UCAS Coordinator: Samantha Hobby Campus: Ystrad Mynach Email: Samantha.hobby@cymoedd.ac.uk

UCAS

Applying to University

2021

Learner Handbook

2

Table of Contents

Introduction .............................................................................. 3

Important Contacts................................................................... 5

Disabled Student Allowance Higher Education ........................ 6

Location of UK Universities....................................................... 8

Russell Group Universities ........................................................ 9

Summer School ....................................................................... 10

Higher Education and Career Support .................................... 11

Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol ................................................. 12

UCAS Hub ................................................................................ 16

Deadline Dates........................................................................ 17

UCAS Registration ................................................................... 19

Apply 2021 UCAS Registration ......................................... 20

Tariff Points ............................................................................ 35

Track your Application ............................................................ 37

Extra ........................................................................................ 41

Clearing ................................................................................... 43

Useful Links ............................................................................. 44

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Samantha Hobby Campus: Ystrad Mynach Direct Line: 01443 810096 Email: Samantha.Hobby@cymoedd.ac.uk

Introduction

The aim of the handbook is to provide you with support

and guidance, to make it easier for you to navigate

through the process of progressing to higher education. It

will explain the UCAS (University and Colleges

Admissions Service) application procedure and outline

the deadlines and preparation that you are required to

carry out. It is a very important year and the aim of the

College is to ensure that you are supported on achieving

your end goal.

The role of the UCAS Co-ordinator

The UCAS Coordinator leads and manages the UCAS

provision across the College. The Co-ordinator will

provide advice to learners and staff on the UCAS

procedure. The UCAS Co-ordinator will support you with

your application and link in with University staff to

arrange events and talks.

UCAS Co-ordinator details

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Who are UCAS?

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

(UCAS) is a UK-based organisation whose main

role is to operate the application process for British

universities. If you are applying to university at your

College, you will be required to complete an online

application form and submit it to UCAS.

Information and Guidance

Information, resources and links have been included

to help you successfully complete the higher

education journey. It is imperative that you plan

ahead and carry out your research carefully. Any

questions, or concerns that you have throughout the

application process remember to ask your tutor,

UCAS Coordinator or contact UCAS directly.

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Important Contacts

If you require any further guidance during, or after

the application process, contact the numbers below

and a representative from UCAS will guide you

further: However, your first point of contact should

be your tutor, or UCAS Co-ordinator.

UCAS Coordinator

• Samantha Hobby 01443 810096

UCAS Learner Advice Line

• Learner Advice Line 0371 468 0468

Student Finance Wales

• Enquiries 0300 200 4050

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Disabled Student Allowance

Higher Education

At Coleg y Cymoedd we offer specialised support

for Higher Education learners.

Our specialist staff are here for you to discuss your

support needs or concerns in confidence. They can

help you access the support you require on your

course. This can include support for wellbeing,

access to coursework support, advice to care

leavers and library and learning resources support.

If you have a long term disability, mental health

condition (for example, depression or anxiety) or

specific learning difficulties (for example, dyslexia or

dyspraxia) which has a substantial impact on your

day to day activity (including in education) then you

may be eligible for extra help in the form of Disabled

Students’ Allowance (DSA).

The DSA funds individual support packages which

can include additional support and/or specialist

equipment that you may need on your course due to

your disability, mental-health condition or specific

learning difficulty. If you would like further

information about applying for DSA you may find it

useful to read the following:

DSA (Wales)

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DSA (England)

Our specialist staff can:

- Arrange a one to one meeting to discuss your

support needs

- Support you through the process of completing the

DSA application form

- Liaise with Student Finance Wales or England on

your behalf if you have any queries – as long as you

have given consent

- Liaise with your course tutor to draw up an

Individual Support Plan so that reasonable

adjustments can be made

- Advise you how to get additional study skills

support if you are not eligible for DSA

You can apply for DSA as soon as you have

decided on the HE course you wish to study.

For all queries about HE support please

contact Natalie Boughton-Lawrence / 01443 653688

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Location of UK Universities

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Russell Group Universities

The Russell Group’s 24 members are world class

research intensive universities. They represent

leading UK universities which are committed to

outstanding teaching and research.

