UCAS
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
UCAS(Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is the central organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at British universities and colleges.
As nearly all British higher education institutions are members of UCAS, all those wishing to study for first degrees in the UK must apply through UCAS. Applicants submit a single application via the UCAS website with a list of up to five courses for which they are applying. All five choices are confidential during the application process so universities and colleges considering an application cannot see the applicant’s other choices. Applications must be completed by the middle of the January of the year that the student wishes to start university. In 2004 UCAS announced they were scrapping paper applications in favour of online applications for the 2006 entry onwards (previously applicants could choose between the two options).
Useful websites
- http://www.ucas.ac.uk
The UCAS website.
- http://www.yougofurther.co.uk
‘Yougofurther’ is a student community site run by UCAS. It is full of features to help year 12, S5 or equivalent students get ready for life in higher education. Students can create profile pages and take part in student-only forums. These let students chat and interact with others who are also applying to college or university.
- http://www.unistats.com
The Unistats website is designed to help prospective students and their advisers compare universities and colleges in the UK by providing a wealth of accurate and up-to-date information.
- http://www.studentzone.org.uk
Studentzone has useful academic and careers sections. It provides information on universities, colleges, educational bodies, student unions etc.
