UCAS admissions consultation: dates, deadlines, and choices

The consultation on the operation of the UCAS undergraduate admissions cycle

The admissions consultation – covering dates, deadlines, and choices – is now closed. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views and submit a response. Your feedback is invaluable and will help inform our next steps. 

You can still find everything you need to know about the consultation here, including key findings so far, the proposals and recommendations, and what happens next.

An introduction to the consultation

UCAS, the UK’s shared admissions service, was established over 30 years ago and our core aim remains true to this day – to bring efficiency, fairness, and transparency in how people progress to higher education.

UCAS launched this consultation in response to changing student behaviour and sector feedback. Following extensive, sector-wide engagement involving providers, advisers, and students, the following areas were identified for consultation:  

• the number of initial choices a student can make  
• the firm and insurance choice  
• application deadlines, including the early (October) deadline and January Equal Consideration Date 

Prior to launching this consultation, UCAS engaged with more than 500 representatives of schools, colleges, and universities, and undertook extensive student engagement, to inform its scope, and the recommendations included. We are now seeking further input via the consultation to shape the structure of the admissions cycle going forward, and to identify any areas or themes for future enhancements.  

Our early engagement highlighted that the existing admissions model works well for the majority of applicants and providers, particularly up to the January Equal Consideration Date. This consultation therefore seeks to assess the extent to which these initial insights are shared across the wider population. A series of recommendations for refinements are made. These are intended to help support some of the challenges being faced by some providers and reflect the best interest of the wider sector and UCAS’ beneficiaries.

The consultation also outlines feedback received from the sector along two key themes: the need for increased efficiencies across the admissions process, and the growing appetite for a reformed and digital Clearing in the future. 

The consultation timeline

The admissions consultation is now closed and we are no longer accepting responses. We would like to thank all those who participated and contributed their perspectives.

To ensure the outcome of the consultation is representative of our key beneficiaries, the consultation sought input from a wide range of stakeholders – including students, providers, advisers and agents, parents and carers, charity groups, and public sector bodies. 

We recognise that a wide range of individuals and organisations hold valuable perspectives, and we are grateful for all contributions. We are now reviewing all feedback received. 

Next steps

Now the consultation has closed, UCAS will review and evaluate all responses. An independent third-party organisation will support the analysis to ensure rigour and impartiality.

UCAS will then publish a summary of the findings and outline any proposed next steps. Any changes to admissions processes will be communicated well in advance of implementation.