How to apply for university in the UK: A step-by-step guide
4 June 2025By Jack Williams, Staff writer at Unite Students
How to apply for university in the UK: A step-by-step guide
Applying to university can sound overwhelming – especially when you have multiple unis and course options to consider. It’s a thorough process, with key steps and certain deadlines along the way. But the good news is you’re not alone.
Whether you’re a first-time applicant, a returning student, an international student, or even a parent, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the process. From picking your course, UCAS deadlines, timelines, and more, discover how to apply to university step by step.
In this guide:
Step 1: Research your course and university options
First thing’s first, it’s important to find the right place for you. You might have your heart set on a certain city, but the uni might not have the course you want. In these cases, it’s a good idea to find a compromise and pick a course and university that will give you the experience you want.
Some things to consider when choosing a course include:
What type of course do you want to study?
How will the course be taught and assessed?
Does the course have any grade requirements?
Does the course include work experience?
Are extracurricular activities involved?
Using UCAS in your search
If you’re still stuck, you can use the UCAS website to help your search. Here you’ll find comprehensive guides on the course you want and the university you’re thinking of attending. You can also search the A-Z list of unis and colleges, the regions you’re considering, and enter certain criteria to find options that will suit your needs.
Once you’ve narrowed down your search, it’s time to find a university. Open days are a must for students who want to get a feel of the campus, meet existing students, and speak to lecturers. It’s also a good idea to compare transport options and look around at some accommodation.
League tables are another great way to determine which university is right for you. It may be that a uni you’ve not previously thought of stands out here, or a university you had your heart set on actually isn’t a good fit.
Step 2: Understand the UCAS application process
Now you’ve picked your course and universities, it’s time to start your application. The UCAS Hub has everything you need to register, but you’ll also need to provide your course choices, a personal statement, a reference, and more.
Here’s a breakdown of what the UCAS application process involves before you jump in, so you know exactly the steps you need to take to apply for uni.
Register with UCAS. Head over to the UCAS Hub and click on ‘Your application’, click ‘Start’, and you’re ready to go.
Add your personal details. Details like your name must be exactly as they are on official documentation, like your driving licence or passport. Make sure you answer all mandatory questions and your email address is up to date, so you get key emails from UCAS and your chosen universities.
Add your education history. This includes your GCSEs, AS, and A-Levels. If you’re still waiting on results, don’t worry, you’ll just need to send them to the relevant unis once you have them.
Add your employment history. Enter details of any paid jobs you’ve had, full or part-time. Include as much detail as possible, such as company names, addresses, job title and description, and start and finish dates.
Select your course/university choices. Choose up to five courses based on your research. Don’t worry about preference order, this doesn’t matter at this stage.
Personal statement time. We’ll go through how to write a strong personal statement in the next section. However, it should be written in Microsoft Word or something similar. Once you’ve done a spelling and grammar check, paste it into your application.
Submit your application. You’ll get a chance to go through your application and make edits where needed. All that’s left is to get a reference, pay the registration fee (currently £28.50) and then you’re good to go!
Step 3: Write a strong personal statement
Writing your personal statement is one of the most important aspects of your university application. It’s about you, why you want to study your chosen course, and what skills and experience you bring to the table.
University admissions teams will assess personal statements based on certain criteria, but they’ll mainly want to get to know you, in your own words. Your personal statement has to be at least 1,000 characters long and you have up to 4,000 characters (or 47 lines) to work with. Make sure that you do a spelling and grammar check before you copy and paste it into your application, as the UCAS application doesn’t have a built-in spellchecker.
Here’s how you can make your personal statement stand out from the crowd:
Don’t overthink the opening. You’ll want to show enthusiasm about the courses you’ve picked. Let your ambition shine through and allow the admissions tutor to really get to know you.
Highlight your skills and achievements. Don’t hold back, make sure you can provide evidence as to why you’re picking your courses. Think about what skills you might have that will help you succeed.
Shout about your work experience. Next, talk about any work experience you have and what your future plans will be. Let them know how the skills you have will help in your chosen career.
Don’t overcomplicate the ending. You’re nearly there! Try to make sure it connects to the beginning and use the concluding lines to help the admissions tutor remember you.
Write, and rewrite. Write a few versions or drafts and see how they work to help the admissions tutor get a feel for you and your personality.
There are some incredibly detailed resources out there, so make sure to use all of the resources available. Your personal statement is all about you, so it has to come from you.
Take a look at our guide to writing your personal statement for more help.
Step 4: Submit your UCAS application
Submitting your UCAS application can be a stressful time. Luckily, your parents or tutors can help with your application. You can add them to your application and they can review it or speak to UCAS on your behalf. Afterwards, click ‘Submit’ and you’re done!
