UCAS Application Guide

1. UCAS Application Guide Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAPWest) 2016-17

2. Applying to University • Choices • How to Apply • Personal Statement

3. Choices Use the following to help you decide: • SWAP Progression routes (published end of Oct) • UCAS Course Search • Information from individual universities: • Website • Prospectus • Admissions contacts, helpdesks etc.

4. Deadlines • The deadline is: 15th January 2017 • Your college deadline will be sooner so they can complete references (Dec 2016) • UCAS Application and PS Guide in PHE materials • Help and videos on UCAS web site.

5. Visit www.ucas.com then click ‘Apply’

6. Scroll down then click‘UCAS Undergraduate: Apply and Track’

7. Start/continue application

8. Register

10. Complete personal details

11. Apply through school/college

12. SWAPWest Buzzword: swapwest2017 Buzzword is: swapwest2017

13. Select group – your college/programme

14. UCAS welcome page

15. UCAS Application Sections

16. Personal details Personal Details… • Some filled in automatically • Provide other details, e.g. fee code usually 02 – UK • Declare any relevantcriminal convictions (not spent). Additional Information… • E.g. Nationality... • If you have ever been in care... • Your family’s education background....

17. Personal Details

18. Student Finance

19. Course / University Choices • Use all 5 choices – spread across different universities • Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) • University of Glasgow • University of Stirling • University of Strathclyde • University of the West of Scotland (UWS) • Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) - based at UWS Ayr Campus • Start date: Sept 2017 (can also apply for deferred place) • For year 1 as point of entry, UCAS advises to leave box this box blank.

20. Choices

21. Education

22. Education • Centre name (the field will be ‘greyed out’) • Click on ‘Find’

23. Add ‘Scottish Wider Access Programme’ • Perform a search for SWAP (NB: it will not be found) • Click the link “My school / centre is not listed here” • You will be returned to the Education page where you can then type in ‘Scottish Wider Access Programme’ in the space that was previously greyed out.

24. Education • NB - Exam Centre number: 78792

25. Education • Click on add qualifications, then National Units – Scotland • Enter unit titles with codes, qualification date, awarding body (SQA), level (Higher etc.) and result.

26. Employment • Can add up to five employers

27. Personal Statement

28. Personal Statement – UCAS TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8hFkMAjW-I

29. Personal Statement • Use UCAS guides and SWAPWest guides • What excites you about course; how did you first get excited? • Skills you have (academic/work/life), outside reading/learning, experience. Evidence! • What makes you unique? Hobbies/experiences etc. • Avoid flowery language, clichés, rambling, plagiarism • Be authentic, positive and enthusiastic • Be clear and concise, have structure, use paragraphs (e.g. punchy intro, chunky middle and end on personal touch). • Proofread; it will take you many drafts!

30. Personal Statement mind map

31. Example structure (middle - in no particular order) Introduction – original, honest and interesting! What attracted you to subject and why. Academic paragraph - knowledge and skills gained through SWAP/other studies. What subjects have you enjoyed most and why? Give examples. Mention study skills you have gained (e.g. writing, presentations etc.) Subject interest – add to introduction, subject interest outside classroom. What ideas raised in the books/documentaries/lectures have you found interesting, and why. Skills from life/work/experience – Include skills/attributes that will make you a successful student and good at your future profession. Hobbies/interests – Important to show your personality. You could contribute through clubs/societies. State how they have helped you. Conclusion – Sum up why you want to do subject and why you are suitable. Could mention future career aspirations.

32. Declaration, payment and sending your application Declaration • When finished, agree to the declaration. Payment and referee • Pay using credit or debit card (£24)...and your part is done! • Application is then sent automatically to your referee • Form will then be sent by UCAS to your chosen universities.

33. After sending your application • Universities have until early May to respond • Use Trackat: www.ucas.ac.uk/students/track/ • Possible responses are:

34. Reply to your offers: • Do not reply until you have received responses from all 5 choices • There’s no rush! • The clock doesn’t start ticking until your final response from universities has been received... • You may reply in one of three ways: • Accept Firm • Accept Insurance • Decline

35. Reply to your offers: • Consider your choices VERY CAREFULLY • These are binding agreements and cannot easily be changed • Firm = your first preference (regardless of entry requirements) • Insurance = a course with lower entry requirements than your Firm choice, that you would still be happy to accept. This is your “plan B” or backup plan. • Once you have decided on your Firm and your Insurance choices, you will “decline” the other three offers.

36. Further assistance Good luck!