What should final-year students be doing in January? A guide for UK admissions

Ucas forms for applications to UK universities need to be submitted by the end of January. But although the deadline to apply for most courses in the UK is 31 January, schools might have different internal deadlines.

The importance of internal deadlines at each school cannot be overstated – and students need to be reminded of these.

A student must ensure that they have filled in accurately all the required information on their Ucas application by this deadline. They should double-check (and triple-check) their personal statement, making sure that it reflects their achievements, interests and reasons for applying for their chosen course.

Remind students that they can apply to a maximum of five universities through Ucas – and that anyone applying to more than one UK university should always submit all applications through Ucas.

For UK applications – unlike those for the US – students submit a one-size-fits-all personal statement to all five universities to which they are applying. So it makes sense that the programmes students consider in the UK are all within the same area of knowledge. Don’t forget that you, as their counsellor, must hit “submit” as well, in order for a student’s application to be sent to Ucas.

Before the Ucas deadline (in advance of 31 January 2024)

1. Predicted grades: Confirm that predicted grades have been submitted to Ucas. These grades are crucial for university offers. At St. Paul’s School, we share predicted grades with all students.

2. Check course requirements: Help students to verify that they meet the specific entry requirements for each course they’re applying to. These include academic qualifications, predicted grades, specific entrance exams such as LNAT, BMAT, UCAT and Oxbridge exams (if applicable), and any additional requirements set by the universities.

UK universities are very clear about the minimum entry requirements needed for each course. It is likely that, if a student applies to a course with predicted grades below the stipulated requirement, their application will be rejected on arrival.

For instance, a popular university in London requires the following from IB students applying to their business management BSc programme:

International Baccalaureate: 35 points, including 766 at higher level.

Must include grade 6 in a higher-level humanities or social-science subject (excluding modern languages).

3. Supporting documents: Ensure that any supporting documents or additional information requested by specific universities are submitted with the application.

After submitting a Ucas application

1. Track the application: A student can use the Ucas Track system to monitor the progress of their application. They can see when the application has been received by universities and if they’ve received any offers.

2. Responding to offers: Once a student starts receiving offers, they should consider them carefully. They will need to choose a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice in mid-June. Remind them to respond to their offers by the specified deadlines.

3. Prepare for interviews or auditions: If a student’s chosen course requires interviews, auditions or additional assessments, they need to start preparing for them. Help them to familiarise themselves with common interview questions and to practise with teachers, friends and family.

4. Financial planning: Students should research and apply for any scholarships or financial-aid opportunities. They will need to start budgeting for tuition, accommodation and living expenses.

5. Attend open days: Advise students to go along to university open days or virtual events to get a better sense of the campus, facilities and atmosphere. This can help them to make informed decisions when choosing their firm and insurance choices.

6. Stay informed: Students should keep an eye on their emails and on Ucas Track for any communication from universities. Universities may request additional information or provide updates on the application.

Post-application (after Ucas deadline)

1. Ucas Extra and Clearing: Students should familiarise themselves with the Ucas Extra and Clearing processes, just in case they need them. These processes will allow them to apply for additional courses or to find alternatives if they don’t meet the conditions of their offers.

2. Prepare for exams: UK university offers of admission tend to be conditional on International Baccalaureate or A-level students obtaining minimum entry requirements when they sit official exams in May and June. In January, many schools around the world hold mock exams for students.

Here are reasons why mock exams are important:

• Identifying weaknesses: mock exams provide students with an opportunity to assess their current levels of understanding and identify any weak areas in their knowledge. Recognising these weaknesses early on allows students to address them before the actual exams in May, helping them to strengthen their overall performance.
• Time management practice: time management is a key skill in any exam setting. Mock exams allow students to practise allocating their time effectively across different sections, ensuring that they are able to complete the entire exam within the relevant time frame. This is particularly important in the IB exams, where students often have multiple subjects to cover in a short period.
• Familiarity with exam conditions: mock exams simulate actual exam conditions, giving students a feel for the environment, time constraints and pressure associated with exams. Becoming familiar with these conditions in advance can help reduce anxiety and increase students’ confidence when they sit the real exams.
• Testing exam strategies: mock exams provide an opportunity to test different exam strategies and approaches. Students can experiment with different ways of tackling questions, managing their time and organising their answers. This experimentation can help them to determine the strategies that work most effectively for them.
• Setting realistic expectations: mock exams give students a realistic preview of what to expect in the actual exams. This can be particularly important in managing expectations and mental preparation. Knowing what lies ahead helps students to mentally brace themselves for the challenges, contributing to a more positive and focused mindset.
• Feedback and improvement: after completing mock exams, students can review their performance and seek feedback from teachers or peers. This feedback is invaluable in understanding what they did well, where they went wrong and how they can improve. They can then use this information to refine their study strategies and to focus on areas that need more attention.
• Motivation and accountability: mock exams serve as a motivator, as they signify a concrete step towards the final exams. The fact that students’ university admissions are contingent on their exam results provides an extra layer of accountability, encouraging them to take the mock exams seriously and put in their best efforts.