ucas personal statement deadline 2022

• UCAS application

Personal statement

Academic reference, special circumstances.

• Declaring your disability

If you want to study at Oxford, you need to apply a year before the start date of your course by completing an online  UCAS application form .

Applications open in May so you can start work on the form from then. You won't be able to submit your application until early September. 

There is a strict submission deadline of 6pm (UK time) on 15 October. Your application must be complete - including the academic reference - and submitted before the deadline. Late applications cannot be accepted.

The deadline for applications is 6pm (UK time) on 15 October and this must be strictly adhered to.

Completing a UCAS application for Oxford follows the same process as for other universities, we just have an earlier  submission deadline of 15 October .

Please note that you should not send us as part of your application any certificates, transcripts or other documents for qualifications that you have already taken. The only exception to this is if you already have a degree from a university – see the 'Other forms' section on this page.

We will contact you for evidence of your qualifications if you are offered a place at Oxford.

Before you start:

• Choose  which course  you would like to study. You can only apply to one course at Oxford, and you can't apply to Oxford and Cambridge in the same year. Read more  information on all our courses . 
• Check the  admission requirements  for your course. Specific grades and subjects required are also shown on each  course page .
• Decide whether to express a preference for a particular  college  or make an open application. If you make an open application, you will be assigned to a college which has had relatively fewer applications for your course in the year you apply.

What will the UCAS application ask for?

• Personal details including an email address. Make sure you check this address frequently.
• Details about your education, and any qualifications you have already achieved. 
• A personal statement where you tell us why you are interested in your chosen course. Read our guidance on writing your personal statement .
• Your reference. Remember that your teacher or adviser will need some time to complete your reference, and this must be completed before the deadline. Read our guidance on academic references .
• A fee payment to UCAS is required to complete the process.

Read guidance from UCAS on  filling in your application .

• Admissions tests

For most courses at Oxford you are required to take a test as part of your application. Registration for tests is not automatic and is not part of the UCAS process.

New arrangements for 2024 admissions tests and beyond are still to be confirmed but will be communicated as soon as possible and no later than the start of the new admissions cycle in early Spring. 

Other forms 

If you are applying for a second undergraduate degree, please send a copy of the transcript from your first degree to the college that is considering your application, to arrive by 10 November.

No other references, transcripts, or certificates are required or accepted except for students applying for  Graduate-entry Medicine (A101)  or  Choral or Organ Awards .

One section of the application is called your personal statement. This is where you can write whatever you’d like to say about yourself and your motivation to study your course.

People sometimes think that there is a trick to writing a personal statement for Oxford, or that we are looking for some special secret formula, but this is not the case.

It’s important to remember that you can only write one personal statement and so the same wording will be seen by all the universities you apply to.

Your personal statement should therefore focus on the course you want to study, not the universities themselves. Please read this  helpful advice from UCAS . Please also view UCAS’ guidance on the use of assistive technology (including artificial intelligence) when writing your personal statement. 

Provided that your academic referee can give us some background on the impact of COVID-19 on your education in their reference, you do not need to specifically refer to this in your personal statement. If the pandemic has shaped how you think about your subject or offered you relevant opportunities to show your interest in your subject area, you can of course include this as part of your motivation for applying for the course. Otherwise, follow the advice given below.

How important is the personal statement?

Universities build a picture of you as a student from all the different information you provide, to help decide whether or not to offer you a place.

The picture is made up of several different pieces:

• your personal statement,
• your academic record,
• your predicted A-level grades (or equivalent),
• and your teacher's reference.

For most courses at Oxford you will also need to take an admissions test or submit written work ( check the details for your course ).

If your application is shortlisted, your interview will also be taken into account. This means that your personal statement is important but it’s not everything: it’s just one part of the overall picture.

What are Oxford tutors looking for?

Tutors at Oxford are only interested in your academic ability and potential. They want to see that you are truly committed to the subject or subjects you want to study at university but it’s not enough just to say that you have a passion for something. 

You need to show tutors how you have engaged with your subject, above and beyond whatever you have studied at school or college. This can include any relevant extra-curricular activities.

Try to avoid writing your personal statement as though you are ticking things off a list. There is no checklist of required achievements, and tutors will not just scan what you have written to look for key words or phrases.

Tutors will read your personal statement to try to understand what has motivated you to apply for their course. It’s a good idea to evaluate your experiences, to show what you have learned from them and how they have helped develop your understanding of your subject.  

Where should I start?

Think about talking to your friends about what you want to study at university: what would you tell them?

What have you read or watched or seen that has inspired you? (This might have been at school, at home, in a museum, on TV, in a book, on YouTube or a podcast or anywhere else. You can also take a look at our  suggested reading and resources .) Why was it interesting? What do you want to find out next? What did you do?

If you find this difficult, it might be time to think about whether or not you’ve really chosen the right course. If you can’t think of anything that has inspired you, this lack of enthusiasm will probably come across in your personal statement, or it will become clear at interview, and you’re unlikely to gain a place at Oxford. If you find it easy to answer these questions, you will have a long list of ideas to help you write your personal statement.

When you start to write, remember not just to list your achievements but show how they have affected you, how you have benefited, and what you’d like to learn next. Be honest about yourself and what has inspired you, whether that’s been text books, museums and literature, or websites, podcasts and blogs.

Be sure to tell the truth, as tutors might check later, so don’t exaggerate and certainly don’t make any false claims. Don’t hold back either – this is no time for modesty.

When you've written a first draft, have a look back at the  selection criteria  for your course and think about the evidence you've given for each of the criteria. Have you covered everything?

Should I include extra-curricular activities?

We typically suggest that you focus around 80% of your personal statement on your academic interests, abilities and achievements. This can include discussion of any relevant extra-curricular activities. The remaining 20% can then cover any unrelated extra-curricular activities.

There’s a myth that Oxford is looking for the most well-rounded applicants, and that you will only be offered a place if you have a long list of varied extra-curricular activities. In fact, extra-curricular activities are only helpful in so far as they demonstrate the  selection criteria  for your course. 

If you are applying to other universities as well as to Oxford (you can make five choices on your UCAS form) then you may need to find out whether the other universities have different selection criteria. If they do, then you might want to provide some information about your extra-curricular interests – but keep it to a minimum.

The space in your personal statement is limited, so think carefully about what you want to include.

Do I need experience of work and travel?

We understand that not everyone has the opportunity to do work experience or to go travelling so these activities are not a requirement for any of our courses. Tutors won’t be impressed by your connections, or the stamps in your passport, but they will be impressed by how you’ve engaged with your subject.

For example, some of our applicants for Medicine may have had work experience placements in prestigious hospitals but not be able to evaluate their time there. If you have no more experience than some simple voluntary work, or even just discussing medical matters with your friends and family, you can still write an effective personal statement by reflecting critically on what you have learned and discussed. 

To give another example, for the History of Art course, tutors will not want to hear about all the galleries and exhibitions that you have visited around the world if you cannot discuss the art that you saw. You can come across more effectively in your personal statement by evaluating art you have seen, even if you’ve only seen it online or in books without ever leaving the school library.

