Everything You Need Before You Apply Through UCAS

Starting your UCAS application is much easier when you already have the information you need.

You do not need to have every sentence of your personal statement perfected or all five university choices confirmed before you open your account. However, gathering your documents, checking your qualifications and researching your courses in advance can prevent delays and avoid mistakes.

This guide covers everything you should prepare before applying through UCAS, from your personal details and education history to references, course choices and application fees.

Use it as your complete UCAS application preparation checklist.

When Can You Start Your UCAS Application?

Applications for 2027 university entry opened on 12 May 2026. You can register and begin completing the application, although completed undergraduate applications cannot be submitted to UCAS until 1 September 2026.

The main equal consideration deadline for most 2027 undergraduate courses is:

13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time

The earlier deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and veterinary science courses is:

15 October 2026 at 18:00 UK time

Your school or college is likely to set an earlier internal deadline. This gives teachers time to check your application, enter predicted grades and add your reference.

Use UCAS Timeline Month by Month [UCAS Timeline Month by Month] to plan when each part of your application needs to be completed.

What Do You Need for a UCAS Application?

Before you begin, try to gather:

• A reliable personal email address

• Your full legal name and date of birth

• Your current and previous addresses

• Nationality and residency information

• Your passport or other identity documents

• Details of every school or college attended

• Qualification certificates and results

• Details of qualifications you are still studying

• Information about any resits

• Paid employment details

• Relevant course, summer school or outreach activities

• A shortlist of university courses

• Course and campus details

• Entry requirements for every choice

• Evidence for your personal statement

• Details of a suitable referee

• Your school or college buzzword, where applicable

• Information about relevant personal circumstances

• A plan for paying the application fee

• Admissions-test, interview or portfolio deadlines

You do not necessarily need to upload or submit every document. Some items are useful because they allow you to enter the application information accurately.

1. A Permanent Personal Email Address

Create or choose an email address that you:

• Check regularly

• Can access outside school

• Will continue using after your exams

• Are comfortable sharing with universities

• Can remember the password for

Avoid using a school or college email account if it might be closed after you leave.

UCAS and universities may use your email address to send:

• Application updates

• Interview invitations

• Requests for documents

• Offer information

• Applicant-day invitations

• Accommodation details

• Results Day information

• Enrolment instructions

UCAS advises applicants to keep their primary email address up to date because that is where application communications will be sent.

Should you create a new email address?

You do not have to, but a separate university application email can make messages easier to manage.

Choose a professional address based on your name where possible.

For example:

• firstname.lastname@email.com

• firstname.initial.lastname@email.com

• firstnamelastname.year@email.com

Avoid addresses based on jokes, gaming usernames or phrases you may not want an admissions tutor to see.

Create an application email folder

Set up folders for:

• UCAS

• University messages

• Admissions tests

• Interviews

• Accommodation

• Student finance

Check your spam or junk folder regularly. Important university messages sometimes end up there.

2. Your Full Legal Name

You need to enter your name exactly as it appears on official documents.

Check your:

• Passport

• Birth certificate

• Driving licence

• Qualification certificates

• Examination records

Do not enter a nickname or shortened version unless it is your legal name.

For example, use Katherine Smith rather than Katie Smith if Katherine appears on your passport and examination certificates.

Matching information makes it easier for UCAS and universities to connect your application with qualification results and identity records.

What if you have changed your name?

Gather evidence showing both your current and previous names.

This might include:

• A deed poll

• A marriage or civil partnership certificate

• A birth certificate

• Official documentation connecting the two names

For 2027 entry, UCAS provides document-upload options in specific parts of the application, including situations where qualifications were issued under a previous name. Uploads are offered according to the answers entered in the application.

3. Your Address History

You will need your current address and may need information about where you have lived during the years before your course begins.

Prepare:

• Your current full address

• Your postcode

• Your permanent home address, if different

• Previous addresses

• The dates you lived at each address

Try to identify the month and year you moved rather than guessing.

This information may be relevant when universities assess residency and tuition-fee status.

What if you divide your time between two homes?

Use the address that most accurately represents your usual or permanent home.

You may be able to provide a separate postal or correspondence address where necessary.

Applicants with complicated circumstances should ask UCAS or the relevant university for advice rather than choosing an answer based on which address appears more convenient.

