MORE STUDENTS from the Republic of Ireland apply to study in UK colleges than from all other EU states combined.

UCAS, the British central applications body, received 13,402 such Irish applications for the academic year 1995-96. Of these students, 3,008 accepted places in the Britain and 1,290 accepted places in Northern Ireland. There was a drop in applications for 1996-97, with 12,029 Irish school-leavers applying. Acceptance figures are not yet available.

For students in this State who are thinking of going across the water or across the Border in 1997-98, the UCAS application form must be filled in and returned before December 15th.

Almost all British universities and colleges of higher and further education are included under the UCAS umbrella, and, for the first time, art and design courses join other courses under UCAS (with which the old art and design applications body, ADAR, has merged), simplifying matters for Irish students.

However, the UCAS application form demands some time and thought, as it differs from the Irish CAO/CAS form in a number of ways. As you work your way through, keep the separate detailed instructions to hand at all times.

The first section of the form asks for personal details and a correspondence address. For students in boarding schools, now is the time to make the decision as to whether all information should be sent to the school or to home.

Further personal details include age on September 30th, 1997 and date of birth. This may seem straightforward, but plenty of addled students have supplied the date when they filled in the form.

The next question asks who will pay your fees? The obvious answer may be Mum and Dad but, in reality, UCAS is asking if you are an EU applicant and whether you will qualify for your fees to be paid by the local education authority in the area of whichever British or Northern Ireland college you choose. For most Irish applicants, the LEA will pay fees, so the correct fee code is 02 (see panel).

Section three asks students to list the colleges and courses they are applying for. The important thing to remember here is that courses should be listed in the order in which they appear in the UCAS handbook. This contrasts with the CAO/CAS system of putting your courses in order of preference.

UCAS allows students to select six courses in total. Use a separate line for each course, even if they are in the same college.

The mix of courses you select will influence the admissions tutor reading your form, so choose a number of related courses rather than six totally different choices. This section also asks you for point of entry, which. for school-leavers is year one. If you are thinking of accepting a place but deferring for a year, tick the appropriate box for the relevant course.

At the end of this section, previous applicants are asked to fill in the application number of their most recent application. Some British colleges will not consider repeat Leaving Certificate students for certain courses with high entry requirements, such as medicine.

Sections four, five and six are straightforward. Section seven asks you to fill out examinations completed. School-leavers should give full details of the Junior Cert, as it is the only State exam they will have completed. Under qualification pending, list subjects to be taken in the Leaving Certificate.

Section eight asks students to list special needs and it should be kept in mind that colleges in Britain and Northern Ireland will go out of their way to accommodate students with special needs - so be specific. Details of employment to date are required in section nine. Guidance counsellors advise students to list formal employment only, so do not regale UCAS, with a list of your babysitting assignments.

The next section, which asks you for a personal statement, is probably the most important section of the whole form. In the UK, college places are allocated by admissions, tutors, who take more than examination results into account when making their decision. This is your chance to sell yourself in two-thirds of a page.

Think of what you want to say and write it out in draft form. Do not commit anything to the actual form, until you have discussed it with your parents, guidance counsellor, course tutor and anyone else who will listen. UCAS lists a number of headings you should cover but, while you should make sure these points are included, remember when course tutors are faced with a bundle of application forms, a little originality will go a long way.

When you have signed the declaration that the information you have given is correct, it is time to hand the form over to your school principal or guidance counsellor who will complete the final section, which asks for a reference. Give them plenty of time to think about it.