You need to reply once you have decisions from all universities
Reply date is 4 June 2025 (except if using Extra (see next slide))
Three types of reply:
Firm: your first choice
Insurance: your back-up choice if you don’t meet conditions of your firm. You can only accept if first choice is a conditional offer
Decline: you need to decline any other offers
Adding an extra choice
If decisions from all 5 universities/colleges not accepted or declined then maybe eligible for Extra
Extra is a free service: available between 26 Feb – 4 July 2025 to apply for one course at a time.
Appears as option when sign-in to track your application
If add a choice using the Extra service you cannot revert back to your original 5 choices
If 5 choices not used in initial application then you don't need an extra. Just sign in and add another choice (as long as before 30th June and not accepted or declined any offers)
Your decision: making the right one
Remember: your firm choice should be your preferred choice
Take the time now to ensure the decision you take is fully informed
Picture yourself there for 3 years or more
Does the course have exams/ coursework or both?
Where you will live and how much it will cost
City or campus
Societies/night life
Have you been to open day/virtual tour?
After you get your exam results
Still waiting for university or college decision in your application?
You don’t have all of your results yet:
Offer stays conditional until the university has your results. Check additional info in your offer to say what the university is waiting on. Most universities set a deadline of 4th Sept
You have your results but lower than required
University or college may still be considering your application.
Contact them! They may accept you with lower grades/ offer a different course
You have results and required grades (& completed additional tasks)
The university is updating decisions so your place will soon be confirmed
If in doubt contact them
You’ve listed qualifications on your application but did not sit the exam.
Inform the university as soon as possible
Clearing
Clearing is for you if:
you didn’t receive any offers (or none you wanted to accept)
you didn’t meet the conditions of your offers
you’ve declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in your application
Clearing is how universities and colleges fill places they still have on courses
typically over 50,000 students placed each year.
Universities have a quota to fill. Second chance does not mean second rate
• From 5th July-21st October vacancies displayed in UCAS search tool
You can apply to unis that may have previously rejected you
Look out for the « Clearing Plus tool » which proactively matches you with potential courses
Getting Ready for Higher Education: Top Tips
Getting Ready for Higher Education: Top Tips
Check your emails regularly: unis will be sending through lots of pre-arrival information and support, including invites to welcome events.
Look for online groups: most unis have online communities you can join to meet people on your course or in your accommodation before you arrive.
Use social media: follow your university on social media
Studying
You’ll need to be more independent and self-motivated
Use the summer to get prepared
Top Tips
•Check resources on the uni website to see what support they have for new students.
•Ask the uni about study skills sessions and workshops that can help with any knowledge or skills gaps.
•Check if there’s a pre-reading list for your course that you can get ahead with.
Useful resources:
•Skills4Uni: online course on so me important skills
•Building your academic skills: online course to build the academic skills
•Student Minds share tips and tools to help you with your studying
Managing your finances
A new challenge when living away from home (and key life skill)
Some top tips
•Get your finances sorted before you go, including setting up a student bank account.
•Make sure you’ve applied for any student finance you need and understand what you’re eligible for and how it works.
•Set a budget before you go. It might help to look at how much things cost in the area you’re going to, to help you work out a plan.
Useful resources:
•How to manage your money: beginner’s guide to budgeting
•UCAS student discounts: on stuff you need for uni
•Money and student life: advice from money, to accommodation, and mental health
•Advice & practical tips to help with money worries on Student Space
Living away from home
Exciting time to make new friends and live independently
Some top tips
•Scope out your accommodation to understand what you need to take with you. Check out essential uni packing list.
•Find online group for your accommodation to meet the people you’ll be living with before you arrive.
•Check out the local area so you know what’s around. For example, local transport and supermarkets.
Useful resources:
•Unite Students – Leapskills: interactive game to explore communal living.
•Accommodation advice: help you make the right accommodation choice
•A guide to choosing accommodation: guide you through different options & what to look out for.
Halls of residence
• Owned by the uni. Mostly reserved for 1st year students
• Usually closer to campus and can be cheaper
• Check uni website for details on how & when to apply.
• Private halls are not owned by the uni. This means you could be living with students who don't go to the same uni as you.
Points to consider
• Cost: Varies on location & options. Electricity & water bills usually included, but not TV licence & insurance.
• Options: Some might be catered or have shared bathrooms.
• Location: Travel costs (if not on campus)
• Read small print: Some restrict cars and have different contract lengths.
Shared housing
• Alternative to halls of residence. Rent a house or flat (by yourself or with other students)
• Common for 2nd and 3rd year students but ask the accommodation office if other 1st years are looking too.
Points to consider
• Cost: budget for essential bills (electricity, water, WiFi). Deposit also required.
• The right fit: Check who you’ll be living with. Visit before signing contract or paying a deposit
• Location: Travel routes & what’s in the local area?
• Read small print: terms, contract length and if your deposit is secured in a protection scheme. More info: how to keep your wits about you when renting.
Staying healthy
• Get your vaccines up to date before leaving home (build up protection before you arrive)
• If not possible, arrange with your new GP on arrival
• Register with your new GP beforehand – don’t wait until you’re ill.
Visit UCAS mental health hub to get support: https://www.ucas.com/money-and-student-life/student-life/mental-healthand-wellbeing/mental-health-and-wellbeing-university-support
Other useful resources:
•Mind: support for adjusting to student life
•Know before you go: a guide for students
•Transitioning into university
•How to cope with student life
•The 'Making the move to university' guides: for care experienced, LGBT+, young carers, international students
•Kooth: support online and in your local area (providing NHS services).
•How to get support if you're struggling
•Student Space: trusted information & tools to guide you through the uncertainty of student life (money, relationships and social life, and academic stress and pressure)
