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15 January FAQs

Thu 19 December 2019 - 08:51

By UCAS in UCAS advice

As the 15 January application deadline approaches, here are some of the top questions we’re answering at the moment.

Q. Why can’t I sign in to my application?
A. If you can’t sign in to your application, first of all make sure you’re trying to log into Apply and not Track by mistake. If you’ve forgotten your username or password, try our ‘Forgotten login?’ link to retrieve or reset your details. If you’re still having trouble, then give us a call so one of our advisers can help.

Q. How do I add my qualifications?
A. Before you can add any qualifications you need to add the schools or colleges where you’ve taken them. This...

The 15 January deadline is nearly here. Are you ready for it?

Thu 19 December 2019 - 08:52

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Your application needs to be with us by 18:00 (UK time) on 15 January to guarantee it’ll get equal consideration by the unis or colleges you’re applying to. If you apply after this deadline, the unis you’re applying to don’t have to consider your application.

If you’re a relaxed sort of person who likes to leave things to the last minute, you’re putting your application in danger. Here are the top reasons why leaving it to the last minute is really not a clever idea:

Stress – if you finish your application now, you don’t have to worry about it over the Christmas holidays, and so can relax and have fun without the nagging guilt of an unfinished application.
 

Technical issues – if you...

Supporting someone applying to university

Tue 3 December 2019 - 09:37

By UCAS in UCAS advice

We started this journey in S5, after the National 5 results were received. 

Our first port of call was an event held at Elphinstone Hall Aberdeen, where a range of universities attended. Pop-up banners helped us look for the universities that had sport on offer, as this was Eden’s thoughts at the start of S5. We picked up lots of prospectuses and talked to the personnel on the stands, which was extremely helpful for the next stage. 

School provided a list of open days, and based on the universities which had courses Eden was interested in, we created a timetable to work out which open days we could attend. In September/October time, we attended the university open days, and this gave Eden fantastic information about the university, courses, accommodation, UCAS process, funding, and study abroad opportunities.

Eden then concentrated on his Highers, and having received the results for these, set about developing his personal statement....

Helping your child apply to university

Tue 6 July 2021 - 12:30

By UCAS in UCAS advice

The first thing to remember is that every individual is different, so your child needs to make the right decision for them. Start by researching the different options available, such as degree courses, apprenticeships, internships, employment, and gap years. Help them to consider how each option fits with their skills, strengths, and interests.

Both my children decided that studying a degree at university was the right path for them. Our next step was then to decide on a course. Their enthusiasm for a particular subject helped get them started, but courses differ greatly, so looking at the entry requirements and the course structure helped to narrow down the shortlist. Would your child prefer a more practical approach or would they rather study theory? Is there an option for a year abroad, year in industry, or a combined honours, if of interest? Are the entry requirements realistic for your child’s current achievement and projected grades?

The distance from home is...

How To Kickstart A Career In PR After Graduating

Fri 15 November 2019 - 08:39

By Ella Hendrix in UCAS advice

Congratulations! You’ve graduated, and now have a hard-earned degree to add to your CV. Have you thought about a career in PR? Public relations can be surprisingly interesting and diverse, no matter what subject your degree is in. If you follow the news, social media, and what’s currently trending, PR could be a great career choice for you.

PR can encompass many skills – from writing and editing to marketing and media relations. Whether you are science or arts trained, you can put your in-depth skills and experience to good use in PR consultancy by specialising in your field of expertise. Think about sports PR, working in PR for a financial institution, or perhaps satisfying the insatiable appetite for digital and social PR. Working in PR within a field you are passionate about will certainly not be a boring desk-bound job. 

So, what qualities do most corporate communications consultancies look for when recruiting a...

Developing the future generation

Thu 14 November 2019 - 09:30

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Engineering is a developing industry, with new skills and processes constantly being established. The same is true for talent in the sector, with more businesses opting to hire apprentices and then mould their skills from within the organisation. Here, Miguel Millan, apprentice design engineer at precision drive system manufacturer Electro Mechanical Systems Ltd, discusses his apprenticeship experience.

I’ve worked as an apprentice at Electro Mechanical Systems (EMS) for over four years. My current role is as an apprentice draughtsman, which means that I support the design team to draft engineering diagrams for new components we are producing for our clients.

Normally, I shadow the more experienced members of the team and help them with their projects. The team will work with the client to establish the design concept, whether it be for small components or the entire finished product. I then work on drafting the...

Getting the most out of the application process

Thu 19 December 2019 - 08:53

By UCAS in UCAS advice

When choosing which university or conservatoire to apply to, the vast amount of options can seem disorienting. As though you’re at a junction with signs to your destination pointing in all directions and you don’t know which route is best to take. Picking the right place of study for your educational desires is an important factor that can sometimes get overlooked when locations or friendships sway your decisions, but it needs to be kept in mind how integral this choice is to your future. The course itself needs to be kept foremost in your mind. Will it benefit your personal needs? Will it take you into your chosen career path? Attending open days or campus tours is one of the best ways of getting an idea of a university’s facilities and the way in which the course is run, so make sure to book onto anything your places of study have to offer!

Don’t wait until the last minute to apply. Although starting your personal statement can seem a daunting task, once you’ve got your...

Personal statement writing tips

Thu 19 December 2019 - 08:54

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Getting started - When you open a new document and try to start writing your personal statement for the first time, it’s easy to not know where to start. The introduction seems the best place to begin, but this can be the hardest section, so don’t worry if it’s not great at first.

To brainstorm, make a list of points that you want to include and then group them under subheadings (e.g. hobbies). Or instead, if you’ve made applications before, take extracts from these previous statements and putting them together in a new document gives you a base to work on. When I first did this, the structure was non-existent, and it didn’t have everything I wanted to say – but it gave me a good place to start.

The introduction - Don’t worry if it’s cliched. For a subject like medicine, it is standard to talk about helping people while applying scientific knowledge. This is fine if you can justify it by linking it to your work experience or...

Working in the financial sector as a new graduate

Thu 7 November 2019 - 15:33

By Ella Hendrix in UCAS advice

Working in the financial sector is a great option for many graduates – especially for those who have studied relevant degrees. 

The financial services industry offers young professionals a plethora of varying roles to pursue in a fast-paced environment, and fosters continual acquisition of knowledge through additional qualifications. 

From financial advisers, tax planning, accountancy, wealth management, commercial banking, pensions and insurance – the world of finance exists in every household and business.

Here are some reasons why working in the financial sector could be the best career choice for you.

Graduate schemes
The finance sector is well-known for offering a range of graduate schemes...

'There are many available routes, a degree is not always needed.'

Thu 7 November 2019 - 12:07

By PwC in UCAS advice

School leaver programmes give you a direct route into the world of work. They allow you to learn new skills, meet new people, and earn a wage while you’re learning. Not sure if it’s the right path for you? Mahmoda, from PwC, shares her story.

Why did you choose the programme?
My first experience of PwC was during the Business Insight Week. I saw this as an opportunity to learn about PwC, who they are, and what they do. After attending, I chose to apply to the School and College Leaver programme as I had enjoyed my work experience. If I had attended university, I would have applied for a graduate position after university anyway, so joining the School and College Leaver programme enabled me to work in my desired field, without needing a degree, which appealed to me.

What have you gained from the experience so far?
I’ve learnt many new skills, such as excel and time...

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