can i change my personal statement on ucas clearing

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Clearing and results day FAQs

Your frequently asked questions on results day and clearing answered, and advice on what to do if things don’t turn out as you’d hoped..

Results day FAQs

Clearing faqs, clearing and results day faqs for parents.

Results day can be an emotional time and it can be hard to organise all the thoughts and questions you may have.

How should you prepare for results day?

Whatever your expectations, you should have a contingency plan in place. 

Carefully consider all your options, including resitting your exams, deferring, taking a gap year, or reapplying next year. 

If you're feeling nervous, talk to people who've experienced results day already, whether that’s a parent, older sibling, friend, or teacher. 

Read our FAQs and take a look at our results day and Clearing page  for more info.

How do you check if you have a place at university?

The best way is to regularly check your UCAS Hub. 

UCAS Hub updates as soon as updates are received from universities. This tends to be at around 8:30 am, but be ready from 8 am on results day. Even if you don't get the grades you need, you should check your UCAS Hub first as you may still be offered a place. 

Remember to have your password and ID number for UCAS Hub at hand and check your email inbox isn’t full and can accept bulk emails. Many universities will send confirmation messages automatically to a list of their applicants. 

What should you do if you're away for results day?

Our advice is never be away on results day, but if unavoidable there are measures you can take. 

Make arrangements with your school to get access to your results if you can't get them online. You should also check your UCAS Hub as soon as possible on results day. If you need to go through Clearing, don’t leave it till you get back to contact universities as this could reduce your options significantly. 

You’ve got your expected results and met the entry requirements of your Conditional Firm (CF) choice. Do you need to do anything on results day?

Congratulations! You should have a place at your first-choice university. 

Still check UCAS Hub for peace of mind, especially if you have an offer expressed in UCAS points rather than grades. Once Hub confirms you’ve met the conditions of your offer, wait for the confirmation email from your university. Check that the university has the right email address and that your inbox is set up to receive messages from them. 

If you have any questions for your university, it’s best to wait until the following week to contact them as they’ll be extremely busy for the first few days after results come out.   Once you've celebrated, you can start thinking about preparing to go to university. 

You just missed out on your Conditional Firm (CF) choice. Is it worth calling them to see if they’ll still offer you a place?

Yes, it's worth contacting them, but be aware it may not change anything. 

This will usually mean the course is full, but it’s worth calling to see if anyone decides not to take their offer. The university may be able to offer you an alternative, similar course, for example via joint honours or with a foundation year. 

You haven’t achieved the grades needed for your chosen university. What can you do? 

Stay positive! You have a number of options. You could find an alternative course or university via Clearing and can read more about this below in our Clearing FAQs. 

Alternatively, you might consider resitting your exams or taking a gap year.

What if you want to appeal your A Level results?

Some students will be unhappy with what they were awarded, but there are options. Read more about how to appeal your A Level results and find out the best course of action. 

• Choosing a course
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Clearing is available for students who don't get their required grades, don't receive an offer, haven't yet applied or have chosen to self-release.

What's UCAS Clearing? How does Clearing work?

UCAS Clearing is a way of matching universities without students to students without a university place. 

Clearing can be used by almost any potential student, whether applying late or for strategic reasons – for example, trading up to a university you initially thought you wouldn't get into.   

Who can use UCAS Clearing and Clearing self-release?

All students are eligible. It’s most often used by those who haven't got the grades needed to secure their place, those who applied later, those who got no offers or those who don’t want to take the place they’ve been offered. 

UCAS applications received after the 30 June deadline, or students who miss their grade target, are automatically entered into Clearing. 

Self-release allows students who are already holding a university place to release themselves into Clearing rather than wait for their original choice of university to release them. Self-release is available in UCAS Hub from July onwards. 

Those who haven't yet applied to any universities can also apply through Clearing once they have their results. However, you'll need to have completed a UCAS application to use Clearing. 

You can apply online through UCAS Apply. Don't forget you'll need a reference as well as your personal statement. 

Is there a difference for international students in Clearing? 

You should aim to go through this process as quickly and early as possible, as there are some differences in applying through Clearing for international students. 

You may have to apply for a student visa. This can take time if there are lots of people applying at the same time. 

You might have to take some tests such as a language assessment to secure a place. Your university may also ask to have an interview with you. Ask each university directly what they need as it'll vary depending on where you're from and the university you’re going to. 

If you're taking International Baccalaureate exams, you'll have an advantage over UK students when using Clearing. This is because most UK students don't get exam results until August. 

To find out more read our Clearing advice for international and EU students 

What's the best way to approach Clearing?

A positive attitude can go a long way to being successful in Clearing. Make a list of universities with available courses that you’d consider, their phone numbers and email addresses. Think about what you might say beforehand and make notes if you need to. 

It’s important to make the call yourself rather than asking someone to do this on your behalf, unless you have a disability that necessitates this. When you call universities, be positive about yourself and the university. Remember you're competing for places with other students.

Be prepared to say why you want to study that particular course at that particular institution and what you can offer. Be ready to answer questions on your exam results, your motivation and your experience. Staff want to feel confident that you want to study there and that you’re not choosing them out of desperation. Prepare your own questions to ask them too.

Getting a place through Clearing isn't as difficult as it sounds, and you may be surprised at the number of vacancies. However, depending on your results there'll be some courses and universities that'll be unattainable, and recognising this early on will save you a lot of time. 

Read our top tips for preparing for a Clearing call.

What are the Clearing dates?

UCAS Clearing runs from 5 July until 21 October 2024 .

While you can't apply through Clearing until you have your results, you should avoid being in Clearing all the way up to the October deadline. The longer you leave it, the fewer places will be available. 

See the full breakdown of this year's  application deadlines .

How will you know if you're in Clearing?

Your UCAS Hub status will say ‘you are in Clearing’ or ‘Clearing has started’. 