The Russell Group’s guide Informed Choices

provides students with information, advice and

guidance about their post-16 subject choices

Choosing your A Level (or equivalent) subjects

carefully is exceptionally important – especially if

you aspire to study at a leading university. The

Russell Group’s Guide, Informed Choices, includes

advice from admissions professionals on the best

subject combinations for a wide range of university

courses as well as the best choices for students

who want to keep their options open.

https://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/media/5272/informedchoi

ces-print.pdf

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Summer School

An opportunity for learners to get a taste of

university life: staying on campus, carrying out

research and working with academic staff and

students. It is an excellent opportunity to broaden

your horizons.

Click on the link below to explore taster courses,

using the search tool:

https://www.ucas.com/events/exploring-university/learn-

about-uni-taster-course

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Higher Education and Career

Support

Going to university is a great way to expand your

knowledge, meet new people, and enjoy new

experiences. There are a variety of qualifications

and subject areas to study. Listed below are

websites that can provide you with career research

and explain the different higher education

qualifications.

https://www.ucas.com/careers-advice

Higher Education Qualifications Explained

https://online.essex.ac.uk/blog/higher-education-

qualifications-explained/

Open Days

It is important to visit universities. Institutions hold open

days during the year. Check the individual university

websites for more information about these. If you are

unable to visit your chosen university, virtual campus

tours are available online.

www.opendays.com

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Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol

YOUR FUTURE, YOUR LANGUAGE, YOUR

CHOICE

Are you thinking of going to university? Applying for

a job? Apprenticeship? Whatever you choose, use

your excellent skill of being able to speak and write

in Welsh.

The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol is working with

universities, further education colleges and

apprenticeship providers to secure more study

opportunities for Welsh-medium students and

learners.

There are opportunities to do apprenticeships

bilingually and develop your Welsh language skills

while working. For more information on

apprenticeships through the medium of Welsh,

please contact the apprenticeship provider. Why not

visit our Facebook page to see profiles of further

education ambassadors and apprentices talking

about the benefits of bilingual skills?

Want to go to university in Wales? Have you

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considered studying part or your entire degree

through the medium of Welsh? There are about

1,000 courses available to you!

How do I find a course at university?

Visit our course finder to see if the course is

available through the medium of Welsh

http://www.colegcymraeg.ac.uk/en/study/mediumof

welsh/searchforacourse/

What are the advantages?

There are many advantages for studying your

course through the medium of Welsh, either partially

or your entire course:

• A natural step to follow Welsh medium education

• Smaller groups

• A first rate education

• Developing bilingual skills

• Preparation for the workplace

• Developing bilingual terminology within a

specialised field

• An opportunity to study towards the Welsh

language skills certificate

http://www.colegcymraeg.ac.uk/en/study/languages

kills/languageskillscertificate/

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• Opens doors to different experiences

• Additional funding

Additional Funding

The Coleg offers scholarships to students studying

through the medium of Welsh. Up to £ 3,000! Visit

our website to find out which courses are eligible

and how and when to apply.

http://www.colegcymraeg.ac.uk/cy/astudio/cymortha

riannol/

If you are going to university in September please

apply NOW by following this link. £ 1,500 available

for studying 33% of the course through the medium

of Welsh. Go for it!

http://www.colegcymraeg.ac.uk/cy/astudio/cymortha

riannol/ysgoloriaethcymhelliant/ysgoloriaeth2020/

Resources Why not visit

https://www.porth.ac.uk/

to see the vast number of Welsh-medium resources

available to you that will be of great help at College

and the University.

A taste of university life

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Follow us on @DyDdyfodoldi on twitter and

Instagram and our Facebook page for the latest

news and a taste of university life from our

ambassadors. We also have many videos on our

colegcymraeg channel on YouTube. For more

information about us visit our website:

www.colegcymraeg.ac.uk and click on this link for a

bilingual presentation about studying through the

medium of Welsh at university:

https://sway.office.com/FfexHt9FWe9c0yeL?ref=Link

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UCAS Hub

The UCAS is a tool on the UCAS website that enables you to

start carrying out your research and store that information.

To access the UCAS hub click on the link below:

https://www.ucas.com/what-are-my-options/create-your-

ucas-hub-today

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Deadline Dates

Listed below are the UCAS deadline dates for

submitting your application, but these are not the

dates that your tutor will ask you to complete your

application by.

Your application will need to be completed prior

to these dates, to ensure appropriate checks can

be made.

Mid-September Completed applications can be submitted to UCAS.

15 October (18:00 UK time)

Deadline for Oxford or Cambridge, and most courses in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine/science.

15 January (18:00 UK time)

Deadline for the majority of undergraduate courses.

30 June (18:00 UK time)

Last date to submit an application before Clearing.

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Admission Tests

Some universities and colleges require that you

pass an admissions test as well as standard

qualifications if you are applying for courses in

particular subjects. You can also contact your

universities or colleges directly by phone or email, or

check the prospectus on their website.

https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-

started/entry-requirements/admissions-tests

UCAS Conservatoires

You can study performance-based music, dance,

drama, and musical theatre courses at

conservatoires in the UK – at undergraduate and

postgraduate level. Please access the link below for

further detail.

https://www.ucas.com/ucas/conservatoires/ucas

-conservatoires-apply-and-track

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UCAS Registration

Registration and Application Process

In order to complete your application, you will be

required to register on the UCAS system. During the

registration process, you will be required to enter a

buzzword, this will attach your application to Coleg y

Cymoedd. Once you have registered, both your

tutor and UCAS Coordinator will be able to view

your application.

Please click on the link below to watch the

Apply video:

https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applyi

ng-university/filling-your-ucas-

undergraduate-application

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Apply 2021 UCAS

Registration

Connect to the internet and follow the

instructions below in order to complete your

UCAS registration.

Type the following address into the address bar

Select Sign in and then Students

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The next screen will take you through the registration

process and provide you with a username and password

of which you will then use to Log in.

Click register

Select 2021 entry Apply

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Read the text and click on next

Please ensure at the next screen you accept the terms

and conditions before proceeding to next

Complete your details and Select next

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Select UK and click on next

Please ensure you enter your post code details and

select next

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Enter you email address - your email address

should be a combination of your first name,

surname and numbers. Universities look at the

email that you have chosen.

Please complete the next screen carefully. It will ask

you to complete a password and select secret

questions. Be careful to select passwords and

secret questions that you will remember

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Important: The username screen

Once you have registered the next screen is very

important, please make a note of your username as you

will be required to enter your username each time you

log in. Click on Log in now

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Select through my school/ College select next

At the next screen enter the Buzzword:

oranges

If you do not enter the buzzword, please contact the

UCAS Co-ordinator. They will inform you on how to

attach your application to the College.

Select “yes” to the following address:

Coleg y Cymoedd Nantgarw Campus Heol- yr- Odyn Parc Nantgarw

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Cardiff CF15 7QY

Although you may be studying at another

campus you must select this address.

Ensure that you select the correct tutor

group (If you are not sure ask your tutor). If you attach

yourself to an incorrect tutor group, please contact the

UCAS Co-ordinator and they will access the system and

move you to the correct group

The welcome screen will now allow you to start

working on your application. Please ensure you

watch the videos at each section.

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You will also be required to verify your email,

please ensure that you complete this. It is also very

important that if you change your email address you

must update this information on your application.

You can now start working on your application and

complete the following sections. Make sure that you

complete all compulsory fields (*). Some key areas

to be aware of are mentioned below:

Personal Details

Student Support – Fee Code

In the Personal Details Section of the application

form the Student Support Fee Code –

02 is the correct answer for most students.

However, you need to select 05 if you are applying

for Nursing or an NHS-funded degree. Please check

NHS Bursary Scheme rules.

http://www.nwsspstudentfinance.wales.nhs.uk/home

Unique Learner Number

This is not applicable to complete

Nominated Access

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If you are not available, the nominated access could

speak to UCAS on your behalf.

Additional Information

Activities in Preparation for Higher Education

This section is only to be completed if you have been

on a Higher Education Course.

