Missed the UCAS deadline? Here are your options
For courses starting from Sept 2021, UCAS applications for the majority of courses should have been in by 29 January 2021. So, if you haven’t yet submitted your application, what can you do?
First things first, don’t worry! Easier said than done, we know, but all is not lost. We’ll take you through what happens if you miss the UCAS submission date, what options you have to process your university application and the key dates.
Option 1: Submit a late application
You may have missed the main application deadline, you can still apply for specific courses, so long as your application is received by 30th June 2021. But hurry up! Late submissions will be reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis. Be quick, but without the detriment of the quality of your application of course! UCAS will process your application and send it off to your chosen University.
Be mindful that there is no guarantee that you will be given equal consideration to those who did submit their applications in time. You’re still in with a chance, but the results depend on how competitive your course is. It’s always good to be proactive so start contacting your chosen universities directly to see if they accept late applications. Be prepared and have a valid excuse at hand in case they ask you why were you late!
Make sure you leave plenty of time to complete your application, resolve any queries and make sure it reaches UCAS by the deadline.
Once you’ve found your dream course and are ready to apply, the application process will look like this:
- Complete your details, qualifications and course choice(s)
- Write a personal statement to demonstrate you’ll be a great student
- Include your reference and pay your application fee
The application fee for late applications sent after 29the January 2021 is £26.
Option 2: UCAS Extra
The UCAS Extra scheme is open from February until July for applicants who have not secured an offer that they wish to accept. You can search for courses with vacancies and apply for one course at a time through this process – so choose wisely! If you don’t get an offer the first time, you can try another course. Make sure to get in there quickly and grab the place you deserve!
Option 3: Go through Clearing
If you haven’t managed to secure an offer, you have the option to go through the Clearing Process.
You may think the Clearing process is just for those who don’t achieve their predicted grades on exam day, but it’s also a great option for those of you who missed the deadline in January. Clearing starts in July and runs until 21st September and is where universities fill any places that they still have left on their courses.
All vacancies are up for grabs and it’s done on a first-come-first-served basis. Get in touch with your chosen uni to see if there are places on the undergraduate course you’re interested in and once you’ve been accepted over the phone, you can update your Clearing choice in Track. Over 60,000 of applying students find places through Clearing each year, so stay positive – there is plenty of hope!
Option 4: Defer a year
With the amount of uncertainty we’ve had this past year, it might be more difficult to make a firm decision. Don’t forget that you always have the option to wait until next year. By that time, you’ll have confirmed grades to apply with, making the process a lot less stressful. You’ll also be able to beat the crowd when it comes to booking your student room 😊
Remember, whatever route you decide to take, you can book your student room with AXO Student Living risk-free with our flexible cancellation policy, allowing you to book now and cancel any time until 31 May 2021. As well as this, if you don’t get the grades you were expecting and are no longer coming to uni later in the year, then just let us know and you will also be released from the contract.
