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Preparing for the 15 January deadline - Final Advice

If you haven't submitted an application for a university and college course beginning this year, there's still time - even though the 15 January deadline is looming.

Applications received after this date, up until and including 30 June, will be considered by institutions only if they still have vacancies. Any application received by UCAS after 30 June will go into Clearing.

If you (or your son or daughter) are still working on an application, here are some tips from UCAS to help with the basics.

Know your login details for Apply

Make sure you know your login details, as you'll need to log in to Apply (on the UCAS website) to send your application. Use the login reminder service on the Apply page if you're not sure.

Send it earlier if you can

The deadline is midnight on 15 January (23:59 UK time) but try to send it sooner in case you experience any problems, eg internet connection issues, payment problems.

UCAS adviser Ross Sanger said: "Set yourself a personal deadline and make sure everything is completed because if you start rushing you may miss things. Give yourselves regular breaks and return to look at your application with a fresh mind.

"When its complete go to our website or call our expert advisers and we'll do a tick-list to make sure everything is there. If there is something you haven't mentioned you can then go back, re-read it, work out which key points are necessary and edit from there."

15 January is a Sunday

Schools and colleges probably won't be open so if you're applying through a centre, make sure you send your application to them as soon as possible. Send your application in early and we'll send it out to the universities as soon as we've processed it, which could be earlier than the deadline.

Be prepared for any payment issues

You must pay for your application before it can be sent to UCAS. If you enter invalid payment details five times, you will be locked out from making any more payment attempts - if this happens, you'll need to call us so send your application early just in case.

If you're applying through a school or college, they'll need time to review your application and write you a good reference

Your tutor needs time to complete the reference section and check and approve your application before they send it to UCAS. If they spot any errors, they'll send your application back to you to amend. If this happens, you need to change it and send it back to them, so that they can send it to us. Simply sending it to your school or college before the deadline won't count as sending it on time; it has to be received at UCAS.

You need a reference before you can send your application to us

However you request a reference (whether you're applying independently or through a school or college), you still need to have a reference attached to your application before it can be sent to UCAS.

If you're applying independently, allow enough time for your referee to read the instructions, write and attach the reference, and confirm that it has been completed. A red tick will appear next to the 'reference' link in Apply once it's complete. This means you can complete the rest of the application and send it to us.

If you're applying through a school or college, send your application to them early to allow them time to write the reference and carry out the other checks before the deadline.

If you've agreed with the universities that a reference is not required - check the information on the reference page to see what to do.

If you need our help, contact us in good time

If you have a question about your application, check our website (www.ucas.com/students/applying), or contact us online through UCAS Connect (www.ucasconnect.com).

If you need advice, you can also phone us. Our Customer Service Unit is extending its opening hours ahead of the deadline. Visit www.ucas.com/about_us/contact_us for full details.

Media contacts
UCAS Press Office: 01242 545469

James Durant, Press Officer
Email: j.durant@ucas.ac.uk

James Woodward, Press Officer
Email: j.woodward@ucas.ac.uk

Notes to editors

UCAS is a charity and is the world's leading shared admissions service for higher education. We manage applications for full-time undergraduate courses, together with applications through GTTR (Graduate Teacher Training Registry), CUKAS (Conservatoires UK Admissions Service) and UKPASS (UK Postgraduate Application and Statistical Service).

Services include:

  • An informative website (www.ucas.com) enabling students and parents to access a wealth of information designed to help their application to higher education run smoothly.
  • A contact centre (0871 468 0468) staffed by trained experts providing information and advice for students, schools and higher education institutions.
  • An online application system.
  • A simple, straightforward tracking service enabling students and schools advisers to access up-to-date information about their applications at the click of a button.

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