How to apply for university 2025

Now that you've made the decision to go to university, follow these steps on how to apply and ensure everything is on track for meeting the UCAS application deadline for 2025/26

Research courses and universities

This is your opportunity to weigh up all the information available and choose a course that best suits your career aspirations and learning goals.

As you consider which degree to study, you can narrow down your options by:

• identifying your main interests
• comparing universities
• attending university open days (either in person or virtually).

You can discuss your options with friends, family, course tutors and college careers advisers until you're ready to begin the university application process for 2025/26 entry.

Register with UCAS

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is the central organisation responsible for processing applications for full-time undergraduate study at UK universities.

You can either register and complete your application using UCAS's online system or do it through your school or college, and they'll send it to UCAS on your behalf. However, with the latter, it's important to confirm the deadline, as it may be earlier than the one set by UCAS.

Apply as an individual or international student

If you've already left college or you're an international student looking to study in the UK, you'll need to register with UCAS as an individual and apply through their online system, while adhering to the timeframe set out below.

Make a part-time or distance learning application

For those looking to study part time or via distance learning, you'll need to contact the university directly to apply, although you can still search for courses on the UCAS website between July and September.

The application process is also a lot shorter, so you don't need to find a course as far in advance. Exact deadlines are set by individual course providers.

International students applying for part-time courses will still go through UCAS, but you may need to send your proof of qualifications directly to the university. Speak to your chosen institution to find out their policy on receiving results.

Apply to a conservatoire

If you're interested in vocational performing arts degrees, such as dance, drama or music, highly practical and creative courses are available from a number of prestigious institutions known as conservatoires.

To apply for these courses, you must submit your application during your final year of A-level study.

Nine out of 11 conservatoires in the UK are part of the UCAS Conservatoires scheme, so you'll usually create a single online application that will be sent to up to six conservatories.

You'll have two remaining course choices. With these, you can either apply through the UCAS system or contact your chosen institution directly.

Check the course entry requirements

Before you start your application, it's important to be aware that institutions set their own entry requirements based on the subject and the demands of the specific course. This is to ensure that the students who make it through the selection process have the necessary knowledge and skills.

They usually consider:

• your previous qualifications, subjects and grades - typically A-levels as well as your GCSE results
• whether you're the right fit for the course, based on your experience, interests and skills
• how well you perform at a university interview
• any other information - for example, health or Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

Course providers don't immediately dismiss those who fall short of their requirements. You may still receive an offer for a place on a course if you don't quite achieve your predicted grades.

Check your grades using the UCAS Tariff points system

While institutions require grades in certain subjects at A-level (or equivalent) as part of their course entry requirements, they may also request a particular amount of UCAS Tariff points.

Although this system is optional, it is often used by admissions staff to compare applicants.

Complete your UCAS application

Online applications for full-time undergraduate study are made by visiting the UCAS Hub.

From this page, you'll be able to start, continue and track your application. You can also get help with filling in your UCAS undergraduate application form.

When applying, you can select up to five courses at different universities. However, you can only apply once in a cycle.

Write your personal statement

The current UCAS personal statement you'll be asked to submit is only applicable to students looking to go to university in 2025/26.

The 4,000-character statement is your opportunity to explain why you've chosen to study a particular course. Use relevant skills and experience as examples while showing enthusiasm for the subject. It's also your chance to showcase your unique personal qualities and tell admissions staff how you plan to contribute to the university.

Get help completing a personal statement for university applications.

From 2026/27, UCAS will replace the personal statement with three questions. Read more at UCAS - The new personal statement for 2026 entry.

Choose a referee

When you get to the reference section of your application, you'll need a referee ready to give their independent opinion on your suitability for your chosen courses. This will go along with your personal statement.

You'll typically only provide one referee, but you can ask the university if an additional reference can be sent to them directly.

The most suitable referee will depend on the following two situations:

• If you're studying or have recently been in education, the referee needs to be a person who knows you from an academic perspective, such as a teacher or personal tutor. They need to be able to share information that supports your application, while including any predicted grades for the courses you're studying at the moment. If you're happy for them to discuss these matters, they can mention any extenuating circumstances that have affected your academic work or achievements, such as personal issues or sickness.
• If you haven't been in education for some time, depending on the university, they may allow you to supply an employment reference from your manager. However, it's crucial that you check the requirements of the course and institution for the type of reference that needs to be included.

Partners, friends or family members cannot provide a reference.

The referee will not be able to view your application or courses, so you'll need to provide them with these details before sending them the reference request.

