Last-Minute UCAS Application Tips for College and Sixth Form Students
There’s a lot to think about when applying for university, so it’s important to understand the UCAS application process and make sure you’re ready to submit on time. The UCAS application deadline for 2025 is fast approaching, so here are some last-minute tips to help you with your application.
When is the UCAS 2025 Deadline?#
This year the UCAS deadline falls on 29th January 2025. To guarantee that your application will be considered, you need to submit all of your documents by 6pm on this date; submitting late can result in a lot of extra headaches, which we’ll discuss in more detail later. It’s important that you get started as early as possible, as some steps (such as getting a suitable reference) can take some time.
Finalising Your Course Choices#
The first step in the university application process is deciding which courses you want to study, and at which universities. You can use our handy resource for finding university courses that are perfect for you, then narrow down your list to your top five.
If you have a fairly good idea of what you want to study, but you’re still on the fence between a few different courses, consider the following:
- University (and department) rankings and reputations
- Entry requirements
- Campus locations
- Choice of societies, clubs and other extracurricular activities
- Reviews and opinions from current or former students
You might be cutting it too fine to attend an open day before the UCAS application deadline, so if you can’t visit the campuses for the universities you’re considering, research online and hear from other students to get an understanding of what life is like at each university.
Completing the Application Form#
Once you’ve decided on the five courses you’d like to apply for, you can start the UCAS application process. Firstly, you’ll need to register with the UCAS Hub and set up your account. You can then start filling out your application.
In summary, you’ll need to provide:
- Your personal details (such as your name, address, contact details, and residency status)
- Your education history
- Your employment history
- Your five course choices (note that these aren’t in order of preference)
You’ll also need to write a personal statement and ask someone to provide a reference; we’ll discuss both of these in the next sections.
Once you’ve completed all of your sections and your referee has completed theirs, you’ll be able to pay the application fee (£28.50 for up to five choices in 2025), then submit your application. See the UCAS website for more detail and step-by-step instructions on how to complete your UCAS application form.
Writing a Personal Statement#
As part of your application you’ll need to write a personal statement to outline why they should select you for a place on their course. You might be competing with thousands of other applicants, so your personal statement is your chance to stand out and showcase yourself beyond your grades.
Your personal statement should cover your passions, skills and achievements. You’ll also want to explain why you’ve chosen a particular course, and how it aligns with your career and academic goals. This is your chance to show your enthusiasm for your chosen subject and show the value you’d bring to the university.
The personal statement needs to be under 47 lines of text and 4,000 characters. See our comprehensive guide on writing a great personal statement for more information and tips.
Finding a Reference#
Next, you need to obtain at least one reference for your UCAS application. Your reference should be someone who can vouch for you and your potential, and affirm that you’re a good fit for your chosen courses. This will typically be an academic reference provided by one of your teachers, tutors or advisors. They will need to provide information about your academic performance, your personality, and additional skills.
It’s important that you give your chosen referee plenty of time to provide a thoughtful and comprehensive reference, so ask them as soon as possible. You can also contact each university if you’d like them to review more than one reference, but only one is required.
Reviewing and Proofreading#
It’s vital that all of the documents submitted as part of your UCAS application are accurate and well written. Any errors in your paperwork can lead to delays and other issues, so check and double-check everything you’re including in your submission.
Even if writing isn’t a big part of your chosen courses, it’s essential that your documents (and particularly your personal statement) showcase you in your best light. A well-written application without typos or grammatical errors shows that you’re taking the application process seriously, and reflects your academic rigour and diligence.
Once you’ve finished your personal statement and other documents, give them a thorough review, then ask a friend, teacher or family member to read through them for you. A fresh set of eyes is more likely to spot any mistakes you’ve missed, and they’ll be able to tell you if anything is unclear to them. Finally, give each document one last proofread and review to make sure you’re happy with them.
After Submission: Next Steps#
Once your UCAS application has been successfully submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email. This email provides you with a personal ID to set up your UCAS Track account, which allows you to track the progress of your application.
Next, each university will review your applications, including your predicted grades, personal statement and the references provided. This can take up to a few months, so don’t panic if you don’t hear back right away. Depending on the course and university, you might be asked to take an admissions test or attend an interview, so make sure you know exactly what’s required and prepare accordingly.
After this, it’s simply a case of waiting to hear back from each university to see if you get a conditional or unconditional offer (then, hopefully, choosing which university to attend).
What Happens if my Submission is Late?#
If for some reason you do end up missing the UCAS deadline, it’s not the end of the world, but there are some important considerations to think about. You can still submit your application up until 30th June 2025 (after this point any applications will be automatically entered into clearing), but applications submitted after 29th January aren’t guaranteed to have equal weighting. Instead, these applications may be considered on a first-come first-served basis.
If your submission is late, you may also have fewer course options available, as well as less choice of student accommodation (as popular halls are likely to fill up quickly). A late application may also limit your options for financial support, as some bursaries and support funds are also allocated on a first-come first-served basis.
None of this means you shouldn’t apply for university if you’ve missed the deadline, but you’ll need to be proactive in sorting out these issues to ensure your start to university life isn’t too stressful.
Conclusion#
As the 2025 deadline for UCAS applications approaches, it’s important to stay calm, focused and organised. A well-prepared UCAS application shows that you’re dedicated and ready for university life, so put in the effort now to get your application right. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need support with your application; you’re not the first person to go through this process, so there’s plenty of great advice out there. Best of luck with your application!
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