Applying for a higher education course can seem like a daunting task, but it is quite straight forward if you know what you are doing. This section introduces you to the application process and has a step-by-step guide to applying. It explains about things like UCAS and personal statements, and gives you information about deadlines. When the time comes for you to start an application, there is a timeline to allow you to check you are up to date with every stage of the process.

The UCAS Process explained

Tarrif points | Choosing a course | Choosing Where to Study
Personal Statement | Personal Statement | What Next?
UCAS is the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Everyone has to apply for a higher education course via the UCAS website, where you will need to register your details and complete an online application form. If you are a school or college student, you can apply to UCAS through your school or college, talk to your teachers about this. It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the UCAS website, as it contains loads of useful information about higher education and applications, including advice for international applicants and those with disabilities or other special needs.

To view a UCAS step-by-step guide to applying for a higher education course, please click here.

Tariff Points

Each higher education course at each university or college requires a certain number of points (called tariff points) for you to get onto it. These points come from the grades you achieved in your previous qualifications. The higher the grades you get, the more points you will receive. As well as a certain number of points, some courses will require you to have achieved specific grades in specific subjects. You can find out about each university or college's exact course requirements in their prospectus. You can contact them over the phone or via their website to ask for a prospectus, or you can attend a UCAS higher education fair where you can pick one up.

To learn more about tariff points and to find out what your grades/predicted grades are worth in terms of tariff points click here.

Choosing a Course

There are lots of different types of higher education courses to choose from. You can study traditional subjects like English, History and Maths, or more career-specific ones like Nursing, Aeronautical Engineering and Physiotherapy. You can also study a whole range of courses which you might not have even known existed, such as Ecotourism, Football Studies, Japanese, Jewellery Design and Animal Behaviour. With over 53,000 to choose from it's likely that you'll find something you enjoy!

Different courses can be studied in different ways - some require you to do a paid work placement in the middle of them (called 'sandwich' courses) and for some courses you can take a year abroad during your study. Some contain a lot of practical work compared to others which require you to do more research and written work. You can study some courses part-time and you can combine some courses with others (sometimes called 'Joint Honours' courses). Have a think about which type of course would suit you the best.

Choosing Where to Study

To search through the full list of UK courses click here.

With over 329 higher education institutions in the UK, there is lots of choice for where to study your chosen course. Have a think about the sort of place you would like to live and study - would you prefer to be in a city or somewhere more rural? You may also want to stay at home and study locally, which many people choose to do. It is also a good idea to find out whether certain places have a good reputation for teaching the course in which you are interested. It is recommended that you get in touch with the universities or colleges that you like the sound of to arrange to have a look around before you make your decisions. Most universities and colleges hold open days where you can talk to current students and tutors as well as getting a real feel for the place.

For a list of UK higher education institution open days click here.

Personal Statement

As part of your application form you will need to write a personal statement. Your personal statement is really important, as it is your chance to let certain universities and colleges know why you want to study a specific course there, and why they ought to take you as a student. You will need to provide information about things like, why you are interested in the course(s) that you have applied for, what you have been doing in and out of school/college that relates to this course(s) what you hope to do when you graduate. Your personal statement might be the one thing that sets you apart from other applicants hoping for a place on the same course, so it's important to spend plenty of time on it and check it thoroughly before you send it off.

To find out about what needs to go into a personal statement click here.

What next?

After you have submitted your online application form you will receive decisions from the universities or colleges to which you have applied. They will either offer you a place dependant on you achieving the grades and tariff points they have asked for (a conditional offer) or they will decide they are not going to accept you onto their course this time. Occasionally people receive an unconditional offer if they have already received their further education (e.g. A-level) results. You will then need to decide which two of these offers you want to have as your firm and insurance offers. Your firm offer should be your first choice and your insurance offer should be something you would be happy to study but with slightly lower requirements, just in case you don't quite make the grades for your first choice.