Don’t be put off by any friends who you think have more impressive things to say in their personal statements. Remember that tutors do not have a checklist of achievements that they are looking for: they want to see how you have engaged with your subject. 

I’m applying to different courses at different universities – how should I write my personal statement?

If you are thinking of applying for completely different courses at different universities (eg Physics and Accounting, or Biology and Music) we’d encourage you to reconsider.

It’s important to choose a subject area that you really want to study, and focus on that one area when making your applications. Also, you can only write one personal statement which will be seen by all the universities to which you apply, so it needs to be relevant for all your courses.

If you are thinking of applying for related courses at different universities then we suggest that you avoid using course titles in your personal statement. We recommend that you write about your interest in the general course themes, and how you have engaged with relevant subject areas, so that your personal statement is equally relevant for each of your course choices. 

Does my personal statement need to stand out?

Students sometimes feel that they need to say something dramatic to stand out from the crowd and be really memorable in their personal statement but this is not true. Applying to Oxford is not like a talent show where you may only have a few seconds to make an impression.

Tutors consider each application carefully on its individual merits, looking for evidence of your commitment and ability. If you use your personal statement to demonstrate your academic abilities and your engagement with your subject(s), then your application will be memorable for all the right reasons.

How many versions should I write?

Ask a teacher to read through what you’ve written, listen to their feedback and then make any updates that they suggest. You may need two or three tries to get it right and it can take longer than you think, especially with the limited number of characters.

It can be tricky to get in everything you want to mention, but don't spend too much time trying to make your personal statement completely perfect - it's only one of the things that the tutors will consider.

Some dos and don’ts

• Do apply for a course you really want to study.
• Do be yourself: tell the truth about your interests.
• Do sell yourself: this is not the time for modesty.
• Do re-read your personal statement before an interview – the tutors may ask you to talk about things you've mentioned
• Do read the  UCAS guidance on personal statements .
• Don't be tempted to make anything up, as you might be asked about it at interview.
• Don't copy anyone else’s personal statement. UCAS uses plagiarism detection software.
• Don't list qualifications like your GCSE grades or anything else that's covered elsewhere on the application.
• Don't just list your other achievements: you need to evaluate them.
• Don't feel the need to be dramatic in order to be memorable.

A reference from a teacher or someone else who is qualified to comment on your academic ability is an essential part of your UCAS application. Your application will be incomplete without a reference and we will not be able to consider it.

Advice for candidates

• The process is different for those applying through a school/college/centre and those applying after they have left school or as an individual.
• Read  how to get a UCAS undergraduate reference .
• The reference must be in English. If your referee is not confident writing in English, they can ask an English-speaking colleague to help them. Alternatively, you can have a certified translation made for them to upload. Please ask them not to submit a reference in any language other than English, and to make sure that they have uploaded a reference in English to UCAS by the 15 October deadline.
• Your reference must be from someone who can write about your academic potential; it can't be from a family member.

UCAS's reference guidance

• UCAS registered centre linked applications  (for those applying through their school or college).
• Independent or individual applicants (for those who are not at school or college).

Advice for referees

• Read  how to write UCAS undergraduate references  for information about writing an academic reference for a student's application to Oxford. The format of references has changed this year. It is now split into three separate sections so it is important that all referees are aware of the new guidance. 
• References can be up to 4,000 characters (including spaces, headings and line breaks) or 47 lines of text, whichever comes first, and comprise of three sections.
• It is up to the referee how they divide the word count between these three sections but we would advise leaving plenty of space for Section three, which is where you can comment on the individual academic achievements and potential of your Oxford applicants.
• UCAS have published  sample references  which you are likely to find useful. 
• Section one: this invites referees to enter a general statement about their school, college or centre. We strongly recommend including relevant information about school closures and disruption to whole cohorts on a specifically created webpage on your school website. You can then link to this webpage in Section one of your academic reference to ensure that most of the reference word count can still be dedicated to the academic achievements and potential of your student.
• Section two: if applicable, include here any information about individual extenuating circumstances which may have impacted your applicant's education and achievements. Alternatively, if for any reason this is inappropriate, you are welcome to  contact the college  considering your candidate's application.
• Section three: use this to comment on the individual academic achievements and potential of your Oxford applicant and how these relate to the course they are applying for. 
• If the candidate is currently studying or awaiting results you will be asked to include predicted grades for these qualifications. These should not be included as part of the reference but be included in the Education section of a candidate's UCAS application. Students who are awaiting examination results or are yet to take examinations should enter 'pending' against those qualifications (including resits) when completing the Education section. Those pending qualifications will then be shown in the adviser portal and is where referees should record their predicted grades for these pending examinations. Where applicable, this is an important part of the application, so please do include predicted grades. 
• It may be helpful first for you to refer to the  selection criteria  and  admission requirements  for your candidate's chosen course.
• You may like to refer to the additional advice about writing a reference for an Oxford applicant on our  Advice for Teachers page . 

This is the section of the UCAS form where you list all your qualifications along with the grades you have already achieved and any standardised test scores. Please list everything as the admissions tutors need to see the whole picture of your academic studies so far. It doesn't matter if you have taken a lot of qualifications, a few, or none, we ask you to tell us about them. 

You also need to list any educational qualifications you are currently working towards. Students who are awaiting examination results or are yet to take examinations should enter 'pending' against these qualifications (including resits) when completing the Education section. Pending qualifications will then be shown in the adviser portal and is where referees should record their predicted grades for these pending examinations. Where applicable, this is an important part of the application, so   make sure your referee is aware of this.  

Why do we ask for predicted grades?

Using predicted grades means you can apply to study at Oxford before you have finished school (or equivalent) and you don't have to wait until all your exams are complete and your results are known. These predictions help admissions tutors understand your academic potential and let them know if you are going to meet or exceed the entrance requirements for your chosen course.

If you are made an offer of a place, it will be conditional on your achieving the required grades (based on the  entrance requirements  for your course) in any outstanding exams. 

We appreciate that many educational systems around the world do not usually predict a student's grades in this way; however without these predictions from your teacher we are unable to consider your application. There’s lots of advice for teachers in the  teachers’ section  of our website   and from UCAS about writing references and predicting grades . 

What if you can't provide predicted grades?

If you have listed any exams or qualifications as not yet taken on your UCAS form, then your teacher must provide predicted grades for them. If you can't get predicted grades, then your only alternative is to wait until you have got the final results for all your exams and qualifications before applying to Oxford. Please remember that you can only apply to Oxford between early September and 15 October.

English language qualifications

If you are not a native English speaker, please also include any English language qualifications that you have taken or are due to take. Our English language requirements page lists which tests we accept and also explains possible exemptions.

How do you declare international qualifications in the UCAS form?

You should self-report all details of your qualifications, standardised test scores, and grades on the UCAS application form under ‘Education’. It will need to be clear from your application that you are on track to achieve the admission requirements for your  course .

Please visit our  international qualifications page  for the international qualifications we accept and the level of academic attainment we would require.

