ucas reference?

Hi there, I have recently declined my place for uni starting this September as I have decided to have a gap year. I have already started filling out my UCAS application for 2025 as I have only recently done this and want to get this off ASAP. Although, when looking at the application form I have realised that I need a reference from someone to show why I am a good student. Since I have left sixth form, I don’t think my old teachers would be interested in re-writing my uni reference and I have no idea who else could write one. Is a reference mandatory? Thank you!

Original post by fayebarnard06

Hi there, I have recently declined my place for uni starting this September as I have decided to have a gap year. I have already started filling out my UCAS application for 2025 as I have only recently done this and want to get this off ASAP. Although, when looking at the application form I have realised that I need a reference from someone to show why I am a good student. Since I have left sixth form, I don’t think my old teachers would be interested in re-writing my uni reference and I have no idea who else could write one. Is a reference mandatory? Thank you!

Hey Faye

It's advisable to still get an academic reference if you're taking a gap year. Can you email your form tutor from sixth form and let them know you'll be taking a gap year? They would be expecting to provide a reference for you anyways but it's good to give them a heads up. Don't worry about whether you think they'll be interested in doing it. People take gap years all the time so they would have a plan in place for this.

Unless you're able to provide a professional reference, which might be unlikely if you've only just finished sixth form, this is more for mature students that have been out of education for a while.

Hope you have a great gap year, and good luck with your application for next year :smile:

Best wishes
Essex Student Rep - Hayley

Reply 2

fayebarnard06

OP

10

Original post by EssexStudentRep

Hey Faye
It's advisable to still get an academic reference if you're taking a gap year. Can you email your form tutor from sixth form and let them know you'll be taking a gap year? They would be expecting to provide a reference for you anyways but it's good to give them a heads up. Don't worry about whether you think they'll be interested in doing it. People take gap years all the time so they would have a plan in place for this.
Unless you're able to provide a professional reference, which might be unlikely if you've only just finished sixth form, this is more for mature students that have been out of education for a while.
Hope you have a great gap year, and good luck with your application for next year :smile:

Best wishes
Essex Student Rep - Hayley

Since I have applied to UCAS before, I was unsure whether my form tutor would be able to re-write me a reference as he did mine for me last year. Or does this not matter?

Original post by fayebarnard06

Since I have applied to UCAS before, I was unsure whether my form tutor would be able to re-write me a reference as he did mine for me last year. Or does this not matter?

You can use the same referee, but just as a formality, get in touch with him to check he's happy to re-do your reference. It's best to contact him first and ask him what he normally does for students that take a gap year, and go from there.

Best wishes
Essex Student Rep - Hayley

Original post by fayebarnard06

Hi there, I have recently declined my place for uni starting this September as I have decided to have a gap year. I have already started filling out my UCAS application for 2025 as I have only recently done this and want to get this off ASAP. Although, when looking at the application form I have realised that I need a reference from someone to show why I am a good student. Since I have left sixth form, I don’t think my old teachers would be interested in re-writing my uni reference and I have no idea who else could write one. Is a reference mandatory? Thank you!

Contact your old sixth form UCAS officer or the main office. They should be able to happily provide you with a new reference.
This is better than trying to bypass the normal process by contacting individual teaching staff.

ucas reference?

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you