The UCAS University and College Admissions Service is a UK-based organization whose main role is to manage the application process for UK universities. Founded in 1992 following the merger of the former UCCA university admissions system and the former polytechnic admissions system, PCAS. Find out more about UCAS in this article..
What services are offered on the UCAS platform?
The services provided by UCAS include several online application portals, several search tools, as well as free information and advice aimed at different audiences, including students in higher education, students waiting to apply to higher education institutes in England, parents and legal guardians of applicants, schools and others. School staff responsible for helping students apply, and higher education institutions (universities and colleges).
While UCAS is best known for its undergraduate applications service (the main UCAS system), it also operates a number of other admissions services:
- Service d’admission des Conservatoires du Royaume-Uni (CUKAS) – pour les arts du spectacle dans un conservatoire du Royaume-Uni
- UCAS Teacher Training (UTT) – pour les formations postuniversitaires
- Application de statistiques et services statistiques britanniques (UKPASS) Рpour certains cours de troisi̬me cycle
- UCAS Progress – pour l’éducation et la formation après 16 ans
Déroulement de l’inscription UCAS
To apply to a university in England, students must submit a single application via the >UCAS online application service.
The application itself requires the student to register for the service. He or she must enter personal data, writing a personal statement and choosing up to five schools to register with, in no particular order of preference.
They must then pay an application fee and obtain a reference before submitting their online application by the deadline. The application is then forwarded by UCAS to the universities and colleges to which the student has applied. The institutions then decide whether or not to grant the student a place.
UCAS results: instructions for use
English >universities offer students either a definite place or a conditional place, where the student will gain admission, subject to performance. In certain circumstances, the University may withdraw the application prior to interviews, although this usually only occurs through action on the part of the applicant (e.g., failing to respond to emails on time).
For applications to UK universities, entry requirements for individual courses may be based on examination or diploma grades (e.g. an IB International Baccalaureate Diploma grade of 43/45 or a music diploma) or UCAS points (e.g. 300 UCAS points from 3 A levels or an IB score equal to 676 UCAS points).
To convert individual grades or specific qualification grades into UCAS points, UCAS has created rate tables showing indexes and ratios of UCAS points and qualification results. For example, an A* at A level is worth 56 UCAS points, an A 48, a B 40, and so on. For the IB, a score of 45 is equivalent to 720 UCAS points, a score of 40 to 611 points, a score of 35 to 501, etc.
Where is UCAS located?
UCAS is based near Marle Hill in Cheltenham, close to Cheltenham Racecourse and a park and ride. It is located just inside the parish of Prestbury, Gloucestershire.
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