4. Your Nationality and Residency Information

Prepare information about:

• Your country of birth

• Your nationality or nationalities

• Your date of entry into the UK, where relevant

• Your current immigration status

• Previous visas

• Settled or pre-settled status

• Whether you will require a Student visa

• Countries where you or your family have recently lived or worked

Your nationality does not automatically determine whether you will pay home or international tuition fees. Universities may carry out a separate fee-status assessment based on your residency and individual circumstances.

Documents international applicants may need

Depending on your situation, you may be asked for:

• A passport

• Visa documents

• Immigration-status evidence

• A share code

• Residence permits

• Qualification certificates

• Official translations

• English language test results

For 2027 applications, document uploading is available in specific UCAS application sections. You should upload only the documents requested in the relevant part of the form.

Read Applying to UK Universities as an International Student [Applying to UK Universities as an International Student] for additional guidance.

5. Details of Every School and College You Attended

Make a complete list of the educational institutions you have attended from secondary school onwards.

For each one, record:

• The official name

• The full address

• The dates you attended

• Whether you studied full time or part time

• Which qualifications you took there

This may include:

• Secondary schools

• Sixth forms

• Further education colleges

• Examination centres

• Online schools

• International schools

• Previous universities

• Centres where you took private or resit examinations

Do not leave out a school simply because you were there for only a short period.

Find your school buzzword

If you are applying through a school or college, ask for its UCAS buzzword.

The buzzword connects your application to the centre. Once linked, staff can monitor your progress, check your application, add predicted grades and provide your reference.

Entering a buzzword does not instantly send your application to UCAS. Your school will still need to approve and submit it.

6. A Complete List of Your Qualifications

Gather information about every relevant qualification you have completed or are currently studying.

This may include:

• GCSEs

• IGCSEs

• AS levels

• A levels

• BTECs

• Cambridge Technicals

• T Levels

• Scottish National qualifications

• Scottish Highers

• Advanced Highers

• Welsh qualifications

• International Baccalaureate qualifications

• International school qualifications

• Access to Higher Education Diplomas

• English language tests

• Extended Project Qualifications

• Relevant music or performance qualifications

• Previous higher education study

Use certificates, results statements or information provided by your examinations officer.

Record the exact qualification details

For each qualification, note:

• The qualification type

• The subject title

• The awarding organisation

• The grade

• The date awarded

• The school or centre where it was taken

Do not rely entirely on memory, particularly when entering GCSEs or vocational qualifications.

Similar qualifications can have different:

• Levels

• Sizes

• Awarding bodies

• Grading systems

• Official titles

For example, a BTEC National Extended Certificate is different from a BTEC National Diploma or Extended Diploma.

Include pending qualifications

For qualifications you are still studying, record:

• The complete qualification title

• The awarding organisation

• The expected award date

• The subjects or units, where required

The result will normally be entered as pending. Your teacher or referee may add predicted grades separately.

Include resits and previous results

Gather details of both:

• The original examination result

• The qualification you are retaking

Do not remove an earlier grade because you hope to improve it.

Your UCAS application should provide a complete and accurate education history.

Include unsuccessful results

Do not leave out a qualification because the result was lower than expected.

Universities may compare the application with examination records. Missing or inaccurate information can create problems later, even when the omitted result would not have affected the original decision.

7. Qualification Certificates and Transcripts

Place all your qualification records in one folder before starting.

Useful documents include:

• GCSE certificates

• A-level certificates

• BTEC certificates

• Results statements

• International qualification certificates

• Official school transcripts

• English language certificates

• Previous university transcripts

You may not need to send every certificate with the original application. They are still useful for checking exact grades, dates and qualification titles.

Scanning your documents

For 2027 entry, UCAS allows applicants to upload certain supporting documents when prompted in the relevant section of the application. Once the application has been submitted, attached documents cannot normally be added or amended through UCAS, so each file should be reviewed carefully before submission.

When scanning documents:

• Include every relevant page.

• Make sure all text is readable.

• Keep the document upright.

• Avoid glare and shadows.

• Do not crop out your name or result.

• Use a clear filename.

• Do not password-protect the file.

• Upload only the document requested.

Clear filenames could include:

• Rachel_Smith_GCSE_Certificate_2025.pdf

• Rachel_Smith_A_Level_Results_2027.pdf

• Rachel_Smith_English_Language_Certificate.pdf

Document uploading is optional in many circumstances and does not replace completing the application questions. Not uploading optional documents should not disadvantage the application.

