Introduction to UCAS

You can either register and complete your application independently, using the UCAS online system, or do it through your school or college and they'll send it to UCAS on your behalf. However, with the latter it's important to confirm the school or college deadlines, as they may be earlier than the one set by UCAS (and outlined below).

You need to create an account on UCAS Hub in order to begin your application. Make sure to sign up with a personal email address in case your school or college email expires over the summer.

You’ll be asked to sign in as a student by providing a few personal details, and will generate a username and password. If you are applying while at school or college, you will also need to know your institution ‘buzzword’ – this is so they can connect their application to your school or college, to ensure they receive the correct reference. This also means that your school or college can track your application so that they can support you with it. Ex-students can also do this to support their application.

At this stage you will also be asked about Student Finance – this is not your finance application, but simply a confirmation that you are happy for UCAS to share details with Student Finance England, to make that process easier when you apply for student loans.

There are more than 50,000 courses to choose from, at over 200 institutions across the UK. Selecting 5 courses as your top choices for your UCAS application can be a tricky task! If you are really unsure on which course you should be choosing, find out more about 'choosing a course' in our toolkit here.

You can also use the UCAS search tool to search institutions and courses available for inspiration.

You can only select 5 courses, but you don’t have to use all 5 choices- you could even select just one. It is always a good idea to use your choices though, and select carefully, to increase your chances of receiving an offer. It is also possible to complete your application and then to add some of your course choices later.

For the UCAS website advice on Choosing a course on your application form – check out these pages.

Here is where you will add details of all the schools and colleges you have attended, and the qualifications that you have taken, with their results. You will also include qualifications that you are currently completing. For subjects you don’t yet have a grade for, you will select ‘Pending’.

If you are currently studying for a qualification or awaiting results, it is important you make sure your referee (usually tutor or teacher) adds your predicted grades to your application, since some universities and colleges won't consider your application without them.

The employment section is for you to add details about any previous paid employment, and you can list up to 5 previous roles. You will need to include your employers (company) name, address, the job title and brief description, and the dates. For any unpaid or voluntary work experience, it is advisable that you include this in your personal statement.

The personal statement is the key part of your UCAS application. It is often the only means by which a university can make a decision between two like-for-like applicants.

As such a crucial part of the application process, it is advisable that you spend significant time and effort on ensuring you complete this with all the necessary detail and attention. It is best if you write, proof-read, and edit your personal statement in a word processing programme, rather than directly in to the UCAS application form. Once you are happy with the personal statement, you can then copy and paste this in to the UCAS form.

There is lots to think about when structuring and writing your personal statement, find out more about 'writing a personal statement' in our toolkit here.

If you are applying via a school/college, this is the point where you will submit your application to them. The form will be sent to the nominated member of staff, who will then check details, add predicted grades, and a write a reference to support your application.

If you are applying independently, take a look at this page on the UCAS for advice on who you can ask as a referee, and the steps involved.

You can speak to the teacher writing your reference before they submit it. This is especially important if you feel that you have had particular circumstances which meant that getting your qualifications at college or 6^th form have been difficult. These details can be included in your teacher reference and will support your application by making the universities aware of your experiences.

There is a cost involved in applying to university. The cost is £20 if you are applying to just one course, or £26.50 if you are using your option to include up to 5 choices. If you are applying independently, you will pay that immediately and your application will be submitted. If you are applying via a school or college, they will let you know what you need to do next.