Middlesbrough College UCAS Application Guide - For Entry 2024

UCAS Application guide

Applying to university Writing your personal statement For UCAS entry 2024

Making an application to University can involve a lot of research, this booklet aims to make that a little bit easier with expert advice and guidance. You can also access lots of help in College too, your Tutor and Careers Advisers in the Careers Centre are all on hand to assist you with your application.

For further advice please consult the additional publications available in the Careers Centre and also at www.ucas.com

Contents Page 3 Essential sources of information including the College’s buzzword

Page 8-12 Our step by step guide to completing your UCAS form

Page 12 Personal statements Useful examples

Page 4 Important dates

Page 9 Filling in the information

Page 13 Interviews and offers

Page 5 How are you going to narrow down your choices?

Page 10 Personal statements What you should include?

Page 14 Clearing

Page 6 How many UCAS points can I get?

Page 11 Personal statements Advice from university admissions tutors

Page 7 Completing the form

2

Essential sources of information All students should consult the following guides prior to completing their UCAS applications: Books/Guides/Websites

Location

UCAS website

www.ucas.com

Computers with internet access including the College LRC

Unifrog website

www.unifrog.org

Computers with internet access including the College LRC

UK Course Finder website

www.ukcoursefinder.com

Computers with internet access including the College LRC

How to complete your UCAS form

Thrive Pod

Open days website

www.opendays.com

Computers with internet access including the College LRC

Compare worldwide qualifications using ENIC

www.enic.org.uk

Computers with internet access including the College LRC

See link for videos on every aspect of UCAS

www.ucas.com/connect/videos

Computers with internet access including the College LRC

Complete University Guide website

www.completeuniversityguide.co.uk

Computers with internet access including the College LRC

TheUniGuide website

www.theuniguide.co.uk

Computers with internet access including the College LRC

When applying online select the option ‘Applying through a School or College’ The BUZZWORD you will need is MBRO2024

3

Important dates May 2023

Research broad areas of choice

June 2023

Visit open days and Higher Education conventions to talk to Universities and collect prospectuses

July 2023

Continue individual research and visits

August 2023

Consider a) sponsorships - or - b) year out

September 2023

Make final decisions on which institutions/courses to apply to

16th October 2023

Final deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Sciences. NB: You can apply for a maximum of four Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary places. UCAS applications must be sent by this deadline. (Internal College deadline to allow for reference completion Friday 15th December 2023 for these applications)

October and November 2023

Form completion and personal statement

December 15th, 2023

Middlesbrough College internal deadline

January 2024 UCAS DEADLINE

31st January 2024 is the UCAS final deadline for ‘on time’ applications

February 2024

UCAS Extra - make additional choices

March 2024

Deadline for some Art & Design applications

April 2024

Decide on offers if all institutions have responded

May 2024

Deadline for decisions on UCAS applications

June 2024

Hard at work with examinations 30th June last date UCAS accepts applications, after which applicants automatically go through Clearing

July 2024

Relax and take a holiday

Mid August 2024

Exam results issued (you should be available). Clearing vacancies widely advertised. Vacancy information on the UCAS website

End of August 2024

UCAS Clearing is ongoing

September 2024

Preparation for enrolment

4

How are you going to narrow down your choices?

Ask yourself the following questions and be honest with your answers. You can use the UCAS Hub to create your own personal space where you can organise everything about applying or the Unifrog website to answer some of the questions.

What career ideas do I have at present?

Which qualifications do I need to get on to my chosen course(s) at University?

What grades am I predicted to achieve in my studies?

Which courses can I apply for if I don’t get offered a place at my first choice of University?

Which Universities offer the subject I am interested in?

(Research using the UCAS website, University websites and prospectuses)

How long do I want to study for?

2 years (e.g. Foundation Degree/Higher National Diploma) 3 years (e.g. Honours Degree)

4 years (e.g. Sandwich Course)

5 years (e.g. Including Post Graduate) Do the courses I am thinking of applying for lead me to the career(s) I am interested in?

5

How many UCAS points can I get?

BTEC Qualifications (QCF) Suite of qualifications known as nationals GCE & VCE QUALIFICATIONS

EXTENDED PROJECT

AS LEVELS (AND CORE MATHS)

A LEVELS

NCFE TARIFF POINTS

168

CACHE LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA

BTEC LEVEL 3 NATIONALS (QCF)

CACHE LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE

DIPLOMA

SUBSIDIARY DIPLOMA

BTEC (QCF) CERTIFICATE

CAMBRIDGE TECHNICAL EXTENDED DIPLOMA

D*D*D*

D*D*D*

160

D*D*D

D*D*D

152

D*DD

D*DD

DDD

DDD

DDM

DDM

144

A*

EXTENDED DIPLOMA

OCR QUALIFICATION

A

128 120

B

112

DMM

104 96

D*D*

DMM

D*D C

84

MMM

DD

MMM

A*

80

D*D* MMP

DM

MMP

78 72

D*D D

A

64 60 A*

56

A

48

B

40 36

C A* A

D

32

DD MPP

MM

MMP

B

DM D*

C

PPP

MP

D

D

MP PP

M

24

D

20

C

B

D

C

12

D

10

E

16

P

8 E

6

You can work out your UCAS points with your predicted grades using the tariff calculator at www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

6

MM

D*D*D*

D*

A

E

PPP

28

B

CAMBRIDGE TECHNICAL SUBSIDIARY DIPLOMA

M

P

PP

Completing the form UCAS Apply allows you to fill in your UCAS form on any computer with internet access and send your application electronically. By applying this way you can amend any errors and word process your personal statement. Using Apply means you can work on your application at home (providing you have internet access).

Middlesbrough College apply system To link yourself to Middlesbrough College ensure you use the College Buzzword...

MBRO2024

Ensure you select the option to apply ‘Through a School or College’.

Internet access is available in the College Learning Resource Centre where staff can assist you. However, if you require advice or guidance in relation to your application, you should complete as much of your form as possible and take it along to the College’s Careers Advisers for help.

They are available for drop in and are available for bookable appointments throughout the week.

An appointment can be made be contacting the team by phone or emailing careers@mbro.ac.uk Full instructions on completing your application can be found on the UCAS

website, www.ucas.com and by using our step-by-step guide.

There is a charge for submitting a UCAS application. For 2024 the entry fee is £27.50 for any number of choices 1-5. The College can help with this if you qualify, ask Student Services for details.

It is vital that you send your application as soon as possible, as early applications are more likely to be successful. Please note that making a single application is inadvisable, as you are not giving yourself a safety net if you do not get an offer from the University of your choice. However do not feel you have to use up all 5 choices immediately as you may want to add a course choice in later.

Advice to students from overseas

You can get help with the costs of study providing you meet the residency requirements. If you have lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for five years immediately before the start of the academic year in which the course begins and you are living in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Island on the first day of the academic year (1st September), and you have settled status then you can receive help with the cost of studying.

UK ENIC can provide you with a written individual assessment of your qualifications at a cost. Remember that many Universities use ENIC software to find out about overseas qualifications, so those Universities you are interested in applying to may be able to give you advice.

There is additional information on the UCAS website (www.ucas.com) for students completing the application.

7

Research entry requirements Research courses Research your career ideas

Before you start the form!

Our step by step guide To completing your UCAS form The UCAS application form has different sections for completion. Once you have REGISTERED to use “Apply” you can use your log in details to start completing your actual application form online and you can save and re-save the details as many times as you need to.

As you progress completing your application you can see the status of each section and any incomplete information can be added later and you will see that sections are then marked as complete when you have finished with them.

On the next page our step by step guide relates to the main UCAS website – please refer to the link below for further details: www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-and-track/filling-your-application

8

Filling in the information Register to use apply

Add some personal details, get a username – this is generated as result of your registration and comes up on the screen once (so make a note of it) then you can choose and create a password (again make a note of this too) and set your security questions. Combined your username and password are your login details. Add the Buzzword the College has set (MBRO2024), or if you’re applying independently there’ll be a few questions to answer. Log in to fill in the rest of your form.

