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Reform and constant improvement are in UCAS’ DNA.

Over the years, UCAS has evolved the admissions service to better serve applicants and broaden participation, with recent initiatives including the launch of seven new widening participation questions in the application in 2022, the structured reference in 2023 and the historical grades on entry data in 2024. 

As identified in The Future of Undergraduate Admissions report, our next area of reform for the 2026 cycle is the personal statement. We will introduce a scaffolded structure through a series of free text questions which will bring focus and clarity for students and support comparability for providers.   

The new personal statement for 2026 entry

For students applying to university for 2026 entry, the personal statement format will be changing from one longer piece of text to three separate sections. 

In our commitment to equity and inclusion, we believe that every student deserves a fair chance to articulate their unique journey, aspirations, and potential. The new scaffolding questions level the playing field, providing clear guidance and structure for all applicants, regardless of their background or prior experience with essay writing.

Scaffolding questions offer students a roadmap, breaking them down into manageable parts. By providing specific prompts, students gain clarity on what to address, fostering focus and coherence in their writing. This ensures that each aspect of their experiences and goals is thoughtfully explored and articulated.

The Future of Undergraduate Admissions (2023)

Building on the findings of Reimagining UK Admissions, we have continued our engagement with the sector on reforming and improving admissions, recognising that while the Department for Education opted not to progress post-qualification admissions at this time, the consultation revealed appetite for alternative approaches to innovation.

The Future of Undergraduate Admissions report highlights UCAS' continued engagement and ongoing progress with admission reform, including:

  • references
  • personal statements
  • grades on entry
  • personalisation 
  • widening access and participation 

Read the report here  (3.38 MB)

If you have any questions, comments or thoughts regarding potential reforms which you’d like to share with us, please email reform@ucas.ac.uk.

UCAS' Reimagining UK Admissions report (2021)

We welcomed the Department for Education’s 2021 consultation on UK HE admissions and the opportunity to focus on improving outcomes for students.

During the consultation period, we gathered feedback and insights from nearly 15,000 students, universities, colleges, and conservatoires; over 700 teachers and their representative bodies; and sector stakeholders, to create our Reimagining UK Admissions report.

Read the full report and press release: