UCAS Reference

I’ve been out of education for 3yrs and have been working since then. I’m applying to study for 2026, I’ve contacted my choices who all require references.
My question is, if I’m using my work as a reference, do I have to ask someone who is a supervisor/manager level, or can it be a colleague who knows me on a professional level.
I’m assuming 3yrs is to long ago to contact my college for a reference from them, as I have read unis tend to prefer academic references over work ones
Thanks!

For uni applications after a long break, a work reference is fine but it should come from someone in a supervisory or managerial role. Universities want a referee who can comment on your reliability, skills, and suitability for study, which a manager can do better than a colleague.
Three years is usually too long for most colleges to provide an academic reference, so your work reference will be expected.

Thank you very much!

I didn’t want my manager to know that I might be leaving next year, so I asked a trusted colleague instead. It was really easy for them to complete, and it seems to have gone through fine

I didn’t want my manager to know that I might be leaving next year, so I asked a trusted colleague instead. It was really easy for them to complete, and it seems to have gone through fine

Did your colleague send it from their personal email address?