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As you start to get in university offers and invitations to interviews it can be a demanding time- but fear not! Our quick guide (below) should help you make sense of the things you need to do and how to best manage your UCAS offers!
Key words
Conditional Offer - The university has offered you a place, but this offer will come with requirements that you need to reach (i.e. you need to get 104 UCAS points, or grades ABB)
UCAS Points - Many universities, but not all, will set offer conditions in UCAS points instead of particular grades. UCAS points are a way of comparing different qualifications (A-levels and BTECs, for example) and setting the entry criteria irrespective of which qualification you are doing. You can work out what your qualifications are worth by using the calculator, here.
Unconditional Offer - The university have offered you a place without entry requirements (however this can usually only be taken where you make them your firm choice - be sure to read the fine print!)
Unsuccessful/Withdrawn - unfortunately, the university does not want to take your application further.
Firm Choice - This is your first choice university from the offers you have received
Insurance Choice - This is your second choice for if you do not manage to meet the requirements of your firm choice. On results day if you do not achieve the necessary grades for your firm but do manage to achieve your Insurance conditional grades, you will automatically be given your insurance place
UCAS Extra - (see below!)
Clearing - When this opens it will offer you even more chance to find a university place! This may be lower entry requirements after results day.
Been entered into Extra?
Or don't fancy any of your Offers?
Extra is another chance for you to gain a place at university or college. If you used all five of your choices on your original application and you’re not holding an offer, you’ll be able to add another choice using Extra.
This option is for if you have received all your responses from university and have no places/have decided to reject all of your current offers. You could also add more choices if you did not originally choose 5 courses (although there is an additional fee to go from one application to 2 or more).
Things to consider:
You can only apply to one course at a time through Extra
This means on results day you will not have an insurance choice
You will still have the same application - so if your entry requirements were high but your predicted grades low, then this will remain the same
Your personal statement will also be the same. You could always edit your statement and contact the university you are applying to for an updated version.
To read more on Extra, visit the UCAS FAQ page here.
Considering alternatives to HE/university?
Have you made an application for university but are now having second thoughts?
Or maybe you don’t think that university is for you.
You can use these resources on UCAS to explore other options. You could also explore our 'Explore your Options' Section.
It might also be worth booking a careers appointment to discuss your options with one of our trained advisers.
Have you been invited to an Interview? Have you been asked to submit evidence?
If you have been invited to an interview or asked to submit further evidence (such as a portfolio), you will need to follow the instructions from the University. If you fail to do so within the time given, you will be automatically 'unsuccessful' - so it is important to keep your eyes on UCAS messages and your emails!
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