Can someone explain to me what UCAS is ( I’m 16)

Azzz128

So I want to know more about what ucas is I’m just so confused

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by Azzz128

So I want to know more about what ucas is I’m just so confused

UCAS is the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. It's the organisation via which you apply to join a UK university (or college which offers university-level qualifications) to study an "undergraduate" degree.

There's nothing particularly complicated about it. You complete one application form on the UCAS web site, and they forward it to up to five universities. They then pass the decisions of those universities (i.e. whether to offer you a place or not) back to you. That's it, essentially.

There are other aspects. UCAS will assign "points" to qualifications, so universities can more easily compare two students with different sets of qualifications. UCAS also have processes for those candidates who don't receive any offers, to give them additional opportunities to secure a place.

Is there anything about UCAS which you were particularly confused about?

Reply 2

PS Reviewer

@DataVenia has given you a fantastic summary

Original post by Azzz128

So I want to know more about what ucas is I’m just so confused

Do you have any thoughts about what you might want to study at university?
What are you currently studying?

Reply 3

Azzz128

Original post by PQ

@DataVenia has given you a fantastic summary
Do you have any thoughts about what you might want to study at university?
What are you currently studying?

Optom

Reply 4

PS Reviewer