How do unis make their decisions?
Each university has different entry requirements. You should check you meet the course and university entry requirementsbeforeyou apply. However, there are other factors university admissions teams consider when making their decisions.
- What academic and non-academic achievements do you have? Have you met the required grades for the course, and what is the likelihood of you achieving the course entry requirements for any qualifications you haven't yet sat exams for?
- Do you have the experience and skills to succeed at university?
- Do you have a passion for the subject area, and does this enthusiasm come across in your application?
- Who are your references and what have they said about you?
- Is the course and uni you've applied for the right course and university for you?
- Have you included your individual circumstances? For example, have you been in care? Do you have a disability, such as a mental health condition? Admissions staff will want to consider your achievements in context. This is called ‘contextualised admissions’, and the aim is to form a more complete picture of you as an individual.
Ultimately, it's the job of the university admissions team to determine whether you can succeed on the course you have applied for.
When are you likely to hear back from unis?
The wait for decisions on your application can be agonising. It’s a good idea to use this time effectively by familiarising yourself with the decisions the unis you’ve applied to could make, so you know what to expect and what to do when the time comes.
Each university and college will make their decisions at different times, meaning you might hear back before your friends do, or vice versa. However, there are deadlines by which they will need to have decided:
If you're applying to study in 2025
- 14 May 2025– if you send your application by 29 January 2025.
- 17 July 2025– if you send your application by 30 June 2025.
If a uni you’ve applied to doesn’t make a decision by the appropriate deadline, that choice will be automatically made unsuccessful.
How to reply to your offersDecisions universities and colleges can make
- A conditional offer means you still need to meet the requirements – usually exam results.
- An unconditional offer means you've got a place, although there might still be a few things to arrange.
- An unsuccessful or withdrawn choice removes that option, but you could add more.
Conditional offers
For most people, this means waiting for results day in summer to see if your exam results meet the conditions. They could be a combination of grades, scores or subjects – as explained in theentry requirementsandTariffinfo.
A conditional offer might look something like this:
- A levels grade AAB with A in chemistry and at least two other sciences or mathematics
- 112 UCAS Tariff points including BTEC National Diploma grade DM
- Scottish Higher grades of BBBB
- 36 points from your International Baccalaureate Diploma, to include six in Higher Level English
- AAA from three A levels, or AAB from three A levels and grade B in your Extended Project
- 88 UCAS Tariff points,of which at least 60 must be obtained from two A levels, excluding General Studies
You may also get a conditional offer that will change to unconditional if you firmly accept it.
Before you make your decision, here are somekey things to think about to help you decide which is the right option for you.
Unconditional offers
- These mean you've already met the entry requirements, so the place is yours if you want it! But first check the offer to see if there's anything else you need to do.
- Check the offer carefully. Even if you've already got your qualifications and have met the academic requirements, you might still need to get a DBS or PVG check, provide proof of your results, or meet some financial/medical requirements. If it’s not clear, contact the uni or college.
- Remember, by accepting an unconditional offer, you are committing to go to that uni or college, so you can't make an insurance choice.
- If you change your mind, you can decline your place and apply using Clearing.
- If you're taking exams but have been made an unconditional offer, your results won't affect whether or not you get accepted. But, although your place won't be dependent on your grades, taking your exams is really important to prepare you for uni or college and could impact your future employment.
- Some graduate employers take A levels and other qualifications into account when reviewing job applications, so it's important you take this into consideration when preparing for your exams.
Your consumer rights
You should have received specific information from your chosen universities to help you make an informed decision. They're required to make this available to you under consumer protection legislation –find out about the information you should receive.
Unsuccessful or withdrawn choices
The reason will show up in on your application – maybe you didn't respond to emails/letters they sent, or missed an interview.
Sometimes they'll give a reason, either with their decision or at a later date. If not, you can contact them to ask if they'll discuss the reason with you.
Don't worry if you don't get any offers though – you might be able to add extra choices now, or look for course availability later on.
Adding an Extra choice
If you've received decisions from all five universities or colleges and weren't accepted, or you declined the offers you received, then you may be eligible for Extra.
Extra is a free service – available for you to apply to one course at a time between 26 February and 4 July 2025. If Extra is available to you, it'll appear as anoption when you sign in to track your application.
If you add a choice using the Extra service you cannot revert back to your original five choices.
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