Not knowing what you want

Before starting the UCAS application, figure out exactly what you want from your BA (hons). The main question to ask is: do you want to study at a university or train at a conservatoire? Performance-based courses at conservatoires are very competitive to get into, but if you want to be a performer, they can be a great place to start your career. 

Training at one is likely to end in a showcase that casting directors and agents will attend. Plus, conservatoires tend to offer more contact hours, and very high-quality training. UCAS has a section on its website dedicated to conservatoires.

Universities offer something different from conservatoires and are good if you would like more academic learning alongside the practical work. Universities tend to be more flexible, with many allowing you to mix and match courses and modules. 

Before filling out your UCAS form, decide what you want and go from there. One of the biggest mistakes you could make when filling out the UCAS application is not knowing what you want from your course. This could result in a weak personal statement and ill-suited course choices.

Choosing the wrong courses

You can select only five courses on the UCAS form, so choose wisely. A significant part of the application is doing the research before to make sure all five courses are right for you. Scott Bellamy, head of student recruitment and marketing at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, says: “Choosing the right courses and schools to apply for is key, so applicants should allow enough time to research the institutions and courses that interest them the most. It’s important to look beyond the course title and headline descriptions and delve into who might be training you, what they’re teaching and how they’re teaching it.” 

Go to open days. Study the curriculums of courses you’re interested in. Watch and read online content from the teachers of the courses you’re considering. Go to student productions if you can. 

David MacKay, higher education consultant for Pearson, recommends asking yourself: “Is there the right balance of theoretical and practical work? Is the scheme of assessment appropriate for your strengths? Does it have the right balance of exams, coursework and practical assessment?”

The more research you do, the more likely it is you’ll choose the right five courses for you. In turn, the more likely it will be that you will be offered a place. It’s all about finding the right fit for you personally. 

Getting stuck, stopping... then leaving it too late

Some prospective students abandon the form when the going gets tough and then end up leaving things too late. Parts of the form can be confusing, such as entering your qualifications, your Scottish Candidate Number, or a BTEC number. It’s okay to leave confusing parts blank, or parts that don’t apply to you, and to carry on with the rest of the application. Go back to the blank spaces once you’ve found help. In the meantime, carry on with rest of the application. 

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