Personal details

For the Funding options opt for the Student Finance option (to say you will be applying for Student Finance Government Funding) pay particular attention to: residential status, any special needs or disabilities and any criminal convictions questions.

If you have any learning difficulties or specific needs it is important to declare this in order for you to be assessed and receive the required support during your studies.

There may also be financial support available to you through the disability students allowance. Add your email address – you will have to verify this. UCAS will use this to let you know whenever your application is updated online, ready for you to log in and check.

Nationality details

Please select country of birth and then nationality.

If you're applying from outside the UK, choose your nationality as it appears on your passport.

Student finance (UK applicants only)

UCAS don’t arrange student finance, but if you’re looking for financial support, you can give UCAS permission here to share your info with the student loans/awards organisation you apply to – which should speed up the process.

Please select UK, CHI, IOM or EU Student Finance Service.

Course choices

You can choose up to five courses (all now or some later). There’s no preference order and your Universities/ Colleges won’t see where else you’ve applied until after you reply to any offers.

If you are applying for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science, you can only apply for a maximum of four courses in any one of Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science. Be aware of early deadlines and entry tests such as BMAT or UCAT – do your research first.

Applying to the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge? Usually you can only apply to one course at either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge. Be aware of entry tests and early application deadlines.

Full education history

You must enter all your qualifications – whether you have the result (even any that were ungraded) or you’re still awaiting exams and results. For course results you’re still waiting for, these are the exam results UCAS process and forward on to Universities and Colleges. If any of your pending qualifications aren’t in the list provided in the Education section, you still need to add them to your application, but also remember you’ll need to send the results on to your chosen Universities and Colleges when you get them.

Remember if in doubt check Tips for entering specific qualifications such AS/A Levels, BTEC or Access Diplomas can be found in the Help section on the application. It could be useful to have all your certificates together during completion of this part of the form.

Your employment history

If you’ve had any paid jobs – full-time or part-time – here’s where you can enter details for up to five of them.

Include company names, addresses, job descriptions and start/finish dates. Mention any unpaid or voluntary work in your personal statement.

Write a personal statement (see next page)

Your Personal Statement offers a valuable opportunity to provide Admissions Tutors with essential information about yourself: for example, which skills you have, your achievements and interests and you can emphasise the research you have carried out for your degree course choice and your motivation towards it.

The Personal Statement allows you to promote yourself to Admissions Tutors, which can mean the difference between getting an interview or an offer of a place (or not).

Please note that UCAS now use Anti-plagiarism Software, the Similarity Detection Service is designed to ensure that every applicant’s Personal Statement is their own work. So do not copy or share your Statement with others.

View all the details

See if you need to make any amendments, then mark it as complete and save it. Once you’ve marked all previous sections as complete, you’ll be able to read and agree to the declaration – which allows UCAS to process your info and send it to your chosen Universities/Colleges. You’ll then be able to move on to the final sections.

Pay and send form

Pay your application fee and send your application – £27.50 for any number of choices 1-5. Even if you pay and press send - the form is going to stay in the Middlesbrough College apply system if you have used the Buzzword until your reference has been added before it can be sent to UCAS. This may take up to 10 working days.

If applying through College your reference will be completed internally by your Tutor through your Directorate. If you are applying independently follow the on screen instruction. If you are concerned about paying this fee, please speak to the careers team for further advice.

9

Personal statements What should your statement include?

There isn’t a magic formula for completing this section of your form and you will probably write and re-write it, but some of the suggestions below might be of benefit.

Write your statement in paragraphs that flow well:

• The information you give should be clear, concise and relevant to your application. Do not feel you must fill the space provided, but don’t leave it at a few lines either as there is space for approximately 47 lines of typed text (4000 characters with spaces).