For any exams you are yet to take, you will need to ask your referee (normally the teacher supporting your application) to predict your results and submit these as part of your UCAS application. Please refer your referee to our advice on writing references and predicting grades . 

You may choose to declare the results of any individual modules or internal exams in the 'Education' section of your UCAS application, but this is not essential. You may instead like to ask your academic referee to mention the results of any internal school exams in the reference, if you feel that these results will help to demonstrate your academic ability and potential. 

Please visit the  UCAS website  for further advice on how to enter your qualifications on the UCAS form.

Note:  do not send us transcripts for the qualifications you've already taken ; you will only need to produce certificates or transcripts if you are offered a place here.

However, if you are applying for a second undergraduate degree, you will need to send a transcript from your first degree separately, to the college that is considering your application. You do not upload this as part of your UCAS form.

If you have personal circumstances that you'd like to tell us about please include them in your personal statement, or ask your teacher to include the information in your reference.

If for any reason this is not appropriate, then please wait until you have had confirmation that your application has been received by a college and then  contact them directly . This is likely to be around the end of October.

You can  contact our Admissions Office  for further information and advice if you're not sure what to include. If you are applying for Medicine, please read the Medical School's guidance on submitting information about extenuating circumstances . 

Usually special circumstances are something that you as an individual have experienced, something that is unique to you. So we would not, for example, expect you to let us know about your school being closed due to COVID-19. We are extremely aware of the widespread disruption to education during the pandemic and will be asking your academic referee to tell us how this has affected your year group. 

Students with disabilities

Please visit the tab  Declaring your disability  and read our  Guidance for disabled applicants  to find out about the support we offer our students.

Other extenuating circumstances

We are sympathetic to the fact that sometimes candidates under-perform at school or college because of extenuating circumstances. If you feel that your performance has been affected in this way please let us know.

You should let us have this information in your UCAS application as we need to receive this information before admissions decisions have been made. 

Information received after admissions decisions have been made will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and if this was not available earlier.   Examples would include disruption caused by change of school or system, severe discontinuity of teachers (but not if this was due to nationwide school closures due to COVID-19), bereavement, and debilitating illness.

We take care to treat each application individually and would always take such mitigating circumstances into account, if they are brought to our attention before admissions decisions have been made.

You could include this information in your personal statement or your teacher could mention this in their reference. If for any reason this is not possible, then we would advise you to contact the college you applied to (or are assigned to if making an open application) once you have had confirmation that your application has been received. This is likely to be around the end of October.

Teachers and other academic referees should follow the  guidance provided by UCAS  in order to explain the impact of COVID-19 on your education.

Whatever your particular circumstances, the earlier we know about your individual requirements, then the sooner we can begin to meet them. 

We are committed to making sure that all our students can benefit from the great opportunities at Oxford so please do tell us about any disability, whether seen or unseen, on your UCAS application. This should include:

• Sensory and physical impairments
• Specific learning difficulties e.g. Dyslexia
• Long-term mental health conditions
• Autism spectrum conditions
• Chronic illnesses and health conditions

Please be assured that admissions decisions are made on academic grounds alone. 29% of all our undergraduate students are known to the Disability Advisory Service.

By telling us now, you will help us put in place any agreed support early and to make reasonable adjustments to facilitate your access to your course and our University. It will also mean that we can provide appropriate arrangements during the admissions process, so for any test or interview.

While you do not need to include this information at this stage, we strongly recommend you do so in order to give us time to prepare and arrange suitable support.

You’ll find the relevant section at the bottom of the Personal Details tab of your UCAS application

• Click ‘see list’ to select the relevant category
• Fill in the second box below Category to give details of any facilities or special provisions required.
• UCAS also has some  good advice  about how to tell us about your disability.

See also our further  Guidance for disabled applicants . This includes information on contacting our  Disability Advisory Service  and how to put in place any necessary arrangements for our admissions tests, if this is one of the admission requirements for your chosen course.

A STEP BY STEP GUIDE FOR APPLICANTS

• Written work
• Second undergraduate degree
• Oxford and Cambridge: the similarities and differences
• Undergraduate Applicant Privacy Notice

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• Track your application

International applicants

The application process for international students is exactly the same as for UK and EU students: i.e. you must apply through  UCAS  by 15 October. 

UCAS  is an independent organisation that handles all applications to study undergraduate degrees in the UK. To complete a UCAS application, you will need to  register with UCAS  and pay them a fee. The UCAS website also has  guidance for international students.

There is no separate application form for Oxford's undergraduate courses (with the single exception of  A101 Graduate Entry Medicine ), and it is not possible to apply without completing a UCAS form.

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King's College London

Important information for applying.

It's important that you follow the required application process and provide all the information we need to assess your application.

Below you will find some of our most common questions, but UCAS also has lots of useful information about how to use the UCAS online application process to apply to our undergraduate degree courses.

How do I apply?

We offer several different types of undergraduate study and the application process may vary depending on whether you wish to apply for an undergraduate degree, International Foundation programme, or to Study Abroad at King's.

To help you understand the best process for you, please see our Applying to King's page .

When is the application deadline? What happens if I apply late?

Deadlines will vary, please visit the following webpages for further information: 

For details of the exact time of these UCAS deadlines, see UCAS guidance on when to apply .

Late applications

If you apply after the specified deadline for your programme, your application will be considered late. We can only consider late applications if there are still places on the programme and after we have considered all on-time applications. Late applications will not be considered until all on-time applications for the relevant programme have been processed.

Do I have to pay to apply?

UCAS charges a small fee to apply, but King's will not charge UCAS applicants an additional application fee for your application to be considered.

Other costs to think about:

You might incur further costs later in the application process, for example:

deposits for international students (if applicable)

payment for visa applications (if applicable)

payment for enhanced criminal conviction checks (if required).

If you are applying for a course which interviews on-site in London, you may also have to consider travel costs. Please contact our King's Advisors if you need any further guidance at this stage.

I am no longer at school/college - can I still use UCAS?

Yes. UCAS will allow you to apply independently of a school/college. You will still have to provide a reference, so take time to consider who is best placed to provide this. See  UCAS application guidance for further details.

UCAS is asking me for a buzzword - what is this?

If you are applying through a secondary school or college, they will be able to provide you with this.

If you are applying independently, you will not need a buzzword - UCAS will ask you some additional questions in order to register with them.

Please note: If you are a student on the King's International Foundation and are applying for an undergraduate degree, King's may be able to provide you with a buzzword and support with the UCAS referencing system.

I'm being asked for a 'campus code' for my course - where do I find this?

Please leave this field blank. King's does not use the UCAS campus code. 

Can I apply for more than one course at King's? How do I do this?

You can apply for more than one course at the same university through  UCAS . However, we encourage you to only apply to similar courses as your personal statement will need to address all of the courses you choose. You should also look at the online prospectus  entry carefully for all courses you apply to, to make sure that you are also considering the non-academic requirements as well as the academic requirements.

Can someone help me complete my UCAS application?

