If you're applying to study an undergraduate course at a UK higher education institution, then the clock is ticking to apply through UCAS. Good news, though: you can use our UCAS checklist to make sure your application is ready to go.
The equal consideration deadline is 14 January 2026 at 6pm.
We get that the pressure to get this right is real but, by making sure you enter all the vital info and apply in time, then you're giving yourself the best possible chance.
Your UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) application will consist of six sections:
- Personal details
- University choices
- Education history / formal qualifications
- Employment history
- Personal statement
- Reference
We cover these in more detail, one by one, in our UCAS checklist below. If you're still uncertain about something, check out our FAQs at the end of the checklist for answers to common UCAS queries.
One top tip before we get started: remember to check your spelling, punctuation and grammar after you've completed each section to make sure there are no mistakes before submitting. It's easy for anyone to make a typo, so leave time for a sense check to catch any errors - the last thing you want at this stage is to spell your own name wrong. 😱
Personal details
First things first: who are you? It won't surprise you that this part is pretty straightforward but, again, you'll want to check there are no spelling mistakes, your phone number is correct and you didn't mistype your email address in order for UCAS to send application updates. Remember to check at the end to save yourself needless worry after you hit 'send'.
In this section, you can also nominate one or more person (for example, a parent, guardian or teacher) who's allowed to speak on your behalf to UCAS about your application.
University choices
Ready to choose your courses? Here's where you can add up to five courses you want to study: either five courses at five different universities, five courses at the same university or somewhere in between (for example, three at University of Liverpool and two at other UK universities).
The important thing to remember here is to enter the correct institution and course codes. At this stage, there's no preference order and your chosen universities/colleges won't be able to see where else you've applied.
Education and qualifications
Next up: enter any formal academic qualifications from secondary school onwards. This includes completed qualifications and those that you're working towards (for example, A-levels). Your referee (see 6. Reference) will be able to add your predicted grades. A number of university courses will have minimum GCSE English, maths and science requirements so make sure you've included these grades.
Higher education institutions will use the information in your application to help make their decisions, so it's also worth including any graded performing arts, sports or extracurricular awards to showcase all of your skills.
Employment history
Details of previous employment go here. You can include up to five paid jobs, whether full- or part-time, including descriptions and start and end dates.
No employment history? Don't worry, you can leave this section blank. If you're a mature student, this is your opportunity to detail what you've been doing since leaving education. And if you have any volunteering or unpaid work experience, then include it but not here - save it for your personal statement. Which brings us to ...
Personal statement
Did you know there's a NEW format for 2026? The personal statement is no longer one long essay: for 2026, you must answer three structured questions (total limit: 4,000 characters, minimum 350 per section).
- Why do you want to study this course or subject? Focus on your motivation and academic curiosity.
- How have your qualifications and studies prepared you? Highlight relevant coursework, skills and academic achievements.
- What else have you done outside education, and why is it useful? Add value with volunteering, work experience, extracurricular activity, etc.
Reference
It's essential to include a suitable reference in your application before sending it to UCAS. If you're at school or college, a teacher will usually write your reference for you. They'll need the UCAS buzzword associated with your institution (which you would have entered when registering) to enter their reference.
Alternatively, if you're applying having already finished your studies, you'll need to add contact details for a former teacher or professional who UCAS can contact to provide a written reference.
UCAS late applications
Try not to worry too much if you miss the application deadline. There are a couple of options available to you:
- Late application deadline: View the UCAS website to check the final deadline for your course. If you've missed it, you can still apply for various courses but some may not accept late applications, so we advise checking with universities or colleges.
- Clearing: If you miss the late application deadline, you can still apply for many courses. If you go down this route, you'll automatically be entered into Clearing, the process used by higher education institutions to fill places on any courses that still have them. Find out more about Clearing and how to find student accommodation in Clearing. This will have a deadline so check the UCAS website to check when it is for the academic year you're applying to.
We hope our guide to besting your UCAS application has been useful and helps you make the most out of this opportunity to get a place on the course you really want. It's never too early to sort your student accommodation out either, so take a look at our locations page to see what Student Roost properties are in your uni city and book a viewing.
Still got UCAS application questions? We've included some FAQs below. Good luck!
What is a UCAS application?
Applications for most full-time undergraduate university or college courses are made through UCAS. As a result, the majority of students wishing to study an undergraduate course at a UK university will need to apply through UCAS, including international students.
How much is the UCAS application fee?
The application fee for 2026 is £28.95 for up to five choices. Students eligible for free school meals may qualify for a fee waiver.
When do UCAS applications open and close?
Applications opened 2 September 2025. The main deadline is 14 January 2026 at 6pm.
What is required for a UCAS application?
As detailed above, your UCAS application consists of six main sections:
- Personal details
- University choices
- Education history / formal qualifications
- Employment history
- Personal statement
- Reference
Refer to each section of our guide above for more on what you need to include.
