Applying to university
Deadlines | UCAS registration | Information evening | Useful links
UCAS is the centralised service provider for all students applying for UK universities (with the exception of students applying to art colleges to do a foundation year).
Students will apply with support from their sixth form mentors and Mrs Linton.
This year students have the added benefit of using the Unifrog platform. The online service allows them to search for universities and courses, make shortlists and provides guidance on the writing of personal statements, as well as providing support for higher level apprenticeship applications.
In terms 1 and 2 of Year 13, students receive guidance through the mentoring system and the sixth form office to search for suitable universities and complete personal statements using the above platforms
Open days
Students will require support from home to research suitable locations, types of universities and suitable courses. This has been made harder this year due to the current restrictions in place, there are very few universities holding open days on campus’. This link will provide up to date information about open days and virtual open days. However, due to the recent introduction of this process it is advisable to check university websites too.
Virtual fairs and exhibitions
Please sign up, these are invaluable online experiences:
- 23 September 2020: Applying for Oxford Cambridge,
- 30 September 2020: Applying for Russell Group,
- 7 October 2020: Meet the Russell Group Virtual Fair,
- 4 November 2020: UK University and Apprenticeship Search London/South East Virtual Fair
UCAS directory of university virtual open days
In order to process all students with a well-crafted application, students must stick to the timescales, ensuring they have thoroughly researched the universities and courses of their choice before starting the UCAS application process.
Year 13 - Term 1
- Completing entry tests for Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine and Veterinary
- Completing personal statements with sixth form mentors
- Receiving UCAS grades: 5 October 2020
- Completing UCAS online application
- Visiting open days, virtual open days and virtual university fairs
- Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine and Veterinary: 15 October 2020
Year 13 - Term 2
- Arranging UCAS meetings with sixth form office
- Deadline for UCAS applications: 11 December 2020
Year 13 - Term 3
- Attending applicant open days, if available
- Applying for student finance
IBCP students must search entry requirements based on their vocational qualification - see Mrs Linton for further help
- You must register with UCAS to start your application.
- Go to: https://www.ucas.com/students
- Registrations open for 2021 applications on 19 May 2020
- Students must use the buzzword danecourt2021
- Payment via debit card
- Fee of £20 for one university
- Fee of £26 for more than one university
Information evening presentations
The following documents have been produced by Dane Court to help you with decisions beyond sixth form:
- HE presentation 2019 pdf version of original PowerPoint (updated May 2020)
- HE Finance Presentation 2019 Entry pdf version of original PowerPoint (updated June 2019)
- Mentor Time: Applying to University 2021
The Direct.gov website contains comprehensive information for students wanting to apply to higher education institutions.
The following pages are of particular interest:
- University and higher education index page
- Student finance
The Guardian maintains a useful guide to higher education:
The Scholarship Hub is a comprehensive database of scholarships grants and bursaries that are available to UK undergraduates. You can search for alternative funding for your degree by subject, institution, and a wide range of eligibility criteria. Note that many can be used at any university so it is worth searching under "No specific university" as well as any specific universities you are interested in.
Which? University is a free-to-use, independent source of information and advice to help you find the right degree course and university - featuring a simple-to-use search tool that lets you filter course results on the things that matter most to you, real-life student insights from nearly 300 UK universities and colleges, plus expert advice on everything from applications to student finance.