Can someone please explain the UCAS process?

[Explaintome]

I feel completely useless, like you're just supposed to know this stuff.

DS is currently away at Uni doing a year's foundation course. A level 4 CertHe qualification. He didn't do Alevels, was determined he didn't want any more education at 16 and went to work FT. Started doing Alevel maths problems for fun and decided study for study's sake is actually worthwhile.

So assuming that doesn't change he'll want a degree course for next year. The (RG) uni he's at guarantees a place on one of their degrees if he passes with 60% but the pass mark is 40% so he should be able to use the qualification to apply to "lesser" universities if necessary. If he does really well he could also apply to other top universities. We shall see.

However, I'm concerned that the process needs to start soon? Maybe the university will support, but I'm not expecting the same sort of support they get in school.

What do we need to know?

If he's already at uni doing the foundation course does he definitely need to do a UCAS form?

Briefly - he's got till mid January to submit his application.

I'd suggest he gives it till Christmas then sees how he feels about his current uni. If he's settled and looks to be on track to get 60% he probably won't need to apply elsewhere.

If he does need to apply elsewhere he can just fill in the form and submit it. Nothing complicated as long as he knows which courses to put down.

I don't know and he'll need to find out, but presumably he will if he needs/wants to do his degree at a different university?

He is currently on one year stand alone foundation course, not a degree with a foundation year.

Thank you. How important is it to do the university visits?

If he does need to go through the process , the UCAS website has a whole section on undergraduate applications. It breaks down the stages step by step, from starting the form to eventually submitting it. Good luck!

The elements of the form are:

• educational history
• predicted grade on current course(s)
• reference from current educational establishment
• personal statement (4000 characters inc spaces which is surprisingly few, detailing why he wants to do the course, what he can bring to it and future aspirations. Interests such as a particular sport etc go right at the end almost as an afterthought)

I'd say uni visits are vital in terms of getting the feel of the place and whether it might suit as a uni experience e.g. campus v city, big northern city v somewhere like Exeter, urban v country (e.g. Loughborough) etc. In terms of the course itself the websites and league tables are very useful, and open day talks are often available on the uni's website.

Visits important, but working out city v middle of nowhere, campus v spread about, 10 mins from parents v 4 hours away more important. Offer holder days next summer offer good chance or checking.

He’s got til jan 25 to apply unless he’s thinking of medicine/vet medicine (oct 15)

you don’t say what subject area he’s after? He’ll need to complete the ucas form and supply an academic reference.

check out specific courses for application info

Is this course sufficient for better universities? They might want step or other exams for entry. Bird in the hand looks best I think! He needs to speak to admissions at his current university. Without A levels and step, higher tariff unis might be out of reach.

For example. Warwick lists BTec, A levels, IB and nothing else. BTec must be accompanied by A levels. Then there’s the further tests. So is he up for that leveL of competition?

This is a higher qualification than Alevels?

Anyway I think if he makes the grade he'll prefer to stay where he is, it's really in case he doesn't.

Is it higher or as valued as step? It’s interesting unis don’t list it. Therefore how portable is it?

For example: looking at Loughborough maths with a foundation year, it seems the foundation course is integral. You stay at Loughborough for the rest of the degree. I know art foundations are portable but is this course stand alone or linked to the undergrad degree? Loughborough also ask for A levels. I’m not sure how a one year foundation can replace 2 years of maths and further maths A level. Surely staying put gives him better chance of success?

It's not listed as standard because it's a uni level qualification and entry qualification information is for people who haven't started at uni!

All FYs are transferable btw - even if integrated quite often students use them to gain entry to year 1 at better ranked unis.

If he’s doing a level 4 qual I assume he’d be looking at going into second year? So may not need ucas. He needs to contact the unis he’s thinking about and find out their process.