In the UK, universities will typically specific ‘minimum entry requirements’. This means that these are the minimum grades they expect to be achieved by successful applicants. Please remember, in addition to checking admission requirements on UCAS, to also check each university's website to check for additional/specific admission requirements (specially for international students).
This is a points system that converts different grades into an overall mark (e.g.: 280 UCAS Tariff points). In some cases, the university will ask only for the points, in others, they’ll specify where the points need to come from (e.g. “at least 2 A Levels or equivalent”).
What are UCAS Tariff points?
UCAS Tariff points translate your qualifications and grades into a numerical value. Many qualifications (but not all) have a UCAS Tariff value, which will vary dependent on the qualification size, and the grade you achieved.
How are UCAS Tariff points used?
Some universities, colleges, and conservatoires refer to UCAS Tariff points in their course entry requirements, but this doesn’t mean they won’t consider qualifications that don’t appear on the Tariff. Conversely, they might not accept tariff points from IB Diploma or IB courses. Make sure you check the course entry requirements carefully!
How to do I calculate my UCAS Tariff points?
You can click on the button below to check UCAS calculator. There you can add the subjects you are taking/will take, and academic performance (a certain grade) and it will calculate your tariff points.
1. Not all universities and colleges use the Tariff – many use qualifications and grades instead. Only approximately one third of university courses use the Tariff points, and most use qualifications and grades.
2. Just because a qualification is on the tariff points calculator, doesn't mean a course provider will accept it. Therefore, it’s really important to check the entry requirements for the course you’re interested in, don’t just rely on your number of points.
3. There are only a certain number of qualifications on the tariff points calculator. A university, college, or conservatoire may accept a qualification even if it isn’t on the Tariff, so it’s best to check with them to see if they will accept your qualification. Remember, lots of course providers do not use Tariff points.
4. Some universities or colleges limit the qualifications they accept, for example, they may only accept Tariff points from the highest scoring three A levels.
5. It does not discount any qualifications or subjects. Some universities and colleges may exclude qualifications if content is duplicated in other qualifications. They will generally only count the highest level of achievement.
6. Not all qualifications attract UCAS Tariff points, and very few international qualifications are included. Currently, one third of courses in the UCAS search tool have a Tariff entry requirement. Universities and colleges accept a range of qualifications, including those not on the Tariff. Check entry requirements in the search tool.
7. UCAS Tariff points only apply to Level 3/SCQF Level 6 qualifications, not Level 2 qualifications such as GCSEs.
Not all universities and colleges use the Tariff. It’s therefore really important to check the entry requirements for the course(s) you’re interested in. If you have any questions, talk to the university or college you’re applying to.
Remember, the UCAS Tariff calculator is an indicative guide only.
Minimum entry requirements can be useful, but when assessing how realistic it is to apply to a particular course at a particular university, you need much more information. Minimum entry requirements doesn’t tell you anything about how popular the course is, what grades you will be compared to (i.e. other applicants) or how flexible the university will be if you don’t achieve the grades you were predicted.
Courses with the same entry requirements can have very different offer rates! To pick an extreme example, Law at Oxford requires 3 A’s and has a 9% offer rate; whereas Economics & Geography at Leeds requires 3 A’s and has a 94% offer rate. A student with 3 A’s does NOT have the same chance of acceptance for each of these courses. Even within the same university, 3 A’s mean different things. Law at Oxford and Theology at Oxford require the same grades (3 A’s), but theology has an offer rate almost 4 times higher.
Overview
You make your application online. Don’t leave applying until the last minute as there’s quite a bit to do – but you don’t need to complete the application all at once.
Here are the top things admissions teams will look for when reviewing your application:
qualifications
content of written personal statement displaying passion for the subject area, while demonstrating motivation, enthusiasm, and the skills and experiences that will enable you to succeed at university
content of reference
knowledge of, and commitment to, the subject discipline
good attitude to learning and personal development
ability to articulate yourself fluently and accurately in writing – it is a sign of what's to come for tutors
Course Applications
To increase your chances of getting a place on a course UCAS gives you the option of applying to up to five courses at once, usually all in a similar subject so that your application is relevant to all of them.
Please note, there are a couple of restrictions though:
You can only apply maximum of four courses in any one of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or veterinary science.
Usually you can only apply to one course at either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge. There are exceptions – visit the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge websites for more information.
Steps to apply
1. Register with UCAS (most of the UK universities and colleges will accept applications on UCAS, although there might be some that offer a direct application - carry out your research and consult your university counsellor). Important: Remember to link your application to VIS (which is a UCAS centre) by using the buzzword (which you can get from your university and careers counsellors).
