reapplying after dropping out

i went to uni last september, and ended up dropping out at the beginning of november for several different reasons. i wont go into detail, but it was pretty nightmarish.
im reapplying this year, and my application is almost fully complete (just waiting on my reference). however, i realised i don't know if i need to mention that i attended university last year, or if i need a reference from my previous uni.
i didnt get much support with my application last time around (when i was still in sixth form) so it's been a bit of struggle this time, too. ive been told that since im not actively enrolled in a different uni, the reference does not have to be from them... but after seeing a few old posts of people in similar situations by chance, i'm getting a bit worried that's not true?
the reason i didnt initially include my last stint at uni on my application is because i never obtained any qualifications while there. do i still need to include it? if so, will it negatively impact my application since i spent so little time there? i don't have anyone i can talk to about this as no one in my family ever went to university, and im not currently enrolled in education.

i went to uni last september, and ended up dropping out at the beginning of november for several different reasons. i wont go into detail, but it was pretty nightmarish.

im reapplying this year, and my application is almost fully complete (just waiting on my reference). however, i realised i don't know if i need to mention that i attended university last year, or if i need a reference from my previous uni.

i didnt get much support with my application last time around (when i was still in sixth form) so it's been a bit of struggle this time, too. ive been told that since im not actively enrolled in a different uni, the reference does not have to be from them... but after seeing a few old posts of people in similar situations by chance, i'm getting a bit worried that's not true?

the reason i didnt initially include my last stint at uni on my application is because i never obtained any qualifications while there. do i still need to include it? if so, will it negatively impact my application since i spent so little time there? i don't have anyone i can talk to about this as no one in my family ever went to university, and im not currently enrolled in education.

You *must* include your previous Uni study, and your UCAS reference should ideally be from that Uni, but given that you dropped out within weeks, your last school might be acceptable - but either Uni or school should briefly explain in their reference why you dropped out and that you are now ready for a restart.

thank you! i asked this on another platform and received a lot of comments advising me otherwise, which just felt a little off.
i have previously contacted my old uni asking about references, but as i was there for such a short amount of time, and was unable to attend several classes for reasons that factored into my decision to leave, my tutors knew next to nothing about me and therefore couldn't provide a reference.
i currently have a reference lined up from the deputy headteacher at my sixth form, but they aren't aware of the circumstances surrounding my withdrawal from my previous course, so it won't have been mentioned in their reference. i'm not sure what to do, if i'm honest. the only thing i can think of right now is mention my previous study and reasons for withdrawing in my personal statement, but im worried how that will reflect on me, and doubt it would be considered credible since i'm the one writing it.

As above, you need to include the previous study in that section of the UCAS application (along with your A-levels etc). This is required as part of your declaration that you make when you send your UCAS application off that you have declared all previously attempted qualifications (whether successful, completed or not).
You don't need to discuss it in your personal statement.

am i able to include it in my personal statement? the time i spent studying my previous course was integral to me realising that the course im applying to now was what i wanted, but i don't want to mention it if it will negatively impact my chances. i mentioned in my previous comment that the reference i currently have isn't acutely aware of the reasons i left my first university, and the university itself is unwilling to provide me a reference, so i'm worried that having no mention of why i withdrew on my application at all with raise some eyebrows.

Admissions staff here.
If you can PHONE your Sixth Form asap and ask them to include something about your reasons for a Uni restart, this would be better than including it in your PS - and your school must know you started Uni last year, so it isnt exactly going to be a surprise to them. If its just in your PS, it looks a bit suspicious - its always far better if a credible third party can verify/explain this - and your PS should really just be about your reasons for wanting to study the course, not 'personal stuff'.

is it possible to edit references after they have been submitted..? i received an email literally as i was reading your response saying that the teacher has just submitted it. they are aware that i started uni last year, but don't know the situation surrounding my withdrawal, and now i'm in quite a state thinking i've got absolutely zero chance. 💔

i went to uni last september, and ended up dropping out at the beginning of november for several different reasons. i wont go into detail, but it was pretty nightmarish.
im reapplying this year, and my application is almost fully complete (just waiting on my reference). however, i realised i don't know if i need to mention that i attended university last year, or if i need a reference from my previous uni.
i didnt get much support with my application last time around (when i was still in sixth form) so it's been a bit of struggle this time, too. ive been told that since im not actively enrolled in a different uni, the reference does not have to be from them... but after seeing a few old posts of people in similar situations by chance, i'm getting a bit worried that's not true?
the reason i didnt initially include my last stint at uni on my application is because i never obtained any qualifications while there. do i still need to include it? if so, will it negatively impact my application since i spent so little time there? i don't have anyone i can talk to about this as no one in my family ever went to university, and im not currently enrolled in education.

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i went to uni last september, and ended up dropping out at the beginning of november for several different reasons. i wont go into detail, but it was pretty nightmarish.
im reapplying this year, and my application is almost fully complete (just waiting on my reference). however, i realised i don't know if i need to mention that i attended university last year, or if i need a reference from my previous uni.
i didnt get much support with my application last time around (when i was still in sixth form) so it's been a bit of struggle this time, too. ive been told that since im not actively enrolled in a different uni, the reference does not have to be from them... but after seeing a few old posts of people in similar situations by chance, i'm getting a bit worried that's not true?
the reason i didnt initially include my last stint at uni on my application is because i never obtained any qualifications while there. do i still need to include it? if so, will it negatively impact my application since i spent so little time there? i don't have anyone i can talk to about this as no one in my family ever went to university, and im not currently enrolled in education.

update: i did email the teacher asking for them to email each uni explaining my circumstances as suggested, but didn't receive a reply and was unable to reach them by phone. i sent my application with very little hope, and continued trying to contact the teacher - but before i got a response from them, i had already received communication from all five universities.
so far i've been invited to three interviews and received both a conditional and unconditional offer (the condition on the former being that i attend an applicant day). i did end up mentioning my previous period of study in my personal statement, but very briefly - as in, less than a sentence. the teacher finally got in contact today, and while i asked if they would still be willing to contact the unis just in case, they weren't comfortable doing so as it wasn't something they had done before. either way, at least i wasnt rejected outright!

Well great you have secured both offers and interviews ,it all sounds very positive.I must say teacher sounds absolutely pathetic,never done it before indeed!Well he has kept his record intact there hasn't he!
Hopefully you can now explain things at interview if required and hopefully if you have got this far they won't be holding it against you.You covered yourself by putting it in PS.Can I ask just for clarity did you declare it on UCAS?
Thanks for update and would love to hear how it goes with interviws if you would not mind.Best of luck!

update: i did email the teacher asking for them to email each uni explaining my circumstances as suggested, but didn't receive a reply and was unable to reach them by phone. i sent my application with very little hope, and continued trying to contact the teacher - but before i got a response from them, i had already received communication from all five universities.
so far i've been invited to three interviews and received both a conditional and unconditional offer (the condition on the former being that i attend an applicant day). i did end up mentioning my previous period of study in my personal statement, but very briefly - as in, less than a sentence. the teacher finally got in contact today, and while i asked if they would still be willing to contact the unis just in case, they weren't comfortable doing so as it wasn't something they had done before. either way, at least i wasnt rejected outright!

Hi,
Just wondering what course you were applying for and to what unis? I just finished my second year and want to reapply but now I'm really stressed that I won't be allowed to apply or that this will harm my chances of admission.