King's will do our best to advise you how to apply to our courses, but we may not be best placed to advise you on some of the technical or practical processes of filling in your UCAS application. Instead we would encourage you to:

Look at the guidance UCAS have provided on their website

Speak to a UCAS Customer Advisor if you are unsure

Talk though the process with a school or careers advisor, or a friend, parent or guardian.

What documents do I need to submit with my application?

In your UCAS application you will be asked to provide:

A personal statement

Full education history

A reference

However, if you have any additional documents which you need to send to King’s to add to your application, the best way to do this is to send us a scanned copy of the file: once you have received your King's Apply log-in details, scan the document and attach the file to a message to us in your King's Apply system . This will send the document to us and automatically ensure it is added to your application. Additional documents might include:

University/high school transcripts (where applicable)

Official English translations of any items not issued in English

English Language test results (such as IELTS, TOEFL)

Any additional forms, samples, or evidence requested by the Admissions Office for your course.

If you are finishing your secondary qualifications, please make sure that your reference has included your predicted grades, either through the reference on the UCAS application or in an email from an official school address.

We are usually unable to consider applications until we have received all of the necessary documents.

What should I include in my personal statement?

Your personal statement is a piece of writing - about 4,000 characters or 47 lines of text - which you will include in your application. You do not need to list your qualifications here, as there will be a separate section of the application form for recording those details (along with details of your qualifications and your reference).

The Personal Statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application: it's your opportunity to introduce yourself to King's and tell us about your interest in your chosen subject, as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.

There's no such thing as a 'perfect' personal statement, and the Admissions Office is not able to advise on drafts. However we hope this guidance will be useful for you:

Check the online prospectus  entry for your programme, and check the 'Entry Requirements' section to see what sort of information we are looking for. For example, we have specific advice for our Medicine A100 programme , and for Law M100 programme , there are a number of 'non academic' requirements you might want to address in your statement.

Read the UCAS guidance on writing a personal statement, and watch King’s guidance .

Always read your statement through carefully, checking punctuation and grammar.

It's a good idea to get someone else to read your statement through too, but remember that it should be your own words: both UCAS and King's take plagiarism very seriously.

I have some relevant work experience. Will this help my application?

For most programmes work experience is not required and it will not be considered in place of the typical entry requirements (but you should check your specific programme in the online prospectus for further details).

However, if there are skills, achievements or knowledge you’ve gained from your work experience which you think would be relevant to you chosen programme, we would encourage you to include some brief details in your personal statement. This is particularly true where the programme states that some sort of work experience is ‘desirable’ or ‘highly desirable’ in the ‘Entry Requirements’ section of the online prospectus.

I haven't studied for a number of years. Can I still apply and does this affect my application?

We welcome applications from mature students, but note that most programmes require evidence of readiness to engage and achieve at an undergraduate degree level and this would usually be demonstrated through recent qualifications. If you have been out of study for a while and have no relevant work experience, you may want to consider refreshing your subject knowledge in order to make a competitive application. For example, you could take an Access to Higher Education course or similar to meet the entry requirements (but do check first if your intended qualification is suitable for entry to the programme you’re interested in).

In some cases, mature applicants will be invited to an interview (for example, to discuss your current knowledge and your motivations for returning study) and you will be sent further information about this once you have applied. If you have any questions about the age of your qualifications, please contact our King's Advisors . 

Can I submit my English language test result after I have submitted my application?

Yes, you can submit your English test results after submitting your application. If you will be taking an English language test at a later date, please mark this on your application. When you have received your results, please scan and upload them to the King's Apply portal .

All English language test results must be no more than two years old.

I've participated in one of King's Widening Participation Schemes - should I do anything different with my application?

You should apply through UCAS in the same way as any other applicant.

However, please make sure that you accurately record the fact that you have participated by following any instructions given to you by the Widening Participation team . If unsure, please contact them .

How long will the decision take on my application? How will I be notified of the outcome?

For undergraduate degree courses, if you apply before the UCAS deadline for your course (either 15 October or 26 January), you will have a decision by 19 May at the latest. Some courses wait until all applications have been submitted before they start assessing applications and others make decisions as they receive applications, so waiting times can vary.

You will be notified of the decision through the King's Apply portal and UCAS Track .

More information

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What Is The UCAS Deadline For Personal Statements?

It’s too simple to say that there’s one UCAS deadline, especially for undergraduate applications.

Depending on your subject or university choice and your own decision-making process, you might want to take advantage of some of that flexibility before submitting your application.

So, what is the UCAS deadline that matters most to you?

The UCAS deadline for undergraduate study relates to the last day that universities are required to treat your application with ‘equal consideration’. This is usually 15 January, although extended to January 26 in 2022. Applications can be made after this time, right through until courses begin.

However, there are other UCAS deadlines that you should be aware of, and I’ll outline these clearly below, as well as give you a snapshot of key US application dates too.

What is the UCAS Deadline for Personal Statements?

The UCAS undergraduate admissions cycle opens in early September of the academic year before a course begins, and you can submit your application at any point from that date onwards.

However, it can make sense to wait a little before you send in your personal statement, as it will give you and your teachers/counsellors or readers more time to help you develop some great content.

It also gives you a little more time to establish a broader range of achievements and to complete some wider reading . An ideal time to apply is late October/early November, which gives you the first half of the autumn term to get your application pitch perfect and gives your school or external referee time to send their elements through as well.

The deadline for applications to the University of Oxford , the University of Cambridge and for Medicine, Veterinary and Dentistry courses is October 15 in the year before taking up a non-deferred place, much earlier in the application cycle.

This early date is partly due to the time needed to process what are often large numbers of applicants but also to give applicants the opportunity to sit additional tests in order to establish suitability.

If you’re a bit behind on this process, don’t worry. Just remember…

The UCAS deadline for personal statements can vary but is traditionally mid-January in the year you intend to take up a place unless you are making a deferred application. Historically the specific date was January 15, but from 2022 onwards, this has been extended to January 26.

You can check the most recent information at UCAS here .

Can I Apply to UCAS After 15 th January?

You can apply to UCAS at any point after the January deadline, up until late June. Applications for undergraduate courses can still be submitted from July onwards, but applicants will usually need to wait for Clearing to open to gain access to the courses that remain available.

However, there are a number of reasons why applying this late in the cycle is likely to disadvantage you:

• Once the January deadline has passed, universities are no longer obliged to consider your application. In other words, they do not have to read it or take the time to make an informed decision. They can simply reject you.
• The majority of competitive courses will have already reached their maximum number of offers, meaning that the later in the process you apply, the fewer spaces are available, and the less choice you will have on subjects, courses and campuses.
• Late applications can be an indication to an admissions team that the applicant is disorganised, unmotivated or unsure about their academic ambitions. That can lead to an application being rejected.
• Very late applications make securing accommodation and funding more challenging.
• The current cycle is designed to leave the spring and summer terms largely clear for study and the completion of advanced level qualifications, without the distraction of the application process. Leaving your application to the last minute can have a detrimental effect on your current studies.

