A guide to completing the UCAS form
Higher Futures' guide to applying for a higher education course (127KB PDF) >
Before you start, have ready the information you will need, particularly the dates of your secondary and college education, the dates of any examinations you have taken and the awarding bodies (exam boards) for each - this information is given on your certificates. If you don't have them, try contacting your school or college who may have duplicates. At some stage you will need proof of your examination results.
Go to www.ucas.ac.uk. This website has plenty of useful information, and a 'Help' section is available at every stage. Select 'Apply' and then select 'Register'.
The first question is whether you are applying through a school or college, or as an individual. If you are currently studying in a college, or have done so within the last three years, select 'through a school or college'. The college will process your application and ensure you have the most helpful reference.
NB. If you are not currently a student, please contact the college to let them know you will be applying, to request a reference and to ask for the college 'buzzword' for UCAS applications.
Enter the college buzzword, which will ensure your application is registered with the right organisation. You will be asked to select a tutor. If you are an ex-student, leave this blank.
Proceed with the personal information which is requested. Take care when selecting a password - you may need to reveal it at some stage!
Once you have successfully registered you can proceed to the application form itself, which is in sections. Each section can be selected using the navigation links on the left of the page. They can be completed in any order and need not be completed in one sitting. You can save partially completed sections and return to them later. When completing the sections, you will find drop down boxes wherever there are options. Always use these - they will ensure your entries are accurate and will save you a lot of time.
When all parts of a section have been filled in, mark the section as 'finished' (if you have omitted anything you will not be allowed to do this).
When all sections have been marked as finished you will be given the option to 'mark as complete'. Once you do this, although you can still view your form it will be locked and you won't be able to alter it - this is so that your referee can see your final version. However your tutor or the college administrator can unlock it for you again if necessary - just ask.
Your tutor or referee will check your application for accuracy and approve it - it may be sent back to you if any amendments are needed. Once it has been approved, the reference will be added and the form will be e-mailed to UCAS by the college.
If you have not been in education for some time and therefore applying as an individual, it will be your own responsibility to forward your application to a suitable referee for completion. In this case the referee will not be required to check your form, so it is even more important to ensure everything is completed accurately.
An administration fee is payable with the form (currently 15 pounds, or 5 pounds if you are only applying for one course). Colleges have their own method of sending payments - usually collecting the money from applicants and sending payments in bulk - check the procedure with the college. If you are applying as an individual you will need to make the payment on-line using a debit / credit card.
Help and advice
If you need any help or advice on the application process or completing your form, please contact the Higher Futures adviser in your nearest college or university.
Contact your Higher Futures adviser >