The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a central agency which acts on behalf of UK universities and colleges of higher education. All applications to courses at these institutions are made through UCAS and should be received by UCAS between September and mid-December for places for courses starting the following October. Late applications can be received up to 30 June, but there will be fewer vacant places left at the universities, so choice will be severely limited.

• Applicants choose up to 6 choices universities / courses and enters them on the UCAS application form. No order of preference is indicated.
• UCAS records the details of each application on computer and sends a copy of the form to each university listed on it.
• Each university considers the application, may require an interview with the applicant and decides on the offer of a place.
• This is usually conditional on the number of points achieved in “A/AS” level examinations (results published during the third week of August each year).
• UCAS lets the applicant know the decision of each university.
• When all universities have replied, candidates can accept a maximum of 2 offers – a first choice with an optional “insurance” choice.
• When exam results are known (in the third week of August), universities make a final decision on each applicant.
• All applicants who have matched the results demanded must be accepted.
• Applicants who have not matched the results demanded may be accepted at the universities’ discretion.
• Applicants who do not get a place or who apply late (after 01 July) are eligible to enter the final stage of the application process, Clearing. In Clearing applicants are given vacancy information by UCAS and may negotiate direct with institutions.