The ultimate guide to the UCAS process

What is UCAS and why it matters

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is the service you’ll use to apply for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK.

It’s your gateway to choosing a course, applying to universities and taking the next step towards your future goals. Everything from exploring options to tracking offers happens through your UCAS account.

How the UCAS process works

1

Register with UCAS: create your account and start exploring courses.
2

Choose up to five courses: all at one university or a mix.
3

Complete your application including your personal statement and reference.
4

Submit and track your application through your UCAS Hub.
5

Receive offers then decide your firm and insurance choices.

Registering with UCAS is free.

The application fee is £34.50 (for 2027 entry) when you're ready to apply for courses.

Choosing the right course for you

Choosing a course isn’t just about the subject. It’s about where it can take you.

As you explore your options, think about:

how you want to learn
the support you’ll receive
the career outcomes you’re aiming for.

Look beyond just course titles and check:

modules and assessment types
placement opportunities
graduate outcomes.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements are usually shown as grades or UCAS tariff points, which translate your qualifications and grades into a numerical value.
We’ve created this handy UCAS Tariff points calculator to help you work these out.

When comparing courses, think about how you want to study. At Coventry University, block learning lets you focus on one subject at a time so you can build confidence and stay on track.

Search our courses.

Open Days

Open Days are a great way to learn more about your chosen universities. You can find out more about your shortlisted courses, meet lecturers and chat with current students as well as explore accommodation, facilities and the local area.

Book an Open Day or take a virtual tour.

Made your choices?

The order of your universities on your UCAS application doesn't matter. Your choices remain anonymous until you reply to any offers you receive.

Important UCAS deadlines (2027 entry)

1 September 2026 - applications open
13 January 2027 (6pm) - equal consideration deadline

Universities must give equal consideration to all applicants who apply before this date, even if you have applied to start a course after September 2027.

After this:

some courses may fill up
you may have fewer options available.

What you need to apply

Before submitting your UCAS application, you’ll need:

A personal statement: this is your chance to show your interests, skills and ambitions
A reference: usually from a teacher or tutor
Payment of the application fee (£34.50 for 2027 entry)

What happens after you apply

Universities review your application. All higher education course providers have until 12 May 2027 to reply to applications submitted by 6pm on Wednesday, 13 January 2027. If you apply after this date, but before Clearing opens, universities have until 15 July to reply.

As a general rule, we try to reply within seven working days because we recognise that the sooner you know, the sooner you can start to make firm plans.

You’ll receive one of four decisions:
- conditional offerunconditional offer
- alternative offer
- unsuccessful.

Confirm your choice

You can only make your firm and insurance choices once all your universities have issued their decisions. You can choose to reply earlier by withdrawing from any universities that have not yet made a decision. If you do this, UCAS will remove those choices from your application, and you will no longer be considered for an offer from those institutions. Please note that once a choice is withdrawn, it cannot be undone. If you have already selected five options, you will not be able to enter an additional choice.

Log in to your UCAS account to see:

which universities have made you offers
the types of offers you've received
when you need to reply.

UCAS will email you when they get the final decision from your universities. If you receive your last decision on or before Wednesday, 12 May 2027, you’ll need to reply by Wednesday, 2 June 2027.

Types of offers and replies

Unconditional Firm: This is a ‘yes’ from you and you’ve got your first choice.
Conditional Firm and Conditional Insurance: You've made a first and second choice. If you meet the conditions of the first choice, you'll be on that course. If not, you might meet the conditions of the second. If so, you'll be on that course instead.
Conditional Firm and Unconditional Insurance: You've made a first and second choice. If you meet the conditions of the first choice, you'll be on that course. If not, you'll definitely be on the second.

Interviews and Auditions

Some courses will require you to complete an interview or audition/portfolio showcase to make sure you and the university are a good match for each other. This will depend on the type of course you’ve applied for.

We’ve prepared some guidance notes, so you know what to expect and can start to prepare.

UCAS Extra

UCAS Extra is a free service you can use to add more choices to your UCAS application if you have used all five choices but haven’t received any offers.

It opens on Thursday, 25 February 2027.

UCAS Key dates for 2027 entry

13 January 2027

Equal consideration deadline.

25 February 2027

UCAS Extra opens.

30 June 2027

Late applications deadline. Applications made after this date will automatically be included in Clearing.

1 July 2027

UCAS Extra closes.

2 July 2027

Clearing opens.

12 August 2027

A level results day.

FAQs

Do I have to apply through UCAS?

How many universities can I apply to?

What if I already have my results?

If you’ve already applied through UCAS this cycle, or want more than one course or university option:

Submit your UCAS application
Your qualifications will already be in your application, so no waiting for exam boards.
Universities assess your application and can:
- make an offer (often unconditional)
- reject your application, or
- ask for more information.

If you only want ONE course at ONE university:

Call or email the University admissions team to see if you are eligible for an offer. You can email us at ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk or call +442477656565
If they say yes, they’ll send you a Record of Prior Acceptance (RPA) form.
Fill it in and send it back, along with copies of all of your qualifications - the University will submit an application to UCAS on your behalf.
Once UCAS processes it, your place is officially confirmed and an offer letter will be issued.

You cannot apply to multiple universities or courses via RPA. Once you accept via RPA, you’re locked into that choice for the whole cycle. No adding extra options later.

Can I start university outside of September?

What is block learning?

Block learning helps you study with focus, confidence and clarity. Instead of juggling multiple modules, you concentrate on one subject at a time, with regular assessments and feedback to help you stay on track.*

This can help you:

focus on one subject at a time
no high-pressure end-of-year exams
Regular feedback to keep you on track
manage your workload around your life
clear and structured study journey

When will I hear back from universities?

What university offers could I receive?

You can receive:

Unconditional: Congratulations, you’ve been offered a place on the course you chose, with no conditions attached! If you want it, the place is yours.
Conditional: You're in, if you meet the conditions set. These could be the achievement of particular grades, or providing additional documentation.
Alternative: If you don't meet the conditions, the university may offer you an alternative, related course that is a better fit for you.
Unsuccessful: This removes the course as an option, but you could add more courses. If you’ve used all five choices on your application and have either been unsuccessful at all of them, or declined all offers you've received, then you use 'UCAS Extra'.

What should I put in my personal statement?

This is your moment to shine! You’ve got up to 4,000 characters to show off your skills, share your story, and convince the university why you are the perfect fit. You’ll be answering three questions, and you can spread your answers across them however you like. Just remember, they will be reviewed together, so keep things fresh and avoid repeating yourself.

Why you want to study your chosen course or subject.
How your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for your course or subject.
What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why these experiences are useful.

Think about how your interests and achievements align with the course. Write about work experience, volunteering, hobbies, extracurricular activities or achievements beyond school and avoid buzzwords, overused phrases and AI-generated content.

A quick guide to key terms

Accredited courses

Accredited courses are officially approved by a professional body or organisation. This means they meet specific standards of quality, content and teaching for a particular sector or industry. As a student, this reassures you that the modules and learning experiences you receive throughout the course meet the standards the profession needs, putting you in the best position to secure employment when you graduate.

Common first-year courses

Degree with a foundation year

Integrated master's

Sandwich courses

Sandwich courses include an optional (sometimes mandatory) placement or study‑abroad year, usually between your second and final year. You’ll see this option listed under study mode, and you can normally decide whether to take it after you’ve started your degree, not when you apply. Support is available to help you explore your options. These are different from professional practice placements, which are mandatory, take place throughout the degree, and are required for professional registration.

Degree apprenticeships