UCAS Reminder - Choosing what's right for you !

Let’s start with the most important information , a reminder that applications for all 2024 entry undergraduate courses, except those with a 16 October deadline, should arrive at UCAS by 18:00 (UK time) on 31 January 2024.

This means that if you haven’t chosen your 5 universities yet the clock is ticking and you need to make your selection as soon as possible. Luckily for you , myself and my team are here to help ; feel free to leave a message below after you've read this , we study a range of different courses and we would love to share our insight based on our experiences.

There is a whole lot to consider when picking a university , this is probably going to be one of the most important decisions you’ve made in your life because it will affect the trajectory of your future. And I’m sure you have read a few things on here by now , advising you on your decision and all that information is helpful but can be overwhelming . I’m going to summarise all the general information with a few key points to help you make your decision.

A mini guide to choosing what’s right for you :

1.) Pick an interest
If you are not sure what the exact degree is that you want to study , you can narrow it down to a general career path , something you’re good at , something you want to study or just have a general interest in. e.g Music

2.) Research Universities and grade requirements
Considering the time limitations you do not have the option to do open days before you send through your applications , if you have not done them yet. You will have to research the universities you are interested in and narrow it down to a list of schools that offer your course or courses related to your interests and have the grade requirements you will be able to attain.

4.)Consider your personal preferences
Decide what is important to you such as the type of university ( Russel group , Redbrick , metropolitan act.) , the accreditations , societies/clubs offered , social life , the city , distance from home , travel opportunities , mental health and academic support . Then narrow down your list of universities to those that best correlate with your preferences and that align with your values and needs beyond the classroom.

5.) This is probably the part where most of you are now , making an informed decision with the research you’ve gathered. First , of all of your 5 schools , save one application as a safety school with lower grade boundaries that you would not mind attending. Having a back up will reduce your anxiety about getting in as your chances will be more likely at that university. With your 4 remaining schools apply to the courses you are most interested in and the universities you have researched , you can attend open days after your applications are submitted .

Remember that although this decision is important it is not the end of the world , you still have options if you decide to switch courses or universities at a later stage but you need to send in the applications you are happy with at this moment.

Goodluck and I hope this helped just a little😊

Cece ✨
Energy Engineering Student
De Montfort University

Reply 1

Clearing and Applications Advisor

How many courses do DMU expect to be closing to applications after the deadline?

De Montfort University

Leicester

Visit website

Reply 2

Artjen

Not impressed with this rather alarmist bit of selective communication.

"application must be submitted by 31st January"... "you need to send in the applications you are happy with at this moment"... "make your selection as soon as possible"...

If someone is still at the stage of "pick an interest" it's shockingly bad advice to tell them they need to make one of the biggest choices in their lives to date in just two days.

There will still be places left after 31st January.

Reply 3

McGinger

Typically DMU.
Mistimed, desperate and full of the wrong advice.

Reply 4

De Montfort University

Official Rep

Original post by PQ

How many courses do DMU expect to be closing to applications after the deadline?

Hello! 👋🏻

Course such as pharmacy, midwifery, speech and language and paramedicine tend to fill up pretty quick so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment! There is no guarantee of spaces after the deadline, especially for these courses! 😁

I hope this helps! 🙂

Hannah 🐄
DMU Student Rep
MSc Psychological Wellbeing 🧠

Reply 5

De Montfort University

Official Rep

Original post by Artjen

Hi there @Artjen . I am sorry to hear that you have found this post upsetting or alarming 😥
This is never our intention.

As we mentioned, paraphrasing the UCAS website in regards to the deadline of the 31st of January, we have also tried to point out that this decision is not the end of the world. Once an application is submitted there is still some level of flexibility in regards to changing course, choice of University, and other options for applications after this date (such as and definitely not limited to UCAS Extra).

We are aware that most programmes will continue to have spaces available, perhaps up until the end of the Clearing period, even!

However, allied health or health and life science programmes - such as Hannah mentioned - may not be available as we get closer to the start of the next academic year. This is mostly due to the popularity of these courses and the allocation of placements also. Transparency on this topic hopes to not set expectations that cannot, in every single case, be met.

Again, we can't always guarantee everything will be open and available, at any given time, but we also know that it isn't completely out of the question!

The remainder of Cece's post is advice on how to get to the point of applying. It is written as a reminder for applicants, the part where most are now that are still within education, to do their research and that they can attend Open Days, continue researching, or change their preference after this.

Regardless, thank you for taking the time to provide feedback and in future we will endeavour to clarify further within the OP.

Best wishes,

-Rose🌹, De Montfort University Rep.