UCAS Help for Distance Learning Students

So you have enrolled and started studying your A-levels, but now you need to register with UCAS to see which universities would like to offer you a place. This process can sometimes seem daunting for distance learning students, so we have written this brief additional guide on UCAS help for distance learning students.

For a more detailed guide on registering and completing your UCAS application, you can visit here.

Registering on the UCAS Website to Apply

First things first, you are going to need to register on the UCAS website to apply. You need to navigate to the Undergraduate section of the website and click ‘Register’. From here you will need to work your way through the registration form. Make sure you enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport or official ID.

Now all your personal information is added, you need to let UCAS know how you’re studying. As a distance learning student, instead of listing your school or college, you will need to select ‘Independent’. This is because you are a Private Candidate who is sitting their examinations at a location different to where they are studying.

Once you have completed the registration form, it’s time to start adding your courses, personal statement and predicted grades.

Predicted Grades

As a distance learning student, your predicted grades will need to be provided by the tutor who is helping you complete your course study. So, for example, if you’re a student with Open College, then your personal tutor will be the one who can provide a predicted grade and reference about you as a student and your ability with the subject.

In order for your tutor to be able to help you with predicted grades and reference, you have to have completed work for them to base their views on. So it’s vital that you complete assessments within your course materials and submit these to your tutor for marking as and when your course allows.

Your Personal Statement

Writing your personal statement can feel quite intimidating for some students. The key is to do your best to be direct and clear, letting the universities know that you’re a distance learning student is a great thing to do! It shows you have a drive and appetite for learning and instead of doing A-Levels because you have to, you have chosen to do them and complete them off your own back.

For more help and ideas on writing your personal statement, have a read of this other blog we have recently written here.

If you are a student with Open College and you’re still not sure about making your application and you would like some help, then get in touch with our friendly team.