All you need to know about UCAS, the tariff points versus grades systems and key dates for applying to go to uni in 2015…
UCAS is the body responsible for managing students’ applications to higher education courses in the UK. They process over two million applications for full time, undergraduate courses every year.
Tariff points
When you look at a university prospectus you’ll see a column called ‘Entry Requirements’ for each course. The UCAS system converts your post-16 qualifications, whether they’re A-levels, a BTEC an HND etc., into points, by way of a tariff system. It is a way of unifying all the different qualifications so that universities can more easily make comparisons between students who have achieved the same standards required at entry level, but by different means.
Universities will ask for specific entry requirements for each different degree course they offer. For example, they may require two As and a B for a biology degree or perhaps 280-320 UCAS tariff points for another course.
Not all qualifications attract UCAS tariff points for various reasons and not all universities use the UCAS tariff system – two thirds of unis prefer to make offers in terms of qualifications or by using the standard ABC A-level grading system and the uni you’re interested in may accept alternative qualifications as an appropriate entry route, even if those qualifications don’t equate to UCAS tariff points.
UCAS key dates 2015
15th January 2015 – You should make sure your reference is complete before you apply. Your application should arrive at UCAS by 18:00 UK time (some art and design courses have a later deadline – check course details to confirm).
25th February 2015 – UCAS Extra begins, which allows you to make a sixth choice.
24th March 2015 – If you are applying for some art and design courses, your application should arrive at UCAS by 18:00 UK time. Your reference must be complete before you apply.
6th May 2015 – If you have received all your uni/college decisions by 31st March you must reply to any offers (other than Extra) by this date or they will be declined.
7th May 2015 – If you applied by the January deadline and you’re still waiting to hear, unis will decide whether they’re making an offer by this date.
4th June 2015 – If you receive all your uni or college decisions by the 7th May you must reply to any offers by this date (excluding Extra) or they’ll be declined.
25th June 2015 – If you have received all your uni/college decisions by 4th June you must reply to any offers by this date (excluding Extra) or they’ll be declined.
30th June 2015 – Last opportunity before entering Clearing – You need to send your application to UCAS by 18:00 UK time and they will send it to your chosen unis and colleges.
For more information go to: www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate