An intro to UK and UCAS

So, UK universities applications, where do I begin?

First off, UK application is not as hard as it looks. Because Malaysia is previously a colony of the British Empire, their application process actually considers our Malaysian major examinations, for example, SPM and STPM (Malaysian Higher Education Certificate). Before we begin, I assume that you have done adequate research on UK universities as well as their majors. I will be mostly covering for those who are in the same boat as me. For research, I used this book:

I mainly use this book to research about Cambridge colleges
but a lot of information on other universities are here too.

To start - we must first be introduced to UCAS - the web portal for UK universities education.

UCAS

There's a pretty short video in UCAS that shows you all the steps in applying for universities which I found useful including tips on writing the personal statement, obtaining a reference and on how to fill in the application form. When you are filling each section of the form, there will be a short video detailing on how to fill it in correctly. The forms must be submitted before mid-January for most of the students and mid-September for those applying to Oxford/Cambridge asking to be interviewed in Malaysia (which I will elaborate further in my future blog posts).

The UCAS application form does not post any major problems and is quite easy to fill in. However, I encourage students to use the Mabecs's counseling service. Mabecs is an organisation that is keen on helping students to further their study in the UK. What Mabecs will do is this: Before sending off your application to UCAS, they will scrutinize and inspect your application for mistakes, for FREE. So do contact Mabecs and ask for their service. When you fill up the form, you will have to select Mabecs as a centre and nominate Mabecs as an agent in the nominated access section. It's as easy as that. If any problems arise with your application, Mabecs consultants have the power to return your application to you for corrections and acts as your ultimate failsafe.

No application is complete without a reference. The referee can be a teacher or your counselor/mentor that is assigned to you. You will have to notify them early to write the reference. Most of the pre-university preparatory colleges in Malaysia have the support system for the lecturers to do this, but for the sixth-formers in public schools, there is none. The students in public schools will have to be the lone-ranger and do everything themselves, including telling the teacher what is expected of a good reference (or plain writing for them).

It is I - The Lone Ranger

Besides, the last weapon that you need is the personal statement, probably one of the most important essays you will write in your life. It is an essay that you are writing to the admission university on your strengths, your passions and your reasons for studying at that college/university (to be elaborated further). 

In my own experience, I had trouble paying the application fee to UCAS which is £23 and was barred from submitting my application (almost nearing the Cambridge submission deadlines - don't do that folks). I ended up having to contact UCAS through Facebook as they don't have email. This deserves a mention because this is the first time that I have to do something serious and important on Facebook.

To explain to your curious aunties and insatiable uncles, I've put together quite a neat analogy:

UCAS - The portal to enter the world of UK universities.

Personal Statement - Your only weapon, your gun, your killing machine.

Reference - Your hat, making you more presentable, another essential item.

IELTS, examination results and other stuff - Your trusty steed, Shadow, which will bring your closer to your dreams.

Mabecs - Tonto, your sidekick.

With this analogy in mind, I hope that I can clear some doubt about the UK applications. Farewell, Lone Ranger!

TIPS

1. When filling in the forms, be sure to ask/Google for any doubts and always double check, it is better to be cautious than to make irreversible mistakes.

2. When submitting the application for payment, be sure to use a computer with good internet connection (wouldn't want it to disconnect halfway) at a place with good cellphone signal. Chances are, you will need to submit an OTP (one-time password) sent to your phone for the transaction. Failing to pay will result in you being barred and having to contact UCAS.

3. Remember my analogy and the UK application is easily demystified.

Do you still have doubts about UK universities applications? Do you think its too technical? Would you like a more intuitive approach? (i.e. in 'simple' English?) Please leave your comments.