2. Complete your details
3. Add your education history
4. Complete your employment history
5. Select your course choices
6. You might need to sit for entrance exams or admission tests, or standardised tests.
7. Write a personal statement
Universities and colleges usually want to see:
* That you have engaged in super-curricular activities, that you have done external reading, etc
* That you have developed leadership skills
* Work experience
8.Get a reference,
9. Pay your application fee, and send your application (your side of the application gets sent to your university counsellor who will then submit it to UCAS).
10. Some universities might require an interview
For more detailed information, please visit www.ucas.com
Deferred entry
Deferring means applying for a course then taking a year out (typically) before going to university.
To learn more about deferred entry on UCAS, please visit:
Application deadlines
Some courses have different deadlines, and many are a long time in advance of the start of the course. Find out which deadline applies to you, and what you need to do by that deadline.
Please remember to check the UCAS website and the universities' websites to find out specific deadlines.
UCAS: Applying to university - learn about everything involved
UCAS: After you apply
(please know that dates and deadlines mentioned below could change, please check with UCAS)
UCAS Track
Once you've sent your application and received your welcome email, you can see how it's progressing by signing in to our online system, Track.
For more information, please click on the following button:
Replying to UCAS offers
Replying to your UCAS undergraduate offers:
Please remember to check your UCAS track account.
Your UCAS university selection involves you selecting your “Firm” choice (top pick) and your “Insurance” choice (2nd choice). Once completed, you have to decline all other offers. You don’t have to make an “Insurance” choice.
Most of UK offers are conditional unless you are told that it’s unconditional.
* If you meet the conditions of your Firm choice, then you are expected to attend that university. The university cannot deny you a seat.
* If you fail to meet the conditions of your Firm choice, but meet the conditions of your Insurance choice, then you are expected to attend your Insurance choice university.
* If you meet the conditions of your Firm choice and your Insurance choice, then you are expected to attend your Firm choice university.
What happens if you fail to meet the conditions of your Firm and your Insurance choices?
Contact admissions of these universities one at a time and ask if you can still attend, even though you missed the point requirements. Be honest with admissions about specific difficulties that lead to a lower mark, but indicate that you are moving forward in a much stronger position because of this experience.
You become eligible for UCAS Clearing. This opens after your receive your IB results. You apply to one university at a time to universities that still have seats available. Contact admissions to find out their procedures.
Frequently asked questions (about replying to UCAS undergraduate offers):
UCAS Extra
If you included five choices on your UCAS application, have received decisions from all five, and weren’t accepted, or if you declined the offers you received, you will be able to use Extra.
Extra is another chance for you to gain a place at university or college, between 28 February and 4 July. If you used all five of your choices on your original application and you’re not holding an offer, you’ll be able to add another choice using Extra.
If you don’t hold any offers after 5 July, you will be able to add an additional choice using Clearing.
For more information, please click on the following link:
UCAS Clearing
From 5 July to 17 October, you can apply for a course using Clearing if you’re not already holding an offer from a university or college, and the course still has places.
You can use Clearing if:
* you’re applying after 30 June
* you didn’t receive any offers (or none you wanted to accept)
* you didn’t meet the conditions of your offers
* you've paid the multiple choice application fee of £27
* you’ve declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in Track
For more information, please click on the following link:
UCAS Clearing Matches
Available alongside Clearing, this new tool is designed to help you find your perfect course.
If you find yourself without a place this year, UCAS has created a new addition to Clearing to help you. With thousands of different courses available, it can be hard to find the perfect option.
To speed things up, they have taken what they know about you, and what they know about the types of students universities are looking for, to suggest some courses you might like. If you express an interest in a course, the university or college can contact you.
Don’t worry, you can still browse courses in Clearing using their search tool.
Who can use it?
Clearing Matches isn’t available for everyone. If you’re unsuccessful with your application or are applying for the first time for a place in Clearing, you’ll be able to ‘view your matches’.
How does the matching work?
First, they look at your original choices you applied for, combined with your qualifications and grades. Universities and colleges have already told them what courses they’d like to make available in Clearing Matches (no, not all courses are included in your matches), and the entry requirements for them. Then, they analyse what students in Clearing went on to study in previous years.
The UCAS team then matches your profile to each course.
How do I see my matches?
If you’re eligible – you’re unsuccessful or applying for the first time – you will see a button in Track, ‘See matches’. Once you hit that you’ll be able to see a full list of your matches.
If you express an interest in a course, that university or college can contact you. But remember, courses in Clearing fill up quickly, and you may not always receive a call.
Sources:
https://www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator (accessed on the 9 June, 2021)
www.ucas.com (accessed on the 9 June, 2021)
Guide to UK Universities, BridgeU LTD 2018.