Applying through UCAS - A Presentation by O'Fiaich College Career Guidance Dept.

Applying through UCAS

             A Presentation
                   by
O’Fiaich College Career Guidance Dept.

What we will cover:
 Key dates
 Tips on what to consider when making course
    choices
   Completing the on-line application
   Personal Statement
   Payment
   Your referee
   What happens next

Key dates
 15 October 2011: Closing date for medicine,
 dentistry and veterinary courses & all courses at
 Oxford & Cambridge universities
 15 January, 2012: Main application deadline
 24 March, 2012:   Deadline for many Art & Design
  courses
 30 June 2012: Final deadline for applications
 Clearing only option after this date

Choosing your course
 Choose by subject or subject combination: What
    do you want to study?
   Choose by career path: Where is this going to
    lead?
   Choose by location: Is it easy to get to? Do I have
    relatives or people I know nearby?
   Choose by course length: How long is it going to
    take?
   Choose by past students: Has anyone gone
    before?
   Choose by type of degree: Full-time or part-time;
    sandwich course or not?

Choosing your course
 Choose by college/course reputation: How is this
  course/college independently rated?
 Choose by entry requirements: Can I make the
  grade?
 Choose by affordability: How much is the cost of
  living here?

Don’t forget the colleges have open days. You
 can visit, ask questions, look around.

Choosing a course/college
Colleges which definitely accept FETAC
  award:
 Anglia Ruskin
 University of West London (Thames Valley)
 Liverpool John Moores
 University of Leeds
 Robert Gordon University
 Canterbury Christchurch

           More on the Handout

Asking Grades
Anglia Ruskin:
 Full award including 5 merits            A60

University of West London (Thames Valley) W05
 Full award with Merit profile

Note: All universities require Maths & English at
 grade C Ordinary Level in Leaving Cert _ some
 require C in Science also.

Check with other universities
 Email admissions of any university that interests
 you and ask if they accept your FETAC award

 Give full name of award, list your modules and
 provide a link to the award on the FETAC website

Applying to Northern Ireland
 University of Ulster: UCAS application
 Queens University: Direct application (from
 November)

 Neither University of Ulster or Queens will accept
  FETAC qualification
 No separate criteria for Mature students.

Number of choices
 You can choose up to 5

 Can enter choices in any order

 You need to know:
   Institution codes
   Course codes and campus codes

 When you hear from all 5 colleges or courses, you
 must then make a firm choice

UCAS: On-line application

 Register once only at

              www.ucas.com

            In Applicants box, click....
     Register/ log in to use Apply 2012

Registration
 Takes approximately 15 minutes
 Enter your personal details

 You must enter school buzzword:   ofiaich
 You receive a   UCAS username
 You create your own password
 Keep a record of these!

Registration

Employment – up to 5 employers

Personal Statement
 Very important section!
 Should be given serious thought and preparation

 Can be pasted from Microsoft Word document

 Maximum of 600 words approximately

 Communications tutors will help you

Personal Statement
 Reasons for applying for your course(s)
 Your skills and achievements
 Hobbies and interests
 Work experience
 Mature students _ how does your life experience
  so far relate to your application
 Why the UK?
 Career ambitions & future plans
 Enthusiasm for your subject

Personal Statement
 Why have you applied for a course in Nursing? What is your
  motivation in wanting to be a Nurse? What appeals to you
  about a career in Nursing?

 Have you had any experience and how has this influenced
  your decision to become a Nurse?

 Personal qualities that you feel will equip you for a career in
  Nursing?

Personal Statement
 Relevant hobbies and interests

 Have you considered the academic demands of a university
  course?

 Good organisational & time management skills

 Competent, Confident, Committed, Dynamic, Flexible, Adaptable,
  Able to take the initiative, Able to work in a variety of health care
  settings, Curious to learn, Lifelong Learner

 Computer literate and able to access information on the web

 Are you aware of what “Your Career” involves? Even the not so
  glamorous parts!

Personal Statement Continued:
Remember to:

 Show yourself in the best possible light. Sell yourself!

 Realistic understanding of what your career involves

 Write drafts and show them to your friends, family, teachers
  and tutors

 Keep a copy – it may be used as a basis for questions at
  interview

 Give yourself plenty of time to get it right

 No spelling, grammar or punctuation mistakes

Declaration

Payment
 Will only appear when all other sections are
 complete

 Payment by credit card or debit card only

 £22 for multiple choices

 £11 if only 1 choice made

Payment

Your reference
 It should be an academic reference
 Preferably your tutor
 Once you pay, your application is sent to your
  referee
 Important that you let your referee know in person
  also
 Give your referee sufficient time to write it
 After reference is completed, your application is sent
  on to UCAS electronically

Some common mistakes to avoid:
  Date of birth incorrect
  Residential category incorrect or missing
  Disability section not completed
  Choice codes incorrect
  Failure to declare criminal conviction
  Fee status is listed incorrectly
  Note: you tick a box to represent your signature

What happens next?
 Universities attempt to respond within 3 months
 Three possible outcomes with each choice:
   Conditional offer _ e.g. ‘achieve 5
    Distinctions at FETAC level 5’
   Unconditional offer _ entry standard already
    met
   Rejection _ no place offered

Track
 You can keep up to date with decisions on your
 application by logging on to:

                 UCAS Track

      www.ucas.com/students/track

When you have heard from all your
chosen universities you must.....
 Select one course as your firm choice

 Choose another university as your
 insurance offer, in case the unexpected
 happens.

Fees & Costs
 UK universities charge tuition fees (EU nationals
    pay ‘home’ fee rate)
   Scotland like Ireland has a free fees scheme
   Student loans available
   If you are eligible for a maintenance grant, you
    can take it to UK, provided you are studying on
    an approved course. Check this before you
    accept with Louth County Council.
   NHS pay tuition fees on many nursing courses _
    but do check this with universities!

More information & resources available:
 Go to       workfiles on ‘ofiaichserver’

 Click on    Career Guidance Department

                       UCAS

 Also on website:   www.ofi.ie/career-guidance

Career Guidance Dept contacts
  Sandra Woods
   sandra.woods@ofi.ie

  Karen Wiseman
   karen.wiseman@ofi.ie