You can track your application anytime in the UCAS Hub. Your chosen unis will review your application, and may invite you to an interview or audition before deciding to make an offer. Some universities may go through the UCAS portal, or they may contact you directly. Keep those contact details updated so you don’t miss anything!
What are the different types of university offers?
Getting an offer from your chosen university is an exciting time! However, there are different types of offers, so it’s a good idea to understand what they mean before results come in.
Conditional offer
This offer means you need to meet certain conditions before your place is confirmed. Conditions can include certain grades or subjects. The university may also require a certain number of UCAS tariff points. Some conditional offers can change to unconditional in certain circumstances, so make sure to keep checking your applications.
Unconditional offer
You’re in! You’ve met all the university’s requirements, and the place is yours if you want it. There may be other requirements you need, but the uni will clarify that when you contact them. If you accept an unconditional offer, you’re committed to going to that uni, so you can’t make an insurance choice.
You may also get an unsuccessful application, or you may wish to withdraw a choice. These are both fine, and sometimes a university will provide a reason why the application has been unsuccessful. Don’t panic – there are options to pick another course or university, or go through Clearing.
What is Clearing?
Clearing is a process where universities fill remaining spaces on courses. It’s an ideal way to get a place if you:
Didn’t get the grades you need for firm or insurance choices
Haven’t received any offers
Have changed your mind and don’t want to go to your firm choice
Applied after 30 June.
The UCAS portal will help you with Clearing, including how to decline a place, searching for a match in Clearing Plus, and searching for new courses.
Step 5: Apply for university accommodation
Now you’ve secured a place, it’s important to know how to apply for uni accommodation. This is an exciting time to decide where you’ll live and get ready to fly the nest.
When researching accommodation options, take a look at the city. Whether it’s London, Glasgow, or Oxford, you’ll need to decide if you want to stay in the centre or a little further out. This will determine your budget. For example, at Unite Students, London prices range from £257 per week in North London to £545 per week in central London. Whereas, in Liverpool, prices range from £105 per week to £205.
It’s also worth considering what kind of accommodation you want. There are different types, from studio flats to en-suite rooms in larger shared properties. If you choose uni halls over a shared house, you can expect communal living spaces, a shared kitchen, and places to study – all with bills included.
If you’re looking to stay with Unite Students, rooms are usually released in November for the next academic year, but many providers operate on a first-come-first-served basis. It’s important to book before the end of June to lock in your spot. Booking a room with Unite Students is easy and straightforward. Once you’re done, you can relax knowing that you’ve secured a place for September!
Take a look at the accommodation options for your university so you don’t miss out on your place. Staying with friends? Make a group booking instead.
International students: What you need to know
Wondering how to apply for uni as an international student? Don’t panic – the process is fairly similar, just with a few extra steps.
For instance, you’ll still need to fill out an application form, which will include:
Writing a personal statement
Supplying two written references (these can be from tutors or a manager from a workplace)
Supplying your official documentation that proves your qualifications
Providing proof of your English Language proficiency
Supplying evidence of how you’ll pay for your university fees.
When you’ve submitted and received an offer, you may be asked by the university to pay a deposit for your university fees. You’ll receive a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the university, and you have your place!
Afterwards, you’ll need to apply for your student visa. The earliest you can apply is three months in advance, so make sure you do this before you start so you know you meet the relevant requirements.
One of the requirements is that you can speak English proficiently enough to handle your studies. You’ll need to take an English Language Proficiency Test to prove this. There are certain companies that provide the test, and they will also know what the requirements are depending on the uni and course. You must have the certificate from the test to ensure your visa can be processed correctly.
As an international student, you may be eligible for scholarships from your chosen university or grants, but you won’t be able to apply for student finance or a maintenance loan.
Once you’ve secured your place, your funding, and your visa, you’re good to go! Don’t forget to book your accommodation before you arrive, so you can get settled in with no stress before your course starts.
How to apply to uni: FAQs
When should I apply for university accommodation?
As soon as possible! A lot of accommodation gets booked up in the summer, so we always recommend booking as early as possible to ensure you have the perfect place to enjoy your uni experience.
Can I apply to university after a gap year?
Yes! If you’ve already applied and want to defer, you’ll need to be sure, as this course will be the one you have to take next year. It’s up to the university to accept your deferral. If you didn’t apply for university after A-levels and took a gap year, you can apply through the UCAS portal as normal.
How can I get financial help for university?
Student finance and maintenance loans offer financial help for students at university. There is also support in the form of student grants, bursaries and scholarships depending on your circumstances. Find out more about budgeting, loans and financial support for students in our financial literacy guide.
