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Hardware specifications and internet settings

Please read about the issues relating to Microsoft IE6 service pack 1 and Microsoft ISA proxy server.

Hardware specifications

  • Whilst we aim to provide compatibility with a variety of browser versions for Internet Explorer, we would advise that you use Internet Explorer 8 or above. We do also support Mozilla Firefox version 2.0 or higher.
  • Your browser must have 128-bit encryption enabled.
  • Your browser must have JavaScript enabled.
  • 15" monitor or above.
  • 256 colours minimum.
  • Resolution 800 x 600 or above.

HTTP/1.1 (HyperText Transfer Protocol) settings

HTTP/1.1 is a major revision of the HTTP standard, which defines how browsers, servers and proxies communicate. You will need to ensure that your browser has been configured to utilise this latest version.

Determine which version of HTTP you are using

Having clicked on the above link you will be presented with a result which should look similar to this:

HTTP_USER_AGENT: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0)
HTTP_CONNECTION: Keep-Alive
HTTP_HOST: update.ucas.co.uk
SERVER_PROTOCOL: HTTP/1.1
HTTP_ACCEPT: image/gif, image/x-xbitmap, image/jpeg, image/pjpeg,
application/vnd.ms-powerpoint, application/vnd.ms-excel, application/msword,
application/x-shockwave-flash, */*
REQUEST_METHOD: GET
REMOTE_HOST:
REMOTE_ADDR: 172.16.1.63
GATEWAY_INTERFACE: CGI/1.1

The fourth line will indicate which version of HTTP your browser is using. If the results show that you are using HTTP 1.0 we would advise that you change your browser settings to use HTTP 1.1. For Internet Explorer this can be changed by selecting, Tools | Internet options | Advanced | HTTP 1.1 Settings | Tick both boxes. Once you have made this change please click on the link above to check the results now reflect that your browser is utilising HTTP 1.1.

If your results still indicate that you are using HTTP 1.0 you will need to check your local proxy server settings or contact you Internet Service Provider.

Internet Content Filtering

If you are using an internet content filtering system, for example, SurfControl, N2H2, We-Blocker, NetNanny, Cybersitter please ensure that the URL address, shown below, is added to the explicit allowed sites on the internet content filtering software, preferably at the top of a processing rule and also disable caching of this address at the proxy.

https://apply2.ucas.com

Please ensure that all pop up blockers are disabled. To disable the inbuilt pop up blocked in Internet Explorer 6 onwards, open Internet Explorer and go to Tools and Internet Options. On the Privacy tap please make sure that the pop up blocker is turned off or UCAS is added as an exception.

Security

UCAS Apply runs on a secure web server. UCAS recommends that you use Internet Explorer version 5 or higher, or Mozilla Firefox version 2.0 or higher to access the service. Older versions of browsers are less secure and can cause problems with secure websites. You must ensure that your browser has 128-bit encryption enabled. You will also need to enable JavaScript in order to use the service.

If you are unable to access this secure service, please check through this list of known issues, to find tips on how to solve the problem.

For security reasons, UCAS Apply will automatically time out after 35 minutes of user inactivity. UCAS strongly recommends that after you have finished using the service that you log out using the log out tab and close your browser down completely. This will ensure no one else will be able to access your details.

Most Internet browsers of version 5 or above have a built-in feature, which allows you to save your password. If you do use this it will allow anyone using the PC on which the password was saved to log on to the service and amend your details. For this reason we strongly recommend that you do not use this feature.

It is advisable to use the latest version of your browser, which will contain all the necessary security features.

PC users:
If you are using a PC and would like to download a newer version of Internet Explorer, go to www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp.

Mac users:
Safari and Mozilla Firefox browsers are supported on the Apple Mac.