What is UCAS?

UCAS stands for Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. It’s the central organisation that processes nearly all of the applications for entry into higher education in the UK. UCAS aims to make it simple and easy for students to apply to any university across the United Kingdom. 

For both undergraduate or postgraduate applicants, UCAS provides a user-friendly application system and is used by both local students and international students who want to study in the UK.

UCAS application support for international students

Even though it’s fairly user-friendly, filling out your UCAS applications can still feel overwhelming, especially for international students who want to study in the UK. That’s why our specialist counsellors at AHZ provide a free service that supports international students through the entire application process.

Our team of experts will guide you through each individual stage, from selecting the courses that you want to study on, preparing and filling out the required documents to making sure that you submit your application on time.

It’s worth mentioning that UCAS personal statements are undergoing a change from September 2025 onwards, where students will be asked 3 structured questions instead of having to write a 4000 word essay.

What do you need to apply through UCAS?

Before starting a UCAS application, you should make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements to register. To apply through UCAS, applicants must have:

• Successful completely or be currently completing secondary education

• Meet the entry requirements of their chosen courses and universities

• Provide evidence of English language proficiency (if this is required by the universities)

• Have a valid passport or ID for international students

How do you apply to UK universities via UCAS?

Applying to UK universities through UCAS involves several steps:

• Research: Explore courses and universities to find the ones that best match your academic interests and career goals.

• Register: Create a UCAS account and start your application.

• Fill Out the Application: Enter your personal details, academic qualifications, and course choices.

• Write a UCAS Personal Statement: Compose a well written and engaging personal statement that showcases your strengths, accomplishments, and reasons for applying.

• Submit References: Provide academic references from teachers or counsellors.

• Pay the Application Fee: Ensure the payment process for the application fee is completed.

• Submit Your Application: Ensure to review your application thoroughly and submit it prior to the deadline.

UCAS Registration Fees

The UCAS application fees are as follows:

- Single Choice: £22

- Multiple Choices: £26.50 (up to five choices)

Documents Checklist

To complete your UCAS application, you’ll need to make sure you have prepared the following documents correctly: 

• Academic transcripts and certificates

• Test scores for English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL)

• Personal statement

• Passport or identification document

• Reference letters

UCAS Extra

UCAS Extra is a service for applicants who have already used five choices and are not currently holding any offers. Students have the option to apply for additional courses through this service. 

UCAS Extra runs from late February until Early July and provides a means of securing a place at university if your initial applications were unsuccessful. 

Clearing

If you have missed out on your firm choice or have changed your mind about which course you would like to attend, clearing can be a great option to explore other opportunities. Clearing opens after A-level results have been released, and allows students to connect with universities that still have spaces available.

While clearing can offer some great opportunities, we don’t recommend relying on it for finding a spot at a university as there is no guarantee that your university/course of choice will have spots available. 

Tracking Your Application with AHZ 

At AHZ, we offer an easy to use way of tracking your UCAS application. After you have submitted your application, our tracking system allows you to: 

• Monitor the progress of your application

• Get updates and notifications about university decisions

• Get guidance and advice from exports on next steps and how to respond to any offers received

Our team of advisors are available to support you throughout the entire process, providing you with guidance and making sure that your application has the best chances of succeeding.