Student Finance

The Student Finance questions will relate to your home

address irrespective where you decide to study at

university. Your home address determines the allocation

of finance.

Choices

Registration Costs

You can choose up to five courses (all now or some

later through Extra). There’s no preference order

and your universities will not see where else you’ve

applied to until after you reply to any offers you get.

The Registration Costs you will need to pay to send

your application to UCAS:

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1 course choice - £20.00

Maximum 5 choices - £25.00

This fee will not be required until you have fully

completed the application form and are ready to

send to UCAS

Please note you cannot indicate order of preference

when making your choices on your application.

Website links that will support you with your choices:

https://university.which.co.uk/advice/a-level-choices/what-a-levels-do-you-

need-for-the-degree-you-want-to-study

Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science

If you are applying for Medicine, Dentistry or

Veterinary Science then you have a maximum of

four choices for these courses.

Four choices for medical courses

Fifth non-medical choice without prejudice

Deferred Entry

Make sure you’ve checked that the university or

college accepts deferred entry applications for the

course.

They may not be offering the course the following

year, may be changing it, or prefer students not to

have a gap in study before they start their degree.

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Entry Requirements

Very important that you check and meet entry

requirements. It is advisable that you choose

courses that are within a range of your predicted

grades.

Education

You must enter all of your qualifications to date and

your pending qualifications. Bring in your GCSE

certificates and enter any resits that you have taken.

Please check with your tutor that you have entered

the correct qualifications that you will achieve at

Coleg y Cymoedd. It is vital that you enter the

correct qualification as this could affect your offer. If

you have a certificate and are unable to find the

qualification.

In the Education section, select add qualification

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In the search box enter the word other and choose Other (UK

Qualifications), this will then allow you to manually enter the result.

Employment

This if for paid employment only, voluntary, or work

experience can be explained in your personal statement

Statement

The personal statement is a very important section

of the application that needs to be completed by

you. This is an opportunity for you to inform the

university/ universities of why they should accept

you at their university. The personal statement is

about selling yourself.

The personal statement is a Maximum 4000

characters / 47 lines. The structure of the personal

statement is very important and it is imperative that

you check the spelling and grammar, therefore it is

advisable to enter your personal statement in a word

processing application and copy and paste the text

of your personal statement into the application. You

must ensure that the personal statement is all of

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your own work, UCAS have a Plagiarism detection

technology that is used on all statements.

Common mistakes

Not taking your personal statement seriously

Not showing commitment to the subject area

Using too many clichés

Underestimating the time, it takes to write an

excellent statement

Check university websites they may also tell you what

they are looking for in a personal statement for that

particular course.

Which? University website

https://university.which.co.uk/advice/personal-

statements/personal-statement-subject-guides-

admission-tutor-tips

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Personal Statement Example Structure

Main Introduction

Conclusion

Start with an opening sentence that encourages the reader to read on.

Justify your choice of course.

Say why you want to do that course.

What interests you about the subject, reason for choosing the course, possibly name dropping modules to show you have done your research. If you can, indicate what you want to do after it.

Mention any relevant work experience.

Any work experience that is not directly related to your chosen course – can you identify core transferable skills which you learned or developed there.

Show that you are a critical thinker – what has made you think this way? A Level, BTEC, extended project.

Conclude with something memorable to stick in the Admission Tutors minds.

Leave them wanting to interview or make you an offer reinforce your commitment and enthusiasm.

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Tariff Points

Universities and colleges are independent

organisations and each year they decide how to set

their entry requirements. Those universities and

colleges that use UCAS Tariff points to express their

entry requirements will simply set their requirements

using the new number system.

Please refer to the links below for the tariff points for

each qualification/ grades.

Key qualifications – Tariff points

Tariff point calculator/

https://www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

Tariff Point New System

https://www.ucas.com/?tile=tile-446

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The table below is only a small example of tariff

points attached to qualifications.

