Applying to University – UCAS

Students begin exploring their future options and researching university courses.

During this time students will:

• attend university and careers events

• research courses and university entry requirements

• begin thinking about potential career pathways

• take part in university visits and talks from guest speakers, including University of Oxford and Cambridge, University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent.

• start building experiences that will support their personal statement

Students are encouraged to use UCAS Hub to begin researching courses and planning their applications.

Towards the end of Year 12, students begin preparing their UCAS applications.

This includes:

• creating a UCAS account

• starting to draft their personal statement

• discussing predicted grades with teachers

• shortlisting university courses

• receiving guidance from tutors and the Sixth Form team

At the beginning of Year 13, students finalise and submit their applications.

Support includes:

• reviewing and refining personal statements

• finalising course choices

• submitting applications before internal deadlines

• preparing for interviews or admissions tests where required

Applications for most courses are typically submitted between September and January.

Once applications are submitted, universities will respond with one of the following:

• Conditional Offer – a place dependent on achieving certain grades

• Unconditional Offer – a confirmed place regardless of results

• Unsuccessful Application

Students then select a Firm Choice and Insurance Choice through UCAS.

On A Level Results Day, universities confirm whether students have met their offer conditions.

If students do not receive their offers, they can explore additional opportunities through UCAS Clearing, which helps match students with available university places.