Applying as new applicant or using UCAS Extra

Sorry if this is silly question, but looking on UCAS you can either search for courses which are `open to new applicants` or through EXTRA. Does this mean that if you withdraw from all your offers (none accepted as firm/insurance), you are only allowed to apply through EXTRA? Or can you start `afresh` and apply as new applicant. I ask because a friend's son wants to change course completely and wants to give up all five offers.

It just seems that there are more courses available to new applicants than there are on EXTRA. The young man in question does realise that this is a risky strategy but is currently on a gap year to resit some exams and doesn't want to take another year to apply again in September. Thank you.

Reply 1

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by misc48

Sorry if this is silly question, but looking on UCAS you can either search for courses which are `open to new applicants` or through EXTRA. Does this mean that if you withdraw from all your offers (none accepted as firm/insurance), you are only allowed to apply through EXTRA? Or can you start `afresh` and apply as new applicant. I ask because a friend's son wants to change course completely and wants to give up all five offers.

It just seems that there are more courses available to new applicants than there are on EXTRA. The young man in question does realise that this is a risky strategy but is currently on a gap year to resit some exams and doesn't want to take another year to apply again in September. Thank you.

You can't apply as a new applicant twice in a cycle.

A lot of courses are left "open" to new applicants because universities are slow to close them or are open for international/mature applicants who are more likely to apply after the January deadline.

Extra is available to anyone not holding any offers. So either people who have had all rejections or people who have declined any offers they have received.

With both extra and late applicants the advice is the same : don't treat UCAS course search as gospel. Phone up and check the course is open. And with extra check on your chance of receiving an offer (because you apply sequentially you want your first extra application to be your favourite AND somewhere that you're likely to be made an offer).

Reply 2

Carnationlilyrose

18

Original post by misc48

Sorry if this is silly question, but looking on UCAS you can either search for courses which are `open to new applicants` or through EXTRA. Does this mean that if you withdraw from all your offers (none accepted as firm/insurance), you are only allowed to apply through EXTRA? Or can you start `afresh` and apply as new applicant. I ask because a friend's son wants to change course completely and wants to give up all five offers.

It just seems that there are more courses available to new applicants than there are on EXTRA. The young man in question does realise that this is a risky strategy but is currently on a gap year to resit some exams and doesn't want to take another year to apply again in September. Thank you.

Extra is the only route open to someone in this situation. Ucas does not allow more than one application per cycle. Yes, it is risky, but that is the nature of the game at this stage.