UCAS stands for Universities and Colleges Admissions Service and is the service used to apply to higher education in the UK. UCAS is similar to the CAO system here in the Republic of Ireland and it manages all of the applications for full-time undergraduate courses for universities and colleges all across the UK.

Searching for courses

Currently, students can search Ulster University courses in our CourseFinder.  Students can then also use the UCAS website to search for courses and institutions in which they may be interested and then compare entry requirements, course content, assessment procedures etc.

The UCAS website can also be used to explore what the different colleges have to offer and it also has a range of information to help with your decision including an information area for parents.

Students should then contact the particular institution to enquire about Irish Leaving Certificate entry requirements, fees and any other requirements such as aptitude testing.

Keep an eye out for any College Open Days, amny of these are now accessible online, or alternatively, find out if they will be at Higher Options in Dublin for example.

Note: The application process for applying to UK courses through UCAS starts earlier than in the Republic of Ireland so interested students should begin researching prospective courses earlier to ensure enough time is given.

Another online platform where you can search for courses is the British Council website. The site also has general information about living in the UK including accommodation and working while studying.

To further help you decide on what course(s) to apply to, you can compare different courses and universities based on student satisfaction with regards to teaching, student supports, assessment and feedback etc. See: https://unistats.ac.uk/

Applying through UCAS

Applications for study in the UK are made online on www.UCAS.com. There are some key dates to remember, depending on what and where you want to study in the UK:

• 15 October 2021 for 2022 entry to any course at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, or for most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry. Note: Applicants can only apply to Oxford or to Cambridge, but not to both.
• 26 January 2022 for 2022 entry to the majority of courses in the UK.

While UCAS is similar to the CAO, the application process contains some key differences.  Students can apply for up to five courses in a normal UCAS application.

Although you applying through UCAS, universities judge applicants based on more than just exam results. The UCAS application also involves:

• Personal Statement
• Academic Reference (providing information in relation to expected grades, Work Experience etc)
• Some courses require additional assessment(s) for admission e.g. an aptitude test or an interview, or for medical students, tests such as UKCAT, BMAT or HPAT UK.

The Personal Statement is an essay style exercise of about 4,000 characters (approx. 1.25 A4 pages). It is an opportunity for students to state why they feel they should be offered a place on the courses they have applied for.  The Personal Statement typically addresses:

• Why you want to study in this particular area
• Evidence of skills you have developed
• Details of your interests and achievements to date
• Relevant work experience you may have completed

UCAS gives some advice for writing a personal statement here.

Most UK colleges also require an academic reference. This is usually supplied by your Guidance Counsellor or your school principal.  It is an opportunity for your school to vouch for your participation and achievements both in education and non-academic activities to date and on your suitability for higher education in the environment you have chosen. See more information about academic references here.

Converting Leaving Certificate points to UCAS Tariffs

UCAS tariffs system is a points system used for entry to higher education in the UK.

UCAS Tariff points (Source: UCAS)

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland)

Leaving Certificate - Ordinary Level (Ireland)

Most UK Universities require six Irish Leaving Cert grades at Higher Level as an alternative to three UK GCE A levels. However, you need to contact each individual university you want to apply to to ask about their specific requirements for Irish applicants.

Late applications - UCAS Clearing

UCAS Clearing is the UK equivalent of the CAO Available Places. UCAS clearing is available from July-September each year.

In the UCAS Clearing process, colleges may accept lower grades than listed during the clearing process so it is advisable to contact admissions.  However, you will still need to submit the UCAS application form, personal statement and academic reference.

You will receive a “clearing” number and you can enter the details of your chosen course into the clearing section of the UCAS application.

The tuition fees and costs of living vary significantly across the UK.

These are the maximum tuition fees for Republic of Ireland undergraduate students in the UK:

Northern Ireland: up to £4,395 per year

England, Wales & Scotland: up to £9,250 per year

See UCAS for more information about the maximum tuition fees in the UK at present by clicking here.

Students who are eligible for SUSI can apply for the Maintenance element of their grant funding but SUSI will not cover the Fees.  There is also a very useful Student Loan system available which covers students' fees, with repayment delayed until the student is in employment and earning above a set amount. 

Tuition fees are not the only expense when studying in the UK - accommodation and living costs also need to be considered. The cost of living for a student studying in the UK can vary significantly depending on the area.  On-Campus accommodation in Northern Ireland is typically between £110-£130stg per week with off-campus rates being approximately half of this in centres such as Belfast, Derry and Coleraine.

Every student's situation is different however, and you should calculate your own budget based on your personal circumstances. You can find a useful budget calculator on the UCAS website.

Depending on your income you may be eligible for a maintenance grant under the Irish Student Grants Scheme (SUSI), but this may not include tuition fees. Check your eligibility on SUSI by clicking here.

See the following links for information about other UK student finance options:

• Northern Ireland
• England
  
• Scotland
  
• Wales
  

A student loans system may be available to students from the Republic of Ireland however Brexit may have changed the rules for Irish and EU students so check with the relevant institution.

Scholarships

There are some scholarships which focus specifically on supporting students from the Republic of Ireland, who want to study in Northern Ireland:

• The All Ireland Scholarship Scheme, funded by JP McManus, provides significant financial support to high achieving students from challenging economic backgrounds.
  
• The North South Scholarships, from Universities Ireland, offers financial support to students from the Republic to undertaking postgraduate studies in Northern Ireland.
  

Other websites with information about scholarships and bursaries are:

• The European Funding Guide 
  
• The International Education Financial Aid (IEFA) - a comprehensive list of grants, scholarships, loan programmes and other information that may be helpful to students interested in studying abroad.

Working while you Study in the UK

You may also be able to work while you study to support yourself financially. Make sure to check the current rules and regulations, and if you are in receipt of scholarships and funding, you may need to check if there are any stipulations from the funders in relation to work.

Information about visas, working and related regulations is available at the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).