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applying for 2026 entry this year?

i'm applying for uni atm, and wondering whether to apply for this year 2025, or there is also an option to apply/put entry for 2026.
If I applied for 2026 right now, would i have to accept an offer this year, or next year? i'm still deciding when would be best for me to go but can someone explain this pls ! :smile:

Reply 1

BCU Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post

by moopyxo

Hi @moopyxo

If you were to apply for uni this year for 2025 entry and later change your mind, there is the possibility of deferring your offer. This is subject to the university agreeing to the deferral too, but this basically means your offer is secured but you will start the course the following year. If you submit your application for 2025 entry, you can also withdraw completely at a later date and reapply for 2026 entry when the time comes.

Personally, I think if you feel confident that you're not quite ready for uni this year but would like to consider it for 2026 entry, I would consider starting your application for the 2026 intake later on in time. You can then give yourself more time to look into unis and courses, potentially attend open days and become more confident with your application.

It's also worth mentioning that the personal statement is changing for 2026 entry onwards. Here's the UCAS page with all the changes and updates, just so you're aware: https://www.ucas.com/advisers/help-and-training/guides-resources-and-training/pre-application-support/personal-statements-2026-entry-onwards#what-is-changing-with-personal-statements So if you are preparing to apply to for 2026 entry, I would recommend applying later on to have the most up to date statement submitted.

From my own experience, I applied for uni while at sixth form and deferred my first choice offer as I decided to complete a foundation year instead. I later rejected my deferred offer as I changed my mind and reapplied for the next cycle of UCAS applications, so it's possible to change your mind and your application later on in time. There's no harm in applying for 2025 and later changing your mind, but if you don't feel quite ready just yet, there's also no issue with choosing to start a 2026 application towards the end of this year. It really is a personal experience and there's no wrong answer, you just need to do what feels best for you.

Hope this helps. 🙂
Emily
Student Rep at BCU

Reply 2

McGinger

Yes, you can apply for 2026 entry with an application this year.

The process is exactly the same - on A level Results Day you would know if you had met the offer conditions, and if you had a place. That place would then be 'deferred' for 12 months, and you could take a gap year etc knowing you had a definite Uni place to go to in 2026. The Uni would email you around Easter 2026 about accommodation etc and you would start Uni in Sept 2026.

Reply 3

moopyxo

thats great thank you for the info !
I was wondering if I would have to accept an offer this year tho (if I applied for 2026) or would I be able to accept it sometime next year?

Reply 4

McGinger

Original post

by moopyxo

thats great thank you for the info !
I was wondering if I would have to accept an offer this year tho (if I applied for 2026) or would I be able to accept it sometime next year?

If you apply this year the whole process to be 'completed' this academic year.
You can delay applying to UCAS until next year - ie. with achieved grades - if you want to.