• Any information about yourself that might make you stand out from other applicants is worth including. Remember many Admissions Tutors read hundreds of Statements.

• Use Microsoft Word to type up your Statement and remember to spell check it thoroughly.

• Ensure that the Statement looks presentable.

• Avoid duplicating information that is elsewhere on your UCAS application.

See UCAS links: www.ucas.com/undergraduate/ applying-university/writing-yourpersonal-statement www.ucas.com/undergraduate/ applying-university/writingpersonal-statement/introducingpersonal-statement-tool To use the tool online.

Further information is available in the LRC, on Canvas and by speaking to the careers team who will be happy to arrange an individual appointment to go through your statement.

Practical activity STEP 1 Make a full list of your: • Reasons for choosing your courses at University • Skills (practical and academic) • Personal qualities (communication, time management, team leading etc.)

• Interests outside of College • Strengths and interests in current studies making a link between them and your University choices • Work experiences including duties undertaken and transferable skills (working with others, meeting deadlines, dealing with difficult situations) • Additional responsibilities at College or at work e.g. student representative, supervising new members of staff at work, organising an event or activity - detailing what you have learnt from these activities.

• References to ‘social action’ e.g. fundraising, volunteering or campaigning

STEP 2 Draft a statement using all of the information from step 1, avoiding duplication and adding a closing statement.

STEP 3 Re-draft and re-check if necessary. Any improvements will benefit your application.

STEP 4 Get the draft checked by your tutor.

STEP 5 Double check: • Spelling • Grammar • Presentation • Punctuation • That you are not underselling yourself • That you are not being dishonest

STEP 6

Copy and paste your statement to the Personal Statement section of apply.

10

Personal statements

Advice from university admissions tutors

“You cannot underestimate the need to spell and punctuate properly.

Good presentation and structure is also vital”

“I like to read forms where it is clear that applicants have read the prospectus” “Avoid humour. I’m not looking for a comedian, but someone who is genuinely interested in my subject”

“Show evidence of reading beyond the curriculum” “I want evidence of practical/ study skills which can be demonstrated through work experience/extra curricular interests and activities”

Remember, it will probably take several attempts to construct your Personal Statement. Most students revise their Statements after speaking with tutors and other professionals including the MC careers team.

11

Personal statements Useful examples

Think of the personal statement as a very focussed piece of work.

Keep it relevant and controlled, so it conveys your strengths.

Remember to discuss your transferable skills, but don’t just list them, back up what you are saying with examples, from your studies and work/life history. The strongest personal statements are usually original and specific, displaying enthusiasm. Link your passion for the subject/career with knowledge you have gained from your existing studies and from any voluntary or work experience. Relate any skills you have developed to the programme you are applying for at University.

The following are examples of extracts from statements you may find useful for ideas: ‘I have chosen to apply for social work in order to provide support to vulnerable individuals in turn helping to support the wider community in which we live. Having volunteered at the local Salvation Army, I am aware of the types of issues affecting some in society such as financial problems and homelessness.’

‘Studying chemistry and biology at A Level has increased my practical skills and my ability to analyse statistical data and different chemical compounds in an experimental setting. I am now looking forward to developing these skills further at Higher Education level’.

‘My interest in the past and in different political figures has confirmed my desire to study History. Visiting historical sites during a College trip has given me an insight into the way political decisions affect people’s lives. I am now looking forward to visiting different historical sites as part of the degree program.’

12

‘A genuine talent in sport and interest in physical fitness has led me to apply for Sports Science at University.

I am keen to meet other sports/ fitness enthusiasts at University and to develop my expertise in this field, specifically sports psychology.’

‘Working with numbers and using different equations and methods to solve design or structural problems really interests me. I am keen to use the principles of mathematics and science to develop efficiency within the modernising world of engineering.’

‘Training to become a physiotherapist will allow me to realise my career goal to work in the NHS. Supporting individuals with rehabilitation or exercise techniques to regain strength or movement will be immensely rewarding, as well as exciting and challenging and I am looking forward to both the theory and practical side of this University program.’

