Feature: St Mary’s Top Tips for Applying to University

If you’re applying to study at university in September 2015, the application process might seem daunting, but it needn’t be. Here are some top tips from St Mary’s University, Twickenham. 1. Register Online Make sure you register for an account with UCAS, the official university application body. You’ll need to add in all of your personal information including your education, student funding, work experience and a personal statement. Remember, there is a small fee to make an application and you’ll be able to pay this online too. 2. Know the Deadlines The deadline for applications through UCAS is 6pm on Thursday 15th January 2015. Put the date in your diary and make a schedule to ensure you can make all your applications and write your personal statement in time. There is a second chance to make an application through UCAS Extra, which opens on Wednesday 25th March, but bear in mind that some of the more popular courses may be full and no longer accepting applications. 3. Make your Choice You can apply for up to five different courses at five different universities. Don’t worry about putting them in order of preference at this stage, universities won’t be able to see your choices until you start to accept offers. Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll start to receive offers. These can be conditional, which means that a university if offering you a place based on you achieving certain grades. Or, it could be unconditional, which is when universities will offer you a place based on your current predicted grades. 4. Replying to Offers Once you’ve had replies and offers from all the universities you applied to, you will be able to make your firm and insurance choices. UCAS will give you a deadline to do this by – make sure you respond by this date otherwise your offer will be removed. Once you have made your decision, your firm and insurance choices will become final within the system. 5. Results Day All you need to do now is wait until A-Level results day. If you’ve been made an unconditional offer, or have met the criteria of your conditional offer you should contact the universities admissions team to confirm your place. If you haven’t met your conditions, or have changed your mind there is still the chance to apply for a place through Clearing. UCAS has lots of resources available to help you through the application process and St Mary’s admissions team is also available to answer any questions. You can contact them on 020 8240 4029.