- Before you apply
- UCAS terms explained
- Starting your application
- After you apply
- Non-UK students
- Mature students
- Disabled students
- UCAS Tariff
- Student finance
- Important dates for your diary
- Conventions and exhibitions
- Course Search
- Apply
- Track progress
- News
How to make an application for higher education
All applications for full-time higher education courses are made using our online application system, Apply, which is available 24 hours a day. You fill in the application online when it suits you and it does not need to be completed all at once.
If you are applying through a school, college or centre, you will be given a buzzword by your tutor or careers adviser. When you enter this buzzword during the registration process, it links your application to your school so that your tutor can write your reference.
Once you have completed your application, you can send it to your referee, if you're applying through a school, college or centre, or send it to us.
Further information about the application service is available in the Starting your application section.
How much will it cost?
If you choose to apply to more than one course, university or college you need to pay £17 GBP when you apply. If you only apply to one course at one university or college, you pay £7 GBP.
If you are making your application through your school, college or other centre, it will let you know how to pay. It will be either by credit or debit card online, or by paying your centre which will then pay us.
If you are not making your application through a school, college or centre, you will need to make your payment via the internet using a credit or debit card. The card need not be in your own name, but you will require the consent of the cardholder. If you use a credit or debit card that you do not have permission to use, we will cancel your application.
We accept UK and international Visa, Delta, MasterCard, Maestro and Electron credit or debit cards. At the moment we do not accept American Express or JCB cards.
If you have trouble paying via credit or debit card, you should contact your local British Council who may be able to provide alternatives. In addition, you can pay via:
- Cheque
- Postal order
- Direct payment to the UCAS Bank Account .
For more information on other forms of payment, please contact our Customer Service Unit.
When to apply
Please see the When to apply page to check the dates by which we should receive your completed application.
You may find it useful to view the application cycle and the important dates as a flowchart. Click on a link below to access the relevant flowchart as a pdf document.
Application flowchart for all courses (Route A) except Route B applications
Deadline dates for the 2008 entry application process, except for Route B art and design courses (what is Route B?).
Applications for Route B art and design
Deadline dates for the 2008 entry application process for Route B art and design courses.
Applications made through Route A and Route B
Deadline dates for the 2008 entry application process for applicants who apply through both routes.