UCAS 2022

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What is UCAS?

The United Kingdom is a leading study destination for international students. UK has some of the oldest universities in the world, a unique education system, innumerable research opportunities, and rich culture. Have you made up your mind to study in UK? And wondering how to apply to UK universities? Well, most of the UK universities accept applications via UCAS at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. But what is UCAS? Read this blog to know everything about UCAS and how to use it to study in UK!

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What is UCAS and How does it Work?

UCAS, which stands for Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is an organization based in the UK that acts as a centralized service for admission to all the British universities for any undergraduate course of study. All domestic and international applicants have to send their applications to their chosen universities in the UK through the official UCAS website. This is a simple way through which your application is shared with different universities in the UK through a single process, instead of separately applying for each course at different universities. Also, the students can check out different subjects, courses, eligibility criteria, deadlines, etc. at the UCAS website before applying.

UCAS Entry requirements

University and college admissions standards for higher education courses vary greatly based on the subject, the individual course, and the course provider. They establish admission requirements for each course to guarantee that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to finish it effectively. These are some of them:

  • Credentials, disciplines, and exam marks – often A levels, Advanced Highers, or equivalent-level qualifications – are translated into UCAS Tariff points on occasion. Most programs will also require that you have certain pre-16 credentials, such as GCSE English and maths or equivalents.
  • Your appropriateness – course descriptions frequently specify desirable skills, hobbies, or experience, so keep an eye out for this information because applications might be competitive.
  • An admissions test – rare, but check the course criteria to determine whether you’ll be required to take one. Some examinations are administered a year prior to the commencement of the course.
  • An interview – we’ll notify you by Track if you’ve been asked to an interview after you’ve applied, but it’s worth doing some early preparation or putting together a portfolio if necessary.
  • There may be additional criteria, such as health, financial, or Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) checks, which determine if you have a criminal past. This information will be included in the course materials, and we will give you with suggestions and guidance to assist you in meeting these criteria.

What if I don’t have the right qualifications?

Don’t worry if you lack these credentials; you may still be evaluated if you can demonstrate related experience, talents, and aptitudes. Simply inquire as to whether you may satisfy the entrance criteria in a different method at your preferred universities and institutions.

You might be able to gain credit for your life and job experience:

  • Accreditation of prior learning (APL) is a type of credit given for self-directed study, employment, or training that demonstrates broader learning.
  • Prior experiential learning (APEL) is an extension of accreditation prior learning (APL) that incorporates assessed learning from life and work experience.

UCAS Application Process

Now that we have an idea of what UCAS is, let’s look at the process of applying to undergraduate courses through this admission portal. To apply to universities in UK, you need to follow the steps mentioned below:

  • Registration: You need to first register at the portal with some personal details to get a username and create a password and security questions.
  • Sign In: Next you need to sign in with your login id and password to fill up other required personal details. You will also need to verify your email id in this step.
  • Choose Courses: Then you can choose the courses and universities for which you want to apply. There is no order of preference and you can choose a maximum of 5 courses.
  • Educational Qualifications: You need to provide details of all your educational qualifications starting from the secondary level onwards.
  • Employment Details: Next you have to fill in details of any full time or part-time employment that you may have had.
  • Personal Statement: This is a very important part of your application process where you need to mention why you want to study a particular course and why the university should consider you for admission. A well written personal statement can increase your chances of getting selected.
  • Check the Details: Make sure that all the details in your application are correct before marking it as complete and saving it.
  • Provide References: You need to provide a reference i.e. a written academic recommendation from one of your teachers or mentors. All applicants need to provide references unless mentioned otherwise by the chosen universities.
  • Pay Application Fee: This is the last step of the application. You need to pay an application fee for the course/courses that you apply to before sending it through the UCAS portal. For the 2022 application session, the fee is £20 for applying to a single course, and £26 for multiple courses.

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UCAS Important Dates 2022

Courses Dates
Cambridge and Oxford University for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and Dentistry 15 October 2021
UCAS Undergraduate courses 30 June 2022
Extra Courses 25 February and 4 July

What is UCAS Points?

UCAS Points are mainly those tariff points that translate your grades and qualifications into numerical terms. This means that not all educational qualifications have UCAS tariff point value but it majorly varies as per the qualification size or grade you have. These points are used by higher education institutions to evaluate whether you are eligible for particular course requirements or not. The UCAS Tariff Points are used by UK universities but those without these points can also apply as there is no compulsory requirement to have such points.

Click here to calculate your UCAS Points as per the UCAS Tariff Calculator!

How to Track Your UCAS Application?

Courtesy: UCAS

Once you have applied through UCAS, the tracking process is quite easy to follow. Here is a step-by-step overview of the UCAS tracking process:

  • Sign in to your account
  • Check out all the university accepting offers for your chosen course. Apply before the last date of the intake for admission.
  • Wait to hear back from your chosen universities
  • Reply to your offers before the admission’s last date while keeping an alternative course as a backup.
  • Click on ‘track’ to check if your application has been received or else apply for the backup.

List of UK Universities that Accept Direct Application for Bachelors

UCAS Mobile App

UCAS Mobile App is now available for all aspirants applying for postgraduate courses in the UK. The UCAS application is a multi-language mobile app that provides students with an overview of courses, universities, and their respective application processes brought to the scroll of their screen. Click here to download the UCAS mobile app!

Other Services Offered by UCAS

Other than acting as an undergraduate admission portal, it also offers some additional services. Let’s take a look at what else you can do through UCAS:

Conservatoires

Through the UCAS conservatoires application service, you can apply for both undergraduate and postgraduate practice-based courses in music, dance, musical theatre, drama, etc. at the conservatoires in the UK which are part of the UCAS Conservatoires scheme.

  • Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
  • Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
  • Leeds Conservatoire
  • Royal Academy of Music
  • Royal College of Music
  • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
  • Royal Northern College of Music
  • Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
  • Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

UCAS Teacher Training

Graduate students interested in pursuing a career in teaching can apply for full-time or part-time teacher training courses in England or Wales through the Teacher Training application services.

Postgraduate

Through the postgraduate application service, students can search and apply for a range of postgraduate courses across some selected universities in the UK. Currently, only around 12 institutions in the UK receive applications through this service.

Media

UCAS Media is a commercial enterprise owned by the organization which provides a range of marketing and candidate recruitment services including online advertising, email marketing, print advertising, etc.

Apprenticeships in United Kingdom

UCAS is a platform where you can find different types of alternatives such as apprenticeships. Candidates will be able to find different apprenticeships in areas like England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at different entry levels as well as explore entry requirements and top providers in the area. Apprenticeship is a great segue to boost your career and gain practical skills and experience in the right industry. 

Internships and Volunteer 

‘Candidates can explore the different kinds of internships and volunteer activities available to them and how they can add value to their careers in the future. This is a great opportunity to explore some employers and organizations offering positions.

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Must Read: What are the Requirements to Study in UK?

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FAQs

What is Universities and Colleges Admissions Service?

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service is an organization based in the UK that acts as a centralized service for admission to all the British universities for any undergraduate and postgraduate course of study.

Is Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for US universities?

No, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service is only for UK universities.

What conservatoires can I apply to with Universities and Colleges Admissions Service?

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
Leeds Conservatoire
Royal Academy of Music
Royal College of Music
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Royal Northern College of Music
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

How can I track my application?

Make an account on UCAS, check all the universities for your chosen course, apply and then track your application through your login ID.

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Hope this blog was successful in providing you with information about what is UCAS and the different services it offers. Want to study in the UK? Reach out to our experts at Leverage Edu for the best guidance on selecting courses and universities as per your interests. Sign up for a free session today!

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