UK universities have always been known for their rigorous and liberal academic atmosphere in the academic world. The ancient architecture and romantic British style also attract many students. Many students consider applying for an undergraduate degree in the UK after finishing high school. Next, I would like to introduce the UK undergraduate application system UCAS and application process, the writing skills of Personal Statement and matters requiring attention in applying for an undergraduate degree in the UK.

What is UCAS？

Official Website

The official explanation is that “The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK-based organisation whose main role is to operate the application process for British universities”. My explanation is that UCAS is the undergraduate application system in the UK, which is similar to China’s admissions office for college entrance examination. However, in the UK, students cannot directly submit their applications through universities. They have to apply through UCAS.

What is A-Level？

The General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (referred to as GCE a-level or a-level) is a diploma of general secondary education issued by the Ministry of Education in the UK (excluding Scotland) or the British Overseas Territories after completion of a two-year pre-university course in grades 12-13. It is for students aged between 16 and 19 after completing their GCSES and the duration is generally two years. Now, A-level qualification is available in many non-British areas of the world and, because of its universal acceptance, it has become the choice for many international schools.

In my opinion, A-level in the UK is equivalent to high school in China. The first year of A-level is also called AS-Level (Grade 12). In this year, students usually choose 4 subjects and 3 of them will be studied further in the second year (A2). (PS: only “generally”. Learning more then ten A-Level courses is OK.) As for AS grades, it is not mandatory since from 2016. In that year, I became a pioneer in the reform and did not take AS, but finally apply for the university with Predict Grades. Personally, not taking an AS is less risky than taking an EXAM. After all, you don’t want to apply for a university with a bad grade you got because of a mistake in the exam (BTW, wish you all good grades in your exams)

UCAS Application Time 

The deadline for university applications in the UK is around six months before the final A-level exam and varies depending on course choice. The deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and medical courses is earlier and for art courses is later. However, I personally suggest that as long as you are ready, apply earlier. You will have a greater chance of entering the dream school.

UCAS Application Procedure

After registering and logging into UCAS, you need to fill in the following categories of information:

1. Personal details: personal information needs to be filled out carefully against your ID
2. Additional information: local British students need to fill it out
3. Choices: you need to fill out the courses you choose. You can choose 5 courses. The 5 courses may vary, but I recommend that they should be in the same or at least related areas (convenient for writing Personal Statement). Most people choose to take courses at five different universities, but it is possible to take more than one course at the same university. Next I will give you a separate introduction to the course search engine and some personal experience.
4. Education: in this part, you need to fill out your school, Qualifications you have attained (e.g. GCSE results), courses you are studying (including A-level courses and Extended Projects) and IELTS results. Choose pending for subject whose score has not been obtained. If your IELTS score has met the requirements, please fill in. If you are not satisfied with your score or have not taken the IELTS test, please do not fill in. It is not required.)
5. Employment: in this part, you need to fill out your work or internship experience.
6. Personal Statement: I will discuss personal statement in detail below.
7. Reference: If you are applying through a school, this will be submitted directly to the school to be filled out. If you are applying on your own, you will need to fill it out and UCAS will contact your referee for more information.
8. View all details: check all the information carefully.
9. Pay/ Send: pay and send. The application fee in 2017 was £13 (for one course only) or £24 (for multiple courses or late applications after 30 June)

Course Search Engine

1. UCAS: This is UCAS’s website, where you can find all the courses and universities that meet your standards and clearly see the A-level requirements (requirements on IELTS scores are generally on the university’s website) and the application deadline.
2. The Complete University Guide: The website provides the rankings of universities around the world in different subject areas, crime rates in the cities and regions where universities are located, student evaluations and advice on course selection.
3. Top Universities: Here you can find QS rankings for countries, regions and subjects.
4. University’s Official Website: Each university website details the college to which the course belongs, score requirements, course descriptions, course costs, scholarships, recommendations for applicants, facilities and job opportunities.

In some universities, you may see courses with “Sandwich year” or “Year in industry”, “Year in Enterprise” and “One year abroad”. What are these? “Sandwich year” or “Year in industry” is what people call a sandwich year or sandwich class. The average undergraduate degree at a UK university lasts three years, while the sandwich course lasts four years. Students spend two years at university (lectures on work are often added to regular courses), a third year as a paid intern, and a final year as a regular course student.

I applied for this kind of course myself: firstly, this kind of “sandwich course” is the best springboard from school to the workplace. This kind of internship experience is very important for job hunting after graduation, and it is likely to have access to many job opportunities and resources. Secondly, internship is also a way to apply theoretical learning into practice, and to experience the working atmosphere of the enterprise in advance, which is conducive to determining the future direction of work. Thirdly, in your third year, the college will give you referrals for job opportunities. If you get it, you get an internship; if you don’t (which is unlikely), you get a visa for an extra year.

Other courses include “One Year Abroad”, which offers the opportunity to study abroad for one year, but it may require you to apply in your second year of college, which is of course difficult. “Year in Enterprise” means that if a sophomore has an actionable business plan, you can apply to the university to start your business in the third Year of your undergraduate degree. Generally, the university will give you some kind of subsidy.

All of the above refers to the majority of college courses, but different universities will have different conditions. So you need to check the course description on the official website.

Tips for Personal Statement

1. It’s important to remember you can only write one personal statement – it’s the same for each course you apply for. So, avoid mentioning any universities or colleges by name.
2. Check the character and line limit – you have 4,000 characters and 47 lines, including spacing and blank line. Recommend you a word check tool: Studential length checker.
3. Make sure you don’t plagiarize – UCAS has a special system for detecting plagiarism.
4. Show that you are interested and knowledgeable in the subject you are applying for.
5. Ask someone else to proofread the language and eliminate spelling and grammar mistakes.
6. Don’ts – don’t introduce your family if it has nothing to do with the subject you are applying for; don’t tell how good your grades are, which is visible at UCAS; don’t  use shakespearisch words; don’t exaggerate or sublimate the topic, please cut to the chase.
7. Don’t write that you have a dream since you were little, balabala… This has been used for too many times.
8. Structure given by UCAS:

【Writing about the Course】

Why do you want to apply for this subject?

Why does this subject interest you?

Why do you think you are suitable for this subject? Do you have the skills and experience to help you succeed in this subject?

Are you taking or have you taken any relevant courses?

Have you ever participated in an activity that was relevant to your course and demonstrated your abilities? (such as lecture or competition)

【Skills and Achievements】

Explain your learning or living abilities in relation to the course you are applying for

Honors you have received or positions you have held, etc. (e.g., President of Student Union)

【Hobbies and Interests】

Hobbies and extracurricular activities

【Work Experience】

Relevant work experience (try to be relevant to the subject)

【Mature Students/ International Students】

Introduce your (adult student/overseas student) relevant experience

【Future Plans】

Your future plans.

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