SIXTH FORM STUDENT GUIDE 2018

Sixth Form Student Guide
UCAS
You’ve no doubt heard people talking about UCAS and probably haven’t got a clue what
they are talking about. So, here goes!
UCAS (the abbreviations stand for Universities and Colleges Admissions Service -
www.ucas.com) is the organisation you have to go through if you wish to apply for entry to
a university in this country. So when we talk about a UCAS programme we are talking about
getting you prepared for applying to university. This is a lengthy procedure and you will
have to do a lot of the work on your own with guidance from your Sixth Form tutors. Much
of the work will be done during form period so it is in your interest to make sure you are
there in the right place at the right time!
The UCAS guidance programme takes almost two years and right from the start of the
Lower Sixth you ought to be taking the opportunity to research the possibilities available to
you. The more organised and self-motivated you are the easier you will find the whole
process. When you have some free time go to the Amber Room and use the careers
guidance books to open your eyes to the possibilities. Go to the computer room and use
the Internet to find out more about universities and their courses. Visit places you might be
interested in. Talk to people and get their ideas and help.
Here are some questions you might like to ask yourself to get you going:
Do I want to go to University? (not “Do my parents want me to go to University?” )
What do I want to study? (there is a huge range of courses available out there, not
just those related to what you have studied at school)
Where do I want to study? – city centre, modern campus, London, not too far from
home, as far away from home as possible?
The Procedure
September onwards – begin to think about possible courses. Do research.
March onwards – by this time you should really be getting organised. Attend the
Higher Education Fair. Go to Open Days at universities. Speak to your teachers and
check you are likely to get the grades required for entry to the course you want to
apply for.
May/June – start work on your Personal Statement and have a fair idea of what you
want to apply for. You will be interviewed by the person who will eventually write
your reference. They will want to know about your provisional courses and your
plans for the future. They will also want to know what you have achieved in the past
so they can write about you the person.
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