Applying for two different subjects, free UCAS applications for those with free school meals, and doing stuff because you can’t.
😊 Welcome
This week we look at one of the most commonly asked questions in the history of university applications: Is it OK to apply for two different subjects through UCAS?’
We dig in to the vault for some ideas on how to avoid becoming one of the 40,000 students each year who don’t complete their degree.
We also look at how to get your UCAS application fee waived if you are on free school meals.
And we finish with a thought from Vincent Van Gogh, which is both an inspiration to try new things, and a great response when you are criticised for making mistakes when you do!
✍️ Is it OK to apply for two different subjects through UCAS?
It's that time of year when loads of students are finalising their UCAS choices, and a question consistently asked of advisers is “Can I apply for two different subjects?”
Well, as with most things about applying to university, the answer is “it depends…”
But what exactly does it depend on?
Let’s start by making two things clear:
1. Universities can’t see your other applications
When you apply through UCAS, the universities you apply to cannot tell which other universities or courses you have applied to. If you apply for two subjects at one university, they will obviously know, but if you apply for two subjects at different universities, they will not know.
But…
2. UCAS is not helpful for those applying for two different subjects
If you want to apply to two different subjects, be in no doubt, the UCAS process is not your friend…
🗄️ From the vault: How to avoid becoming a drop-out statistic
Data released last year by the Student Loans Company revealed that the number of students who are not completing their degrees is on the rise, up around 28% over the last five years. (See this BBC article).
That’s nearly 42,000 young people who left their degrees last year uncompleted, carrying with them their student debts, and doubtless a whole load of other unwanted baggage.
Here are a few ideas to help you avoid becoming one of them.
💡 Did You Know?
This year, for the first time, students who have been eligible for free school meals at any point over the past six years will be eligible for a fee waiver for UCAS, meaning they will not have to pay the normal UCAS application fee.
In order to claim this fee waiver, you need to share that you are, or have been, in receipt of free school meals by checking a box in the “More about you” section.
When you are ready to submit your application, depending on how your school has set up their UCAS payment system, you may then see an option ‘Free school meals waiver’.
If the ‘Free school meals waiver’ option is there, click the button and your school will be asked to approve the fee waiver after you submit the application.
If the ‘Free school meals waiver’ option is not there, but your application can be submitted without payment, then once again, the school will be asked to approve the fee waiver after you submit the application.
If the ‘Free school meals waiver’ option is not there, and you are asked to submit credit card details in order to submit your application, contact your school straight away for further support. Do not pay to submit your application as this cannot be claimed back afterwards, even if you were eligible for the waiver.
For students, there is a little more information from UCAS here.
For schools and advisers, there is more information about the waiver here.
📢 Quote of the week
"I am always doing what I can't do yet in order to learn how to do it."
Vincent Van Gogh
Painter
Vincent wrote this as a response to a friend who criticised one of his early works. It’s the perfect response to anyone who thinks it’s OK to criticise us when all we are trying to do is learn something new.
Thanks for reading!
Jonathan
