Filling in your UCAS Postgraduate application

Here you put things like your name, email address, and date of birth.

• You'll also be asked some security details, including choosing a password and selecting a security question. 
• You'll need to activate your account before signing in

Register for UCAS Postgraduate Apply

• An activation email will be sent to the email address you registered with.
• Remember to check your trash, junk, or spam folder.
• Once you’ve clicked the link in the email, you can sign in with your email address, and the password you chose.
• The information you’ve already filled in will show up automatically, and then you can update your profile with more information.

• The details in your profile will automatically populate and update across any UCAS Postgraduate application you start, or have submitted.
• Fields with a red asterisk * are mandatory to complete before you can submit a UCAS Postgraduate application.
• You can add your personal details, contact details, work experience, education, residency and nationality, English language skills, and supporting information in your profile.
• You will only see the ‘Diversity and inclusion’ section if you have indicated your area of permanent residence is in the UK.

• You can go to the search tool directly, from the top of your dashboard, or the main ucas.com homepage.
• Check the search tool is filtered by 'Postgraduate'. then type in the subject and/or the provider you would like to study with.
• To show all the UCAS Postgraduate courses you can apply for through UCAS, tick the ‘Courses applied through UCAS’ box in the ‘Where do you want to study?’ filter, on the left.
• If you find courses you're interested in, you can shortlist them by clicking the heart icon. This will save them to your dashboard, so you can go straight to them next time you sign in.
• You can also save searches if you’ve applied filters. This will also be on your dashboard, so the next time you click that link it will update the search with those parameters.
• When you find a course you want to apply for, click 'Apply' in the top right-hand corner of the course page.
• Some courses have lots of different options, which might have different locations, start dates, durations, or study modes. You need to select one of these to before the apply button is displayed.

• Any profile information you've already filled in will automatically appear on the application. If you update anything on this page, it will update your profile. and any other UCAS Postgraduate applications you have.
• At the top of the application page there will be ‘Application details’. These are unique to each application, and will not update anywhere else.
• You'll be asked for a personal statement, agent details, finance and funding source, and references.
• You may also be asked about criminal convictions, if the course requires it, and questions set specifically by the provider. These may help you fill in other parts of the application, or be additional and specific to that course.

• A good personal statement is important – it could help to persuade the admissions tutor to offer you a place and, in cases where interviews aren't conducted, may be your best chance to make the case for your admission.
• The personal statement gives you the opportunity to tell your chosen uni exactly why you are applying, and why they should want you as a postgraduate student. What have you done in the way of relevant study, thinking or work experience to prove your ability and commitment to the course?
• Demonstrate that you have researched the course, the university and, if relevant, its career opportunities. This is basic human psychology: you will make a more favourable impression if you have thought about what’s being offered to you. Reflect upon your experience. How has it led you to the conclusion that this particular form of postgraduate study is right for you? Mention your long-term plans. What are your goals and how would the additional study help you?
• Also say what further reading you have done – academic papers, news reports, blogs and discussions... all of this additional research and thinking may help your case.
• In what way are you a critical thinker? All postgraduate courses require you to do more intensive research than is the case with a first degree. Which projects and activities have sharpened your ability to think freshly, creatively, spot what other people miss, set objectives and measure your results?
• The information you give to support your application should be carefully considered, presented effectively and entirely accurate.
• Take your time and give as much relevant information as possible, don't think 'one sentence will do' - unis want to see a well completed statement giving reasons for applying and evidence in support of your application.

• You'll be asked for details of up to two referees. They must know you well enough to write about you, and comment on whether you are suitable for postgraduate study.
• We recommend you contact your referees before you fill in their details, so they're expecting the request.
• Before you can submit your application, you need to enter your referees' details, including valid email addresses, and send them reference requests.
• Your referee will receive an email with a link and a passcode. They can accept or decline your request through this link.
• Referees fill in their references for you online, and they are then available to providers once you’ve submitted your application.
• You only need to have sent the reference requests to submit your application – referees can complete your references after you’ve submitted.
• Your references need to be written in English, unless you are applying to a Welsh university or college and completing your application in Welsh – in which case they can be written in Welsh.
• References must not contain any false, misleading or partial information, and you must not write references yourself.
• If a reference request is declined, or there’s no response, you can add a different referee. 
• You will be able to see the status of your reference requests on your application before or after you’ve submitted it, but not the content once completed.

• You can change and add to the information in any section before you submit your application.
• After you’ve submitted, you cannot update your personal statement.
• Remember, if you make changes to any profile information, it will update across all your applications.
• You can check changes made to your application in the application history. In ‘My applications’, click ‘View details’ to see the dates, times, and changes made.