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Considerations on where to study

Once you have decided to go to university, there are many factors that you should consider when deciding where to study, so research information through:

prospectuses (these are booklets that provide you with important information about the university)
open days
university websites
your nearest Connexions library.

When deciding which university is best for you, consider:

what courses are available at different universities
the entry requirements (these are the grades that you must achieve to study the course). Only apply for a course if you feel you are likely to achieve these requirements
if you need to move away from home - check out the accommodation as this affects your student life
researching the university; check out their league table position. Look up independent research as this may tell you what is not mentioned in the prospectuses. You can read the results of an independent market research agency on the Unistats website.

Applying to higher education

To apply for university visit the UCAS website. You will need to register and complete a registration form. You have a maximum of five choices and there is a £9 charge for one choice and £19 charge for 2-5 choices. Some universities may invite you: to attend an interview, take a test or submit some written work as part of the application process.

When must I apply?

When making a university application you need to be aware of all the dates involved.

Applications can usually be made in September through to mid January, virtually one year before the start of your course. For medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and veterinary science courses and for all courses at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge you need to ensure your application is in by 15 October. Art and design courses have different application routes and application dates. For further information on the key dates in the application process visit the UCAS website.

Extra

If you have applied for a university course but received no offers, or declined all offers from your choices you may be able to apply through Extra for another course. You can only apply for one course at a time and this generally runs from the end of February until the end of June.

Clearing

Clearing is available between July and September,but for most people it is used after exam results are published in August. This helps students who don’t achieve the right grades (or who have applied late) to find courses where there are still places available. In Clearing, you can apply for any course that has places left; you don’t have to stick to the same subjects that you originally applied for. If you are flexible and you have reasonable exam results, there is still a good chance you will find another course through Clearing.

You can go through Clearing if:

you did not receive any offers or your offers have not been confirmed because you have not achieved the required grades.
you declined all your offers or did not respond by the due date
your application was received late.

Useful websites

UCAS
Helping students into higher education.

Unistats
Search, review and compare subjects at universities and colleges in the UK.

National Union of Students (NUS)
The national voice of students.

Yougo further
The UCAS student network – meet people before you go to university.

Best Course 4 Me
This website shows you the link between what people study and their employment record afterwards.

Directgov:Uni
Provides information on higher education and student finance.

Brightside UNIAID
Provides ideas on how to cope with the financial side of student life.

Push
Independent guide to UK universities.

Unofficial-Guides
University guide and forums.

Real Uni
Student alternative prospectus.

Open Days
The university and open day directory.

Last updated: 05/01/11

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