If you didn’t match the entry requirements but your Hub status doesn't say you’re in Clearing, it could mean your results haven't been updated or the universities are still considering your application. 

Which universities accept students through Clearing?

There’s a stereotype associated with Clearing that only less prestigious universities will have spaces available. This isn't true. The university places available through Clearing varies each year based on which courses have places still to fill. 

Can you reject your insurance offer and go through Clearing instead?

Yes, you can now self-release yourself into Clearing.

You no longer have to wait to be released by your insurance choice, but can do it yourself, saving valuable time.

• Guide to UCAS Clearing
• Appealing your A Level results

Can you change your mind about your course and go through Clearing instead? 

You can. You'll need to get in touch with the uni you originally applied to and ask to be released (make sure you do this as soon as you can). After they release you, you'll be entered into Clearing. 

Will universities go below their usual entry requirements during Clearing?

Within the context of Clearing, they may well go lower than the offer listed on their prospectus. It depends on how much demand each university and course have, as well as the grades of other interested students. The best way to find out is to ask the universities directly.  

• University entry requirements

If you get multiple offers through Clearing, can you put them all into UCAS Track?

You can only add one Clearing choice at a time. If the university doesn't confirm your place, you can then add another. 

You’ve applied for deferred entry to university and have been unsuccessful with both your Conditional Firm (CF) and Conditional Insurance (CI) choices. Can you go through Clearing or will you have to reapply?

You can go through Clearing, but not to apply for a deferred place. 

Typically, you can only use Clearing to secure a place on a course for the upcoming academic year. However, if you want to enquire further, it’s worth calling the university to at least ask. 

Is it true you can't enter Clearing until you've been declined by your choices?

Not at all. 

You'll automatically be entered into the Clearing process if you don't get an offer from either your CF or CI choices. 

You didn’t meet either of your offers but the universities haven’t declined yet. What should you do?

Call the universities to check the status of your application. 

It may be that some results are missing, or you haven't met the grades and universities are placing near misses such as yourself to see who they can take. They could also be waiting for other candidates' results to come in before deciding. 

The UCAS system can take time to update. If it hasn't been updated later in the day, make a start on your plan B and start calling a few universities with Clearing vacancies.  

You can’t get through using the hotline number. What should you do?

Be patient. Unfortunately, this is the reality of Clearing! 

University hotlines will be extremely busy but persevere and you’ll get through eventually. You could also try emailing or contacting on social media, but calling is likely to be the quickest and most direct route – even if it doesn't feel like it. 

You'd like to go through Clearing but haven’t applied yet. When's the deadline for Clearing and can you still apply through it?

You can still apply but you'll need to get organised. 

You’ll need to complete the UCAS application as normal, including a personal statement. You can’t add course choices but once registered, you’ll get an email with a link to UCAS Hub and your Clearing number. 

• Tips for writing your perfect personal statement

Does going through Clearing affect getting your student loan?

If you've already applied for funding but changed your course or university, you need to update your details as soon as possible. 

If you've made your first application through Clearing and haven't applied for finance yet, you need to apply now to give yourself the best possible chance of getting your first loan in time for starting your course. 

There's a possibility you won't get your loan in time for the start of the year. 

How do you find accommodation while going through Clearing?

If the course and university are right, go for it and think about accommodation later. But if you've got a few options, accommodation availability could be a useful way to decide where to go. 

You’ll need to stay relaxed and be prepared to compromise. If the university you want to go to has run out of spaces in the type of accommodation you’re after, then you'll have to think about what's more important to you: your university or where you live. 

Be proactive. Go to house viewings, keep ringing the accommodation providers or estate agents, get onto social media groups to find potential housemates, and do your research. The accommodation you end up in can have a major bearing on your first-year experience, so it's worth putting in the effort to find somewhere right for you. 

• Student accommodation
• Student halls and houses
• How much does uni accommodation cost?
• Student housing: private sector

How long does your child have to find a course through Clearing? 

The last day to add a Clearing choice and for universities to accept Clearing applicants in 2024 is 17 October . However, your child should aim to get a place through Clearing as quickly as possible as spaces will be filled quickly. 

What steps does your child need to take between results day and starting university? 

Once your child has secured a place at university, there’s some serious preparation to be done before they start. 

The main things they'll need to sort out are finances and accommodation. These aren’t the most exciting tasks, but they're important. Your child should also open a student bank account – most major banks offer these with varying incentives, so shop around to find the best one. 

They should also use this time to start deciding what possessions they're going to take with them and what can be left at home.

How can you help your child prepare for university? 

There are many ways you can help your child prepare for independent life at university. 

Teaching your child practical skills for independent living is important. If they don’t do these things already, use the time between results day and start of university to get them doing their own washing and cooking their own meals.  

Budgeting is also very important. Sit down with them and work out how much money they’ll have per week, and if they’ll need any additional financial support.

• Results day and Clearing

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What do I need for Clearing?

Ucas clearing can be unpredictable, but it's also a great opportunity for students to find their perfect university. .

Make sure you're prepared and know what you need if you go through Clearing - it will take a lot of stress and guesswork out of the process. Read our guide to getting the most out of Clearing. 

Who can apply through Clearing?

What documents do i need for clearing, do i need a prsonal statement for clearing, who can apply through clearing .

As long as you've applied through UCAS ( Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) you're eligible to use Clearing if you: 

• apply after 30 June  
• don't receive any university offers, or none you want to accept 
• don’t meet the conditions of your offer(s) 
• decline your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ function 

If you're using Clearing to apply to university for the first time,  you must register with UCAS and submit an application.  You will also need to pay an applic a ti on fee of £27.50. 

1. A notepad and pen/laptop or computer 

Keeping notes will be essential during Clearing as you keep track of your university research, contact details and Clearing hotlines, important pieces of information and questions you might want to ask when you speak to a Clearing adviser. 