8. Your Predicted Grades

Find out how and when your school produces predicted grades.

Ask:

• Which grades are currently predicted?

• When are predictions finalised?

• Who enters them into UCAS?

• Can they change after mock examinations?

• Is there a school process for discussing a prediction?

• What evidence does the school use?

Students usually enter current qualifications as pending. The school or referee normally adds predicted grades when completing the reference.

Do not enter predicted grades as if they are completed results.

Why predicted grades matter

Universities may use predicted grades alongside:

• Achieved qualifications

• Entry requirements

• Your reference

• Admissions-test results

• Your personal statement

• Contextual information

• Interviews or portfolios

Predicted grades are only one part of the application, but they can affect whether your course choices are realistic.

Read Can You Get In With Lower Grades? [Can You Get In With Lower Grades?] if your predicted grades are below a course’s published requirements.

9. A Researched Course Shortlist

You do not need to finalise your five choices before beginning the application, but you should have a well-researched shortlist.

UCAS undergraduate applicants can add up to five choices. These may be the same or different courses at one or more universities. When adding a choice, you need the institution, course, campus, intended start date, entry point and whether you plan to live at home.

For every possible course, record:

• University name

• Course title

• Course code

• Campus

• Course length

• Start year

• Qualification awarded

• Entry requirements

• Required subjects

• GCSE requirements

• Admissions tests

• Interview requirements

• Portfolio or audition requirements

• Placement options

• Study abroad opportunities

• Professional accreditation

• Application deadline

Compare the actual course content

Do not choose a course based only on its title.

Check:

• First-year modules

• Compulsory modules

• Optional modules

• Teaching methods

• Contact hours

• Laboratory or practical work

• Assessment methods

• Placement arrangements

• Final-year options

Two courses with the same title can provide very different experiences.

Use How to Choose the Right Degree Course [How to Choose the Right Degree Course] to create your shortlist.

10. The Correct Campus and Entry Year

Some universities operate across several campuses, towns or cities.

Before adding a course, confirm:

• Where teaching takes place

• Where first-year accommodation is located

• Whether the course moves between campuses

• Which campus code applies

• Whether you are applying for 2027 or deferred entry

• Whether the course begins in September, January or another month

Choosing the wrong campus could mean applying to study in a different location from the one you visited.

Do not copy a course code from an old prospectus or an unofficial website. Check the current UCAS listing and the university’s own course page.

11. Entry Requirements for Every Choice

Create a checklist for each course rather than looking only at the headline grades.

Check:

• A-level or equivalent grade requirements

• Required subjects

• GCSE English requirements

• GCSE Maths requirements

• Science GCSE requirements

• UCAS Tariff requirements

• BTEC combinations

• T Level acceptance

• International qualification requirements

• English language requirements

• Admissions-test requirements

• Work experience

• Portfolio requirements

• Interview or audition requirements

• Contextual offer criteria

A course advertised as requiring ABB may also require an A in a particular subject or a specific GCSE grade.

Read Understanding University Entry Requirements [Understanding University Entry Requirements] before finalising your choices.

Check contextual offer eligibility

Universities may consider information about your school, home area or personal circumstances when assessing your application.

Depending on the university, contextual factors might include:

• Attending a particular school or college

• Living in an area with low progression to higher education

• Receiving free school meals

• Care experience

• Estrangement

• Caring responsibilities

• Refugee status

• Participation in an outreach programme

Eligibility rules vary between universities. Use each university’s own checker rather than assuming that qualifying for one contextual offer means you qualify everywhere.

Read Contextual Offers Explained [Contextual Offers Explained] for more information.

12. Admissions-Test Details and Deadlines

Some courses require a separate admissions test.

Depending on your subject and university choices, this could include tests such as:

• UCAT

• LNAT

• ESAT

• TMUA

• MAT

• STEP

• University-specific assessments

Before submitting your UCAS application, find out:

• Which test is required

• Who runs it

• When registration opens

• The registration deadline

• The test date

• The test fee

• Whether financial support is available

• Where the test is taken

• Whether results are sent automatically

• Whether different universities use the result differently

Admissions-test registration is often separate from UCAS. Adding a course choice does not necessarily register you for the required test.

Use the Complete Guide to University Admissions Tests [Complete Guide to University Admissions Tests] and Admissions Test Timeline [Admissions Test Timeline] to plan ahead.

13. Interview, Portfolio and Audition Requirements

Some universities make decisions using more than the written UCAS application.

