Applying to university

UCAS stands for Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. It is essentially the online system by which all applications for degree level study are submitted. 

Find out more about UCAS on the UCAS website.

UCAS allows you to apply to up to five different courses using a single application form. You do this via the UCAS Hub (select undergraduate).

Your application form contains your qualifications (including those you’re currently studying for), any work experience, your personal statement, a reference/statement from your school and other personal details relating to your application. 

Your school and LEAPS will help guide you through the process of applying to university, but you are the person in control of your application.

Your school will take you through this in detail, but here is a quick guide.

• Choose up to five courses you want to apply to.
• Add your personal details and complete each section of the application, taking care to answer all relevant questions.
• Include a personal statement, detailing why you want to apply for the course and what makes you a suitable candidate.
• Include any additional information to support your application for example any work or volunteer experience, LEAPS eligibility etc.
• Your school adds a reference detailing why they think you’re suitable for the courses and a LEAPS tagline (if you are LEAPS eligible).
• Submit your application before the relevant deadline.

Applications are made via UCAS (select undergraduate in the UCAS Hub). 

UCAS has a step-by-step guide to completing the UCAS application on their website. Find this at the link below. 

It's important to remember any key dates in the application process, especially deadlines.

Your school will probably ask you to finish your application well before the deadlines so they have plenty of time to check and discuss it with you, and to write your reference before submitting it to UCAS.

• Deadline for applications for any course at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and for most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science is usually 15th October.
• Deadline for applications for most other undergraduate courses is usually mid January (equal consideration date). 

Check UCAS website for details.

UCAS has a guide to key dates and deadlines for university applications on their website. Find this at the link below.

Conservatoires provide performance-based higher education, including music, drama, screen and production courses. 

Find out more about conservatoires on the UCAS Conservatoires website.

Applications are made via UCAS Conservatoires (select conservatoires in the UCAS Hub). 

• Deadline for applications for some music courses through UCAS Conservatoires is typically early October.
• Deadline for applications for most undergraduate dance, drama or musical theatre courses through UCAS Conservatoires  is typically mid January.

Check UCAS Conservatoires website for details.

Your school and LEAPS work together to help you submit the strongest UCAS application possible. This includes how you go about choosing the right course for you, how to boost your experience, and how to write a strong personal statement.

It’s your responsibility to take advantage of all the help on offer and to think about the courses that will suit you, your interests, and your aspirations. Start by taking a look at some of our blog posts which are linked below.