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SPA archive documents

Supporting Professionalism in Admissions (SPA) was an independent and objective voice on UK higher education admissions to promote professionalism, fair admissions, and access to higher education.

Students from Ireland

Discover everything you need to know, including planning, or thinking about, coming to the UK to study. You can find important, practical, and specific advice to help you make more informed decisions about your next steps.

Students with imprisoned parents

Universities and colleges welcome students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience. If you choose to disclose that you are a student with an imprisoned parent it will not negatively impact your application – it gives context to your circumstances.

The personal statement builder

The personal statement is your opportunity to talk about you, and why you want to enrol on a particular course. But it can be hard to get started, which is where the personal statement builder can really help.

The UCAS International Podcast: Clearing and Extra

What is Clearing and Extra? How does it work, and can it help you? In this episode, Robbie and our guests discuss how to make the most out of your five options, how to navigate Clearing successfully, and what Extra means.

The UCAS International Podcast: Moving to the UK

Robbie, along with our guests, discuss essential first steps for international students arriving in the UK, covering immediate priorities like accommodation, bank accounts, and NHS registration.

The UCAS International Podcast: Scholarships and budgeting​

This episode features Catriona McCarthy and Arya Nur Güneş discussing something all students, international or otherwise, worry about – finance. Find out how to budget effectively, the extra payments and outgoing international students face, as well as a brief overview of scholarships and how to find them.

The UCAS International Podcast: Series Two

This series tackles the key decisions and practical steps you'll need to take on your journey to studying in the UK – from exploring your options and applying, to relocating and finding your feet in a new country.

The UCAS widget

Host the UCAS widget on your school/college website or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), to link students and their parents to important UCAS info.