For those of you who are applying to UK universities, the UCAS reference may be one of your concerns along with writing your personal statement. Unlike a personal statement, you’re not permitted to view your reference – the only stages you have control of are who, when, and how to ask someone to write the reference for you. Here are my top tips on these three elements: who, when, and how.
Who: a subject teacher who teaches something relevant to your chosen programme
Before I delve in, I’d like to flag that some schools may have specific rules on who can write the reference for you. In my case, I had the right to request a reference from two of my subject teachers, but it was the university counsellor who integrated them into a single reference before it was submitted to UCAS. So make sure you check any regulations in your school first.
That being said, I would strongly advise that you ask someone who teaches a highly relevant course to the programme you’re applying for. UK universities, in general, tend to select students based on their passion for the programme, and they expect you to have taken a combination of subjects that is relevant to whichever degree you intend to study. Therefore, it’s better to ask someone who knows your academic capability in the field you love. I reached out to my history teacher and Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) teacher, as my school did not teach International Relations. If you’re unsure who to ask, seek advice from your school’s university counsellor or an advisory teacher. They should be able to suggest some subjects that are relevant to your programme.
When: as soon as you decide which programmes to apply for
Timing matters. Many people will be applying for universities in Year 12 or 13 (depending on your education system). And of course, the number of teachers in your school is limited. This means that a single teacher might have to write loads of references for students during the application season. Given the context, you don’t want to be that person who runs to your subject teacher at the last minute, asking them to write a reference for you as soon as possible.
Therefore, I’d recommend that you begin reaching out to your teacher(s) as soon as you decide which programmes to apply for because this makes your life and their lives easier. Plus, if they know which programmes you’re applying for, they may tailor the reference so it demonstrates your passion and capability in a subject field related to your aspiring degree.
How: be polite. Demonstrate your capability throughout the year(s) and build a positive impression
It’s important to be courteous when asking for a reference, as your teachers are likely to receive loads of requests from students. You could always book an office hour with your subject teacher and discuss in-person which programmes you plan to apply for, and how their reference could help you. Don’t forget to express your sincere gratitude throughout the process. Also, remember that you’re not supposed to access your final reference. Although I understand you might want to be in full control of your application process, the reference is the area that won’t allow you to do that. It might seem like a cliché, but don’t forget to give your best self in every class as a default. This will naturally help you to build a positive reputation, which of course is no bad thing and could make your reference even more glowing.
The university application process helps you grow based on the process itself. It’s not only results that matter at the end of the day, and the reference is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate your academic journey from your teachers’ eyes.
