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Applying for an undergraduate course through UCAS

All undergraduate full-time applications are made through UCAS.

Visit the UCAS website

What is UCAS?

UCAS is the organisation that processes applications to study full-time courses at universities and colleges in the UK.

At UCAS you will find guidance on choosing the right course, completing your online application, tracking your application and funding your course.

Once you have applied, you will be able to track the progress of your application through UCAS track. The status of your application will be updated with the decision made by your university.

For the 2025 cycle, UCAS is removing the undergraduate application fee for any student who is/or has received free school meals (FSM) during the last six years, up until the end of their final year at school or college. Further information can be found here: Students eligible for free school meals (FSM) | Undergraduate | UCAS

Applications are open for the September 2025 intake and can be submitted from the 3^rd September 2024 onwards. If you believe you are eligible, please declare you are in receipt of free school meals in the ‘More about you’ section of the application form and choose to ‘Pay Centre’ when you ‘Pay and Submit’ your application from the 3^rd September 2024. 

Key UCAS dates:

2024/5 Entry

• 30 June - Main scheme closes – applications received after 30 June at 18:00 are in Clearing
• 4 July: Extra closes - the last day for applicants to add an Extra choice.
• 5 July: Clearing opens and continues through to the end of August.

2025/6 Entry

• 3 September - Applications can be submitted to UCAS.
• The final Wednesday in January – Deadline for applications to QMU courses*.  For the September 2025 intake, the equal consideration deadline will be the 29 January 2025 (18:00 U.K. time)
• 26 February – Extra opens
• 14 May - University and college decisions due on applications submitted by 31 January.
• 30 June - Main scheme closes – applications received after 30 June at 18:00 are in Clearing
• 4 July: Extra closes - the last day for applicants to add an Extra choice.
• 5 July: Clearing opens and continues through to the end of August.

*If you’re applying through schools or colleges, sometimes you will be given an earlier deadline to fill in your application – this is to make sure they can write your reference and send your application to UCAS on time.

UCAS Extra

If the applications you have made for your chosen courses are unsuccessful, you could apply for other courses through UCAS Extra.

UCAS Extra is an opportunity for you to consider another course, even a different subject, without waiting for Clearing.

To be eligible for Extra:

• All five choices must have been used
• Your must have no offers or declined any offers you have received

Clearing

If you do not get the qualifications needed to meet the conditions of your offer or you do not receive any offers though UCAS or UCAS Extra, you can look for places through Clearing.

Clearing is a chance for students to look for a place if they don’t have one. It’s also the final chance for universities to fill any places they still have available.

To look for a course in Clearing you must first be eligible. This means that either:

• You have no offers
• Your firm or insurance universities have confirmed your application has been unsuccessful

Course Requirements

To note, where a course requires National 5 maths, we can also accept National 5 Applications of Maths or Lifeskills Maths at the same grade. National 5 Numeracy may also be accepted at the same grade but exclusions apply for some courses due to the professional registration requirements such as the PGDE programmes and Educations Studies (Primary).