‘My interest in business developed through my involvement in the College enterprise programme. I was in charge of marketing the project and gained great insight into the world of business.’

'For the last five years I have been a member of the school’s orchestra.

Attending regular rehearsals and playing live has both enhanced my confidence as well as developed strong self-discipline and I am keen to continue my music talents at University.’

‘Taking part in the debating society has enabled me to form stronger reasoning and increased my vocabulary and communication skills. I am confident these skills will be useful for my legal studies.’

‘I have chosen to apply for primary school teaching at degree level as I am passionate about the importance of education. My decision has been made carefully after much research and work experience in a local school which I enjoyed very much. Becoming a teacher will enable me to inspire and motivate youngsters to enjoy learning.’

Interviews and offers University interviews Help is available through your tutor and the College’s Careers Advisers.

For interview preparation sessions and mock interviews.

Choosing your firm and insurance offers If you have applied for Higher Education through UCAS and haven’t heard anything yet from any of your chosen Universities, don’t be too concerned. As long as you receive an acknowledgment from UCAS, your application is being processed. If you are unsure about whether your form has been received by UCAS, speak to your Careers Adviser who will be able to help you.

You can check on the progress of your application by using the UCAS website at www.ucas.com and clicking on ‘Track’.

All decisions will be fed back to you via UCAS, and they may come in any order.

An institution’s decision will be one of: 1.

2.

3.

An unconditional offer (if you already have all qualifications needed) and the institution wishes to offer you a place.

A conditional offer (where the institution wishes to offer you a place subject to you achieving a specified standard in the forthcoming examinations).

Notification that you have been unsuccessful in this instance.

You should wait until you have received all decisions before choosing what action to take (don’t feel pressured into deciding too quickly). UCAS sends a statement of all the decisions with a reply slip for you to complete. At this point you will have to accept two offers, one firm and one insurance place.

UCAS will send you notification of when you have to decide by and you can use this time to visit your preferred University and seek advice from your Course Tutor or College Careers Adviser. Ensure you read any correspondence carefully before replying to offers.

If choosing five courses was bad enough, narrowing it down to two can be even more difficult and you will really need to get some advice from your tutors on your likely grades.

Be realistic with the offers you choose The final choice of your firm (first) offer and the insurance offer should be yours, not anyone else’s.

Your second acceptance is your insurance, which means it requires a lower grade. Applicants often fall into the trap of choosing an insurance offer only very slightly lower than their firm offer, in fact, it’s probably wiser to pick one quite a bit lower for it to be a real insurance. If you miss your firm offer by one grade they might still accept you anyway, depending on the demand for the course. As long as you get advice and think carefully about your acceptances, your move to Higher Education should

run smoothly and you should avoid having to go into Clearing

UCAS Extra - Begins February 2024 If you don’t hold any offers after selecting five choices, you can apply to other places before Clearing. Beat the rush in Clearing by talking to a College Careers Adviser (see back page).

What to do when you get your results UCAS applicants for 2024 entry to Higher Education will receive the leaflet ‘Advice for Applicants’ from UCAS, which gives useful information and advice about the passage of your application through the UCAS scheme.

Further information is available in the LRC, on Canvas and by speaking to the careers team.

Important!

It is absolutely vital that you reply by the date UCAS give you for making your firm and insurance offer. If you do not keep to the deadlines you will lose all your offers, which would be a major setback Further information is available in the LRC, on Canvas and by speaking to the careers team!

13

Clearing 1. Make contact with all institutions that didn't offer you a place and ask for feedback. The advice they give may be useful later in helping you to put across your strengths when applying through Clearing.

Before applying through clearing: 2. If the institution indicates the main reason you were rejected was simply due to a large number of applicants (e.g. your application was good, but there were better applicants) there is still a chance you could be placed with this institution during clearing, if you show commitment and enthusiasm at this stage.