You may need to prepare for:

• An academic interview

• A multiple mini interview

• An audition

• A portfolio

• Written work

• A practical assessment

• A supplementary questionnaire

• A fitness-to-practise check

Record the requirements for every choice.

Check whether:

• Materials must be submitted before the UCAS deadline

• The university contacts applicants after submission

• Interviews are online or in person

• Travel may be required

• Written work needs teacher authentication

• Portfolio files have a particular format

• Additional fees apply

Do not wait for the university to remind you about a separately managed deadline.

14. Evidence for Your Personal Statement

Before drafting, collect examples that demonstrate your interest, preparation and suitability for the course.

The UCAS personal statement now consists of three questions covering:

1. Why you want to study the course or subject

2. How your qualifications and studies have prepared you

3. What you have done outside education to prepare, and why those experiences are useful

Admissions teams are looking for relevant evidence of subject interest, knowledge, skills, experiences and potential.

Evidence of subject interest

You might include:

• Books

• Articles

• Journals

• Lectures

• Podcasts

• Documentaries

• Museum visits

• Exhibitions

• Academic competitions

• Independent research

• Online courses

• Summer schools

• University taster sessions

Do not simply create a list.

For each activity, record:

• What you did

• What you learned

• Which idea interested you

• Whether it changed your view

• What you explored next

• How it relates to the degree

Evidence from your studies

Consider:

• Relevant subjects

• Particular topics or modules

• Essays

• Coursework

• Research projects

• Practical investigations

• Presentations

• Group work

• Mathematical or data skills

• An EPQ

• Independent study

Focus on what the experience taught you rather than repeating grades shown elsewhere in the application.

Evidence from outside education

You might discuss:

• Work experience

• Volunteering

• Paid work

• Caring responsibilities

• Hobbies

• Sport

• Music

• Community activities

• Personal responsibilities

• Online learning

• Travel or visits

• Challenges you have overcome

UCAS suggests that applicants may use relevant employment, volunteering, personal experiences, supercurricular activities, online learning, visits and responsibilities as evidence, provided they explain why the experience is useful.

Read How to Write a Personal Statement [How to Write a Personal Statement] and How to Answer Each UCAS Question [How to Answer Each UCAS Question] before drafting.

15. A Suitable UCAS Referee

Arrange your referee early.

If you are currently in education or left recently, your referee should normally be someone who knows you academically and can provide relevant information about your suitability and predicted grades.

This might be:

• A subject teacher

• A form tutor

• A head of sixth form

• A college lecturer

• A school careers adviser

Applicants who have been out of education for some time may be able to use an employer or another suitable professional, but university requirements can vary.

Your referee cannot normally be:

• A parent

• Another family member

• A friend

• A partner

• A former partner

UCAS warns that using an unsuitable personal referee can result in an application being cancelled.

Information to give your referee

Your referee cannot automatically see your application or course choices, so provide:

• Your proposed degree subject

• Your university shortlist

• Relevant entry requirements

• Your academic interests

• Important achievements

• Supercurricular activities

• Relevant work experience

• Your intended career direction

• Your application deadline

UCAS requires one reference, and an application cannot normally be submitted until the chosen referee has completed it. UCAS recommends requesting the reference after completing the education section and allowing plenty of time before the deadline.

16. Paid Employment Details

Prepare details of any paid jobs you have held.

For each role, record:

• Employer name

• Employer address

• Job title

• Start date

• End date

• Whether you still work there

The employment section is for paid work.

Do not enter volunteering or unpaid work experience as employment. Relevant unpaid experience can be discussed elsewhere, including in your personal statement.

What if you have never had a paid job?

That is not a problem.

Most universities do not expect school or college applicants to have extensive employment experience. Do not invent a job or exaggerate your responsibilities to fill the section.

17. Extra Courses and Activities

Make a list of organised activities that may fit the UCAS extra activities section.

These might include:

• University summer schools

• Higher education taster courses

• Outreach programmes

• Subject programmes

• Campus experience schemes

• Widening participation activities

Record:

• The official activity title

• The provider

• The date

• What the activity involved

• Whether it is connected to a university

Ordinary hobbies, independent reading and volunteering may be better used as evidence in your personal statement.

18. Relevant Personal Circumstances

The application includes questions that allow you to share circumstances that may affect the support you need or provide important context.

