Questions about...

Making an application through a school, college or centre
6. What is a buzzword?
7. Why doesn't the buzzword work?
8. I'm having problems logging in. What can I do?
9. I'm locked out of Apply. What can I do?
10. Can I send my application straight to UCAS?
11. How do I pay?

Making an application as an individual
12. I'm having problems logging in. What can I do?
13. I'm locked out of Apply. What can I do?
14. Who should supply a reference?
15. How do I send my application to UCAS?
16. How do I pay?

Completing your application
17. Can invalid course codes be entered?
18. How do I enter GCSE Double Awards?
19. What if I do not know the exam centre number for my qualifications?
20. Can I copy and paste my personal statement into my application from a word processing package?
21. Can I use foreign characters such as accents?
22. What happens when my application is sent to UCAS?

Managing Apply (for staff)
23. What is a buzzword?
24. Can I organise my applicants into groups?
25. Why are some of my students missing when I look at the 'references & applications' screen?
26. Can I view the progress of applications?
27. Can other members of staff be set up as users, referees or co-ordinators?
28. Once an application has been completed, what can I do if a mistake is found?
29. How do I add a reference?
30. When will I be able to send an application to UCAS?

Apply for students

1. Do paper forms still exist?
It is no longer possible to make your UCAS application on a paper form, unless you wish to apply in the medium of Welsh.

Welsh paper application forms can be obtained by contacting our Customer Service Unit - tel +44 (0)870 1122211.

2. What if I forget my password?
If you have forgotten or lost your password, click the lost password link on the log in page. By entering your name, date of birth and the answer to your security question, you will be shown your log in details on screen.

3. How do I start using Apply?
You need to select the 2006 entry Student login link on the Apply web page http://www.ucas.com/apply/index.html. A log in page will be displayed on which you will need to click register. During registration, you will need to enter some personal details and indicate if you are applying through a school or college, or if you are applying as an individual. If you are applying through a school or college, you will need to obtain a buzzword from them.

4. Do I need to complete my application all at once?
No. You will be able to use your username and password to log in to your application at different times and enter more information each time you log on. You will not be able to add any further information to your application when you have completed and sent it.

5. How do I Apply in Welsh?
You need to contact our Customer Service Unit - tel +44 (0)870 1122211 and request a Welsh paper application form.

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Making an application through a school, college or centre

6. What is a buzzword?
A buzzword is a word or phrase that is supplied to you by your school, college or centre, which you will need to be able to register.

7. Why doesn't the buzzword work?
Try clicking on the 'next' link instead of using the return key. If it still doesn't work, check with your centre that you have the correct buzzword.

8. I'm having problems logging in. What can I do?
First check you are in the correct section. The student log in has a blue screen and the staff log in has a green screen. Also remember that log in details are case sensitive. Other problems may be password related.

9. I'm locked out of Apply. What can I do?
You become locked out of Apply either by accidentally closing the browser instead of using the log out link, or entering the wrong password five times.

If you have logged out without using the log out link, you will see the following message next time you log in: 'You are already logged in. Please ensure that this is your only active session. Click log in if you wish to proceed.' Clicking on log in will automatically allow you back into your application.

If you have entered the wrong password five times, your co-ordinator can unlock your account for you, or contact our Customer Service Unit - tel +44 (0)870 1122211.

10. Can I send my application straight to UCAS?
No. You must send your application through a staff member at your school, college or centre so that a reference can be attached. The member of staff will be responsible for sending the application to UCAS.

11. How do I pay?
Your centre can choose to be invoiced by us or applicants can pay online by credit or debit card, or a mixture of both.

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Making an application as an individual

12. I'm having problems logging in. What can I do?
First check you are in the correct section. The student log in has a blue screen and the staff log in has a green screen. Also remember that log in details are case sensitive. Other problems may be password related.

13. I'm locked out of Apply. What can I do?
You become locked out of Apply either by accidentally closing the browser instead of using the log out link, or entering the wrong password five times.

If you have logged out without using the log out link, you will see the following message next time you log in: 'You are already logged in. Please ensure that this is your only active session. Click log in if you wish to proceed.' Clicking on log in will automatically allow you back into your application.

If you have entered the wrong password five times, contact our Customer Service Unit - tel +44 (0)870 1122211, who will be able to unlock your account.

14. Who should supply a reference?
Your referee should know you well enough to write about you and to say if you are suitable for higher education. If you are a mature student, you should ask a responsible person who knows you. We will not accept references from family, other relatives or friends.

15. How do I send my application to UCAS?
You can send your application to UCAS when all sections are complete. This will include obtaining a reference and copying and pasting this into your application.

16. How do I pay?
Your application fee must be paid online using a credit or debit card.

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Completing your application

17. Can invalid course codes be entered?
No. One of the many advantages of using Apply is that it is impossible to enter the wrong course code, as there is an in-built validation process.

18. How do I enter GCSE Double Awards?
Enter these qualifications under the heading GCSE/GCE. From here, you will find a separate heading for GCSE: Double Award.

19. What if I do not know the exam centre number for my qualifications?
If you do not know your exam centre number or it is not applicable, leave this blank. Ignore the red warning message - it will disappear once you continue with your application.

20. Can I copy and paste my personal statement into my application from a word processing package?
Yes. It is better to do this instead of writing directly into Apply. You can enter 4,000 characters, including spaces, for your personal statement. When you print or preview the personal statement or reference, the font will be reproduced as Verdana.

21. Can I use foreign characters such as accents?
No. We cannot process text with foreign characters such as accents.

22. What happens when my application is sent to UCAS?
Once your application is completed and sent to UCAS, together with a reference, we can begin to process it. Your application will then be sent to your chosen universities or colleges for consideration.

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Managing Apply (for staff)

23. What is a buzzword?
Each centre creates a unique buzzword. This is used by Apply to identify applicants in your centre.

24. Can I organise my applicants into groups?
Yes. You can do this in the staff section through setup. For example, you may wish to organise your applicants into tutor groups. Any applicants not placed in a specific group will be included in the default group.

25. Why are some of my students missing when I look at the 'references & applications' screen?
Check with your co-ordinator who sets permissions, as you may not have the necessary privileges to view all groups.

26. Can I view the progress of applications?
Yes. The stage of an application will be shown in the staff area. Progress will be indicated as: 'in progress', 'complete' or 'sent'.

27. Can other members of staff be set up as users, referees or co-ordinators?
Yes. However, this must be organised through your co-ordinator.

28. Once an application has been completed, what can I do if a mistake is found?
You can return the application to the applicant so they can amend any mistakes but remember to inform the applicant that you are returning it to them. The application must then be sent back to the referee.

29. How do I add a reference?
The 'references & applications' section can be accessed from the main menu. Click on 'references', followed by the applicant's name, to add the reference.

30. When will I be able to send an application to UCAS?
Before you can send an application to UCAS, you will need to approve the application, add a reference and approve the reference.