If you possibly can, you should aim to beat the January deadline and submit your personal statement in early November. However, if you do miss your deadline, the best thing to do is to contact UCAS directly, usually via your student hub , and then talk directly with individual universities to establish whether a late application would be welcomed.

What’s the Deadline for Postgraduate Applications?

There is no official deadline for UK postgraduate applications . Most universities are keen to accept applications up until the July prior to courses starting in the autumn. As with undergraduate courses, the sooner you apply, the better your chances of securing a place on the course of your choice.

To be safe, apply at least six months in advance – so around March for a course that starts in September/October. UCAS

The danger with this lack of a formal deadline is that you might delay the application and end up in a rush to get your personal statement completed.

To avoid making that mistake, make sure you organise your resources in advance and prioritise your application with the same level of focus that you place on your undergraduate study.

What About Deadlines for US Uni Applications?

US undergraduate university admissions have a greater range of deadlines than the UK. They are divided into four types; regular decision, early action, early decision and rolling admissions. Different institutions have varying dates for these, so checking a specific university’s requirements is key.

The Early Decision and Action deadline for US applications is 1 November, with follow-up decisions taking place in the new year. The next Early Decision round is 15 November.

Regular Decision deadlines run throughout January, with the majority coming at he start of the month. February 1 and February 15 are also key dates for applications to reach many US universities.

Can you Apply to UK Universities Without UCAS?

As a potential undergraduate, you can apply directly to most UK universities for single courses, bypassing the need to apply through UCAS. You will not be able to apply for other courses, however. You can also apply directly for short courses that do not lead to degree qualifications.

Other specific or specialised courses at universities and other institutions in the UK often prefer direct applications, the most common of which are Art Foundation courses. These frequently do not run through UCAS, and you can find more information on these here .

Good luck with your personal statement, and don’t forget to contact me if you’d like some 1-1 support. You’ve got this! D

Research and content verified by Personal Statement Planet .

David Hallen

I've worked in the Further Education and University Admissions sector for nearly 20 years as a teacher, department head, Head of Sixth Form, UCAS Admissions Advisor, UK Centre Lead and freelance personal statement advisor, editor and writer. And now I'm here for you...

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• UCAS explained

We know applying to university can be daunting, so we’ve made this guide to help you through the application process and answer any questions you might have.

Check your entry year

This guide is for September 2025 entry (and deferred 2026 entry) applications

Applications

Applications for our undergraduate degree programmes are made through UCAS (The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). We do not accept direct applications. Our UCAS code is UCL U80. There is no campus code.

Applying through UCAS

All applicants to UCL’s full-time undergraduate programmes must apply through UCAS. It is not possible to make a direct application.

The following dates are for all applicants, regardless of where you are applying from:

• September 2024: Opening date for the receipt of applications for September 2025 entry
• 15 October 2024: Last date for receipt of applications to Medicine (A100)
• 29 January 2025: Last date for receipt of applications to guarantee full and equal consideration
• 14 May 2025: Last date for decisions on applications submitted by 29 January 2025
• 30 June 2025: Last date for receipt of UCAS Late and Extra applications to programmes that are still open. Any applications received after this are held by UCAS and are not forwarded to institutions.

Meeting your application deadline

All applications submitted by 6pm (UK time) on 29 January 2025 are given equal consideration.

For Medicine, you must apply by 6pm (UK time) on 15 October 2024 to be considered.

LNAT and UCAT admissions tests

Applicants for Law and Medicine should keep in mind the timing of the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT) and the University Clinical Aptitude Tests (UCAT) . See the relevant programme page for further information.

Applying through a school or college registered with UCAS

This route is most commonly used by applicants in the UK who are currently at school or college.

Once you have registered with UCAS and have access to your Track/Hub account, you can add your ‘buzzword’ when you start your application to link yourself to your school or centre. Your teacher or adviser will provide you with this ‘buzzword’ if applicable.

Visit the UCAS website to learn how to link your application to you school or college .

If your school or centre is unable to provide you with a ‘buzzword’, you will need to apply as an independent applicant.

Once you’ve linked your application to your school or centre, your teacher will add their reference and any predicted grades. They will also check over your application and help you along the way.

When the time comes, they will send your application to UCAS on your behalf. 

It is important to make sure your teacher or advisor has enough time to complete their reference and checks before the application deadline. If they do not submit your application by the relevant deadline, UCAS will consider it to be late and there is no guarantee we will be able to consider it.

See the UCAS website for information on how to complete your application .

Some applicants who have recently completed their qualifications may be able to apply through their former school or college. Please contact them for further details.

Independent applicants in the UK and overseas

This route is most commonly used by international applicants and UK applicants who are returning to education.

Applicants who are unable to apply through their school or college using a ‘buzzword’ apply online independently. The application process is the same.

Please see the UCAS website for information on how to complete your application .

You are responsible for paying the correct application fee, for providing details of an academic referee and for submitting the completed application online to UCAS. This includes listing all your achieved and pending qualifications, and completing a personal statement.

Information about who can be your referee and providing their contact details, listing your qualifications and writing your personal statement can be found on this page.

If you are an international applicant, please also see our guide for international applicants which has information about entry requirements, help and support.

Applying as an international student

• Guidance for international applicants

UCL can assist you with any advice you may need about applying to and studying at UCL.

Mature students

The application process for mature students is the same as for all others, through UCAS.

Find more information on the UCAS undergraduate webpage .

UCAS Late and Extra applications

It will not be possible to submit a UCAS application for some programmes after the January UCAS equal consideration deadline.

You can search for programmes that are accepting Late and Extra applications at UCAS .

Please note we cannot guarantee the consideration of any application received after the January UCAS deadline. 

As it can take some time to consider applications received before the deadline, it may not be possible to confirm which programmes have vacancies immediately after the deadline has passed.

Please note it is not possible to apply for Medicine after 15 October 2024. 

Completing your application

Here you can find important information about completing your UCAS application to UCL.

Qualifications

Before making an application to UCL through UCAS, make sure you meet our general entry requirements.

You also need to check you meet the specific requirements of the programme you want to study, as detailed in our prospectus. 

You will need to show us how you meet our entry requirements with your current or achieved qualifications. You must enter all your qualifications from secondary education onwards – whether you have the result (including any that were ungraded) or if you’re still awaiting exams and results.

Please include as much detail as possible and make sure any results are given in the standard format awarded by the relevant examination board.

Please visit the UCAS website for information on how to complete your application .

English language

If you have taken a TOEFL or IELTS English Language proficiency test, we recommend including the registration number in your UCAS application.  

Please note, you do not need to provide this evidence as part of your UCAS application. This will not affect the assessment of your application. If required, and you receive an offer, it will be conditional on providing evidence of your English Language proficiency at the appropriate level.

Access UCL Scheme

As part of our commitment to increasing participation from underrepresented groups, applicants may be eligible for a contextual offer as part of the Access UCL scheme.

Access UCL is our contextual offer scheme for applicants from groups that are underrepresented at UCL. 

