Applying to a Uni but not via UCAS

I applied through UCAS this year, but i am also considering applying to other unis but not through ucas. Can any one tell me if this is possible? i.e. if they reply and give me a conditional offer can i just go there instead?

Reply 1

Knogle

From what I've read, this is technically possible, but it occurs extremely rarely (or at least isn't spoken about).

Which course are you looking at? And which universities?

Reply 2

Tarts_n_Vicars

I don't think they'd appreciate you applying just because you want to apply to some other unis...most people who do it do so because they have a specific reason to want to go to that uni or course - most people only try it with one uni not several!

Reply 3

Spunky

Tarts_n_Vicars

Though if he did it completely outside of the UCAS system then any universities applied to in this way wouldn't know about other universities applied to in the same manner :smile:

, or indeed those applied to through UCAS.

Though it will be undoubtedly harder to get an offer that way.

Reply 4

c0co

I only applied to Trinity College Dublin outside UCAS...don't think it makes much difference! You put ur firm/insurance down as normal and if in the end you decide to choose a uni outside UCAS u just have to notify ur firm choice uni!

Reply 5

galactic_star

is it legal not going thru UCAS, ? :confused:

Reply 6

Spunky

galactic_star

is it legal not going thru UCAS, ? :confused:

I've never heard of anyone being arrested for it :p:

Reply 7

Spunky

Technically all applications for UK undergraduate full time degree courses must go through UCAS.

To not go through UCAS a course must be either part time or not a degree (eg nursing diplomas go through NMAS and often foundation degrees/HND/HNCs can be applied to direct).

I'd be a bit wary of the validity of a degree course if they're offering full time applications not through UCAS....it's likely that it isn't a "real" degree...

Though a few people slip through the net, don't they :smile:

? I know a couple who have done like one at Warwick doing the MMORSE thing which is a proper (and extremely competitive) course who got on without doing the UCAS thing.

Reply 8

asar

We got a University of St Andrew's Application Form here in Mexico, and it clearly specified that that form, and not UCAS, should be used if St Andrew's were the only UK university we wished to apply to.

Reply 9

Tarts_n_Vicars

Casey

Though if he did it completely outside of the UCAS system then any universities applied to in this way wouldn't know about other universities applied to in the same manner :smile:

, or indeed those applied to through UCAS.

Though it will be undoubtedly harder to get an offer that way.

I meant he'd have to come up with a really good reason why all of a sudden the choices he'd made via UCAS weren't for him....other than "I just fancied applying to another uni". :biggrin:

Reply 10

digitalparadox

My friend took a gap year and decided to email the tutor at newcastle because he wanted to study philosophy. He emailed twice and no answer and because he was so desparate to go there, he emailed every week for 5 weeks until he got a reply: "You are obviously keen to attend this course, and after looking at your personal statement and taking into consideration your grades, I am willing to give you an unconditional offer" and that was that. So shows it can be done without ucas as long as you contact the right person (best to go for the lecturer).

Reply 11

drozdek

digitalparadox

He emailed twice and no answer and because he was so desparate to go there, he emailed every week for 5 weeks until he got a reply: "You are obviously keen to attend this course, and after looking at your personal statement and taking into consideration your grades, I am willing to give you an unconditional offer" and that was that.