Universities and colleges will want to hear from someone who actually knows you, and knows you well enough to comment on your work ethic, and what you are like as a student.
Reference letters should positively enhance what is said in their personal statement. Referees need not only to be familiar with the applicant, but also what they are applying for, what they have studied, and what is in their personal statement. If you are the one applying for university, it is therefore vital that you choose a referee who knows you in an academic or professional context, so that they will be able to accurately convey your strengths, skills and the qualities which they believe make you suited for the courses you are applying to. It is the only part of the application process where the applicant is not directly involved, indeed, unlike their personal statement, the student has no control over what is said. The UCAS reference letter is an opportunity for an applicant’s referee to tell the admissions teams more about an applicant. To help you understand what the reference letter is, and how to write one, we’ve come up with a guide applicable for both students and referees. UCAS reference letters, therefore, play an important role in the application process and can influence whether a student will be accepted into university. The UCAS reference letter is used by admissions teams to gain a fuller impression of applicants.
