The next chapter for admissions
UCAS, the UK’s shared admissions service, was established over 30 years ago and our core purpose remains true to this day – to bring:
- fairness for students
- efficiencies for the higher education providers considering those applications
- clear, transparent expectations for what the admissions journey will look like
- a wealth of data to help the sector understand where opportunities for improvement lie
In spring 2025, we launched our new corporate strategy – Next Chapter – which sets out a commitment to remove friction and promote flexibility in the admissions service. To help deliver this, we are holding an admissions consultation which will revisit and gain consensus on topics which are regularly debated within the sector.
It builds on our reform programme, through which we have evolved the admissions service to better serve applicants and widen participation, with initiatives including:
- launch of seven new widening access questions in the application in 2022
- structured reference in 2023
- historic entry grades data in 2024
- new personal statement for 2026 entry
Scope of the consultation
We are seeking to gain broad agreement on core elements of the scheme among key beneficiaries – students, their supporters, and universities and colleges.
We have conducted extensive engagement across the sector for the last few years, and identified key themes that will be addressed in this consultation. These are:
- choices, including the number of choices an applicant can initially make and how they manage them, and the selection of firm and insurance options
- the use of the October deadline
- the timing of the equal consideration date and associated dates and deadlines
Given the diversity of the sector, we anticipate the outcome will be a one size for all approach, that is evidence-led and balances the needs of all beneficiaries, while championing the student.
Other developments – such as accommodating non-autumn start dates and the future of Clearing – are outside the scope of this consultation as they have ongoing project streams in UCAS’ existing engagement framework.
The consultation timeline
To ensure the outcome of the consultation is representative of our key beneficiaries, we would like to engage with as many stakeholders as possible — from students, providers, advisers and agents, parents and carers, charity groups, and public sector bodies.
We recognise that a wide range of individuals and organisations hold valuable perspectives, and we warmly welcome all contributions.
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1
Autumn 2025 – pre-consultation period
Evidence gathering, analysis and sector-wide engagement.
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2
January 2026 – formal consultation
Launch consultation paper and invite formal responses.
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3
May 2026
Analysis and presentation of outcomes.
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4
2028 cycle
Earliest date for potential changes to be implemented.
Have your say in person or online
If you would like to contribute and help shape the future of university admissions, register your interest now for one of our upcoming in person or online consultation sessions:
- 4 November 2025 - 10:00 - 14:00 - Leonardo Inn, Glasgow
- 14 November 2025 - 11:00 - 15:00 - Woburn House, London
- 17 November 2025 - 11:00 - 15:00 - The University of Sheffield, Sheffield
- 18 November 2025 - 11:00 - 15:00 - Leonardo Hotel, Cardiff
- 24 November 2025 - 10:00 - 12:30 - Online
- 24 November 2025 - 15:30 - 18:00 - Online
- 25 November 2025 - 10:00 - 12:30 - Online
- 25 November 2025 - 15:30 - 18:00 - Online
Places are limited, so please register your interest early.