GCE & VCE AS levels

GCE & VCE A levels

Tariff BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma

BTEC (QCF) Diploma

BTEC (QCF) Subsidiary Diploma

BTEC (QCF) Certificate

168 D*D*D*

160 D*D*D

152 D*DD

144 DDD

128 DDM

112 DMM D*D*

104 D*D

96 MMM DD

80 MMP DM

64 MPP MM

A* 56 D*

A 48 PPP MP D

B 40

C 32 PP M

28 D*

D 24 D

A 20

B E 16 P M

C 12

D 10

8 P

E 6

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Track your Application

Once you have submitted your application to UCAS,

it is important that you frequently log into Track

your application.

After you’ve sent your application, you can see how

it’s progressing by signing in to the UCAS online

system, Track your application.

In Track your application, you can see when

decisions are received from universities and

colleges, and reply to any offers you get. When the

universities and colleges have received and

considered your application, they will make their

decision. If they make you an offer, it can be either

unconditional or conditional.

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Unconditional - you have already met all the

university or college’s academic entry requirements.

Conditional - that the offer has certain conditions

you need to meet, for example, you have to achieve

certain exam result.

You must check the deadline date for replying to

your firm choice and insurance choice.

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Universities may invite you to attend an interview,

this is a process that will support tutors in selecting

suitable applicants for the chosen course. This

invitation will either be sent to you directly, or via

Track your application login, therefore it is vital that

you frequently log into your Track your application

account. It can be difficult for a university to change

your appointment date, therefore please ensure that

you keep the appointment date, or inform the

university immediately if you are unable to do so, or

no longer wish to attend.

The UCAS website has a dedicated area providing

you with information, if you are invited to attend an

interview:

https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-

and-track/track-your-application/undergraduate-

interview-invitations

MMI Interviews

Multi Mini Interviews (MMIs) are a type of interview

used by a rising number of Medical Schools. A

multiple mini interview consists of a series of short,

structured interview stations used to assess non-

cognitive qualities including cultural sensitivity,

maturity, teamwork, empathy, and reliability and

communication skills.

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Cardiff University is one of the universities that uses

this method of interviewing:

https://www.themedicportal.com/e-

learning/interview/mmi-questions/

https://multipleminiinterview.com/

Points to remember:

• Consider the Interview that you expect

• Think about how you can stand out

• Read your personal statement

• Read the Course Information

• Know your Subject

• Arrive Early

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Extra

Extra is a process that allows applicants to apply to

additional universities or colleges that still have

vacancies.

You do not have to wait until clearing to apply for

other courses. Extra operates from the end of

February until the end of June. UCAS’s on-line

Course Search system shows which courses have

vacancies. If an applicant is eligible to use Extra, a

button will appear on their Track your application

service on this website.

You can then apply for one course at a time using

Track your application. To use Extra applicants,

need to have:

• already made five choices;

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• received decisions from all their choices

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Clearing

Clearing is used by applicants who have not

managed to secure a place at university or college

for the current year.

When can you use Clearing?

• It's available July to September each year.

• If you already have your exam results but you

have no offers, you can use Clearing from

July.

• If you had conditional offers but your exam

results didn't go to plan, you can use Clearing

from results day, when Clearing vacancies

will be listed in the UCAS search tool.

• Identify courses (with vacancies) that interest

you and contact the course providers directly

to see if they will offer you a place.

For further information on the Clearing process,

refer to the link below:

https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-

and-track/results/no-offers-learn-how-clearing-works

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Useful Links

www.ucas.com

This is the main website that applicants should

access frequently to keep up to date with

information regarding your application, and the

progress of your application.

http://search.ucas.com/search/providers

The course search tool is a very informative tool and

will allow you to search for courses. Generating a

result of all the universities that offer you chosen

subject area.

www.unistats.com

www.ukcat.ac.uk

UK clinical aptitude test

www.bmat.org.uk

Admissions test for applicants to Medicine,

Biomedical Science and Dentistry courses at certain

universities.

http://www.lnat.ac.uk/

The Law National Aptitude Test, it helps universities

check that you will succeed on a Law course.

www.rnib.org.uk

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Apprenticeships

https://www.ucas.com/apprenticeships-in-the-uk

Complete University Guide

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/

NHS Bursary

https://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/undergradua

te-students/new-students/what-financial-support-is-

available/nhs-bursary.aspx