You can use a notepad and pen, a Word document on your laptop, tablet or computer, or the notes section on your phone - whatever you prefer. Ideally, you want something that's easy to access during a call.

Keep your notes simple and organised. If you're preparing notes in advance of Results Day; you may even have time to colour-code them.

Clearing can be a whirlwind so the easier you make things for yourself, the better. 

2. A list of Clearing courses you're interested in

Use the UCAS Course Finder to check which universities still have spaces available on their courses. You'll also find details on university websites.

If you spot a course you're interested in that still has vacancies, make a note of it alongside the university's contact details and any key bits of information you can use to showcase your interest in the course during the call.

3. A fully charged phone and a good internet connection

You can apply through Clearing via university hotlines or online chat. If you're planning on using your mobile phone and/or laptop make sure they are fully charged or have plenty of battery life. Check your internet connection, too, so that when you're looking up Clearing courses online or accessing the chat function, your connection doesn't drop out.

Taking other devices off WiFi - such as PlayStations, tablets or other mobile phones - can lighten the load on your internet bandwidth.

4. Questions to ask during your Clearing call

Wherever you choose to study, you will be an asset to that university. You have so much to offer, and it's important to remember that when you're applying through Clearing.

You don't have to commit to the first university that offers you a space unless you're 100% sure it's the right one for you. Instead, ask lots of questions and do some digging.

Asking insightful questions also shows you have a genuine interest in the course, which will appeal to the Admissions team.

Questions to prepare beforehand could include: 

• how is the course taught and what is the seminar-to-lecture ratio?  
• are there any opportunities, such as Open Days, to visit the university?   
• are work placements, internships or other career support offered? 
• are bursaries or scholarships available?   
• what support is available to students who are struggling?   
• what accommodation is available?

The documents you need to prepare for Clearing are:

• your UCAS number
• your personal Clearing number
• your A Level, AS, GCSE /or equivalent results

Have all the important information you need close by, so you can find it quickly. 

If you're an international student, y ou’ll only have a UCAS number if you originally applied to study in the UK through UCAS. Y ou’ll only receive a Clearing ID if you applied through UCAS but are not holding any university offers. The ID number helps Admissions staff look up your details, but don’t worry if you don’t have this – Clearing advisers will still be able to guide you through the application process.

Do I need a personal statement for Clearing?

Many Admissions teams recommend you have your personal statement to hand for Clearing. 

Though it's not essential to the process, it's a great resource to rely on during your call with a Clearing adviser. It can help you talk through what makes you want to go to university, and why you're passionate about the subject you want to study.

If you have time, why not practise what you want to say on the call? This can really help if you're feeling nervous.

For more information, read our guide on what to say during Clearing.

Published By Amy Cousins on 17/06/2021 | Last Updated 09/07/2024

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Clearing and results day 2024 FAQs: applying for a different course or uni

It’s normal to have second thoughts about your firm or insurance choice universities. These are the most frequently asked questions by those considering Clearing instead.

Need more Clearing advice?

Alistair went through Clearing after changing his mind about his course choice.  Hear his story .

Can you still use Clearing if you have an offer?

Yes, but you won’t be able to accept a Clearing offer unless you self-release from your original unconditional offer.

Do you have to reject offers to go through Clearing?

Yes, you must reject any unconditional offers you hold before you can go through Clearing. However, don’t reject any offers until you have a verbal offer for a Clearing course and are sure you want to change.

What do you do if you no longer want your firm or insurance choice?

You must self-release from your firm or insurance choice.

What is self-release?

Self-release  is the process of rejecting an unconditional offer you hold from your firm or insurance choice to enter Clearing. We suggest not self-releasing from an offer unless you’ve received a verbal offer for a Clearing course and are sure you want to change.

How do you self-release from a course?

Log in to your UCAS Hub account and click the ‘decline my place’ button next to the course from which you’d like to be released. You’ll then be asked a series of questions before you can confirm your decision.

When should you self-release from a course?

Only self-release from a course when you have a verbal offer for a Clearing course and are sure you want to change. You won’t be able to reverse the decision to self-release.

Hanna, who earned a place through Clearing to study the history of art, maintains:

How can you tell if you have self-released into Clearing?

Your status in UCAS Hub  show ‘you are in Clearing'.

Should you self-release if you want to change course but stay at the same university?

No, you should first speak to your university about changing before you self-release. If you self-release without speaking to your university, all your accommodation and scholarship arrangements will be immediately cancelled.

What should you do if you accidentally decline your place?

Phone the university immediately so they don’t offer your place to someone else.

Can you self-release from a conditional offer?

No, you must wait for your offer to become unconditional or unsuccessful.

If you’ve accepted an unconditional offer, can you use Clearing to look into different universities?

Yes, you can still search Clearing courses and see what’s available. 

What should you have on hand when calling universities?

Have these with you:

• Your Clearing number
• Your UCAS ID number
• Course name and code
• Your personal statement
• Your grades
• Any questions you’d like to ask

Emily, who earned a place through Clearing to study chemistry, believes:

Do you have to accept a Clearing offer immediately?

No, you can give yourself time to consider the offer and call any other universities you’re interested in. Clearing courses can fill up quickly so don’t spend too long trying to decide.

Can you accept a Clearing offer and defer entry?

No, you can’t defer entry through Clearing. You can only get an offer for a place on a course that begins this year.

Will you have to sort new student accommodation in Clearing?

Yes, but this should be stress-free. Most universities reserve spaces within their student accommodation for Clearing students. The university will send you all the information you need on  how to apply for student accommodation  once you’ve confirmed your place on a course.

Will going through Clearing affect your student loan?

You’ll need to let your  student finance  provider know if you change course. As soon as you confirm your place on a Clearing course, log in to your student finance account and update your course details.

We've got loads of handy articles all about what to do during Clearing in our Clearing Hub

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The Ultimate Guide To UCAS And Personal Statements

by The Oxford Scholastica Team | 16 May, 2024 | Blog Articles , Get the Edge

Table of Contents

What does UCAS stand for?

