Questions frequently asked BEFORE applying

1. How do I decide what I want to study?

Many students do not know what they want to study at university or college, or to which subjects they are best suited. You can get advice from your careers tutor or a Connexions office, and a lot of published material is available. This is also where the Stamford Test on our website is useful. It is a way to match your interests, aptitudes and career ideas to the most suitable higher education subjects. It is fun, takes about 10 minutes and can help you give some shape to your ideas.

2. What is the UCAS Card and how is it useful?

Designed for Year 12 students (or equivalent), the UCAS Card is an exciting development which uses the latest technology to help you find out about study opportunities. It also helps universities and colleges to know more about you. It offers you all kinds of benefits. This link provides all the information you need.

3. What are the UCAS deadlines for applying?

Completed applications should be at UCAS by the following dates.

• 15 October 2006 (for 2007 entry) for Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine. It is the same date for applications to Oxford University and the University of Cambridge.

• 15 January 2007 for all other courses except Route B Art & Design courses.

• 24 March 2007 for all Route B Art and Design courses. We recommend that applications for these courses reach us by 7 March 2007.

• 30 June 2007. The final deadline. All applications that we receive by this date are processed and sent to the universities and colleges. Applications that we receive after 30 June will not be processed in the normal way and sent to the universities and colleges. These applications will go directly into the Clearing system (See question 17 in the questions after applying for information about Clearing).

4. What happens if my application arrives after the deadlines?

If we receive your application after the deadline, but before the 30 June 2007, we will still send it to your choices of universities and colleges, but they do not have to consider you.

Applications that we receive after 30 June 2007 are not sent to the universities and colleges. These applications go directly into Clearing.

5. What is Route B?

Route B is an application route for Art & Design courses. Its 24 March deadline is later than that for normal UCAS applications. You can find out from Course Search whether the course you are applying for is in Route A, Route B or both routes.

Route B Art & Design applications are sent to one choice of university or college at a time. You enter your Route B choices in order of preference (1,2,3) and your application goes out to them in that order.Your second choice will only receive your application if you are turned down by your first choice, or you decide to decline their offer. It is, therefore, very important to list your choices in the right order.

Only three of the maximum six UCAS choices can be used on Route B courses.

6. If my course is in Route A and Route B, which do I use?

We cannot advise. Contact the university or college concerned for advice. If you are currently a school or college student, your tutors are also a good source of advice.

7. What happens if my Route B application arrives after 24 March?

We will process it, but your first choice will go out with everyone else's second choice, your second choice goes out in the third round of applications, and your third choice will be lost. Being late for Route B can be a big problem.

8. Is it possible to apply to Oxford University and the University of Cambridge?

You can only apply to both these universities, if you already have a degree, or will have one by September 2007.

9. I can't find the codes and I need to complete my application? What do I do?

Go to Course Search on our website. You will find that by clicking on the course you require at a university or college, you will reach a section containing "information required to complete the UCAS application".

10. How do I find a campus code for the course I want?

Many universities and colleges do not use campus codes. If yours has one you will find it via Course Search on our website. You will find that by clicking on the course you require at a university or college, you will reach a section containing "information required to complete the UCAS application". A campus code can be a letter, a number or a dash for their main site. If the list of campus codes shows only a dash, you must enter it.

11. Will my universities and colleges know where else I have applied?

No. They only find out much later when you have decided which offers to accept.

12. How much is the application fee?

The normal fee is £15. There is a reduced fee of £5 if you apply for one course at one university or college only (using only one of the maximum six entries in the courses section of your application).

If you apply after 30 June for Clearing only, the fee is also £15.

13. Can I apply to the same university or college for more than one course?

Yes, but if the courses are very different, it would be a good idea to explain this in your personal statement.

14. How many choices of course can I make?

The maximum number of choices available is six.

If applying for dentistry, medicine, veterinary science or veterinary medicine you are restricted to a maximum of four choices in any one of these subjects. You can, however, make a further two choices for different subjects, including any of the other subjects listed above. For example, you could make four choices of course for medicine and two choices of course for dentistry.

If you are applying for Route B Art & Design courses, only three of the maximum six choices available can be Route B courses. You can use the other three choices as you wish.

15. What is my fee code?

If you live in the UK or the EU and have been there for the last three years, the code is likely to be 02. The Apply system itself will guide you.

16. How much are course fees?

Course Search provides financial information for most courses. You need to click on the course title and then on 'Fees, bursaries and financial support' to access this information. If there is no financial information on Course Search or you require further information, you should contact the university or college direct.

17. Where do I get information about funding my course?

Information on who funds higher education courses for English, Welsh and Scottish students is available on our student finance pages.

If you live in Northern Ireland, contact your local Education and Library Board.

If you are an applicant from the European Union, the university or college you are applying to should be able to advise you or you could contact the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

18. Can I reapply in 2007 whilst holding a deferred entry place from 2006?

No. If you no longer wish to attend the university or college at which you are holding a place, discuss this with them direct. They can agree to withdraw your place, in which case you can complete a 2007 application.

19. Can I apply if I am already at university?

Yes. You can apply to another university or college for entry to the second or third year of a course that is similar to the course you are currently taking. You can also apply to start the first year of a different course at another university or college. It is a good idea to discuss your application with the university or college you now wish to attend. You will have to complete a normal UCAS application.

20. Can I complete a second 2007 application?

No, but if you have used fewer than the maximum six choices on your application, you can add choices to it, so long as you have not accepted an offer.

21. Will I be classed as a home or overseas applicant?

The universities or colleges to which you are applying will make this decision individually. If your status is very difficult to resolve, help is available from UKCISA on 020 7107 9922, between 1pm and 4pm on weekdays.

22. I am a graduate. How do I put my degree on my application?

The Apply system itself will guide you.

23. I am an international student. How do I show my qualifications on the application?

Do not try to give the UK equivalent of your qualifications. Enter them as they appear on your certificates. Universities and colleges will be able to understand and evaluate them. Please do not send certificates or other papers to us. The Apply system itself will guide you.

24. What is meant by certificated exam results?

They are qualifications you have completed. Your school or college will be able to clear up whether you have certified your results and how this should be entered on your application.

25. How do I rate which is the best university or college for my chosen course?

This is a far from a straightforward question as priorities will vary enormously. As a prospective applicant, you may be particularly interested in whether a university or college is in a big city or rural location, whereas another student may be more concerned about the availability of modular degrees or the number of beds in the halls of residence. In all cases, be wary of newspaper rankings of universities and colleges. Their use of information is usually very selective and, as a result, only tells part of the story. Remember, there can never be a definitive 'best of' list, whether of music CDs, cars or universities, but it is certainly true that some UK universities and colleges are better known than others, both in the UK and overseas. What is important is what is best for you.

How do I find the best course for me?
You can order several useful publications at www.ucasbooks.com

26. I want to study nursing, but should I apply for a degree or diploma course?

A degree course offers better career progression, but you need higher qualifications. For advice on the best career path for you, contact NHS Careers on 0845 60 60 655.

You need to apply through the Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service (NMAS) for diploma courses in nursing and midwifery. You can obtain further information and apply online on the NMAS website.

UCAS also handles the applications for most postgraduate social work courses.

27. I am a disabled student. Where can I get advice before I apply?

All universities and colleges are concerned to offer the widest possible access to students with special needs, so do seek advice from those which interest you. Skill is a national organisation promoting opportunities for students with any kind of disability. You can call them free on 0800 328 5050 (voice) or 0800 068 2422 (Minicom) on Tuesdays from 11.30am to 1.30pm or Thursdays 1.30 to 3.30pm. Its excellent website www.skill.org.uk is not only extremely informative, but also provides links to other useful sites.

28. I want to apply to study at a university overseas. How do I start?

UCAS only deals with applications for universities and colleges within the UK. Each country has its own way of applying. If you know which country you want, its embassy is often a good source of information.

