The decision to extend the deadline was taken by UCAS at the beginning of the year to allow students and teachers extra time to complete applications due to the increased demand and pressure caused by Covid-19.

For those yet to complete their UCAS application, the University’s Director of Admissions, Bob Cozens, has the following advice for applicants to consider before pressing ‘SUBMIT’:

1. Do your research: Look carefully at the course you are interested in and what the entry requirements are. It is also a good idea to have a look at where you want to study and what the local area is like. When choosing a university, what else is on offer to help support you with your studies? Following the pandemic, many universities may also offer home-learning options so it’s worth investigating the university’s virtual learning platforms and accessibility. Student support and facilities are also key assets whilst at university, so check out what your chosen university can provide. Some universities also offer added benefits to support you during you studies. For example, Bedfordshire offers all full-time undergraduate students up to £1,500 in financial support to ensure finance is not a barrier to study. Sports Scholarships are available for students to apply for and a laptop loan scheme is also running to help those who may not be able to access a computer for study off campus.
2. Make it personal: Your personal statement is your chance to ensure you stand out from the crowd, so give yourself enough time to do a good job. Don’t just focus on your academic achievements, but also mention your interests and any work experience you have done.
3. Double check before submitting: First impressions count, so check your spelling and grammar and make sure it makes sense by reading through your application several times. Even better, ask someone else to read it through – an extra pair of eyes may pick up mistakes you have missed.
4. Try not to panic: If you are applying for a popular course such as Nursing, Teaching or Social Work, don’t worry – as long as you apply by the deadline your application will get equal consideration.

There is also a number of online resources to help students and teachers completing a UCAS application. Visit the University of Bedfordshire’s guide to UCAS page for step-by-step assistance with the application or check out Aspire Higher’s guide on writing a personal statement. Teachers and advisers may also be interested in this video explaining UCAS data.

With the announcement to extend the #UCAS deadline by #2weeks, if you need help to finish your application or personal statement, we're still there for you on our live chat at https://t.co/ea6XECGTAT, where you'll also find #toptips to help you with your application. 👍 https://t.co/EdcGqPYMES

— AspireHigher (@AspireHigherNet) January 7, 2021

It isn’t too late to choose Higher Education – UCAS applications close at 6pm on Friday 29^th January 2021. For more information about why to choose the University of Bedfordshire, visit: www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/admissions/before-you-apply/why-choose-beds

Apply now via UCAS online, call Bedfordshire’s Admissions Team on 0300 3300 073 for a friendly chat about your options or email admission@beds.ac.uk for tips and advice.