As easy as that sounds, its not, trust me. To apply to university you have to go through the lovely process of filling out a UCAS application. It's best to do this around before Christmas so that you can get your offers nice and early. So who is UCAS? Straight from their website.....
"We are the organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK. Not only do we process more than two million applications for full-time undergraduate courses every year, but we help students to find the right course. We try to make things run as smoothly as possible by providing innovative online tools which make it easier for students and higher education institutions (HEIs) to manage applications and offers."Basically, you fill our their online application and they send it off to each university you have noted in your choices. Let's start at the beginning.
First, you need to check the deadline dates for the courses you are applying for.... for obvious reasons. Sending your application off early relieves a lot of stress, trust me. The longer you drag it on for, the more you resent the whole idea. Also, take into account that you need to allow time for your tutor to attach your reference and for your referee to check your application The referee is the person responsible for checking all UCAS applications at your college, and ensuring it includes all information that is necessary. Once you have clicked submit, it goes to your referee who sends if off if happy with it, if not you will get an email notifying you to amend it. Then you should be able to send it off again once it has been corrected.
So, anyway, back on track. After checking the deadline dates, you need to register. You go to the website which is here, and click on apply, followed by "register/log in". Then follow the simple online instructions which ask you to enter your personal details. When choosing a password, make sure it's something you'll remember, but to be on the safe side (for us forgetful lot), choose four security answers and relevant answers. Also,write down your username and password just so you're extra extra sure you won't forget!
The next part is all about your personal details. Your title, gender, name and address and date of birth should already be filled in from when you registered. The extra info you give is so that the university/college can decide about any financial aspects to do with your application (tuition fees, entitlements, sponsorship's etc). You will be asked if you have any criminal convictions, so don't accidentally tick the box because you're too busy watching corrie!
The email address you supply will have to be verified, and that's where you will be sent updates from your application. I've never been so excited to receive an email than when I got my offers! You will get the offer to nominate someone who is able to discuss your application with UCAS and the university aside from you. It's not compulsory but I'd recommend it just in case. The form will require some additional information, but as always the red star means it is necessary to provide the information.
You will be asked about student finance but this page explains all you need to know in the simplest put way!
So here comes to maybe the most important part of the application, your choices! At this point you need to know which courses you want to study at which universities. When you enter a choice you will be asked a couple of thingsm for example: the start date of the course (it would most likely be the next september from when you apply), whether you will be living at home or not, and if you will be wanting a deffered entry. This is basically if you are applying for a course that you do not with to start the september coming, but the september after. (For example you could apply in October 2012 for September 2014).
Once all your choices are filled out (you have a maximum of five but you can apply for less if you want to), it's time to start your personal statement. It can be a lengthy process so make sure you check out my next blog post where I'll help you as much as possible!
