What is Ucas extra?
Ucas extra is another feature of the Ucas application process in the UK. If you have used up all five options on your university application and have not received any offers, you still have the opportunity to apply for another university through Ucas extra.
Extra is a free service that allows students to add another university choice to their university application. This service is designed for students who applied through Ucas but did not receive any offers or decided to decline the university place they were offered.
Who can use Ucas extra?
If you applied through Ucas with all five choices, have received decisions from all of them, and were not accepted or have declined the offers, you can go on to use Ucas extra.
However, if you didn’t use all your choices initially, you don’t need to use Ucas extra. Instead, you can log in to your application and add another choice – as long as it’s before 30 June and you haven’t accepted or declined any offers.
If you originally applied to only one choice and want to add more, you’ll need to pay an added £4.50 application fee.
If you don’t have any offers after 5 July, you will have the opportunity to apply through clearing.
Ucas extra is open between February and July, before clearing opens in July.
Ucas extra vs Ucas clearing
Ucas extra is different from Ucas clearing in a few ways.
The main difference is that Ucas extra opens earlier and ends just before clearing starts. You can use the Ucas search tool to see which courses still have spaces during this period.
The clearing process is for students who didn’t meet their offer requirements or applied late. On the other hand, extra is for students who got offers but have changed their minds and wish to apply to different universities.
With Ucas extra, students can apply to other courses or universities that still have spots available by adding an extra choice to their application. However, you can apply for only one more place at a time. To use Ucas extra, you need to have used up all five slots on your original application and have not accepted any offers.
You can apply for one course at a time through Ucas extra. If you do not receive an offer, you can add a new choice in the “choices” section until you find an offer that suits you or until the deadline is near.
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How to use Ucas extra
To add more choices through Ucas extra, follow these steps:
- Find a course that you’re interested in applying to.
- Use the Ucas search tool and select the “show courses with vacancies” filter to find courses that still have spots available.
- Contact the university or college offering those courses to see if it will consider your application.
- Apply for the new course by submitting your application.
- Add the details of the new choice to your Ucas application.
- The university or college will review your application. If you don’t hear back within 21 days, you can either continue waiting or add another choice.
- If you receive an offer and meet the entry requirements, you can accept it and secure your place.
- If you receive an offer but decide not to accept it, you can decline it.
- If you are not offered a place, you can search for other courses and add another choice through Ucas extra.
For more detailed information, refer to the Ucas FAQs.
When you start selecting your additional choices, you are unable to change your existing personal statement or application. So if you are looking to choose a subject that is slightly different from the one you originally applied for, you’ll need to contact the university to see if it will accept a new personal statement. Keep in mind that you can apply to only one course at a time, which means you won’t be able to have an insurance choice.
What happens if you accept a choice in extra?
Once you receive a reply from a university or college, you can accept its decision on your application. If you accept the offer, you are finished with your university applications and can start preparing for your next steps.
Don’t forget to reply to the offer by the deadline mentioned on your home page, or it will be automatically declined.
Can you still use clearing if you use extra?
If Ucas extra doesn’t give you the offer you’re hoping for, you can still apply through clearing once it opens.
Why choose Ucas extra?
There are a few reasons why you should consider using Ucas extra:
1. Rejections from all your first choices
If you have been rejected by all five of your original Ucas choices, Ucas extra provides you with another opportunity to apply for a course.
2. Change of plans
If you’ve changed your mind about the universities you have chosen, Ucas extra allows you to have a look and see if there are any alternatives.
Just remember, if you’re applying for a different subject than your original choices, you can’t tweak your personal statement. So reach out to the university or college directly. Let them know that you’ve had a change of plans and offer to send them a new personal statement that matches your new choice.
3. Medical school rejections
Ucas extra is commonly used by students who have received four rejections for medical school and need to make a fifth choice. The limited number of places available for medical and allied health courses has resulted in more students becoming eligible for Ucas extra in recent years.
4. Avoid the wait for clearing
If you prefer not to wait for clearing, Ucas extra offers an earlier alternative. It’s important to think and seek advice before releasing any remaining offers, as highly popular courses are less likely to be available through clearing.
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