Applying to University


Progressing from college to university is a very exciting time. Make sure you check through our frequently asked questions to help your transition go smoothly.

1) You should be making your application for Student Finance if necessary and completing the appropriate forms.
2) You should also ensure you check your emails for communication from the universities you have applied to. They will send you key information on applying for accommodation, enrolment and how to contact them if you have any questions.
3) You should also ensure you pick your Firm and Insurance choices on UCAS Track. See below for more information on this.

You should be making your application for Student Finance at www.gov.uk/apply-online-for-student-finance if necessary and completing the appropriate forms. You should also ensure you check your emails for communication from the universities you have applied to. They will send you key information on applying for accommodation, enrolment and how to contact them if you have any questions. You should also ensure you pick your Firm and Insurance choices on UCAS Track. See below for more information on this.

Once you have received all of you offers back on UCAS Track, you should reply and make your Firm and Insurance choices. Remember – your Firm choice is your first choice of course. If the grades you receive in August match or exceed the entry requirements, that course is what you will do!

Your insurance choice is like a backup. You should choose a course with lower entry requirements don’t get the grades for your first choice.

It is not too late to make an application to go to University this September, however, you should be aware that some courses may have filled up and may not have places available. You should check with the universities you are interested in applying to see if they have places available still.

In order for them to support you, you should let your Progress Tutor know as soon as possible that you would like to apply. They will be able to send you guidance on completing the application and talk you through what you need to do next.

Hopefully, you will not need to use Clearing, however, it is there for any students who do not meet the entry requirements for their Firm and Insurances choices or students who are applying late to university. There is a lot of information on Clearing on the UCAS website, however, you Progress Tutor will be delivering a session on Clearing after Easter.

At this time of year, you Progress Tutor will be supporting you in researching courses and institutions and starting the UCAS application process. They will be delivering sessions up to the summer on Progression routes and preparing for applications. They will also send you full supporting guidance to support you in completing your UCAS form.

There are also some great resources online to support you in researching courses and institutions. Here are a couple to get you started;
whatuni.com

prospects.ac.uk

thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

If you are in the first year of a Level 3 programme, you will be able to start your application for university through UCAS from the end of May. Your Progress Tutor will be sending you all the information you need to create a UCAS account and fill out the application and will be delivering sessions around progression after Easter. You will also be sent information you can use to start planning your personal statement. If you haven’t received this yet, or have any questions, let your Progress Tutor know and they will be in touch.

Along with the support on offer through your Progress Tutor and the college’s Guidance Team, a number of universities are also holding different webinars you can participate in online. Check individual university websites to see what they have on offer or take a look at some of the virtual events which will be advertised by your Progress Tutor.

There is lots you can be doing right now! You can book a telephone Guidance appointment with our guidance team by emailing guidance@southport.ac.uk or through speaking with your Progress Tutor.

There are also a number of online sessions you can access to get yourself ready for applications. These include sessions sent to you by Progress as well as online resources through the National Apprenticeship Service - apprenticeships.gov.uk. You can also register your CV with the College’s apprenticeship team by emailing it to employer@southport.ac.uk

Firstly, you should let your Progress Tutor know that this is something you are considering as soon as possible. The deadline for applications to Oxford and Cambridge are made earlier than applications to most other universities and so you will need to work hard on preparing your application over the summer.