The Student Room Group

Applying twice to UCAS (due to gap year)...

I've got fairly solid plans for a gap year, meaning my year of entry to uni will be 2008.

I'm applying this year to Ucas asking to defer. Like a lot of gappers, I think one of the advnatages is that you can get two bites of the cherry, so to speak, when it comes to applying to unis. However, the following scenario come into my mind and I'd appreciate your advice...

Say I get rejected from my first choice uni this year (Cambridge), but accepted for my second favourite (Durham). Can I 'accept' Durham as either my firm or insurance, but then apply through Ucas again the following year for Cambridge or Oxford (i.e. giving myself two chances at Oxbridge but keeping Durham as a reserve). If I'm successful with Oxbridge second time around with an unconditional offer because I already have my A Level grades, I could then decline Durham's offer. In other words, can Ucas offers from different years be mixed? I know this is a bit cheeky, but I was just wondering...

Thanks!
Reply 1
No if you reapply to ucas all your offers are automatically withdrawn. You cant keep your durham offer and reapply to cambridge.
Reply 2
True. There's no way you can apply via UCAS if you are holding an offer offically. What you could do in that situation is ask Durham if they'd consider your application if you applied again during the gap year. Any agreement you'd have with Durham about getting another offer would be unoffical though.
Reply 3
I see :frown: Thanks for the advice

Just another quick question: if I get an offer from a uni, then have to decline it to make my second ucas application, but apply to the same uni the following year, is that uni likely to turn me down for 'messing them around'?
Reply 4
Easy as ABC
I see :frown: Thanks for the advice

Just another quick question: if I get an offer from a uni, then have to decline it to make my second ucas application, but apply to the same uni the following year, is that uni likely to turn me down for 'messing them around'?

It really depends on the uni. Either ask them, or ask in their forum if anyone knows
Reply 5
Easy as ABC
I see :frown: Thanks for the advice

Just another quick question: if I get an offer from a uni, then have to decline it to make my second ucas application, but apply to the same uni the following year, is that uni likely to turn me down for 'messing them around'?

I'm in the exact same position that you're describing. You can contact your '2nd choice uni' which accepted you and explain to them your reasons for declining them. Express your immense interest in their course but also describe your situation and why you think you're better off reapplying. I'll let you know how my reapplication goes. :wink: