Applying to University

Please read the guidelines below outlining the application process for Higher Education. The guidelines will hopefully steer you through the UCAS process and will outline the deadlines set by UCAS and Garth Hill.

1. Applications for full time undergraduates are made electronically through UCAS Students can apply for up to five courses, although applications for medicine and veterinary medicine are limited to four. Individual universities will not see the student`s other choices.

2. Students will need to register with UCAS to begin their application. Students have been issued with a password to initially register on the UCAS system. Students should register by the given deadline. They will be asked to give their own username and password which they will use each time they log on to UCAS.

3. Students complete their application electronically on the UCAS website.

4. The sections are self explanatory and easy to follow i.e. personal details (address, telephone number) UCAS will allocate a unique UCAS number which must be quoted with any communications with UCAS.

5. Students will need their unique learner number which is available from Mrs Burge (t-burge@garthhillcollege.com). 

6. You will need the university (institution) codes as well as the course codes. You will find the codes in the university prospectus which are available online as well as hard copies which are available in the student common room.

7. Students should ask subject tutors or heads of department for internal subject references. They can ask for more than one subject reference if they choose. The internal reference form should be given to the relevant tutor/ head of department for completion. Internal references should be completed by the beginning of the Autumn Term in September.

8. Students will be given predicted grades in September following the AS results. They must declare all examinations taken (GCSE, AS , A level) including dates

9. A personal statement must be written in support of the application. Students have received personal statement packs outlining how to write a personal statement. The first draft of this statement should be completed by the beginning of the Autumn Term in September. This must be checked for approval by the Head of Sixth Form before it is included in the final application.

10. Applications for Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry must reach UCAS by the given deadline. Therefore personal statements must be approved by the Head of Sixth Form in plenty of time.

11. All other applications must reach UCAS by the January deadline. However we would strongly advise against such late applications. Competition for university places are fierce and popular courses will be allocated quickly. To avoid disappointment applications should be sent to UCAS by the given deadline. Any applications received late will not be considered.

12. You will find a copy of the UCAS `writing the personal statement` available for download in the VI Form section of the school website.

Mr Swan

Head of Sixth Form