"Applying to universities in the UK" Topic

Is there anyone here who can help me understand the UK process for applying to university?

My daughter wants to apply to schools in the UK.

Here is our specific question:

The UCAS application allows you 5 applications, 4 for medicine, due October 15. If she were to apply and NOT get in could she apply again, to 5 different programs, just not medicine?

TIA

You'd best ask UCAS that question and bear in mind that Scotland has a separate educational system to the rest of the UK.

If you don't get in UCAS will send the application through clearing to other Unis but for the better courses if you don't get in that's it. Try again next year.

To confirm above you make the application at one point in time. If you were to apply for medicine at your first choice uni and then say biology at your second choice I'd suggest that it's very possible she wouldn't get an offer at all. Universities need to see a commitment to the subject not a get in at all costs approach… if she didn't get in to any of her four choices then at the clearing stage she might decide to take a different path and accept an offer for a different subject.

So the application is made, say for four unis to study medicine. If she is very highly intelligent (to an exceptional level) she may be made an unconditional offer (this certainly used to happen). However, what is normal is that an offer will be made dependant on the exam grades being good enough. I expect for medicine in UK she will need straight As as all the other applicants will have them. Again some places offer the students exam grades that they would get easily. One chap I knew was offered EEE to get into Cambridge but he was beyond exceptional and they wanted him so badly. Of course he got in and did brilliantly.

In her favour is that she will be rated as a foreign student and universities generally set aside places as the fees paid by foreign students are higher.

Cambridge University does it's pre-selection by computer – they constantly update the model but they can define the qualities they are looking for. I'm not sure about other universities but for Oxbridge an interview is part of the process but I imagine they can do this remotely these days.

Apply for medicine to five Universities- if unsuccessful you go to "clearing" where all suitable course get filled so if then looking for something other than medicine you can still get in there. Note medicine courses applications have to be in earlier I believe than other courses.

My daughter applied for medicine but didn't get in and did a year of Medical Science, reapplied the following year and got a medical place.

As noted above, it is probably best to contact UCAS directly with questions as she is an overseas applicant.

Agree to asking UCAS directly

Also there is the Atlantic Bridge for Irish med schools

link

I did a lot of work with our local med school and UK/Irish applicants – love to chat if that helps

Thanks everybody. I will definitely follow up with UCAS direct.

We are applying via Atlantic Bridge as well.

Or you could just ask Felicity Huffman and/or Lori Loughlin.

Be nice von Schwartz…

I assume that they take bribes like our major universities do. You don't even have to donate enough to build a new building any more.

That WAS my nice!

That was as good as it gets.