An UCAS question...

Wornoutlady · 2024-05-29T14:45:42+00:00

So you can log into UCAS and create an application (my DS is doing this) but only add some universities at this time and not others? And then some universities only have some courses that you can add and not others? I'm sorry if this question is stupid or obvious, when I filled in my UCAS form it was paper and I wrote my choices in 1-5 order. This is a whole new world for me.

Buttons0522 · 29/05/2024 15:46

When does he want to start? Sept ‘24 or Sept ‘25?

Original poster

Wornoutlady · 29/05/2024 16:00

Sept 2025 @Buttons0522

OP posts:

Buttons0522 · 29/05/2024 16:15

Ok fab. So at the moment all he can do is register with UCAS and start an application. He cannot actually submit his application and apply until 3rd Sept (and before 29th Jan). It’s a bit of a crossover period for uni admissions as they’re still actually recruiting for this year at this time. Best bet is to leave adding choices until September but get the rest of the form done over summer. Check he has put 2025 start on his UCAS account/on the form correctly otherwise he may just be seeing current Extra/Clearing places advertised to him which are for a 24 start.

Choices are no longer ranked in order, they are automatically alphabetically listed on the form. The unis don't see the other choices. They have 5 choices but don’t have to use them all (4 if Early Entry and one of Oxford OR Cambridge)

hope that helps a bit!

Pinkypinkyplonk · 29/05/2024 17:45

Yes, he can apply to one at a time, or two, or three!! Then leave it a few weeks, or longer. Then use the other spaces, or not. But he does have to work within the timeframe.

Original poster

Wornoutlady · 29/05/2024 20:36

Thanks everyone, I know you no longer rank. I know you can't send applications in until Sept 3rd and that there's still some applications going in late for 2024 for "extras" and then later, "clearing". He has been able to put down three choices with the right course, 1 choice with the wrong (but subject adjacent) course and cannot put any courses down for the 5th. Bristol. They did have something on their website on the subject pages a few weeks ago saying they weren't taking applications at this time, but that's since disappeared and still its not addable. Thanks anyway!

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piisnot3 · 30/05/2024 08:23

Re: "The unis don't see the other choices"

Be aware that if you apply to two or more courses in different departments at the same uni, then admissions staff at that uni can see both/all the courses you've applied to at that Uni, and the decision may be taken by a central admissions team, not the individual course director or department. So don't assume that because the courses are in different depts and have different course directors that they won't be able to see the other application.
E.g. if you apply for theoretical physics (run by the physics dept) and maths with physics (run by the maths dept), then central admissions can see both and may simply make you an offer for the less oversubscribed course. From their perspective it "balances the load". From your perspective it means applying for your second choice of course at the same uni may sabotage your application for your first choice.
DS applied to two courses at UCL with predicted and achieved grades far above what was required. and very strong super-curriculars and personal statement tailored to course A, but also applied to course B, later and as an "insurance". He was offered course B, but not course A. He has ended up going to a higher-ranked uni to do course A but would have been inclined to do it at UCL if they'd offered it. He contacted the course director at UCL asking why he'd been turned down for course A, and was told all decisions are taken by central admissions (i.e. the academic staff in the dept do not see applications, and are not involved in undergrad admissions decisions).

LIZS · 30/05/2024 08:36

He does know there is no advantage to filling it in now or even in September? Most are very much still at the open day stage, even still narrowing down what to study and taking exams to be assessed as predicted grades.

Original poster

Wornoutlady · 30/05/2024 15:29

piisnot3 · 30/05/2024 08:23

Re: "The unis don't see the other choices"

Be aware that if you apply to two or more courses in different departments at the same uni, then admissions staff at that uni can see both/all the courses you've applied to at that Uni, and the decision may be taken by a central admissions team, not the individual course director or department. So don't assume that because the courses are in different depts and have different course directors that they won't be able to see the other application.
E.g. if you apply for theoretical physics (run by the physics dept) and maths with physics (run by the maths dept), then central admissions can see both and may simply make you an offer for the less oversubscribed course. From their perspective it "balances the load". From your perspective it means applying for your second choice of course at the same uni may sabotage your application for your first choice.
DS applied to two courses at UCL with predicted and achieved grades far above what was required. and very strong super-curriculars and personal statement tailored to course A, but also applied to course B, later and as an "insurance". He was offered course B, but not course A. He has ended up going to a higher-ranked uni to do course A but would have been inclined to do it at UCL if they'd offered it. He contacted the course director at UCL asking why he'd been turned down for course A, and was told all decisions are taken by central admissions (i.e. the academic staff in the dept do not see applications, and are not involved in undergrad admissions decisions).

As I mentioned:

He has been able to put down three choices with the right course, 1 choice with the wrong (but subject adjacent) course and cannot put any courses down for the 5th. Bristol.

There's no case here of putting two courses down for the same uni.

OP posts: