Your child did not get the IPTA they wanted? Here are 6 possible reasons

Your precious loved one said they had filled the form correctly, but still did not get any offer from UPU?

Find out the 6 common reasons why their UPU application was not a success.

1. Did not click “Confirm & Submit” button in the online form

Even students with EXCELLENT results and a straight string of As will not get an ofer if they failed or forgot to click the “Confirm & Submit” button.

This common occurence will cause their UPU application to be invalid, so it is crucial to check that you have good internet connection.

2. Did not fulfill the minimum requirements

Some parents have mapped a career path for their kids and are adamant for them to be lawyers, doctors and engineers for example.

Unfortunately, enrollment for these courses are highly competitive and thus if the academic and co-curriculum achievements of your children do not meet even the minimum entry requirement for the courses they chose, there is a good chance they won't get accepted.

3. Applying for programmes outside of their field/stream

Choosing a course that is not in line with your children's stream will affect their UPU application, especially if they studied general subjects at school and wish to enroll in a highly competitive programme in university.

For example, an accounting student who applies for medicine programme certainly will not be selected, as he/she does not have prior knowledge on Physics, Chemistry and Biology. However, a science stream student can usually venture into accounting.

4. Did not pass the interview

Certain courses require an interview before enrollment, such as engineering and architecture.

It is crucial for parents to prepare their children with communication and presentation skills because failing the interview will cost your children their seat in the programme.

5. Have low merit marks

All books and no play can affect your children chances in getting into public university!

UPU offers are given based on merit marks which consist of 90% academic achievement and 10% co-curriculum achievement. Having low merit marks will result in not getting any UPU offers, as this reflects that your child was not an active student in school.

6. Limited seats available

Since there are only limited placements available, only students with the best qualification will be chosen to enter public universities.

This is in NO WAY a true indicator of your child's excellence as the competition to enter public universities is very high every year, especially for highly competitive courses such as medicine, engineering and law.