You do not need to apply for the Access UCL Scheme. We will automatically assess your eligibility when we receive your UCAS application. If successful, eligible applicants will receive a contextual offer that is lower than the standard requirements for the programme they have applied for.

Contextual offers

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education and seeks to recruit and retain the brightest students who will thrive in our rigorous teaching and learning environment.

A resit is a second or subsequent attempt to improve a qualification outcome, for which you already hold an award. 

Examples of resits:

• A Level taken in year 12 and again in year 13,
• APs (Advanced Placements) taken multiple times in the final three years of high school.

Resits are considered for a majority of our programmes. Programmes that do not consider resits will outline this on their entry requirements webpages. Where resits have been attempted more than once, this may put you at a disadvantage.

If you are taking any resits, you must declare these in your UCAS application. Your referee should provide a predicted grade. You must also declare your previously achieved grade.

Personal statement

The personal statement is an important part our assessment of your application. It's your chance to tell us why you want to study a particular programme and highlight any skills and experiences that demonstrate your passion for the subject.

You are only able to submit one personal statement, which will be sent to all five of your UCAS choices. Information about writing your personal statement can be found on the UCAS website .

We consider the personal statement we receive from UCAS to be final and complete. We cannot consider any revisions or corrections once your personal statement has been submitted to UCAS.

UCL does not typically consider additional personal statements. If we require one, we will contact you.

UCAS applications to UCL must include an academic reference. We are unable to consider work or other non-academic references. Applications that do not include an academic reference may be disadvantaged.

Your referee must send their reference from an academic or institutional email address in the format name @ school.org (or similar). We do not accept references sent from personal addresses such as Gmail, Outlook, 163.com, etc. References sent from a personal email address will cause a delay in us processing your application.

It is not possible to submit an additional reference. We will consider your application based on the reference provided in your UCAS application.

Information about references for UCAS undergraduate applications can be found on the UCAS website.

Mitigating circumstances

Your referee should briefly mention any mitigating circumstances in their reference. We do not have a mitigating circumstances form. 

We advise you speak with your school or exam centre regarding any mitigating circumstances, so that Exam Boards can apply any special consideration.

We do not make changes to programme entry requirements in response to mitigating circumstances. 

Make sure your application is complete

We consider the information in your application to be complete and accurate when it is submitted to UCAS. This includes your personal statement, academic reference, qualifications and achieved or predicted grades.

To ensure fairness, all the information we need to complete our assessment is given in your UCAS application.

Please don't send additional documents

You should not send us any additional documents unless we ask you to. If you do, please be aware that we will not add these to your application or use them in our assessment.

Advice for schools, parents and guardians

We recommend schools, parents and guardians read our guide for counsellors and teachers to assist applicants with their UCAS application.

Advice about the AS, A Level and GCSE curriculum reforms can be found on the Entry Requirements page.

We understand the process of applying to universities can also be an anxious time for parents and guardians. We have created a guide to help you support applicants to UCL.

Further information

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Everything you need to know about UCAS – and how to write a winning personal statement

As the UCAS deadline draws close, we lift the lid on the university applications process and answer the burning question: how on earth do you write a personal statement?

What is UCAS?

UCAS – or the Universities and Colleges Admissions System – manages the application process for every higher and further education body in the UK. This includes medical schools, veterinary schools, dentistry and teacher training. It also includes Oxford and Cambridge.

A couple of little-known facts about UCAS: It’s an independent charity, which receives no government funding. It also doesn’t just deal with universities and colleges – UCAS can connect people up with opportunities in apprenticeships, and other learning opportunities, too.

“Having a single, online admissions system means all students apply in the same way,” explains Courteney Sheppard, head of customer contact at UCAS.

“There’s no one-upmanship, no pandering to any particular institution and we don’t funnel people towards certain courses. It’s accessible, efficient and fair.”

What’s involved in applying?

Through UCAS, you can apply to up to five courses and universities. It’s a standardised process: every applicant records their personal information and their grades (usually predicted), then also uploads a personal statement and reference. Most applications are done through school, with support from your guidance teacher or careers adviser.

For 2022 admissions, the main deadline is 6pm on January 26. This is called the ‘equal consideration’ deadline – so while you can technically apply up until June 30, you need to have your application in by January to have equal consideration by all your choices. After June 30, applications automatically go into ‘clearing’ – more on that below.

Please note: Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, veterinary and dental schools have an earlier deadline of October. Check the UCAS site for 2023 deadlines.

How do I pick my five courses?

You might think your five choices are simply based on your interests, but it’s worth being strategic here. Your personal statement has to explain why you want to study a particular subject, so while you can pick five wildly different courses, it’s not recommended.

Courteney has this advice: “Students should look at which universities offer the course they’re interested in, and then choose universities that are broadly achievable for them.

“As a guide, I’d suggest choosing at least one that’s ambitious – a bit of stretch for you in terms of your likely grades. Then have two or three safe bets to fall back on. Finally, pick one or two wild cards – these could be slightly different courses or subjects, or a course that you’re almost guaranteed to be accepted to.”

The exception is in medicine and veterinary medicine. Due to these highly competitive fields, one of your five choices should be something outside of medicine. Similarly, you can’t apply to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same year.

What happens next?

Universities have until May 19 to make a decision (the 2022 deadline is later than usual – it’s generally March). There are three potential responses: an unconditional offer, a conditional offer or a rejection.

A conditional offer is usually dependent on you getting specific grades in your exams, since the UCAS process is based on your predicted results.

If you decide to accept an unconditional offer, your place is agreed and your other choices will disappear. If you pick a conditional offer, you will be asked to also pick one back-up. This could be a second conditional offer (likely with lower entry requirements) or an unconditional. Think carefully here about how much risk you want to take.

This year’s results day is August 9, and UCAS will receive your results at the same time as you do. When you log into the UCAS portal you will be able to view your universities’ decisions.

If you didn’t meet the conditions for your first choice university or course, the system will automatically default to your back-up.

What if I don’t get in?

Don’t panic. Universities run a ‘clearance’ system to give students the best chance of finding a place. Clearance deals with two sets of circumstances: the first, where you previously rejected an unconditional offer, but didn’t meet the conditions for your first choices. In this case, you can immediately call the university or course you declined and ask to be reconsidered.

The second set of circumstances are happier – you may have exceeded all expectations in your exams and wish to apply to a university you didn’t even consider applying to before.

Either way, clearance is a very stressful time, but there’s lots of support and guidance available through UCAS and the universities too.

The University of Aberdeen has created a handy video for parents supporting their children through the process.

How to write your personal statement

It’s 4,000 characters. 47 lines. Yet it can feel like your whole future hinges on getting those right. We spoke to UCAS and universities in the north-east for their top tips.