UCAS stands for Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. It is the centralised online service in the UK that everyone has to use in order to apply to any undergraduate University course in the UK.

How many courses can you apply to on UCAS?

Through UCAS, you can select up to five different courses to apply to. These can be at the same university, different ones, or a combination of both. It’s completely up to you! If you’re struggling to choose what to study, read our guide on how to find the right university course for you .

How does UCAS work?

You write and submit your application via UCAS, and UCAS sends this to the admissions teams for each of the courses you’ve selected. They will then consider your application along with all the others they have received from different students around the world, and decide who they would like to offer places.

So, UCAS is effectively the link between you and the universities you’re applying to. This means you have to sell yourself as best you can on your UCAS application, since this may be all that the admissions teams are basing their decisions on.

UCAS deadlines

UCAS have two major deadlines for undergraduate application submissions. The earlier deadline is for anyone wanting to apply to Oxford or Cambridge, and for most medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry courses across the country. This early deadline is usually 15th October . But be sure to double check that this is true for your year! The deadline for all other undergraduate courses is usually 15th January . However, many universities and colleges continue to accept applications from international students until later in the year as part of the regular college admissions cycle .

There’s quite a big gap between these two deadlines. This is because all courses with the earlier cut off point require you to go for an interview before they make their offers, so they need time to schedule these. This means you need to decide quite early in the year (by the summer before your deadline) whether you’re going to apply to any of the courses with the 15th October cut off, so that you have enough time to write your application!

UCAS application

You fill out your application using UCAS’s online hub. There are several sections to the form; some require information that you can fill out quickly and others need more time. You don’t have to do it all at once though. You can save your progress and come back to it as many times as you want.

What information are they looking for?

Most obviously, UCAS will want to know your 5 course choices! You don’t have to place them in order of preference at this point and none of the admissions officers will see the other courses you have applied to. They will, however, have access to this information after you reply to any offers you receive, but it can’t impact your application in any way.

Under the current system, a personal statement will also be required, showing your vested interest in your chosen subject. It should also demonstrate your motivation and enthusiasm, as well as any skills you have picked up so far that will help you do well at university. This is your chance to tell admissions teams why they should offer you a place on their course.

Please note: In January 2023, UCAS announced some changes to the admissions process, and the personal statement will be different for admissions cycles from 2024/25. This article will be updated when the changes are confirmed.

There will also be some additional questions for monitoring purposes. These don’t affect how likely you are to be offered a place in any way. The information is not shared with the universities until the end of the application cycle, when you’ll already know their decisions. If you’re applying from the UK, you will be asked questions about your ethnic origin, national identity and what your parents do for a living. There are also some optional questions about religion, sexual orientation and identity.

Within the additional questions section, there will be optional queries relating to your personal circumstances. These will be shared with the university if you wish to provide information about, for example, your parental education or whether you’ve been in care. This is known as ‘contextualised admissions’ and allows the university to form a more complete understanding of you as an individual so that they can provide support if necessary. If you want to know more about how a university will use this information, you can ring their admissions team directly and ask. Don’t be scared to do this at any point as, again, it won’t affect your likelihood of being offered a place!

Other information that UCAS will require is listed below:

• Full education history: GCSEs and predicted A-Level/IB qualifications
• Full employment history
• Reference from teacher, adviser or professional who knows you academically.

Discover More

Thanks for signing up, how do i write a good ucas personal statement.

There isn’t a ‘correct’ way to write your personal statement. The key is in the title – the statement is personal. And so it should be as unique to you, your experiences and your interests as possible. That being said, there are some ways you can structure your statement to ensure clarity. Also, there are key things you can include to make sure you are providing the information admissions tutors want to know, so that you come across as an enthusiastic, mature and motivated student.

What do I put on my UCAS application?

Why you find the subject interesting.

Explain what it is that attracts you to your subject, and why you want to study it at university level. Mention particular areas you want to find out more about, for example something you’ve briefly covered on the course at school, or something you’ve read about in your own time.

Detail the relevant things you’ve read that you found the most engaging, and talk about why you found them interesting. Whether or not you’re applying for a literature-based course, make sure you’ve done some reading around the subject. And don’t just regurgitate views you’ve heard in class, read in a textbook or seen online. Remember, the admissions teams want to hear your personal opinion. This is one reason why attending a summer programme like an Oxford summer course is so helpful: it introduces you to wider perspectives about your subject, and good ideas for further reading (please note, our programme in Oxford is not affiliated with the University of Oxford)! For inspiration, check out these recommended lists of best books for English literature students , best psychology books and top law books to read .

Employment or volunteering experiences

There is a different section in which to detail your complete employment history, so only pick the most relevant to discuss in your personal statement. Choose the ones that have either taught you useful skills or made you more passionate about your subject.

Work experience / Summer schools / Taster Courses

Talking about any relevant work experience, summer schools or Higher Education taster courses can be really valuable in your personal statement. Again, choose the ones that are most representative of your engagement with your chosen subject, and detail the skills and knowledge you gained. For example, if you’ve ever attended our Oxford Summer School that’s a great one to talk about here! Going to an academic summer school like Oxford Scholastica shows your dedication to your subject outside school, which all admissions tutors are looking for.

Extracurricular activities

Clubs and societies you are a part of at school, or have leadership roles in, can be useful to discuss here, as long as you explain what you’ve gained from them. More on this in the next section!

Extra qualifications

You can also mention the skills you may have developed through any extra courses or qualifications you’ve completed, such as Duke of Edinburgh (DofE), National Citizen Service (NCS), Young Enterprise, etc.

Note for International students:

If you’re applying from outside the UK, you should also mention: why you want to study here, your English language skills, and any English courses or tests you’ve taken. It can also be good to mention why you want to be an international student, rather than studying in your own country.