Useful leads:

The United States Educational Advisory Service - tel 020 7404 6994 www.fulbright.co.uk/eas/

Ireland - Central Applications Office - tel (from UK) +353 91 562344 www.cao.ie

Association of Commonwealth Universities - tel 020 7380 6700 www.acu.ac.uk

29. How do I apply for a postgraduate social work course?

You apply for these courses through UCAS. You may have been told about an organisation called SWAS, which used to deal with applications for social work courses. UCAS has handled the applications for most postgraduate social work courses since the 2005 year of entry.

30. Will I be regarded as a mature student and what difference does that make?

UCAS defines a mature student as anyone 21 or over at the time their course starts. Some universities set the age at 25.

Sometimes, universities and colleges will waive formal qualifications for mature students, but others may demand almost the same qualifications as they would from an 18-year-old.

We advise mature students to talk to universities and colleges direct before applying.

31. Who can provide a reference for me as a mature student?

The only real rules are that you cannot use a family member or someone who is only a friend. If you are on a college course, your tutor will provide the reference. If you are currently outside education, you are looking for someone who is able to talk professionally about your application and potential, such as an employer or training officer. Your reference does not have to come from an academic source.

32. Who can provide my reference? I am not a mature student.

Universities and colleges need you to supply an academic reference from your school or college. It will be difficult to gain a place without one. Your referee should be someone who can comment on your ability to succeed on the course.

33. How do I find the qualifications needed for a course?

Use our Course Search. You need to click on the course titles to access all the information necessary to complete your application. You can click on Entry Requirements to find out the qualifications needed for the course.

34. How do I get prospectuses for universities and colleges?

Prospectuses come direct from universities and colleges. You can usually request them on their websites. Another excellent source is the Higher Education Fairs and Conventions.

35. Where can I find out about distance learning options?

Nearly all courses within UCAS require attendance at a university or college. For adults who have to be based at home distance learning can be the best option.

Contacts

The Open University is the most famous provider - Tel: 0870 333 4340
www.open.ac.uk

The Open University in Scotland - Tel: 0131 2663851
www3.open.ac.uk/near-you/scotland/

National Extension College - Tel 01223 400200
www.nec.ac.uk

Open College of Arts - Tel 0800 731 2116
www.oca-uk.com

Association of British Correspondence Colleges - Tel 020 8544 9559
www.homestudy.org.uk

36. I want to do a degree. Where do I find out about Access courses first?

Students usually study Access courses at their local college. There is also Access course information on our website, although application for these courses is direct to the colleges.

37. I have heard about having to pay tuition fees. What are they?

For information, go to www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport

In Scotland, you do not pay tuition fees. For information about financial support, go to www.saas.gov.uk

38. How do universities and colleges view deferred entry applications?

The value of gap year activities is widely documented and most universities and colleges will allow you to apply for deferred entry, but we advise you to check with them direct prior to applying. When applying for deferred entry, details of your proposed gap year in your personal statement will support your application.

39. What is a Foundation degree?

A Foundation degree is an intermediate work-related higher education qualification which takes two years full-time or three to four part-time. We have a Foundation Course Search on this site.

40. What are additional admissions tests like GAMSAT?

GAMSAT is the Graduate Medical Schools Admissions Test. Some courses want applicants to take additional tests like this. Information about these tests is available here.

The other tests we know of are:

BMAT - Bio-Medical Admissions Test
HAT - History Aptitude Test
LNAT - National Admissions Test for Law
MML - Modern and Medieval Languages Test
MSAT - Medical Selection Admissions Test
STAT - Special Tertiary Admissions Test
STEP - Sixth Term Examination Papers
TSA - Thinking Skills Assessment
UKCAT UK Clinical Aptitude Test
UMAT - Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admissions Test.

41. How do I apply for postgraduate courses?

In general, postgraduate courses require application direct to universities and colleges. Exceptions are Masters in Social Work - apply through UCAS, and postgraduate Teaching - apply through GTTR. Also postgraduate music performance courses at Conservatoires - apply through CUKAS.

A useful website is www.prospects.ac.uk.