The reference is a vital part of your application. Your UCAS Application form is simply incomplete without a reference. It may well be that your application will not be considered at all without a reference unless you have specific information from your chosen university that no reference is required. References from family, relatives or friends are unacceptable. If you are currently studying (or have recently left school or college) you should ask your head teacher or an appropriate teacher to provide your reference. If you are applying through a school or college, you will not have access to your reference. This will be completed on your behalf and submitted directly to UCAS. Your referee should know you well enough to write about you and to comment on your suitability for higher education

Referee Process

The way that your reference is submitted to UCAS is dependent on your personal circumstances.

If you applying through a school or college.

1 Check that all sections of your application are correct and record them as complete. You will need to submit payment    for your application.

2 Send your application to your referee.

3 Your referee will check and approve your application.

4 Your referee will write their reference.

5 Your referee will approve their reference and submit it to UCAS.

6 UCAS will only then consider your application to be complete and process it accordingly.

If you are applying as an individual

1 You will need to explain the process to your referee. You should print out the UCAS guide to writing a reference and    pass it to them.

2 Do not submit your application without your reference.

3 Check that all sections of your application are correct and record them as complete.

4 In the reference section provide full contact details for your referee including their name, address, contact details,    relationship to you and name of their institution or business. Provide full details as the university is likely to make    contact with your referee and it is in your interest to make this process as easy as possible.

5 Collect the reference from your referee and include it in the correct area of your application.

6 Ensure you have completed all sections and submit your application to UCAS.

7 You will need to submit payment for your application.