What is the Fair Access Programme?
The UCAS Fair Access Programme was launched in October 2021 to build on our existing work to support widening access and participation, and to add further value to the work already underway across the sector.
The Fair Access Programme aims to:
- transform the sector’s understanding of students, through new questions, data, and insight
- connect HE and outreach providers to the hardest-to-reach students, earlier
- help the sector understand what works in WP
- help bring schools, colleges, and universities closer together
- remove barriers and inspire students
These objectives were shaped by the views of over 100 stakeholders across the UK through a national consultation to understand where UCAS could best support the sector – including universities, colleges, schools, charitable organisations, and outreach providers.
Although the consultation has ended, the conversation continues: we are always keen to hear ideas – big and small – about how UCAS can help to support widening access and participation. Please share your thoughts with us at access@ucas.ac.uk.
Free school meals fee waiver
As an independent charity, UCAS has an important role to play in supporting the most disadvantaged applicants to access higher education. The entry rate to higher education of applicants receiving free school meals is at its lowest level since 2019. Our aim is to open more doors to accessing higher education for disadvantaged students.
Personal statements 2026 entry onwards
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
- What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
Upcoming UCAS events
| 25 – 26 February 2025 |
UCAS Teacher and Adviser Conference 2025, Birmingham
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| 3 April 2025 |
UCAS Train the Trainer – supporting care experienced students through the UCAS process, online This free event will provide a back-to-basics introduction to the UCAS process, how to use the UCAS Hub, and the tools and resources that students can use to help with their decision-making. There will be opportunities to ask questions throughout and engage with the resources yourselves. This session is aimed at colleagues working in local authority leaving care teams, personal advisers, virtual schools, foster carers, and organisations supporting foster carers. Register to attend |
| 19 – 20 May 2025 |
UCAS Conference: Access All Areas, Windsor More information and a booking link will follow shortly – watch this space. |
| 5 June 2025 |
UCAS Train the Trainer – supporting care experienced students through the UCAS process, online This free event will provide a back-to-basics introduction to the UCAS process, how to use the UCAS Hub, and the tools and resources that students can use to help with their decision-making. There will be opportunities to ask questions throughout and engage with the resources yourselves. This session is aimed at colleagues working in local authority leaving care teams, personal advisers, virtual schools, foster carers, and organisations supporting foster carers. This date is fully booked but spaces may become available – please email access@ucas.ac.uk to be added to the waiting list. |
UCAS data and insight reports
Next Steps
The Next Steps series offers a snapshot of UCAS applicants who are about to take their next steps, combining survey data and UCAS application data to explore:
- applicants’ experiences in education to date
- their decision-making journey – how they research their choices, who supports them, and, completing the UCAS application
- what they are looking forward to or worried about in HE
- intersectionality – and hidden challenges
- patterns in applicant preferences and behaviours
To date, these reports have covered the experiences of: care-experienced students, disabled students, LGBT+ students, and nursing applicants. We also have a report looking at student mental health.
Where Next
The Where Next? series also brings together UCAS data with student surveys to understand students’ pathways through HE and apprenticeships, exploring:
- mindset and motivations
- influences and influencers
- aspirations and worries
- patterns in applications and acceptances
- forecasts for the future
Data snapshots coming soon...
These snapshots will highlight key data and information about underrepresented groups in higher education.
Outreach Connection Service
UCAS’ Outreach Connection Service is for providers and third-party providers to showcase their opportunities and be the go-to, single source of truth place for UK teachers and advisers, offering an efficient and timesaving online tool for them to support disadvantaged and underrepresented students to higher education.
Outreach providers can register to join here
Advisers have access through the adviser portal.
Keep in touch
If you have any thoughts on how UCAS can support widening access and participation across higher education and apprenticeships, please get in touch. We’re also happy to answer any questions you may have about the Fair Access Programme and products and services that support widening access and participation.
Email us at access@ucas.ac.uk
