APPLICATION PROCESS AND PERSONAL STATEMENT

Once you have decided where you would like to study and which courses you are most interested in, the application process is fairly straightforward. The following resources provide information on:

Open Days
These are usually in the Summer or early Autumn and offer the opportunity to look at the campus and department in more detail, and to meet the people who will be teaching you. Check the university website to see if you need to book a place.

You should not consider going to a university unless you have visited the campus and department. While you are there, talk to current students and ask them what the best and worst things are about the university and the course.

Try logging onto the following website to gain additional information for universities and courses you are interested in: www.opendays.com

Prospectus
Each university produces a prospectus. This is a brochure available free on request, or which can be downloaded. It gives details about the university campus and all the courses available. If you are interested in a university it is worth getting a copy.

For detailed current and up to date information such as open days and full details on all the modules available, go the the departmental section of the university's website. 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

So by now you will have made the decision to progress on to university, decided on which course(s) you would like to study and where you would like to apply. Having completed your research, which should include checking that you have the correct entry requirements for your chosen course(s), you now need to know how to apply.

UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service are the central organisation that processes applications for courses at UK universities and colleges. They offer unrivalled and easily accessible information to help you find exactly the right course. Choosing the right course and university or college is a life-changing decision and they aim to make the whole process to be as flexible, responsive and trouble free as possible.

All you need to do when you are a student at OSFC to access the UCAS web site is to:

• Go to www.ucas.com
• Click on "Apply"
• Click on "Student Login" (OSFC Careers or your personal tutor will be able to give you the details which you will require to register initially on the site so that you can set up an individual college user name and password).
• You can also track progress of your application form on-line from this site once you have submitted it.

 PLANNING YOUR UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT

As part of your application form you will have to complete a personal statement.  

Include the following:

• School/College Activities – were you a prefect at school or been involved in any societies or teams?
• Intellectual Activities – visits, residentials, visiting speakers and skills and abilities gained from your subject area such as research skills and working independently.
• Out-of-School Activities – include any community or voluntary work you may have undertaken including the Duke of Edinburgh Award, countries you have visited, and pen friends etc.
• Work Experience – either from school or college and part-time, Saturday and holiday jobs, particularly if they are connected to your chosen course(s).
• Key Skills – these include numeracy, communication and information technology skills. Also mention any advanced skills you possess in team-working, problem solving, doing presentations and improving your own learning through evaluation and analysis.