UCAS University Application Information
UCAS University Application Information 
The following information and weblinks should help with understanding the UCAS online university application process and the school timeline for this.
At Trinity, tasks are issued, and all information is communicated with students via Microsoft TEAMS.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they monitor their S6 PSE Team and for ensuring they meet the deadlines set. Your support with encouraging this would be appreciated.
The application process starts during the Summer break, when students are issued with a research task to help guide them through starting to research the myriad of course and institution options available to them. They are also issued with a series of Powerpoint based guides via TEAMS; which take them step-by-step through the application process, what this entails and other things they may wish to consider. This includes researching courses and institutions. There is also a separate guide focused entirely on writing a strong personal statement.
Students have the support of their PSL during weekly tutor time class throughout this process and would do well to use this time to seek advice and feedback from them.
Please contact your young person’s PSL if you have any queries.
USEFUL LINKS
POWERPOINT OVERVIEW OF SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS (with audio):
University and Colleges Admissions Service Website (UCAS)
GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND CARERS
Your first stop as a parent or carer. An excellent and thorough (copyrighted) guide to the entire process right up to day one on campus, with advice for parents / carers, and written by an Edinburgh parent:
https://www.jamesgillespies.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/uni-guide-parent-June-22.pdf
STARTING POINTS FOR INFORMATION ON SOME OF THE TRICKIER APPLICATIONS:
Medicine
https://www.ed.ac.uk/medicine-vet-medicine/edinburgh-medical-school/medicine/applying
Vet Medicine
Oxford and Cambridge
https://www.clydesideproject.org/ (Mentoring of applicants)
Conservatoire (Music and Performing Arts)
SUPPORT TO GET THERE:
LEAPS (Lothian Equal Access Programme for Schools).
Extra support with application including 1:1 interview. LEAPS contact partner universities on behalf of students which may result in a contextualised offer if eligible. Eligibility is inclusion based and to be so students need meet only ONE of the criteria; which includes family financial situation, being care experienced, being from the 1st generation to attend higher education in the family and students can also be eligible simply according to postcode. Check eligibility and find out more here:
Care experienced students
Government Bursary https://www.saas.gov.uk/full-time/support-for-care-experienced-students
Support and advice https://propel.org.uk/UK/
FUNDING & COURSE FEES
Course fees and student living costs loans are two separate costs. Course fees are not means tested and, if granted, do not need to be paid back but student living loans are and the loan amount does require payment (but in small amounts over time at very low interest). See here for detailed information: https://www.saas.gov.uk/guides/guide-to-undergraduate-funding
NO OFFERS? THE CLEARING SYSTEM CAN HELP:
https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/results-confirmation-and-clearing/what-clearing
GOT THE GRADES BUT DON’T FANCY UNI?
Graduate Apprenticeships
https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/what-we-do/apprenticeships/graduate-apprenticeships/