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The Freedom of Information Act does not apply to UCAS in the way it does to almost all public authorities in one significant respect.

UCAS is a charity, not a Government body. It has been subject to Freedom of Information from 1 November 2011, but only in relation to some of its functions.

Therefore, some documents in the guide to information include information that is excluded from the scope of the Act. For example, the Annual Report includes information about our commercial output.

For the convenience of users of the UCAS publication scheme, we are happy to provide selected documents, even if they include material not within the scope of the Act.

When we choose to include this type of information, it does not mean that it is within the scope of the Act.

The guide to information will not generally include:

  • information the disclosure of which is prevented by law, or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure
  • information in draft form
  • information that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage, or is difficult to access for similar reasons.

Our guide to information is based on the Information Commissioner's model publication scheme. It contains seven classes of information below.


Who we are and what we do

We are responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK.

We also help students find the right course and deliver professional development services for staff in the education sector. We provide insight and research into applicant data to support wider analysis (for example, by Government departments).


What we spend and how we spend it

Read our annual report and accounts and our terms and conditions for contractor and suppliers.


What our priorities are and how we are doing

Here you can find our Corporate Strategy, end of cycle reports, media releases and a wide range of applicant statistics.


How we make decisions

See how the Board of Trustees, Committees and UCAS Council are composed and learn about our executive team.


Our policies and procedures

Read details of our policies and procedures — from health and safety to the terms and conditions of using the UCAS website.


Lists and registers

Learn about our trustees, stakeholders and job vacancies.


The services we offer

UCAS provides application services across a range of subject areas and modes of study for UK universities and colleges and we provide a specialist service for UCAS Conservatoires.

UCAS also offers information and advice to students, parents, school and college advisers, and higher education (HE) professionals; compiles and monitors data; and publishes material to support the HE sector throughout the application cycle.


Services for students


Services for parent and guardians


Services for educational advisers


Services for providers


Data and analysis services

Our freely available published resources are designed to help with most questions about admissions.

For more specialised analysis and data needs, UCAS and UCAS Media can provide commissioned analytical services. These can provide anonymised data to particular specifications, including the ability to provide anonymous data about the admissions outcomes of groups of individuals.


Last updated: 17 March 2024