3. Identify other courses you may be interested in and contact the Admissions Tutor by telephone now. Try to secure a place - be prepared to sell yourself over the phone.

Clearing is a scheme that attempts to place applicants who have been unsuccessful either earlier in the year or at results time. It also serves as a very late application procedure for those whose applications are received by UCAS after 30th June.

Clearing PLUS - is a new matching services to help you find a course that matches your original choices. If you are eligible you will see a button on your TRACK 'See matches'.

Confirmation of offers When you get your results it should not be necessary for you to send them to the institutions at which you are holding offers. UCAS has an agreement with examination boards to enable institutions to access results directly. You can check on ‘UCAS TRACK’ if you have been accepted on results day.

Admissions Tutors do not always reject every applicant who has dropped a grade or two. Check your application status is on TRACK on the UCAS website before assuming you have not been successful. If you are unsuccessful in both your firm and insurance offer, you will automatically be sent details of Clearing.

If you achieve the grades required by your firm (first) choice institution, then your place is confirmed and you should await written confirmation.

If you do not achieve the grades for your first choice but meet the conditions for the insurance institution, then this place is confirmed and you should await written confirmation.

Applicants to HNDs and Foundation Degrees who do better than expected in their examinations and who wish to consider degree level courses in the light of their examination success can also use Clearing or a new system called ‘Adjustment’.

If you do not wish to take up a confirmed place then you must withdraw from the UCAS scheme and notify the institution concerned. If you choose to do this, you should not enter Clearing or deal with any other institutions in the UCAS scheme.

NB: Seek the help of a Careers Adviser if in doubt.

If you just miss the grades required, telephone the institution as soon as possible. Do not assume the worst.

14

You can seek advice on this from UCAS or College Careers Advisers.

You will be eligible for Clearing for one of the following reasons: 1.

2.

3.

4.

You do not hold any offers from institutions.

Your offers are not confirmed by institutions following the publication of examination results.

You decline a changed course offer.

You decline the offer of a confirmed place on a Higher Education course.

5.

You apply too late for your application to be considered prior to Clearing.

If you think you might need to enter Clearing after you have collected your exam results, remember there will be staff available to guide you through on results day and most students are able to secure a place at this point.

Please come and see us in the careers centre in College

If you qualify for Clearing, you will automatically be informed by UCAS TRACK. If you are eligible for Clearing an “Add Clearing Choice” button will appear on your track “Choices” screen which you can use to apply for a course.

Remember to keep a note of your personal I.D. number to use on TRACK. Clearing vacancies are advertised in the following ways:

•

On the UCAS website (updated daily): www.ucas.com

•

Individual University websites

•

In the national press: The Telegraph

Don’t forget to apply for Student Finance: • • •

For more information and to apply visit: www.gov.uk/studentfinance

Also for a range of helpful tools and guidance visit: www.thestudentroom.co.uk/student-finance

There is a useful database on Scholarships log on to: www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk

Parents, guardians and carers guide What is UCAS?

Parents information

UCAS is a charity that processes applications to study full-time courses at universities, colleges and conservatories in the UK.

•

Sign up to receive UCAS emails

•

Download the parent guide (link below)

It's not just about processing applications, UCAS's aim is to help students make informed choices that are right for them through the entire higher education application process and beyond. To support this, UCAS provides a wide range of valuable information and services for applicants, their parents and teachers.

•

Use parent information tool to guide you through the application process

•

Check out the UCAS 90 second parent videos

•

Get top tips for your son or daughter

www.ucas.com helps students get started, research their options, make their application and track its progress.

Visit: www.ucas.com/parents

Have a question?

Please feel free to contact the Careers team on 01642 333477.

15

Contacting a Careers Adviser Tel. 01642 333477

Email. careers@mbro.ac.uk

Or call into the Careers Centre Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 5:00pm Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm www.mbro.ac.uk This guide is available in alternative formats. For information, please contact Student Services.

Middlesbrough College, Dock Street, Middlesbrough TS2 1AD Tel. 01642 333333