UCAS Application Guide Scottish Wider Access Programme SWAPWest

UCAS Application Guide Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAPWest) 2017 -18

Applying to University Choices How to Apply Personal Statement

Choices Use the following to help you decide: SWAP Progression routes (published end of Oct) UCAS Course Search Information from individual universities: Website Prospectus Admissions contacts, helpdesks etc. 3

Deadlines The deadline is: 15 th January 2018 Your college deadline will be sooner so they can complete references (Dec 2017) READ the UCAS Application and PS Guide in PHE materials (available from the SWAP web site) Find additional help and videos on UCAS web site 4

Visit www. ucas. com then click ‘Register’ 5

Choose ‘undergraduate registration’

Register and apply for 2018 7

Complete personal details 9

Apply through school/college 10

SWAPWest Buzzword: swapwest 2018 11 Buzzword is: swapwest 2018

Select group – your college/programme 12

UCAS welcome page 13

UCAS Application Sections 14

Personal details Personal Details… • Some filled in automatically • Provide other details, e. g. fee code usually 02 – UK • Declare any relevant criminal convictions (not spent). Additional Information… • E. g. Nationality. . . • If you have ever been in care. . . • Your family’s education background. . 15

Personal Details 16

Student Finance 17

Course / University Choices Use all 5 choices – spread across different universities Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) University of Glasgow University of Stirling University of Strathclyde University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) - based at UWS Ayr Campus Start date: Sept 2018 (can also apply for deferred place) For year 1 as point of entry, UCAS advises to leave box this box blank. 18

Choices 19

Education 20

Education Centre name (the field will be ‘greyed out’) Click on ‘Find’ 21

Add ‘Scottish Wider Access Programme’ Perform a search for SWAP (NB: it will not be found) Click the link “My school / centre is not listed here” You will be returned to the Education page where you can then type in ‘Scottish Wider Access Programme’ in the space that was previously greyed out. 22

Education NB - Exam Centre number: 78792 2017 2018 23

Education Click on add qualifications, then National Units – Scotland Enter unit titles with codes, qualification date, awarding body (SQA), level (Higher etc. ) and result. 2018 24

Employment Can add up to five employers 25

Personal Statement Write your personal statement in a Word doc. After you have checked it and had it checked by someone with the necessary skills, you can copy/paste it into this field. 26

Personal Statement – UCAS TV https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=_8 h. Fk. MAj. W-I 27

Personal Statement Use UCAS guides and SWAPWest guides What excites you about course; how did you first get excited? Skills you have (academic/work/life), outside reading/learning, experience. Evidence! What makes you unique? Hobbies/experiences etc. Avoid flowery language, clichés, rambling, plagiarism Be authentic, positive and enthusiastic Be clear and concise, have structure, use paragraphs (e. g. punchy intro, chunky middle and end on personal touch). Proofread; it will take you many drafts! 28

Personal Statement mind map 29

Example structure (middle - in no particular order) Introduction – original, honest and interesting! What attracted you to subject and why. Mention that you are a SWAP student. Academic paragraph - knowledge and skills gained through SWAP/other studies. What subjects have you enjoyed most and why? Give examples. Mention study skills you have gained (e. g. writing, presentations etc. ) Subject interest – add to introduction, subject interest outside classroom. What ideas raised in the books/documentaries/lectures have you found interesting, and why. Skills from life/work/experience – Include skills/attributes that will make you a successful student and good at your future profession. Hobbies/interests – Important to show your personality. You could contribute through clubs/societies. State how they have helped you. Conclusion – Sum up why you want to do subject and why you are suitable. Could mention future career aspirations.

Declaration, payment and sending your application Declaration When finished, agree to the declaration. Payment and referee Pay using credit or debit card (£ 25). . . and your part is done! Application is then sent automatically to your referee Form will then be sent by UCAS to your chosen universities. 31

After sending your application Universities have until early May to respond Use Track at: www. ucas. ac. uk/students/track/ Possible responses are: Response What it means Unconditional Offer University offer a place with no conditions Conditional Offer University offer a place on condition, e. g. on successful completion of SWAP with BBB profile Withdrawn If you don’t respond to offers or attend interview Unsuccessful University will not offer you a place 32

Reply to your offers: Do not reply until you have received responses from all 5 choices There’s no rush! The clock doesn’t start ticking until your final response from universities has been received. . . You may reply in one of three ways: Accept Firm Accept Insurance Decline

Reply to your offers: Consider your choices VERY CAREFULLY These are binding agreements and cannot easily be changed Firm = your first preference (regardless of entry requirements) Insurance = a course with lower entry requirements than your Firm choice, that you would still be happy to accept. This is your “plan B” or backup plan. Once you have decided on your Firm and your Insurance choices, you will “decline” the other three offers.

Further assistance Good luck! 35