Foundation degrees
Foundation degrees combine academic and workplace skills. Find out how they work, how much they cost, and how to get a place.
Information and advice pages
Foundation degrees
Foundation degrees combine academic and workplace skills. Find out how they work, how much they cost, and how to get a place.
Further Education
More about your options after school, including apprenticeships, college, and sixth form.
HE provider good practice briefing for care experienced students
This is for staff working in universities and colleges. It outlines the common challenges for students who are care experienced (CE) and provides examples of good practice found around the UK to improve access to and success in higher education (HE).
HE provider good practice briefing for estranged students
This good practice briefing is written for staff working in universities and colleges and supports the introduction of the new flag to identify estranged students in the UCAS application for 2023 entry. We have worked with Stand Alone to outline the common challenges for these students, share examples of good practice being done around the UK to improve access to and success in higher education, and provide considerations ahead of the new question.
HE provider good practice briefing for refugees, asylum seekers, and students with limited leave to remain
This briefing is for staff working in universities and colleges, supporting the introduction of the new UCAS flag to identify applicants who are refugees, asylum seekers, and those with limited leave to remain in the UK. We have worked with STAR Network, Refugee Education UK and We Belong to outline the common challenges for these students, share good practice around the UK to improve access to and success in higher education, and provide considerations ahead of the new question.
HE provider good practice briefing for students from UK Armed Forces Families (Service children)
This briefing is for staff working in universities and colleges and supports the introduction of the new UCAS flag to identify students from UK Armed Forces families, from 2023 entry. We have worked with the Service Children’s Progression (SCiP) Alliance and the Ministry of Defence to outline the common challenges for these students, share good practice around the UK, and provide considerations ahead of the new question.
HE provider good practice briefing for students in receipt of free school meals (FSM)
This briefing is for staff working in universities and colleges and supports the introduction of the new UCAS flag to identify applicants who have been in receipt of free school meals (FSM). Here, we outline the common challenges for these students, share examples of good practice around the UK to improve access to and success in higher education, and provide considerations ahead of the new question.
HE provider good practice briefing for students who participated in WP and outreach activities
This briefing is for staff working in universities and colleges. Here, we outline common challenges for students who participated in widening participation (WP) and outreach activities, and share examples of good practice being done around the UK to improve access to and success in higher education.
HE provider good practice briefing for students with parenting responsibilities
This briefing is for staff working in universities and colleges to support the introduction of the new UCAS flag to identify students with parenting responsibilities from 2023 entry. Here, we outline the common challenges for these students, share good practice around the UK to improve access to and success in higher education, and provide considerations ahead of the new question.
HE provider good practice briefing for students with care responsibilities
This good practice briefing is written for staff working in universities and colleges and supports the introduction of the new UCAS flag to identify students with caring responsibilities from 2023 entry. We have worked with the Carers Trust to outline the common challenges for these students, share examples of good practice being done around the UK to improve access to and success in higher education, and provide considerations ahead of the new question.
Historical entry grades: Adviser guide
Our course pages now display both the advertised and actual grades of accepted students to help students understand more about the grades universities and colleges have accepted previously. The entry grades data uses up to five years of historical data (2019– 2023 application cycles).
How to choose the right undergraduate course for you
Are you stuck deciding which subject, course type, or uni or college is right for you? Read on for our tips and advice on tackling this big decision.
International
UCAS has a wide range of information, resources and services to support international students, advisers and UK universities and colleges. This ranges from advice and guidance on the UK higher education admissions journey, to data dashboards and insights.
International student finance
If you’re unsure if your child is eligible for home or international fees, discuss this with the university or college.
Living costs for full-time students
You can get student finance to help towards your living costs while you’re at university or college. Content provided by Student Finance England.
Living costs for part-time students
You can get student finance to help towards your living costs while you’re at university or college. Content provided by Student Finance England.
Mature students – getting ready to start your course
Once you’ve made the decision that HE is right for you, you might start thinking about how you’re going to prepare to study at university or college.
Mature undergraduate students
Every year, thousands of mature students go to university or college. It's a great chance to develop new skills and career options – at any age.
Overview of UCAS Tariff Points for Apprenticeships
For the 2026 cycle, we are introducing a new Tariff points structure that now includes Level 3 apprenticeships alongside A-levels, T Levels, and other post-16 qualifications. These changes aim to support apprentices' progression to higher education by creating a unified system that helps universities and colleges evaluate apprenticeship qualifications against traditional academic routes. This guide provides an overview of the recent changes, including the new calculation method, key points for providers, and the impact on apprenticeship pathways into higher education.
Patricka, UK Armed Forces Service leaver
Patricka Brice-Laughton has completed a HNC in Construction and the Built Environment (Civil Engineering) at Wiltshire College & University Centre and is currently in her first year at University of the West of England doing a BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management.