There is nothing so predictable as the unpredictability of human beings

Many students apply and realise, even during application, that they have made a mistake. They have, for example, chosen the wrong course, the wrong university and a big city - now they can't bear to leave the rolling hills of home.female student reading outside

At the time, it will probably seem to them like the end of the world, but, depending on when it happens, there are things that can be done.

You might imagine that the university or college application is an unstoppable steamroller, but our system is actually very forgiving. Its aim is to facilitate admission. Universities and colleges want happy and committed students.

  • If the problem is a change of mind about the course, universities and colleges themselves can deal with this and will consider offering something different.
  • If it is the university or college that is wrong, this is a bigger problem. If there are hardship grounds involved, such as financial problems, the school or college can write to UCAS and changes will be considered if they are sufficient.
  • If an applicant has not used all the five choices available through UCAS and has not replied to an offer, adding a choice or choices (up to the maximum of five) is the solution.
  • If even this doesn't solve the problem, Extra and Clearing could provide the answer. This entails declining any offers received and so there is an element of risk involved.