Students

Preparing for University

Preparing for university

There are lots of things to consider when getting ready to go to University. Here is a timeline of all the things you should be doing in the lead up; from 18 months before, until the very day you leave.

Research Universities Apply through UCAS Add further choices Choose Arrange student loan Arrange Accommodation Get Ready Attend University Receive Offers Results Clearing

The preparation path for attending University

  • May - September: Research Universities
    • Use Eluceo to see what universities are out there, look at university websites and order university prospectuses.
    • Attend a few open days.
  • September - January: Apply through UCAS
    • UCAS Deadlines:
      • 15th October: Oxbridge, Medicine, Ventinary & Dental Science.
      • 15th January: Most university courses.
      • 14th March: Some Art & Design courses.
  • January - March: Receiving your offers
    • If you don't get any offers, don't worry; you can add further choices through UCAS Extra.
    • If you are lucky enough to receive lots of offers you can move on to ...
  • March - May: Making a choice
    • If you are still not sure about where you want to study do a bit more research into your universities, understand what you want from your three years and attend visit days.
    • Depending on when you received your offer, you have to apply by a specific date:
      • 31st March: reply by 4th May,
      • 5th May: reply by 8th June,
      • 8th June: reply by 23rd June.
  • May/June: Sorting out your student loan
    • This should be done as soon as possible - you do not even know where you will be studying to sort this out - but, depending on the country you live in, the deadline is in either May or June.
  • June - July: Apply for Accomodation
    • Depending on the university, the deadline dates vary; however once you have decided where you want to go its best to get your application in early.
  • August: Results!!
    • If they are better than expected, then you can apply for a better university through UCAS adjustment.
    • If they are worse than expected, then you can apply for a university through Clearing.
  • August/September: Getting ready
    • Apply for a student bank account.
    • Pack and buy anything that you might be missing.
    • Sort of all those bits and bobs, such as contents insurance, train/plane tickets, register with your university, etc.

CONGRATULATIONS!!
You've made it to university.
Good Luck and enjoy it.