission-related processes for students applying to higher education institutes in the United Kingdom. No other country other than the UK accepts applications through this system for admission to universities and colleges. Though it is well known for its undergraduate application service, it also provides additional admission services like conservatoires, teacher training, and postgraduate applications.

UCAS Application Procedure

Students must fill the application form in order to apply to any college or university based in the United Kingdom. Each section of the application form should be filled in carefully by the students. The step-by-step procedure for filling out the application form is given below:

• UCAS Registration
• Personal Details
• Course Choices
• Education History
• Employment History
• Personal Statement
• Reference
• Application Fee
• Application Submission

UCAS Registration

To begin with, you must register with UCAS on their website. It is possible to register independently or through your current college/school (if it is registered with this system). You will be required to answer some basic questions while registering with this system. Following that, you will be given a username and asked to create a password.

Personal Details

You will be asked to fill in some personal details in this section. If you are uncertain of any questions, you can seek assistance by clicking on the red question mark available at the end of a question. Each mandatory question must be answered, and no section can be skipped. It doesn't have to be done all at once, so you can sign in at any time and save your progress. It is also important to keep your email address updated so that you don't miss any important application updates.

Course Choices

You are allowed to select up to five courses on your application form, which means you can either select five courses from one university or five different courses from five different universities. Therefore, it is prudent to thoroughly research the courses that you want to choose, as well as the institutions offering those courses. 

Education History

Your education history section is where you need to list all the schools and colleges you have attended since the age of 13, along with your academic achievements. Make sure you provide as many details as possible, including your grades and results. In the absence of enough information, universities may have trouble making decisions. 

Employment History

If you have any previous work experience, you need to put those details in this section. Make sure to add details of full-time or part-time paid jobs only, and not unpaid or voluntary work. A maximum of 5 experiences can be included in this section. In case you don’t have any work experience, you may leave this section blank and mark it as completed.

Personal Statement

As the name suggests, a personal statement highlights your skills, experience, and qualifications that make you an ideal candidate for a particular course and university. You should spend considerable time on writing one as it will help the decision-makers to assess your suitability for a specific course. Being honest about your skills and accomplishments is important. Write only what is relevant to your course of study and stick to the word limit.

Reference

You would require a written recommendation before sending your application. Ideally, a reference should be from a teacher or an employer who knows you professionally. Remember that you cannot have a family member or friend as a referee.

Application Fee

Candidates who are applying to study in 2022 will have to pay an application fee of £22 for a single course and £26.50 for multiple course choices.​

Application Submission

After completing your application, you will be able to see your full application. Make sure you review it carefully and make any edits if required. In the end, you need to read and agree to the declaration so that your data can processed and sent to the universities/colleges of your choice.

UCAS Track

Through this facility, you can track your application's status and progress on the platform. It allows you to check whether your seat is confirmed for the course you have selected. Additionally, you can change certain aspects of your application, such as editing your contact information, changing course details, adding more options, or cancelling it. UCAS has offered ample guidance on its platform so that you can utilize this facility more efficiently.

UCAS Deadline 2022

This year, the application deadline was 26th January 2022. The applications are generally closed by 6 pm UK time (for most undergraduate courses). The following table provides a comprehensive list of important deadlines and events:

UCAS Clearing

There is a clearing process in which university applicants are matched with places that are yet to be filled. Applicants who have applied through this system and have not received any offers are eligible for clearing. If you meet any of the following conditions, you can go for clearing:

• You have applied for UCAS after June 30th.
• You did not obtain the desired exam results for your first or second-course choices.
• Your seat is not confirmed even after the results have been announced.
• You accepted an offer but changed your mind regarding the course you want to pursue.

Securing a seat at one of the top UK universities can be challenging. Now that you know how the UCAS system works, it is recommended to apply within the deadlines to increase your chances of getting admitted into the university of your choice. However, once you have completed the admission process and have been accepted into your desired course and college, it is time to sit back and relax.