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Applying to university might seem like a scary process and the thought of deciding your future career might feel overwhelming.
The degree that you choose to study at university will set you up for success in your dream career. Many professions require university-level education, especially for more specialised and higher-paying roles.
You may have already chosen which course you’d like to apply for or you might still be deciding. Either way, if you have already decided that university is for you, there are a few important steps that you will need to take.
To make the university application process as simple as possible for you, here are some simple steps for you to follow.
Attend Open Days
Each year, universities across the country host multiple open days where prospective students can view their campus and learn more about the courses that they offer.
Head online and check on which upcoming dates uni open days for 2022 entry are being held. Most universities enable you to register your place with an easy online form.
Once you have registered, you will be sent some information about the open day. Each university operates slightly differently but, generally, you can expect lecturers, past students, and current students to be present at the open day.
You can ask about the different courses that are offered and what the entry requirements are for each one. You can also get a feel for the campus and learn more about its student life.
Photo by Logan Isbell on Unsplash
Decide On a Course
Once you’ve attended a few open days at different universities, you might have chosen your favourite. From here, you should take a look at the courses that are offered and narrow your choice down to just one or two.
If you’re applying to university through UCAS, you have the option to apply for multiple courses at one university if you wish. However, most people choose one course and apply to multiple universities that offer this course.
You might want to study business, biochemistry, law, or language. Consider the future career that you want to enter and your interests and passions when finalising your course choice.
You must also think about the entry requirements of each course. Some courses require 3 As at A level, whereas others might require a mixture of As and Bs.
With most courses, you will need specific pre-requisites that are relevant to the course itself. For example, if you want to study biochemistry, you’ll need to have studied biology and chemistry A levels.
Start Applying
When you’re confident about which course you want to study and which universities you want to attend, you will need to submit your application through UCAS. Usually, the application deadline is between October and January, depending on the course.
Completion of the UCAS form will involve entering your personal details and course choices, ordered from most preferred to least preferred. You will also need to pay a small fee to submit your application.
It’s an easy process and once you’re done, it’s a waiting game. Expect to hear back from each university by March or April.