UCAS personal statement structure

• Universities are quite clear about the skills and qualities they are looking for in their students; make sure you read the course descriptions for each course you’re applying to and structure your statement to demonstrate that you have met everything they are looking for.
• You have a maximum of 4,000 characters and 47 lines when you input your personal statement into UCAS. This means you need to think carefully about how many paragraphs to have and what information it is most important to include.
• Try to present your achievements and interests in a clear and concise manner. This means having different paragraphs for different experiences where possible, and not repeating yourself. Link anything you have done to what you have learnt from it and how that better prepares you or makes you more interested in the course.
• Avoid presenting a list of things you have done. Admissions teams won’t care about how many charity projects you’ve been involved with unless you tell them what you have gained from each one.

8 top tips for the best UCAS application

1. Keep it focused on you. Don’t try to define your subject or explain it to the admissions tutor – they are already experts!

2. Write in a natural style – show your understanding of your subject but without going into too much detail or trying to make it sound too complex. Again, you don’t have that many characters available and you need to prioritise talking about yourself. The most important thing is to come across as enthusiastic and eager to learn MORE – don’t focus on trying to show off what you already know.

3. Equally, don’t pretend to know more than you do, or exaggerate your achievements – this is especially important if you are going to be interviewed because they will ask you to elaborate on things you mentioned in your statement.

4. Be careful with humour or quotes – the admissions tutor may not have the same sense of humour as you and it could be a waste of characters!

5. Proofread it aloud , and get as many people to check it as possible so that you have a lot of different perspectives – ask your teachers, friends, and family.

6. Make sure the spelling, punctuation and grammar are completely correct as errors will suggest that you’re careless.

7. You will probably produce several drafts of your personal statement before you’re completely happy with it. This is why it’s important to start writing as early as possible – this is not something to be left to the last minute!

8. Don’t copy bits of another personal statement or share yours with anyone applying for similar courses or similar universities. All personal statements are checked for similarity and if yours is flagged as being too similar to someone else’s, it might reduce your chance of being offered a place.

How much extracurricular content should I include?

Most universities like to see that you have been engaged in extracurricular activities throughout your time at school. They show that you can juggle several commitments at once, and also that you know how to balance work and play – something that is very important at university! However, your personal statement should be mainly focused on the course you’re applying for and why you want to do it. Extracurriculars should only make up one small paragraph towards the end. That said, it shouldn’t be the focus of the final paragraph – you should wrap up with something about your relationship with your chosen subject.

Extracurriculars relevant to the course you’re applying for are amazing, but you can include ones that aren’t directly relevant too. The key is to mention what you do, and then link it back how it has helped you develop the skills and attributes that the university wants to see. These could include commitment, dedication, confidence, teamwork, resilience and interpersonal skills – all important qualities for a university student to have. For medical school applicants, see our tips on the best extracurriculars for medical students .

What if I’m applying to different courses at different Universities?

Applying to different courses at different Universities is difficult because unfortunately, you are usually only allowed to submit one personal statement.

If just one of your choices is completely different from the others, a University may accept a separate personal statement for that course, but it has to be sent directly to them – not through UCAS. You have to call the university’s admissions team to ask if this is possible or speak to them on an open day. Speaking to them individually is the only way you can find out, but you should try to get some advice from a teacher or advisers before you do this. If one of your courses is fairly unusual and only offered by a small number of universities, the admissions team will have probably received calls like this many times before and so may be more lenient, but it’s definitely best to just ask.

There may be slight differences between the five courses you’re applying for, for example, if they are all joint or combined degrees with slightly different subject combinations. In this case, writing one statement shouldn’t be too much of a problem. You just have to make sure that you make your statement as relevant as possible to all of them – so make sure each subject is covered by what you are saying.

However, if there are big differences between all of your course choices, you will have much more difficulty writing a great personal statement. You can try to make your statement appropriate to all courses by demonstrating your skills and academic interests more generally. Alternatively, you can openly state that you are applying to several different courses and try to explain as best as possible why you have done this based on your academic interests. The focus here should be on a strong interest in all the courses and the different things they offer. Make sure you don’t come across as simply indecisive or not sure what you want from a course!

Both are risky strategies so we would advise you to apply for five courses that have some clear common ground that you can focus on in your statement.

When can I expect to hear back from UCAS?

Once you’ve sent off your application, the UCAS hub will allow you to check how your application is progressing. Most interview invitations (although not all – some course providers may email you directly), offers and rejections will be shown on there.

Unfortunately, each university’s application monitoring process takes a different amount of time, so it’s difficult to know for sure when you’ll have all of your decisions back. However, UCAS says that if you met their application deadline (15th January), you should have heard back by the 31st March and will definitely hear by the 9th May. Having said that, many universities will get back to you within just two or three weeks of applying.

If you applied at the earlier deadline (15th October), this probably means you’ve applied to one or more courses that require an interview. If you’re applying for medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine, different universities hold their interviews at vastly different times. Generally, the earliest are in December and the latest are in March.

There is also a big range in how much time different universities give you between letting you know you have an interview, and the interview itself. Once you’ve decided where you want to apply, you might like to contact the admissions teams of each university directly, so that you have a rough idea of your personal timeline of events and deadlines.

What’s the difference between conditional and unconditional offers?

An unconditional offer means the university is very keen to have you on their course. If you accept it, they will automatically confirm your place regardless of the exam results you receive. Many universities (such as the University of Birmingham) will often state that if you accept an unconditional offer from them, you have to put it as your firm choice – you can’t have it as your insurance. The terms ‘firm’ and ‘insurance’ are explained in the next section.

A conditional offer is one that is dependent on the grades you are yet to receive. In the offer, they will outline which grades you need to get in order to take up your place on their course. Most universities provide their usual grade offers for each course on their website, so you know before you apply.

This is something you should bear in mind when discussing your predicted grades with your teachers. Your predicted grades on your application need to match, be close to or exceed what the university usually asks for, or it’s unlikely that you’ll be offered a place. You should think optimistically but realistically about what you can achieve.