Talk to someone you trust – and press record

“It can be hard to write about ourselves, but most people find it easier to talk. Sit down with someone you trust, grab your phone, and hit record. Simply talk to them about your interests, your skills and your plans. When you listen back, you’ll be surprised how many things you can tease out for your personal statement.” Helena Ziegler, University of Aberdeen

The big three: evidence, rationale and inspiration

“Think about what in the world intrigues you. Why do you want to study this? What evidence and research do you have to back this up? The key components of a personal statement are evidence, rationale and inspiration.” Courteney Sheppard, UCAS

Be specific about the course you’re applying to

“We’re looking for a genuine sense of interest in the subject and a brief explanation of why you would be suitable for the course. Make sure you highlight key transferrable skills from prior study, work, volunteering, hobbies, or life experiences. Tell us where you hope the course will take you. Be honest.” Kathleen Moran, University of the Highlands & Islands

Show an interest in the world

“Tell us about your achievements and interests outside of school – any clubs you’re a member of, volunteering activities, work. Basically, your life outside of study. We want to know, do you engage with the world? Bring yourself to life, from a name on a file to a personality with interests.” Helena Ziegler, University of Aberdeen

Avoid cliche

“Many students trip themselves up by trying to write grand statements. Don’t say you’ve wanted to be a doctor since you were two – that’s a lie. Tell us what genuinely triggered your interest in a subject.” Courteney Sheppard, UCAS

Don’t start at the start

“The opening line is the hardest part. Get the evidence, rationale and inspiration part written first, then add a conclusion that explains why you want to do the course. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just genuine. Now circle back to the start and write the opening line. Tell us what triggered your interest – was it a personal event, an experience, even a video you saw?” Courteney Sheppard, UCAS

Be yourself

“Writing your personal statement is often the most daunting part of the process but there’s no need to worry. This is your opportunity to tell us you’re the right person for the course. It’s also a chance to showcase your personality, not just your academic achievements.” Georgina Miles-Guest, Robert Gordons University

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A guide to UCAS applications, closing dates, the Clearing process and deadlines.

Looking for Clearing advice?

The Clearing concierge has the answers

UCAS application dates 

What is ucas.

UCAS stands for the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. All applications to UK universities are made through this service so if you want to become a full-time undergraduate student in 2024, you’ll need to register with them.  

UCAS follows a strict timetable so it’s important to be aware of key application dates and deadlines. It can feel a bit daunting, but this handy article talks you through what’s happening now and what you need to do.

Clearing dates 2024  

What is clearing  .

Clearing is a process universities and colleges use to fill places they still have available on their courses. You can use Clearing if you haven’t accepted a firm place at a university already or officially declined a firm place. It’s a bit like a second chance if you were late to the party or didn’t like the party you thought you wanted to go to. 

How does it work?  

The best way to find universities with vacancies is to check our Clearing course search , look on the UCAS website or directly on a university website. You can start finding vacant courses now, but you can only apply for a course through Clearing once you have your exam results. 

Clearing dates  

In 2024 Clearing starts on 5 July and closes on 21 October at 6pm . Here are some key dates to be aware of: 

*Many universities run open days for students in Clearing so look out for these too.  

Once you’ve got your results and found a course, it’s up to you to call the university directly. If they still have a space, they’ll take your details and either give you a decision immediately or soon afterwards. Most universities will ask you for your UCAS Clearing number so do register with UCAS now if you haven’t already done so.  

Read more about what to do and key 2024 dates in our guide to UCAS Clearing here.

If you are thinking of applying through Clearing without registering with UCAS, read our advice guide here.

UCAS deadlines 2024 entry

• 21 September 2024  - Final date for 2024 UCAS undergraduate applications.
• 21 October 2024  - Clearing 2024 closes.

UCAS deadlines 2025 entry

• 15 October 2024  - Deadline for applications to Oxford and Cambridge universities and for most medicine, veterinary, and dentistry courses. 
• 29 January 2025  - Deadline for most other undergraduate university applications. 
• 26 February 2025  - UCAS Extra opens for any applicants who received no offers, or who rejected all their offers. 
• 4 June 2025  - Reply to offers if you’ve received your decisions 16 May 2025. 
• 30 June 2025  - Applications received after 6pm will automatically be entered into Clearing.
• 4 July 2025  - Last date to add a UCAS Extra choice.
• 5 July 2025  - Clearing 2025 opens.
• 23 July 2025  – Reply to offers if you get all your decisions by 17 July 2024.
• 24 September 2025  - Final date for 2024 UCAS undergraduate applications.
• 20 October 2025  - Clearing 2025 closes.

For advice on how to complete your UCAS application, including tips on making your personal statement stand out, read our guide here.

You could also do some online research looking at where to study and live using our university league tables and reading our student city guides .

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By Ryan Lunn (Content executive, The Uni Guide) | 17 September 2024 | 2 min read

Ucas deadlines and key application dates

There are a number of dates and deadlines you’ll need to put into your diary throughout the university application process. Check out our calendar for all the key dates for 2025 entry.

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Key dates for 2025 university entry: Ucas application deadlines

• 3 September 2024:  Applicants can be submitted to Ucas from this date onwards. Universities and colleges can technically begin making decisions as they receive applications, but this will depend on how universities handle their approach. Read our guide on when you will hear back from universities for more details .
• 15 October 2024: Oxbridge , medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine/science application deadline.  

January-March

• 29 January 2025: general Ucas application deadline (for most undergraduate courses) is 6pm UK time. Here are your options if you miss the January Ucas application deadline . 
• 26 February 2025: Ucas Extra begins.
• 14 May 2025: decisions usually back from universities for 29 January applications.
• 4 June 2025: you need to reply to offers by this date, if you received all decisions by 14 May. 
• 30 June 2025: applications received after this date are entered into Clearing, while those received before will be sent on to universities.   

July-August

• 4 July 2025: application deadline for Ucas Extra.
• 5 July 2025: Ucas Clearing  opens with vacancies beginning to be published.
• 17 July 2025 : university decisions due for applications submitted by 30 June. 
• 23 July 2025 : you need to reply to offers by this date, if you received all decisions by 17 July. 

September-December

• 24 September 2025: last date for applications for 2025 entry.
• 20 October 2025 : the deadline for adding Clearing choices.

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UCAS Deadlines 2023/24: When to Apply for University?

• November 10, 2022

UCAS application and university application deadlines

Usually, students apply for full-time undergraduate courses through the University and College Admission Services (UCAS). Before completing the university application , all candidates should take note of the UCAS deadlines.

Universities have a limited number of places for each of their courses. University applications submitted by the main UCAS deadlines will get equal consideration by universities.

UCAS deadlines depend on the course subject and institution. For example, deadlines for Medicine are very early, while other courses give students more time to complete the application.

UCAS deadlines 2023/2024

The following are the main UCAS deadlines for university applications in 2023/24:

• 16 October 2023 by 18:00 (UK time) – Deadlines for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge and most medicine courses.
• 31 January 2024 by 18:00 (UK time) – Deadline for most undergraduate degrees.

Read more about how to apply for university courses in our guide Applying to UK universities: How to Complete a University Application .

What if you miss the university application deadline?

