Information for Ex Students Applying to University

Varndean Sixth Form College provides references for ex-students up to 2 years after leaving. After this period, the reference is considered out of date by universities.

Deadline Dates

UCAS deadline for Oxbridge & Medicine/Veterinary/Dentistry – 6pm 15th October 2026

UCAS main deadline – 6pm 13th January 2027

Varndean Sixth Form College internal deadline for Oxbridge & Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry – 6pm 8th October 2026

Varndean Sixth Form College internal deadline for other applications – November 27th 2026

If your application is completed after 27th November 2026, we cannot guarantee it will be processed by the main UCAS deadline.

Completing the UCAS Application Form

Please follow these instructions very carefully

Go to: https://accounts.ucas.com/account/login
Select ‘Register’
Fill in the ‘REGISTER’ form using a personal email address and click ‘Register’
Verify your account (code will be sent to email address) – next
Welcome page – ‘let’s go’
Where do you Live? Select country, add address – continue
More Info About You – add DOB, undergraduate study, select interests, choose year (2027)
Connect to your School or College – add Varndean College, consent to share data? ‘YES’ for support during the process
Your Interests – add subjects, university, industry options – continue
Add your preferences – save
‘Welcome to Your Hub’ – go to my Hub
Confirm application for undergraduate courses in 2027 – no changes to year
Start Application – select ‘start 2027 application’
Are you applying through a college? Select ‘No’
Your application will open
Under Application Status – if applying through a centre, add Buzzword, click on ‘Add Buzzword’
Proceed with linking to centre for application checks and reference
Enter buzzword: Varndean2027
Confirm Varndean College, Surrenden Road details
Select group ‘Ex-Students’
College will accept linked applications up to 2 years after leaving

Sending your Completed UCAS Application Form

Ensure all sections are saved and marked complete before paying and sending.
Paying does not send your application to UCAS immediately – avoid sending close to 6pm on January 13th, 2027. It goes to Varndean Sxith Form College first for checks and reference addition.
Submit and pay from 1st September 2026, and check emails frequently for any required amendments. If there are errors on your form, we will return it to you for editing.
Once received, Varndean aims to process and send to UCAS within 10 working days. Confirmation email from UCAS will follow.
January is extremely busy; please ensure submission by 27th November 2026 to meet the January 13th deadline. The office is closed during the Christmas break.
If you are applying using the Free School Meal waiver (not paying for your form) please expect to be asked to provide evidence you were eligible for FSM while at secondary school/6th form. This would either be an email to a parent/carer from the council which can be forwarded to the college, or you can ask your school to confirm you were in receipt of FSM while you were there. FSM is NOT the same as the DLG (Discretionary Learning Grant) that some students receive while they are in the 6th form.

Useful Resources

Please use the following links to help you with your application.