Responding to offers – firm and insurance choices

Once you have received all your decisions, you have until a fixed deadline to reply to any offers through UCAS. This deadline is usually 31st March, as long as you’ve heard back from all five choices by then. If you have two or more offers, you have to choose one to make your ‘firm’ choice, and one to make your ‘insurance’. Your firm choice is your preferred option, so if it’s unconditional, or it’s conditional and you meet the grade requirements on results day, you will have a place on that course. Your insurance choice is your back-up, so it makes sense to choose a course with lower offer conditions, in case you don’t meet your first choice offer. You should make sure this is still a university you would be happy to go to, though!

Think carefully before you respond – you can’t change your mind on Results Day (unless you do much better than expected – see our section on ‘Adjustment’). Remember that there’s no rush as long as you meet the deadline: the universities can’t take back their offers because you’re taking too long!

You’ll then have to decline any other offers you receive that you haven’t made your firm or insurance option.

If you have a complete change of heart, you can decline all of your offers and apply to more courses using UCAS’s ‘Extra’ service.

What if I miss my offer? What is Clearing?

If you don’t get the grades you needed for your first-choice offer, your first port of call should be ringing your chosen university’s admissions team directly. They may still give you a place, especially if you only just missed your grades, because other prospective students may have missed their grades too. There’s no harm in trying, and, if there’s a particular reason as to why you achieved lower grades than anticipated, this context could help explain to them why you didn’t make the offer.

If you miss the grades for your insurance choice too, and you don’t have any luck with ringing either university, you can turn to UCAS’s Clearing Service. This allows you to find a similar course, usually at a different university, with entry requirements that match the grades you have. In 2021, Clearing ran from 5th July to 19th October (2021), but again you should check the dates for your own year of application. The application process works differently to the initial submission process.

When you apply to clearing, you are given a ‘clearing number’ – a form of ID. There are two routes you can take; Clearing Plus matches can be found in your UCAS Hub, register your interest with a course that appeals and have your application sent directly to them to make a decision. You can also search for all the available course vacancies, which means contacting the university directly if you find a course you’d like to apply to. You provide them with your clearing number and Personal ID over the phone so that they can look up your application, and then ask them if they’d accept you.

If they give you an informal offer over the phone, you can then add the course as a clearing choice in the UCAS Hub. You can only add one course at a time, and if the university confirms it, you definitely have that place and can’t apply anywhere else. Many universities have spare places on their courses after results day, so this is a very common option for people whose grades don’t align with their original universities’ requirements.

Better results than expected? What is Adjustment?

If you get better results than expected (i.e. you have met and exceeded the conditions of your firm offer and think you could be accepted onto another course which typically gives out higher offers), you may be able to apply to that course through Adjustment. You register for Adjustment via the UCAS Hub.

Adjustment is only available for a small, fixed amount of time, so you have to act fast! In 2021, this was from 10th August – 18th August (as always, check the exact dates for your year of application!). Adjustment is different to Clearing, as there isn’t a list of available courses for you to search through. Instead, you have to find out the grade requirements of courses you’d be interested in on a university’s website, and then contact the admissions office of those universities directly to ask about any possible vacancies. You have to provide your Personal ID so they can check you’ve exceeded the conditions of your original firm choice, and that you meet their own conditions of entry.

Then, if you are absolutely sure you want a place at that university, you can verbally agree an offer with them. The university will then add themselves to your application, your UCAS Hub will be updated, and you’ll have a place on that course!

Ready to get a head start on your future?

Next steps for applying to university through UCAS

Check out these useful resources to help you on your way to completing your university applications through UCAS.

• UCAS’ key dates timeline
• Taking the International Baccalaureate? Read this article on applying to UK Universities while studying for IB
• Not from the UK? Have a look at UCAS’ application tips for international students
• Which? University article on ‘How to write a personal statement that works for multiple different courses’

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Ucas Extra is a lifeline if you've not received any offers, or you've declined those you have. Learn more about the Ucas Extra process, including when it happens...

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What is Ucas Extra?

When is ucas extra, who's eligible for ucas extra.

You'll be eligible for Extra if:

• You've used all five of your choices but hold no offers.
• You've changed your mind about your choices, and have declined any offers you received. 

If you didn't use all five of your choices when you first sent off your application, you don't have to go through Extra as long as you have not accepted any offers or been declined by your choices. Just add another choice in Ucas Hub before 30 June and make sure you don't accept or decline any offers before you do so. 

How many choices can I make for Extra?

Ucas extra checklist, choose your course carefully.

If you were unsuccessful with your original choices, think about why that might be.

How to apply through Ucas Extra 

• Find a course you're interested in.
• Contact the university or college directly to make sure that it will consider you and to ask any questions you might have. 
• Once you have confirmation from your uni of choice that they will consider you, apply for the new course in Ucas Hub.
• Wait for the uni or college to consider your application. After 21 days, you can choose to continue waiting for a decision or replace your choice with another through Extra.

‘I’ve got an offer’

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• Read more:  can I change my choices when applying to university?

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What are university entry requirements.

So you’ve found a degree course that ticks all the boxes and you’re ready to put it down as one of your five Ucas choices. But what about its entry requirements?

First and insurance university choices explained

What’s the difference between university firm and insurance choices? We’ve got help with deciding which offers to accept and answer your queries, from changing your mind to what happens next.

Can I change my choices when applying to university?

If you change your mind during your Ucas application journey, what are your options? 

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• UCAS Personal Statements Are Changing in 2025

Last Updated: 16th January 2023

Author: Matthew Amalfitano-Stroud

Table of Contents

It was announced by UCAS in January of 2023 that traditional Personal Statements will be removed from the university application process in the UK. 

Since 1993, UCAS has required university applicants in the UK to submit a 4,000-character Personal Statement during the application process, which would then be accessed by university admissions teams to assist in the shortlisting process. 