After these dates, the most popular courses may have few places or no seats left. Also, late Ucas applications do not receive equal consideration from the universities and get assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Courses affected by the 16 October deadline will generally stop accepting applications from this date. Many of these courses fill up their places very quickly. If you are late for the October deadline, you can contact universities to check for available seats.

International and EU students

If you missed the January UCAS deadline, you should be okay. In general, universities will keep considering international and EU student applications until later in the year. Don’t start your university application too late, especially if you need to request a student visa, arrange your accommodation and come to the UK.

What to do by the UCAS deadlines?

There are several steps to follow before sending a UCAS application, so it’s good to start way earlier than these dates. After choosing the university courses , these are the steps to take before the UCAS deadlines:

• Fill up personal details, qualifications and course choices.
• Write a personal statement to show why you are a good fit for the course.
• Include a reference letter from a previous teacher or tutor.
• Pay the UCAS application fee.

Sending the university application well in advance of the UCAS deadline is crucial. The application must be with Ucas with all the correct details before the deadline to get equal consideration by admission teams.

UCAS key dates in 2023/2024

• 16 October 2023 – Applications closed for Cambridge, Oxford and most medicine, veterinary and dentistry courses.
• 31 January 2024 – End of applications for most undergraduate courses. 
• 28 February 2024 – UCAS Extra begins for candidates with no offer or who have rejected all offers.
• 30 June 2024 – Deadline for all university applications. Any application sent after 6 pm on this date will enter into Clearing.
• 4 July 2024 – End of UCAS Extra.
• 5 July 2024 – Clearing 2024 start date. 
• 21 September 2024 – Final date for 2024 UCAS undergraduate applications. 
• 21 October 2024 – Clearing ends.

Read our guide: applying to UK universities and learn how to apply for university courses and complete a university application.

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What's on this page?

The new personal statement for 2026 entry, the future of undergraduate admissions (2023).

• UCAS' Reimagining UK Admissions report (2021)

Over the years, UCAS has evolved the admissions service to better serve applicants and broaden participation, with recent initiatives including the launch of seven new widening participation questions in the application in 2022, the structured reference in 2023 and the historical grades on entry data in 2024. 

As identified in The Future of Undergraduate Admissions report, our next area of reform for the 2026 cycle is the personal statement. We will introduce a scaffolded structure through a series of free text questions which will bring focus and clarity for students and support comparability for providers.   

For students applying to university for 2026 entry, the personal statement format will be changing from one longer piece of text to three separate sections. 

In our commitment to equity and inclusion, we believe that every student deserves a fair chance to articulate their unique journey, aspirations, and potential. The new scaffolding questions level the playing field, providing clear guidance and structure for all applicants, regardless of their background or prior experience with essay writing.

Scaffolding questions offer students a roadmap, breaking them down into manageable parts. By providing specific prompts, students gain clarity on what to address, fostering focus and coherence in their writing. This ensures that each aspect of their experiences and goals is thoughtfully explored and articulated.

Why are you changing the personal statement?

Our survey of 2022 cycle applicants found most students are in favour of personal statements – 89% of respondents said they felt that the purpose of the personal statement is extremely clear or clear. Students tell us it helps their decision-making, while admissions teams say it supports comparability for them when making offers. However, 83% of students did say the process is stressful. They rely heavily on support from others in order to feel confident that they've covered all of the right information. 

In our commitment to equity and inclusion, we believe that every student deserves a fair chance to articulate their unique journey, aspirations, and potential. Scaffolding questions level the playing field, providing clear guidance and structure for all applicants, regardless of their background or prior experience with essay writing. 

Scaffolding questions offer students a roadmap, breaking them down into manageable parts. By providing specific prompts, students gain clarity on what to address, fostering focus and coherence in their writing. This ensures that each aspect of their experiences and goals is thoughtfully explored and articulated. 

What's changing about the personal statement?

Personal statements are changing from one longer piece of text to three separate sections, each with a different question to help shape the focus for students' answers. Each section will have a minimum character count of 350 characters, which is clearly labelled on the question boxes, along with an overall character counter, to ensure students know if they're on track. The new web page for submitting the personal statement will also feature helpful on-page guidance for each question. 

The new questions are as follows: 

Why do you want to study this course or subject? 

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject? 

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful? 

The personal statement will still be 4000 characters in total; this includes spaces. 

The content of the personal statement will remain broadly the same - it will just be split across three sections rather than one longer piece of text. The expectation for what students need to cover within the personal statement is mostly unchanged from current guidance. 

Who did you consult with about this and how did you decide on the changes?

Since we published our Reimagining UK Admissions report, we have engaged with a diverse spectrum of voices, including over 1,200 domestic and international students, over 200 teachers and advisers and over 100 universities and colleges to determine the value of the Personal Statement and how it can be enhanced by changes. We have had a variety of touchpoints and opportunities to engage, including a public consultation and our advisory groups. Additionally, we collaborated closely with governmental bodies, regulatory agencies, and charitable organisations across the UK. To ensure the highest quality, we partnered with an external research agency to rigorously test the new template, guidance, and wording. 

The results spoke volumes: 

Admissions teams said it made it easier for them to assess applications and more confident that they will receive the information they need to make decisions.   

Applicants who don't have school support - for instance, mature students - will find it easier to complete their personal statement successfully. This will even the playing field for widening participation, ensuring consistency across all personal statements no matter what level of support students have access to. 

Most advisers preferred the new format and said it would enable students to provide more complete and detailed statements, with the majority of advisers surveyed as part of the research stating they were "very confident" or "extremely confident" that the questions clearly convey what is needed for each answer 

What happened to the extenuating circumstances box?

We recognise that students want to be able to talk about extenuating circumstances in their own words. We have introduced an extenuating circumstances section in the reference, and need to evaluate and assess the impact of this before we deliver any further changes. We would encourage students to talk to admissions teams about any circumstances that have impacted their education and achievement, including those that happen after the application form is submitted. 

How important is the personal statement to universities and colleges?

Providers use the personal statement in a variety of different ways as part of the admissions process and often publish individual guidance on this. Universities and colleges tell us it supports comparability for them when making offers and could be the difference between getting an offer or not, for example in borderline cases or where there are multiple applicants with a similar academic profile 

Building on the findings of Reimagining UK Admissions, we have continued our engagement with the sector on reforming and improving admissions, recognising that while the Department for Education opted not to progress post-qualification admissions at this time, the consultation revealed appetite for alternative approaches to innovation.

The Future of Undergraduate Admissions report highlights UCAS' continued engagement and ongoing progress with admission reform, including:

• personal statements
• grades on entry
• personalisation 
• widening access and participation 

If you have any questions, comments or thoughts regarding potential reforms which you’d like to share with us, please email [email protected] .

UCAS' Reimagining UK Admissions report (2021)

We welcomed the Department for Education’s 2021 consultation on UK HE admissions and the opportunity to focus on improving outcomes for students.

During the consultation period, we gathered feedback and insights from nearly 15,000 students, universities, colleges, and conservatoires; over 700 teachers and their representative bodies; and sector stakeholders, to create our Reimagining UK Admissions report.

Read the full report and press release:

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