If you're applying through a school, college or centre
1. Pay your application fee – £23 for multiple courses or £12 for just one
- Your school, college or centre will let you know either to pay them so they can pay us, or for you to pay direct online by credit/debit card.
- If you pay by credit/debit card, this is done before your reference is added. If you pay your school/college/centre, they'll let you know when to pay.
2. Your school/college/centre will also add a reference for you and send your application to us
- Your reference is a full written recommendation from a teacher or tutor who knows you.
- You won't have access to this, so you won't need to do anything for it. And when all’s done they’ll send your application to us.
- Remember to keep in touch with them about how it's going – that way you'll know when they’ve sent it on to us.
If you're applying as an individual
1. Get a reference from a teacher, adviser or professional who knows you
- Either ask a tutor, trainer or employer if they'd be happy to do it – if yes, add their email and phone number to the reference page, then click 'Ask referee to complete reference'. First we'll email them with a link and password to the reference page of your application, then we'll ask them to confirm their identity before writing it. (If for any reason they decline we'll let you know.)
- Alternatively, in 'Options' you can 'ask a registered school, college or centre to write a reference' – contact them first to see if they'd be happy to, then add their details and buzzword.
- Please give your referee plenty of time to complete your reference, and if they need any advice they'll find help text on the page where they add the reference, plus there's info here about writing references.
2. Pay your application fee and send your application to us
- £23 for multiple courses or £12 for just one, payable by credit/debit card online.
- The reference will need to be complete before you can send your application to us, so keep in touch with your referee to make sure it's completed in time.
Your reference
Who should write it?
Usually someone who knows you academically – a teacher or tutor who can talk about how you work and interact with other students etc, as well as your suitability for higher education or a particular profession.
- If you're in school or college (or you were recently), ask your tutor, teacher, principal or head teacher.
- If you left school or college years ago you could ask an employer, volunteering supervisor or trainer.
- But don't ask family, friends, partners or ex-partners – if you do your application could be cancelled.
How's it written?
It has to be a full written reference – not just contact details – written in English (or Welsh if you're only applying to Welsh universities and colleges).
- Your referee might include details about your career goals and any supporting work experience you've had (so make sure you discuss these with them).
- They might also explore how well you've done in specific modules or course components.
- They could describe circumstances that have (or could) affect your academic work, from a personal problem or an illness to any individual needs you have. (You'll need to provide permission for health issues/disabilities to be mentioned though, so talk to your referee if you'd like universities and colleges to know about these.)
- There's also an option to not include a reference – if you contact all your universities and colleges and they agree you don't need one – just confirm that it's not needed on the reference page of your application.