However, it has been confirmed by UCAS that this process will be changing as soon as 2025. Here, we dissect the announcement, discuss what we currently know about this change and explain how this could affect your university application. Let’s begin:  

In short, this is what you need to know:

• UCAS Personal Statements are being replaced by a multi-question survey that gives applicants the chance to explain various aspects of their application.
• This change could be implemented as early as the 2025 admissions cycle for 2026 Entry in the UK.
• This will affect all applicants, both home and internationals, looking to attend a UK university in 2026 and beyond.
• Students will need to learn how to take on these new questions rather than traditional Personal Statement writing.
• Teachers will need to be prepared to do research on this new system and provide support for students in order to maximise their chances of success.
• We at UniAdmissions are keeping a very close eye on the situation and will update this guide as new information surfaces. We will also ensure that our support systems are up-to-date and effective at helping students through these changes.

What are Personal Statements Being Replaced with?

With the announcement that the current system for UCAS Personal Statements will be getting replaced, it is only natural to be asking what will be replacing it. Thankfully, we have already been given some idea of what to expect. 

Unlike the other major shake-up to the 2024 admission process, the removal of various admissions tests including the BMAT , the official announcement has provided us with an explanation of what UCAS is seeking to implement instead of traditional Personal Statements. 

Put simply, the current format of providing a 4,000-character piece of writing will be replaced with a series of specific questions which applicants must answer. These questions will still allow you to write your answers out, but you will be answering set questions instead of having to plan and structure a full statement from scratch. 

The specifics of this system have not been announced yet, including the number of questions and the character limits. We also don’t know what the questions will be yet as they are still being developed. However, we do know the key areas that these questions will focus on (all points are taken directly from the UCAS report): 

• Motivation for Course – Why do you want to study these courses?
• Preparedness for Course – How has your learning so far helped you to be ready to succeed on these courses?
• Preparation through other experiences – What else have you done to help you prepare, and why are these experiences useful?
• Extenuating circumstances – Is there anything that the universities and colleges need to know about, to help them put your achievements and experiences so far into context?
• Preparedness for study – What have you done to prepare yourself for student life?
• Preferred Learning Styles – Which learning and assessment styles best suit you – how do your courses choices match that?

Of course, this is all subject to change as UCAS is still actively working with universities to determine what they want most from applicants. However, it seems that they are aiming to cover the same ground as traditional Personal Statements while also allowing applicants to discuss more personal factors such as motivation, preference and extenuating circumstances. 

At UniAdmissions, we ensure all of our students receive the most up-to-date support.

At UniAdmissions, we’re working tirelessly to ensure that our tutors, curriculum and resources are ready to get our students through these changes. You can join them today and ensure you get the support you need to make it through the 2024 admissions cycle . 

Discover our Oxbridge Premium Programmes below and find out how you can enrol and triple your chances of success .

When Are UCAS Personal Statements Being Replaced?

The initial announcement stated that these reforms to the Personal Statement system will be introduced in the 2024 admissions cycle for 2025 entry. However, UCAS have since gone back on this and delayed the change to as early as 2025 (for 2026 Entry). However, this change could also occur the following year for 2027 Entry. 

UniAdmissions contacted UCAS directly to confirm if a date had been set for the implementation of the new Personal Statement format. The representative stated the following: 

The current discussion around the Personal Statement changes are to improve the application process for all applicants. At the moment the earliest this change would take place is in the 2026 application cycle. There won't be any changes this year. UCAS Representative

It’s worth mentioning that these plans have been in place for a fair amount of time, with discussions of reforming the application process starting in April 2021. However, this change still won’t be implemented for another year, so applicants applying for 2025 (and potentially 2026) Entry will still need to submit a traditional Personal Statement. 

Why Are UCAS Personal Statements Being Removed?

The announcement of these reforms was made on January 12th 2023 via a blog post on the official HEPI website. This post highlights the amendments being made to the Personal Statement process and the research that was conducted to influence this change.  

Interestingly, the data quoted in this post states that the majority of applicants surveyed were happy with the current Personal Statement process, with 72% feeling positive about it. However, the same survey indicated that 83% of applicants found the process stressful and 79% felt unable to complete theirs without support. This is the data that most likely influenced the changes. 

The post’s writer, Kim Eccleston, states that they are aiming to provide better support for both applicants and universities, creating “a more supportive framework” that allows applicants to write about what the universities need to know in a less restrictive way. It is also stated in a more detailed outline of the announcement that both students and teachers preferred the use of specific questions instead of free-form writing. 

However, a previous post released in November 2022 provides even more insight into the reasoning behind this decision. Based on data featured in HEPI Debate Paper 31 , various industry professionals had commented on the challenges facing applicants of certain background when it comes to the current style of Personal Statement. 

Within the quotes featured here, the traditional UCAS Personal Statement was described as “ambiguous” , “unfair” and “barometers of middle-class privilege” . These comments may potentially be in reference to the current importance of work experience, which can be difficult to obtain without connections in certain industries, as well as additional experiences which may not be available to all applicants.  

Therefore, this new system should presumably reduce the barriers for disadvantaged applicants by shifting focus to each individual’s own interest and abilities within their chosen subjects. 

Other Changes being Made by UCAS

Personal Statements are only one of five key areas being altered by UCAS, as highlighted in the blog post. This is certainly the most significant action taking place, but other changes to the application process include: 

• Academic references are being reformed, moving from a free-text approach to a set of three questions, similar to the Personal Statement reforms.
• The 'Entry Grade Report' will be created, which allows applicants to see grade profiles that have been accepted for courses over a five year period.
• A 'Course Recommendation Tool' is being created to provide applicants with personalised suggestions for courses based on their current grades and preferences.
• A 'Fair Access Programme' is being created to encourage widening access and participation.

