UCAS Support for parents

UCAS SUPPORT FOR PARENTS

When do they apply?

The students begin working on their thought processes for universities from June of Y12. From this point they will receive tutorials and write a personal statement.

How do they apply?

Applications are made on line via the UCAS website: www.ucas.co.uk. The students will be given a ‘buzzword’ from us so they can access information. The cost of application is £19.

When is the deadline for applications?

October half term of Y13. Students applying to Oxford/Cambridge or for medicine/veterinary medicine; your application must arrive at UCAS by 15th October.

How many universities can they choose?

Up to 5

Can we/they visit universities?

Yes and it is recommended. All universities have ‘Open Days’ where students can go and have a look around and chat to staff. A calendar of Open Days will be available from September.

Do they have to put their university choices in order of priority?

No. They put down their five choices and then UCAS will forward their application to their chosen universities. The universities do not know the order they have put down.

Will the universities they are applying to accept General Studies?

When they are choosing their courses, the prospectus will give them information on the entry requirements for the course. The majority of universities will accept General Studies as part of their total points score.

N Grove

J Sapsford

SIXTH FORM TEAM D Hudson G Faulkner

G Levy

C Stokoe

How do the grades / points systems work?

If they have ‘cashed in’ (taken a subject in Y12 but not continuing with it into Y13) an AS subject they will be given points towards their points total. They will be taking the other AS subjects on to A2 so they will work out the expected points for these subjects. They do not count AS points for the A2 subjects they are studying.

Grades TO points:

Grade A* A B C D E

AS (12) 60 50 40 30 20

A2 (Y13) 140 120 100 80 60 40

BTEC (H&SC) DDD DDM DMM MMM MMP MPP PPP

Points 360 320 280 240 200 160 120

For example: John is studying Chemistry, Maths, English, Psychology and General Studies at AS (Y12).

At the end of Y12 John’s grades are; Chemistry (A), Maths (B), English (C), Psychology (D) and General Studies (E).

So far John’s points are: 60 (A) + 50 (B) + 40 (C) + 30 (D) + 20 (E) = 190 John drops Psychology as a subject into Y13. At the end of Y13 John’s A2 (full A level results) are: Chemistry (A), Maths (A), English (B) and General Studies (C). These A2 subject grades override the AS results. Therefore his final score is: 120 + 120 + 100 + 80 (+ his 30 points from AS Psychology) = 450 points

What happens after they have sent their application to UCAS? They will receive an acknowledgement to say that they have received their application and they will be given a unique number to track its progress.

After they have received offers or rejections from all of their choices they will be asked to make a decision on which course they would like to accept as their firm choice. They will also need to choose an insurance choice in case they don’t meet the requirements (grades/points) of their firm choice.

What do they do if they receive rejections from all of their university choices?

Don’t panic. We will support them every step of the way. They will need to apply through the ‘UCAS Extra’ process. If you require more details on this process please see any of the sixth form team.

What do they do in August when they receive their exam results?

Hopefully things will have all gone to plan and they will have received confirmation (via the UCAS website) before they collect their exam results. If things haven’t quite gone the way they hoped, they will need to telephone their firm and insurance choices to find out their answer. If they are rejected by both their firm and insurance choices they will need to apply via ‘Clearing’. The sixth form team will be around on results day to support and help them.

N Grove

J Sapsford

SIXTH FORM TEAM D Hudson G Faulkner

G Levy

C Stokoe