The downward slide continues. The number of students from the Republic taking up places in colleges in Britain and the North has fallen again this year. The latest figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), the British central applications body, show just over 2,000 students from the Republic have accepted places this autumn.

If you're thinking of filling in a UCAS application form, you should talk to your guidance counsellor about fees and grants as well as the challenges you will face moving so far from home. The British Council in Dublin also produces a useful fact sheet dealing with the financial aspects. The council can be contacted at (01)6764088.

The UCAS application process is quite different to the CAO. Places are not allocated solely on the basis of your Leaving Certificate results.

Students can apply for a maximum of six courses on one application form and a copy of this form is then sent to each of the relevant colleges. Remember, if you choose six disparate courses, it may be more difficult to convince course tutors as to your real interest in all of them.

This differs from the CAO where your choices could read law, dentistry, engineering, graphic art . . . and there would be no penalty. Your points determine your offer.

Courses should be listed in the order in which they appear in the UCAS handbook not the order of preference (which the CAO requires).

The UCAS form provides you with an opportunity to explain your choices in a personal statement. This needs careful thought. Admissions tutors are particularly interested in why you have chosen the courses in question, and what career progression you have in mind, UCAS advises. "You should explain your motivation, and give information about relevant experience, interests and other activities. Ask for help and advice on this important section from a careers adviser or tutor."

You will not necessarily be interviewed and this may be your only opportunity to impress.

Your form must include a reference from your school principal, guidance counsellor, tutor or other appropriate person.

UCAS has a very useful website which helps potential students in their search for a course and a college, and provides information on all of the courses available through UCAS. You can search by subject area, course level, location and other criteria. There is a section aimed at parents as well as advice for students.

Contacting UCAS

If you are at school, your guidance counsellor will probably have UCAS application forms and a UCAS handbook. The How to Apply (2001 entry) booklet will take you through the form.

Address: UCAS, PO Box 130, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3ZF, England. Telephone: 00 44 1242 544610. UCAS website: www.ucas.com

Application dates: Applications for courses at Oxford or Cambridge, and all courses leading to a professional qualification in medicine (course codes A100, A101, A103, A104 or A106); dentistry (course codes A200, A203, A204, A205 or A206) or veterinary medicine or veterinary science (courses codes D100 or D101): September 1st to October 15th.

All other applications (except art and design route B (sequential): September 1st to December 15th.

Art and design sequential: January 1st, 2001 to March 24th, 2001.

If you apply after these dates, UCAS will process the application but your chances of getting a place may be significantly reduced in certain popular courses.

If you apply on or after July 1st, 2001, you will be sent details of clearing. Your application will not be sent to universities and colleges.