UCAS applications in days of yore. How many universities?

[WrongKindOfFace]

Did you used to be able to apply for more universities than you can now? I seem to remember having lots of interviews in the 90s, but apparently you can only apply to five?

Yes, it was 8 in 1994, because of the UCCA and PCAS merger.

I applied the first year UCAS came into existence (for a 1994 university start date). You could apply for 8 universities.

For comparison in case anyone's interested, in the US you can apply for as many as you like, but each one will cost you $75.

(Can you tell we're going through this?)

I applied in 87 for Newcastle, Nottingham, Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff. Hated having to rank them, which was recommended for the course I wanted. I hear they stopped that nonsense, not long after.

I first applied to uni through NMAS (5 choices on paper) in 2006, I applied again through UCAS in 2013 (5 choices online).

For me in 1982 it was five universities on a handwritten paper application form.

I can't remember about polys as I didn't apply to any.

1995, can confirm was 8 (because of the UCCA/PCAS merger). I half recall that you could only use 5 slots for medicine though (Not that I did)

Apparently, Leeds would only invite you for an open day/interview if you'd put them 1st or 2nd on your UCCA form. I found that out later, of course, after I hadn't done that.

I named five on my UCCA application in 1986.

I put Cambridge as second choice. They did interview me, but didn't offer. I wasn't surprised, I think their noses were out of joint

Went to an open day for my first choice only; didn't view third/fourth/fifth, and wasn't invited to any interviews. Got offers from my first and third choices.

Ended up not going after a gap year!

I applied in 1989 for a 1990 start and was allowed 5 applications through UCCA.

We didn’t have to rank them in the early 90s. You just applied, had an interview or not, got an offer or not, then put down your main choice and your safety choice. I guess it’s the same now.

I applied for:
Dundee
Glasgow
Loughborough
Nottingham
Oxford
St Andrews
Warwick
York

They all offered me a place.

I think I paid £13 to UCAS in 1996.

Was it as low as that?! I remember the school chasing us all for our money as they did it centrally (private school)

UCCA 1990, 5 choices, didn’t do PCAS.

Southampton
Surrey
Sussex

Actually can’t remember the other two

I applied in 1983 - it was UCCA . Five Universities. You applied separately to polys. None of this personal statement stuff. No fees either.

I applied to UCCA back in 1975. I am pretty sure we could apply for up to 5. Using a quill pen. On vellum.

Or was it six? Making me doubt my memory. Definitely hand written. Everything was handwritten.

When I applied in 2006 it was six choices through UCAS and from your acceptances you had to choose a first and second; if you didn't get the required grades for either you had to go through clearing or wait to apply again.

I applied in 2003 and it was a computer application, or you could opt for paper based if you wanted. There were 6 choices

wow...

UCCA - five and very best handwriting!!

5 on UCCA (Strathclyde, Heriot-Watt, Leeds, Bradford and Newcastle IIRC) and as many polytechnics as you liked by individual application, early 80s.

It was 6 in 1973 via UCCA!! You could apply to as many Polys as you wanted as you applied individually. And teacher training colleges if you wanted as well

Oh I’d forgotten the faff of paying. I think it was £12 - and it had to be paid via crossed postal orders.

1982- 5 choices which were ranked on application. I remember this as one of my History teachers reckoned that I wouldn't get an interview from Bristol as I had put it second to a London College which she thought not as good. Not only did I get an interview but I also got an offer (and still kept them in seond place)!

I applied for 5 via UCCA and 2 via PCAS (I think it was), though could have been 5 I think.