- Six steps for applicants
- Apply and Adviser Track
- Our role in the process
- Training sessions
- Non-UK advisers
- Guides and resources
- UCAS Tariff
- Conferences and events
- News
- Important dates
- Student finance
- Student number controls
Choosing courses
Your students will appreciate all of the help and support you can give them. As well as talking to you about their options, we also recommend that they do a little research. The tools and advice on this website are a great place to start.
- UCAS Course Search - a comprehensive online database of courses available at more than 300 universities and colleges. This covers about 95% of all full-time HE undergraduate courses in the UK. For each course, we include information on fees, bursaries and financial support and many have supplementary details, such as course content, entry requirements and potential career paths. Applicants can search for courses in their chosen subject and/or institution or UK region.
- Entry Profiles - these provide information about the course, specific entry requirements and career possibilities, and the qualities or experience admissions staff are looking for in applicants. They help potential applicants make informed decisions about the courses they apply for.
- UCAStv - UCAStv offers video guides to help students understand the application process. It also features case studies of applicants who have been through the process themselves.
- Events - we organise a number of exhibitions and conventions around the UK which bring together UCAS representatives and universities and colleges to give advice in person. We also host educational seminars to help students make a successful application.
Open days and taster courses
Attending university and college open days is a great way for applicants to get a feel for the place. During their visit, they should be shown around areas such as the students' union, library, accommodation areas and the department in which they might end up studying. They might also be able to meet tutors and chat with current students.
Some universities and colleges offer short 'taster' courses, which give students the chance to experience academic and social life in a higher education environment. Most courses are free, and last from one day to a full week. There are also summer courses available which are designed to be as authentic as possible, with lectures and tutorials, where students can share their academic interests. Demonstrating commitment in this way will also look good in the student's personal statement. Taster courses are popular so encourage your students to book early if they want to reserve a place.
When are they?
You can download our simple spreadsheet for up-to-date open day information - it's updated every Monday morning.
Other sources of information and advice
The UCAS Guide to getting into University and College (this link takes you to another section of this site)
This book will help your students make the right choices and create high quality applications.
Prospectuses - students should get hold of the prospectuses for any institutions or courses they are interested in. However, they should be aware that these are often printed many months before the application process begins and more up-to-date information will usually be available online.
Podcasts and videos - to save travel costs, an increasing number of universities and colleges are providing podcast and video material, free to download, through iTunes.
Bring in UCAS to talk to your students - the opportunity to have UCAS come to you is very popular with schools, colleges, Connexions and other careers advisers. Our presenters are chosen not just for their educational experience, but also for their ability to empathise with young students. Sessions are guaranteed to bring to life the key factors that impact on making a successful application to HE. For more information visit the training sessions section.
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) carries out external reviews of higher education. You can get the official information about standards and quality in universities and colleges in QAA's reports.
Unistats - this website brings together a wealth of authoritative, official information, to compare subjects at UK universities and colleges, including data that is newly available to the public. It includes destinations of leavers from higher education and the results of student satisfaction surveys.