U C A S Universities + Colleges Admissions Systems

1. UCASUniversities + Colleges Admissions Systems www.ucas.com

2. Why apply to UK colleges? • Worried about not getting points for course here • UK Colleges are more flexible • Students interviewed for place • Chance to prove yourself on your interest in area as much as your ability • Relatively cheap way of keeping another option open (application fee £23€27)

3. Wider range of courses such as • Acupuncture • Performance (dance/drama/music) • Artificial Intelligence • Chiropractor • Blacksmithing • Criminology • Motor sports • Nanotechnology • Peace Studies • Virtual Reality • Languages from Urdu to Icelandic

4. Closing date of Application • 15th October 2014 for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine • 15th October 2014 for any course in Oxford or Cambridge (Oxbridge) • 15th January 2015 for all other courses (Other than Route B Art+Design)

5. Application Process • Students need to register with UCAS to use the online system. UCAS looks for personal details like name, address and date of birth. This section is usually done in school with guidance counsellor. • All of the following sections can be completed in any order. Students can complete part of a section one day and complete it at another stage.

6. Application Process continued… • Personal details – some of this is automatically filled in from the registration stage but also look for nationality, any disability or presence of criminal record. • Choices – courses and universities entered in any order. Up to 5 choices except for medicine/dentistry/veterinary where you have up to 4 choices and only one choice from Oxford or Cambridge.

7. More on the application process… • Education – examination results (JC) listed and subjects to be taken (LC) are given. Other certification (First Aid, Piano…) can also be given. • Employment – details of any work experience or employment given • Personal Statement – more details later.. • Reference including predicted grades • Payment of £23 (about €27)

8. How they process application • UCAS copies your application form (excluding your course choices) and sends it to each university you have chosen. • Each university then decides to offer a you a place, call you for interview or turn down your application

9. Change of Mind? • No change of mind through UCAS • If you want to change one course in a university to another course in the same university, you contact the university directly and they may allow that to happen

10. What about points • Do not have a points system • Each candidate is assessed on their own merits • Usually have minimum entry requirements e.g. most universities want 4A + 2B for Medicine but some want more than this • Each university sets its own standards

11. Personal Statement • Below are some suggestions of things to include in your personal statement. These are guidelines only so don't worry if some of the suggestions do not apply to you. • Why you have chosen the course(s) - this is particularly important when you're applying for a subject that you have not studied before • The reasons why that subject area interests you • Evidence that you understand what is required to study the course, eg if applying for psychology courses, show that you know how scientific the subject is • How your current or previous studies relate to the course(s) that you have chosen • Any activities that demonstrate your interest in the course(s) • Why you want to go to university or college • Details of jobs, placements, work experience or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to your chosen course(s)

12. Personal Statement Continued….. • Hobbies, interests and social activities that demonstrate your skills and abilities • Details of accreditation achieved for any activities in preparation for higher education, for example through the ASDAN Aimhigher Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE qualification) • Any other achievements that you are proud of, eg reaching grade three piano or being selected for the county cricket team • Positions of responsibility that you hold / have held both in and out of school, eg form prefect or representative for a local charity • Attributes that make you interesting, special or unique • Whether you have any future plans of how you want to use the knowledge and experience that you gain. • Why do you want to study in the UK?

13. Dos and Don’ts with your statement • Do create a list of your ideas before attempting to write the real thing. • Do expect to produce several drafts before being totally happy. • Do ask people you trust for their feedback. • Do check university and college prospectuses, websites and Entry Profiles, as they usually tell you the criteria and qualities that they want their students to demonstrate. • Do use your best English and don't let spelling and grammatical errors spoil your statement. • Do be enthusiastic - if you show your interest in the course, it may help you get in. • Don't feel that you need to use elaborate language. If you try too hard to impress with long words that you are not confident using, the focus of your writing may be lost.

14. Dos and don’ts continued… • Don't say too much about things that are not relevant - if you think that you are starting to, take a break and come back to your statement when you feel more focused. • Don't lie - if you exaggerate you may get caught out at interview when asked to elaborate on an interesting achievement. • Don't rely on a spellchecker as it will not pick up everything - proof read as many times as possible. • Don't leave it to the last minute - your statement will seem rushed and important information could be left out. • Don't expect to be able to write your personal statement whilst watching TV or surfing the internet- this is your future, so make the most of the opportunity to succeed.

15. Applying for Medicine or Dentistry • Need to have taken UKCAT test before applying for place in college • Register on www.ukcat.ac.uk from the 1st of May 2014, closes on 26th September • Register early to ensure test in location of choice (available in Cork)

16. Other admissions tests • Some universities and colleges require you to pass an admissions test - check their websites. • BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)For entry to medicine and veterinary schools. • English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT)For entry to English courses at the University of Oxford. • Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)For entry into medicine. • History Aptitude Test (HAT)For entry to modern history and a joint honours degrees involving modern history at the University of Oxford. • Health Professions Admissions Test (HPAT)For entry to certain medical courses at the University of Ulster. • The National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT)For entry to law.

17. Admissions tests continued… • Modern and Medieval Languages Test (MML)For entry to modern and medieval languages at the University of Cambridge. • Sixth Term Examination Papers (STEP)For entry to mathematics at the University of Cambridge. • Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA Cambridge)For entry to computer science, natural sciences, engineering and economics at the University of Cambridge. • Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA Oxford), formerly known as the PPE Admissions TestFor entry to the philosophy, politics and economics, and the economics and management courses at the University of Oxford. • http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/explore-your-options/entry-requirements/admissions-tests for more details on admissions tests.

18. Cost of study in UK • England and Northern Ireland: Irish students are required to pay academic fees of up to £9,000 for each year of the course – varies from course to course and from university to university • Wales: similar fees to England, but the Welsh Assembly are currently giving Irish students tuition grants of up to £1,940. • Scotland: Scottish government will pay for non UK EU students fees directly. Need to apply to http://www.saas.gov.uk/ each year for funding. • Students interested in Healthcare courses can apply to the NHS for a means tested bursary to cover the cost of your fees in the UK – this only applies to some courses

19. Finding a course • www.ucas.com • Click on “how it all works”, then “search for courses”, then click on undergraduate courses • Type in course you’re looking for, giving “elsewhere in the EU” as where you normally live • You can refine your search to a particular area or type of qualification

20. Finding a course • UCAS gives a list of Universities and courses available alphabetically • You can click on the University to get more information on it, and a link to its webpage • Click on the course to get information about it (e.g. how long it takes). Click on entry requirements, then overseas qualifications to find Irish Leaving Certificate results required by the university

21. What you can do before LC • Phone or email colleges of interest for prospectus • Narrow choices to career area by doing Career Interest Inventories • www.careerdirections.ie • www.careersportal.ie • Work experience/work shadow in area of interest • Check out colleges that run courses that would help you get your desired career • www.qualifax.ie

22. Anything else…. • Check other websites for Irish entry routes • Visit colleges that run courses you’re interested in, particularly Dublin/Galway • Interview people who are doing the course • Interview people doing the job • ……………… • ……………… • ………………