Your application won't be complete until your referee has filled out and added this information to your online form. Be sure to leave plenty of time before the UCAS deadline.

Submit your application by the UCAS deadline

The deadline for all 2025 applications to be received by UCAS is Monday 30 June.

The 2025 UCAS application fee is £28.50 for up to five choices.

Your college may collect the payment for entry, or they could ask you to pay UCAS directly.

Before the application deadline, you'll need to:

• fill in all your details, qualifications and courses selected
• write your personal statement
• include a written reference from a teacher or professional who knows you academically
• pay your UCAS application fee.

Key UCAS application deadlines

Here are the key dates for courses starting in 2025:

• 29 January 2025 - Applications for most courses to be received by UCAS.
• 26 February 2025 - Extra opens.
• 30 June 2025 - all applications received after this date will enter into Clearing.
• 4 July 2025 - last date to apply in Extra for 2025 entry.
• 5 July 2025 - Clearing opens.
• 5 August 2025 - SQA results day 2025.
• 14 August 2025 - A-level results day 2025.
• 20 October 2025 - deadline for Clearing choices to be added.

Add more course choices

Applicants who have used all five choices but are not holding any offers (or have declined those received) may consider the UCAS Extra service, which allows you to add one more choice.

If you've choices remaining from the five available, you may be able to enter more using UCAS Hub. However, this needs to be done before the final UCAS deadline. You can't use this feature if you've already accepted or declined your offers.

Track your application

Once your application has been sent and you've received a welcome email, you can follow its progress by logging into UCAS Hub. To use this online system, simply sign in with your personal ID and password.

You'll then be able to find out if you have any offers for a place on a course or receive an invitation to attend an interview. You can also respond to any offers you receive from your chosen universities.

Don't worry about missing important updates. If your application is changed, you'll be notified by email.

While some things can still be changed, including swapping choices, you'll need to be aware of the timescales involved.

Get offers for a university place

Await responses from your preferred universities

You may not see much activity at first, as it can take months before you start receiving offers.

When a university makes an offer, you'll receive a notification email (as long as you're set up in UCAS Hub).

You can then log in and view the offer.

The four types of offers

• Conditional - you'll still need to meet the entry requirements, typically your A-level results.
• Unconditional - you've been allocated a place on the course, but a few things may still need to be arranged. For example, you may need to get a DBS check, provide proof of your qualifications or meet other medical or financial requirements.
• Unsuccessful - the university has made the decision not to offer you a place on their course. You may or may not be given a reason.
• Withdrawn - either you or the university chooses to withdraw a course choice. In these circumstances, you should receive an explanation from the university through UCAS.

Attend a university interview

Instead of simply making you an offer, some universities might invite you to an interview or audition. You'll find out about this through UCAS Hub.

Discover how to prepare for a university interview and what to expect.

Respond to offers

Once all your UCAS offers are in, you'll have to make a decision and respond by the deadline. You can:

• pick a firm choice, your preferred option
• select an insurance choice as backup, if your firm choice is conditional
• decline the other offers.

You may choose to decline all the offers, adding more courses through the UCAS Extra service.

If you have a conditional place on a course, the university will update your status once it receives your grades/exam results.

After you've been firmly accepted by a university, you'll receive details from the institution about what to do next.

Explore student finance

As soon as you've sent your application, you can begin to look for ways to fund your study.

There are various options available, including:

• tuition fee loans
• maintenance loans
• non-repayable scholarships and grants.

Eligibility will usually depend on where you live in the UK.

For more information on the types of funding available, see student loans and finance. You can also explore university scholarships and bursaries.

Prepare for A-level results day

If you've received offers which are conditional on your exam results, A-level results day becomes even more crucial.

For those looking to go to university in 2025, this day falls on Thursday 14 August. Discover what to do on A-level results day 2025.

In most cases, exam results are sent directly from UCAS to your various choices.

Secure a place through Clearing

All is not lost if you didn't receive any offers or get the grades you hoped for. The Clearing process allows universities and colleges to fill any remaining course vacancies.

You can use the UCAS search tool to find suitable courses.

Get the lowdown on university Clearing.

Finalise your place at university

Once you've accepted an offer from your chosen university, it's time to start planning for university life.

It's recommended that you sort your student accommodation as soon as possible. Also consider:

• 10 things to do before starting university
• what to take to university
• making the most of freshers' week.

Find out more

• Discover how to apply for reasonable adjustments.
• Read about 7 life skills you'll learn at university.
• Get tips on saving money as a student.