To help you support and guide your students, we’ve developed this toolkit with key information about higher education and the UCAS application process.
It contains a wide range of resources, which can be used together or as part of a programme, as well as materials to share with colleagues and parents.
Key date changes
- The January equal consideration date will be 14 January 2026.
- We are reintroducing the 31 March 2026 advisory deadline and associated decline by default date (DBD) of 6 May 2026 to encourage earlier decision-making.
- The reject by default (RBD) will be 13 May 2026.
What’s new for 2026?
New Free School Meals application fee waiver payment option
We’re introducing a new application fee payment option that can be used alongside current application fee payment options, ensuring you can manage what students see on the payment page to suit your centre.
Conservatoire references
UCAS Conservatoires applicants will no longer be required to provide two references. Instead, they need to submit contact details for one referee, who will only be contacted if additional information is required by the conservatoire.
More about conservatoire references
Application fee
The UCAS Undergraduate and UCAS Conservatoires application fee will be £28.95.
Personal statements have a new format for 2026
Now three separate sections, each with a different question to help shape the focus of students’ answers.
Admissions test at University College London
University College London is introducing a new admissions test for various mathematics and social science programmes for 2026 entry.
Exploring all the options
Every student applying for courses in 2026 needs to register and create an account in the UCAS Hub. From here, students can explore all their options and start an application.
Discover more about the Hub’s tools and features, along with lesson plans designed around Gatsby Benchmarks and the CDI framework.
Supporting students and their parents
Your UCAS journey (38.02 MB) – a comprehensive master deck featuring slides designed for use with students and during parents’ evenings. Copy and paste slides into your own materials to create your ideal resource. It includes detailed notes and key information to support you in delivering engaging and informative presentations.- Applying through UCAS 2026 (37.79 MB) – screenshots for you to copy and paste into your own materials and guides to share the application journey with your students.
- Supporting students with individual needs toolkits – practical tips from expert organisations for those advising students with individual needs.
- Parent, guardian, and carer guide 2026 – coming May 2025. Everything they need to support a young person with their higher education choices.
- Parent and guardian guide to apprenticeships – practical tips for supporting someone who might be considering an apprenticeship.
Support for teachers and advisers
If this is your first cycle as a UCAS adviser, we have a number of key resources to support you:
- Professional Development Platform (PDP) – learn more about UCAS and managing your students’ applications with free short training courses to support you in your role.
- ucas.com/advisers – view the timeline of activity for the cycle ahead and the latest IAG.
- Adviser Live webinars – hear from UCAS teams and sector experts on the latest topics. Ask questions live to stay up-to-date on support for your students.
- Newsletters – registered centre contacts receive a monthly email from us with timely information and guidance. Tell colleagues to sign up here to stay informed.
- Adviser Fundamentals – in-person training at UCAS HQ for new registered centres or advisers new to their role.