Overall, it seems these changes all have the same intent; to level the playing field and make university applications more achievable for everyone. 

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How will this affect my university application?

As previously stated, if you are applying to university this year for 2025 Entry, you will not be affected by these reforms and will need to submit a traditional Personal Statement to UCAS like previous years. 

For applicants applying for 2026/27 Entry and beyond, your application will follow this new process, meaning you won’t have to submit a full Personal Statement but will instead need to answer a series of questions relating to your application and abilities for your chosen course. 

When hearing that the whole process will be changing, this typically instils a feeling of dread as you’ll be treading new ground that no one else has experienced before. However, it’s important to understand that UCAS states these changes are being made for the benefit of both the applicants and the universities. 

As we’ve already discussed, a key part of the reason this change is being implemented is that a high percentage of applicants found writing a traditional Personal Statement stressful, which is counterintuitive to what UCAS is trying to achieve. By providing applicants with a strong framework, in the form of specific questions, this new process should allow more applicants to provide better quality statements for universities. 

This change is also set to be particularly beneficial to those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as the process will allow them to better express their ability regardless of any areas that may be lacking due to factors out of their control. Essentially, the new process should allow more people to stand a better chance of making a good impression despite limitations. 

How Can I Start Preparing?

If you’re starting your preparations early, the main barrier you’ll face at this stage of preparation is not knowing what the questions will be, as they have yet to be announced. There are no resources available currently that cover this system, so you’re going to have to be independent with your preparation here.

Since we have a rough outline of what the questions to focus on, you should still be able to practice your responses. Although they won’t be as relevant any more, it would still be helpful to check out Personal Statement guides and examples as these can help you pin down the language and writing style you use. 

With all this information now available to us, you should be able to get a sense of what to do for your application in the coming years. The initial introduction of this system in 2024 will act as a test of its effectiveness, so elements could be changed in the years following. However, the important thing is that you understand how things are changing from the current system and how you can make the most of the new system. 

If you are applying for university in 2023 for 2024 Entry, you will need to make sure you’re ready to write your Personal Statement. Thankfully, UniAdmissions have plenty of resources to help you through it, including our Ultimate UCAS Personal Statement Guide and our collection of successful Oxbridge Personal Statements . 

If you’re looking for more in-depth support that covers the whole application process for Medicine, Law and Oxbridge courses, them find out how you can enrol in one of our Premium Programmes .  

Start your Oxbridge application journey in the best way possible with effective support from our Oxbridge Tutors . 

Regardless of what changes are made to the Oxbridge admissions process, we will be ready to provide you with the very best support for your application. Our students have access to expert Oxbridge tutors, comprehensive online courses, intensive preparation events and so much more. 

Find the right Oxbridge Premium Programme for you and discover how you can triple your chances of success when you enrol . 

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• Education, training and skills

Letter to students from Ofqual and UCAS

Published 16 July 2024

© Crown copyright 2024

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-to-students-from-ofqual-and-ucas/letter-to-students-from-ofqual-and-ucas

Dear student,

For those of you receiving your results this summer we know you might have questions about how your results are determined, results day, confirming offers and Clearing. You might want to know more about your options on results day or what happens if you change your mind about your choices.

Here are several key things to keep in mind:

How will my exam be marked?

• Your work is marked by expert examiners, who are mostly teachers with many years’ experience. They do not know your name, which school or college you go to, or where in the country you live. Ofqual makes sure that the rules are the same for all students taking the same qualification.

How does grading work?

The normal tried and tested arrangements for grading will continue for GCSEs, AS, A levels and vocational and technical qualifications (such as in health and social care or engineering) in 2024. This means that a student who would have achieved a certain grade last year should be just as likely to achieve that grade this summer.

For most qualifications, after most of the marking has been done, expert examiners review the papers to see the quality of student work and use all the available evidence before recommending grade boundaries (the number of marks needed to get each grade). Your grades are determined only by how you perform in your own assessments.

Grade boundaries often vary from year to year to reflect the difficulty of each paper. These changes to grade boundaries make sure that fair and appropriate grading standards are set. Whatever your results, you can be confident that for GCSEs and A level it’s no harder or easier to achieve a particular grade in each subject between one awarding organisation (exam board) and another.

How can I appeal against my grades?

• If you think there has been a mistake in how your exams or assessments have been marked, you should talk to your school or college, which can ask the awarding organisation to check if there were any errors in how your exam or assessment was marked. More information can be found in  Ofqual’s Student Guide .

What if I don’t get the results I need?

If you get the grades for your offer, then you’re in – congratulations! If you want to keep your options open or do  not  get the grades you were expecting, there are still plenty of choices in Clearing. Last year, around 1 in 5 of accepted applicants achieved or exceeded their predicted grades. Yet over 80% of UK 18-year-olds applying to UCAS secured a place at university or college.

Clearing offers choice and flexibility to all students, regardless of whether you receive predicted, better or lower grades. A record 39,620 UK 18-year-olds secured a place using Clearing in 2023. This year, there will be tens of thousands of choices on offer. UCAS’s Clearing Plus tool on ucas.com can help you find the best options as it matches you to a personalised list of available courses.

How can I prepare for results day?

• You can put yourself in the strongest position by exploring all your options and planning ahead of results day. Take control of your future by discovering personalised options in your  UCAS account (UCAS Hub),  listening to  UCAS’s Streetview YouTube series  or getting a taste of different university courses with Springpod’s Subject Spotlights in the UCAS Hub.

Each year, UCAS supports almost 1.5 million students in making informed choices about their future. On results day, you will also receive an email from UCAS tailored to you, clearly outlining your next steps and other options you may want to consider. UCAS’s team of advisors will also be standing by ready to answer any questions via telephone, website and social media channels to help all students navigate their next steps.

Yours faithfully,

Sir Ian Bauckham CBE, Chief Regulator, Ofqual

Dr Jo Saxton CBE, Chief Executive, UCAS

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