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Training to support you

Versatile training options – online, face-to-face, or personalised – available at a time and place that suits you. Whether you're familiar with UCAS or brand new to our tools and support, we know how important it is that every teacher and adviser feels confident guiding students through their higher education options. We have a range of training and support to suit you.

Free online training

Learn more about UCAS and managing your students’ applications with free short training courses via our dedicated Professional Development Platform. Here you can access a series of short digital courses, designed to expand your understanding of UCAS’ tools and services, using the adviser portal, and supporting your students in completing the UCAS application.

Check back regularly, as courses are updated and added.

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Visit the Professional Development Platform

Courses on the Professional Development Platform

  • Our adviser portal series – breaking down each section of the portal and giving you examples of how to use it.
  • Apprenticeships – learn how to identify and find apprenticeships, plus specific micro courses on apprenticeships in each of the four UK nations.
  • Our UCAS Hub series – giving you the knowledge to support your students as they explore the Hub tools.
  • Progression reports – how to retrieve, read, and analyse the reports.
  • The UCAS application – each section of the application explained, with examples of how to complete them.
  • International qualifications –a range of short courses focused on specific countries, with examples of the most relevant qualifications and how to add them into the UCAS application.
  • A range of individual courses covering topics such as UCAS Extra, Clearing, widening access and participation, and conservatoires.   

Something else you’d like to see?

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can request a course by emailing us at training@ucas.ac.uk.

Getting started on the Professional Development Platform

Watch this short video to find out how to register so you can access the full range of free training courses.

What users are saying about the Professional Development Platform 

Customer feedback

The interactive elements and the quiz at the end helped me check I had understood all the elements. It was reassuring to see that I was gaining knowledge about this.

Customer feedback

I'm able to consider the application from the applicant's point of view also, which is helpful.

Training for UCAS registered centres – across the UK

Our one-day, in-person Adviser Fundamentals course is designed for teachers and advisers new to supporting students through UCAS.

For just £30 + VAT per person, join us for a full day of expert guidance, practical insight, and networking opportunities.

Delivered regularly throughout the year at UCAS HQ in Cheltenham and at venues across the UK, this training is ideal for anyone administering or managing the UCAS journey at a registered centre with less than 18 months’ experience.

Best suited for:

  • advisers new to their role at a UCAS registered centre
  • teachers or advisers from newly registered centres
  • staff new to supporting UCAS applicants

Find out more, see upcoming dates, and register.

Adviser on an online UCAS Adviser Live webinar

Adviser Live webinars

Join our Adviser Live webinars – your go-to resource for staying ahead! Discover the latest trends, data insights, careers advice, and important updates, all designed to support you in your role. 

Sign up for upcoming sessions or catch up with past sessions on-demand.

More about Adviser Lives 

 

Bespoke training

Want to better understand UCAS and how to support your students? We can work with you to create personalised sessions specific to your needs – for you, your team, or centre.

Training is primarily delivered digitally, including facilitated Q&A, focused thematic workshops, or interactive activity.  

We can also explore options for on-site training for staff – please contact us to discuss further.  

Please note that sessions are designed for teachers and advisers, not students.

Indicative pricing (all prices are exclusive of VAT):

  • Live digital delivery (up to 60 minutes) – from £125 per hour
  • Onsite training – price on application 

What users are saying about our bespoke training

Lucy McMahon, Project Manager for Outreach North East

We’re really excited to be working with UCAS to deliver a programme of CPD to teachers and advisers in our region. Our chosen delivery method means that each topic can be tailored to suit the needs of the region and gives teachers and advisers the opportunity to have meaningful encounters with UCAS..

Anna Scarampi, St Dominic’s

When I approached UCAS for training they were very accommodating and understood our training needs fully. The virtual session was very well presented, and everyone was very engaged with the topics and we all found it very useful, thank you.

Peter Symonds College

This was a valuable and insightful session including data, which provided our numerous staff involved in the UCAS application process with the understanding to further advise students.

Want to find out more about our personalised training?

Send us your enquiry and we'll be in touch within two working days to discuss your training requirements.

Send a training enquiry

Free training to support widening access and participation

UCAS has a range of tools and resources to help you support students from under-represented backgrounds as they consider their next steps. We can help you learn more about these resources, and how you can use the UCAS Hub and application to support students from a range of backgrounds and with individual needs.

Train the trainer online workshops for those supporting care-experienced students

If you would like more help with supporting care-experienced students apply to higher education, we offer free in-depth online workshops throughout the year. You do not need any background knowledge of UCAS to attend, or to be from a registered centre. 

These workshops are ideal for Local Authority teams, virtual schools, charities, designated teachers, and foster carers, university outreach teams, school/college support staff, and other practitioners.

Each workshop provides a practical introduction to the UCAS Hub, application, and the specialist resources you need to advise care-experienced applicants as best you can.

Find out more and register

Further dates for 2026-2027 will be added soon. Please use the link above to be added to the waiting list for updates.

 

What about training to support other under-represented groups?

We are exploring how to expand these sessions for supporters of other student groups. You can register your interest using the link above, and we will contact you with updates. 

 

Personalised training to support fair access 

Please get in touch with us at training@ucas.ac.uk if you would like a workshop focused on supporting under-represented students, or those with individual needs. 

This might include an overview of UCAS’ data and insights, help to use the UCAS Hub or complete the UCAS application, or more information about our information and resources. All sessions can be adapted according to your requirements.

These training sessions might be for a team, network, or regional group, and are ideal for charitable organisations, advocacy groups, outreach and support teams, virtual school networks, and Local Authority teams.

Support for conferences and events

If you would like UCAS to support an upcoming adviser-facing event, please get in touch at training@ucas.ac.uk with the details.

Our team is experienced at delivering workshops and keynotes at conferences and we will work with you to ensure we deliver the content that is most relevant to your event and audience. We are also available to join panel discussions and network meetings.

Please note: We're unable to support student-facing events.

Additional support for advisers

  • Toolkits for advisers – we have a range of resources available in our toolkits for advisers to help you support and guide your students through each stage of their application.
  • Guides and resources – all the information you need to guide your students through the application process available online.
  • Adviser Live webinars – hear from UCAS teams and sector experts on the latest topics. Ask questions live to stay up-to-date on support for your students.
  • Events and conferences – discover the different types of events, when and where they are, and how to prepare for them.
  • Sign up for the latest news – are you an adviser supporting students? Sign up to receive updates from UCAS, covering everything you need to know, exactly when you need it.