These may include:

• A disability

• A learning difference

• A long-term health condition

• Care experience

• Estrangement

• Caring responsibilities

• Parenting responsibilities

• Refugee or asylum status

• An Armed Forces connection

• Free school meal eligibility

UCAS says that optional personal-circumstances information can help universities understand an applicant’s background and arrange suitable support.

Why share this information?

It may help universities identify:

• Reasonable adjustments

• Accessible accommodation

• Additional financial support

• Contextual admissions

• Transition support

• Specialist student services

• Scholarships or bursaries

Sharing support needs is not an admission that you are unable to cope with university. It gives the university an opportunity to prepare appropriate support.

Gather supporting evidence where required

Depending on your answers, you may be offered the option to upload evidence.

This could include:

• A letter from a local authority

• Confirmation from a school or college

• Evidence of previous names

• Immigration documentation

• Official qualification evidence

Upload only what UCAS requests in the relevant section.

19. Student Finance Information

The UCAS application asks how you expect to fund your studies, but applying through UCAS does not automatically apply for student finance. UCAS does not manage student finance applications.

Depending on where you normally live, student finance is managed separately by the appropriate organisation for:

• England

• Wales

• Scotland

• Northern Ireland

Before applying, begin thinking about:

• Tuition fees

• Maintenance support

• Household income information

• Scholarships

• Bursaries

• Accommodation costs

• Travel

• Course materials

• Part-time work

You do not necessarily need to complete your student finance application before submitting UCAS, but you should understand that it is a separate process.

Read How to Apply for Student Finance [How to Apply for Student Finance] and Maintenance Loans Explained [Maintenance Loans Explained].

20. The UCAS Application Fee

For the 2027 application cycle, the undergraduate application fee is £34.50. This covers up to five university or college choices.

Before submitting, check whether:

• You will pay the fee yourself.

• Your school or college collects payment.

• Your school pays application fees.

• You qualify for a fee waiver.

• You have an accepted payment method.

Free school meals fee waiver

Eligible applicants who have received UK government-funded free school meals during secondary education may be able to apply without paying the UCAS fee.

The applicant must declare the information in the relevant application section and select the fee-waiver option when submitting. The school or registered centre must verify eligibility.

Care leaver fee waiver

From the 2027 cycle, eligible care leavers can also receive an application fee waiver.

The process involves declaring care experience, providing suitable supporting information and following UCAS instructions before submitting the application.

Do not pay the fee until you have checked your eligibility and understood the required process.

21. A Secure Place to Store Your Application Information

Create a dedicated digital folder for your university application.

Suggested folders include:

• Course research

• Open days

• Entry requirements

• Qualifications

• Personal statement

• Reference information

• Admissions tests

• Interviews

• UCAS documents

• Offers

• Student finance

• Accommodation

Keep copies of:

• Your completed personal statement answers

• Your course shortlist

• Qualification details

• Application reference numbers

• Admissions-test registrations

• Emails from universities

• Submitted forms

• Uploaded documents

Do not rely on having everything stored only inside UCAS or your school account.

Protect your information

Your application contains sensitive personal information.

Do not share:

• Your password

• Security answers

• Full passport scans

• Immigration documents

• Payment information

• UCAS login details

UCAS allows you to nominate someone to discuss the application on your behalf, but they do not need your password.

22. A Calendar of Every Application Deadline

Create one calendar containing all relevant deadlines.

Include:

• Your school’s internal UCAS deadline

• The UCAS equal consideration deadline

• Admissions-test registration

• Admissions-test dates

• Portfolio submissions

• Written work

• Interview responses

• University questionnaires

• Scholarship applications

• Student finance

• Accommodation applications

• Offer reply dates

The official UCAS deadline may not be your earliest deadline.

For example, an admissions test or university form may need to be completed before your UCAS application is submitted.

Set reminders at least:

• One month before

• One week before

• Two days before

Do not make the final day your planned completion date.

Your Complete Pre-UCAS Checklist

Personal details

• I have a permanent personal email address.

• I know my full legal name.

• I have checked my date of birth.

• I know my current address.

• I have collected previous address dates.

• I have my phone number and emergency contact details.

• I have checked my passport or identity documents.

Nationality and residency

• I know my country of birth.

• I know my nationality or nationalities.

• I have relevant immigration documents.

• I know my UK arrival date, where applicable.

• I understand that fee status may be assessed separately.

Education

• I have listed every school and college attended.

• I know the attendance dates.

• I have gathered qualification certificates.

• I have recorded every completed grade.

• I have included unsuccessful results.

• I have recorded pending qualifications.

• I have details of any resits.

• I know the correct awarding organisations.

• I have checked qualification award dates.

Course research

• I have identified the subject I want to study.

• I have compared course modules.

• I have researched several universities.

• I have checked each campus.

• I have checked the correct entry year.

• I have recorded full entry requirements.

• I have checked required subjects.

• I have checked GCSE requirements.

• I have checked contextual offer criteria.

• I would genuinely attend every shortlisted course.

Additional admissions requirements

• I have checked whether I need an admissions test.

• I know the test-registration deadline.

• I know the test date.

• I have checked interview requirements.

• I have checked portfolio or audition requirements.

• I have checked for additional university forms.

Personal statement

• I understand the three UCAS questions.

• I have collected evidence of subject interest.

• I have identified relevant academic examples.

• I have recorded supercurricular activities.

• I have reflected on what I learned.

• I have gathered relevant employment or volunteering examples.

• I know which experiences are most relevant to my course.

Reference

• I know who will provide my reference.

• My referee is academically or professionally suitable.

• My referee has agreed.

• I have given them my course information.

• They know my deadline.

• I have my school or college buzzword.

• I understand how predicted grades are added.

Employment and activities

• I have collected paid employment details.

• I know the employer addresses.

• I have recorded employment dates.

• I have listed relevant summer schools or outreach activities.

• I know which unpaid experiences to discuss in my personal statement.

Support and funding

• I have considered whether to disclose personal circumstances.

• I have gathered supporting evidence where required.

• I understand that student finance is a separate application.

• I know how the UCAS fee will be paid.

• I have checked whether I qualify for a fee waiver.

Organisation

• I have created an application folder.

• I have saved copies of important documents.

• I have created a deadline calendar.

• I know my school’s internal deadline.

• I have allowed time for checking and corrections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my final university choices before starting UCAS?

No.

You can begin completing your personal and education information before confirming all five choices. Do not submit until you have checked the course, campus, start year and entry requirements for every choice.

Do I need qualification certificates to apply?

You may not need to send every certificate with your original application, but you should use them to enter your qualification titles, dates and grades accurately.

UCAS may offer document uploads for particular information or circumstances in the 2027 application.

Do I need predicted grades before starting?

No.

You can enter qualifications you are currently studying as pending. When you apply through a school or college, staff normally add predicted grades alongside your reference.

It is still helpful to know your predicted grades before finalising your course choices.

Do I need a completed personal statement before registering?

No.

You can register and complete other sections first. Draft your personal statement answers separately and paste them into UCAS after editing and proofreading.

Do I need work experience?

Not for every course.

Some professional courses may expect or recommend relevant experience, while others focus more heavily on academic interest and subject exploration.

Always check the requirements of the individual course.

What if I have never had a paid job?

Leave the employment section empty if you have no paid employment.

Do not enter volunteering as employment or invent experience. You may discuss relevant volunteering, caring responsibilities or extracurricular activities in your personal statement.

Can a parent write my reference?

No.

UCAS says references should not be provided by family members, friends, partners or former partners. Applicants should use an appropriate academic or professional referee.

Can I use my school email address?

You can, but a permanent personal address is usually safer.

You may lose access to your school account after leaving, when you still need to receive Results Day, Clearing, accommodation or enrolment messages.

Should I upload every certificate I have?

No.

Upload only the documents requested within the relevant application section. Unnecessary files may not be useful, and attached documents cannot normally be changed after the application has been submitted.

Do I apply for student finance through UCAS?

No.

UCAS asks how you expect to fund your studies, but the student finance application is completed separately.

How much does a UCAS application cost for 2027?

The 2027 undergraduate application fee is £34.50 for up to five choices. Eligible applicants may receive a fee waiver.

Final Advice Before Starting Your UCAS Application

You do not need to have your future completely planned before you open UCAS.

You do need accurate information, a realistic course shortlist and enough time to check what you enter.

The most important things to prepare are:

• Your full education history

• Your qualification details

• Your course research

• Your personal statement evidence

• Your referee

• Your deadlines

Gathering these in advance turns the application from one enormous task into a series of manageable sections.

Once everything is ready, use How to Fill In Your UCAS Application [How to Fill In Your UCAS Application] to complete the form step by step.