This means that 333,460, or 99% of UK 18-year-olds who applied by the January equal consideration date (ECD) have received at least one offer.
In total, 344,760 UK 18-year-olds applied through UCAS by the 30 June deadline – up from 328,390 last year (+5.0%). This rise reflects the increase in the number of UK 18-year-olds in the population, putting the application rate (the proportion of the 18-year-old population who have applied so far) at 41.4%.
The total number of applicants (all ages, all domiciles) has also hit a record high, reaching 695,740, and up from 665,070 last year (+4.6%). This includes an increase in the number of applicants from all four nations in the UK. Today’s figures also show that universities and colleges have responded to this demand by making more offers this year in total.
Other key points from today’s undergraduate applicant data release include:
- Demand from UK mature students (aged 21+) stands at 87,180 compared to 86,310 last year (+1.0%). This is a notable shift from reporting at the January ECD, when UCAS reported a 6.1% year-on-year decline in UK mature applicants, although still represents the second lowest figure in a decade.
- International applicants (all ages) who applied to undergraduate courses via UCAS have risen to 148,350, up 7.1% on 138,460 last year – with strong growth in the number of applicants from China (+4,140, +12%). UCAS data only reflects a partial view of undergraduate international admissions.
- Following a period of decline following the pandemic-related peak in 2021, the number of applicants who have applied to study nursing has increased by +3.5% this year (from 41,890 in 2025 to 43,370 in 2026). This is the largest annual increase since 2021.
Dr Jo Saxton CBE, UCAS Chief Executive, said:
“It’s fantastic to see so many UK 18-year-olds holding an offer this year, putting them in a strong position as we head into the critical summer results period. It’s clear that young people remain as keen as ever to invest in their futures, and I’m delighted that UK universities and colleges are responding to that demand.
“At the same time, I am acutely aware of the financial challenges facing students in an uncertain economic environment, and the extent to which the cost of living is shaping decisions. UCAS is working hard to remove barriers to progression and help students make informed decisions, including through UCAS’ scholarships and bursaries tool and our new budget calculator.
“As we head into the results period this summer, UCAS is here to support students and their families as they navigate their next steps. With guidance available online, over the phone and through social media, and a wide range of courses available in Clearing, students will have plenty of opportunities to find the right option for them.”
View 30 June deadline applicant figures
ENDS
Notes to editors
Please note that, from this publication onwards, our public dashboards have an updated layout and user interface. Headline summaries and key admissions insights remain available within the dashboard, and the supporting CSV files are unchanged.
UCAS’ 30 June deadline
All applications, sent to UCAS by 18:00 (UK time) on this day, are sent on to the chosen universities or colleges. Applications received after 30 June will automatically be entered into Clearing.
International applicant figures
UCAS data represents those who make their application to undergraduate programmes within UK higher education via the UCAS scheme. Not all international undergraduate applicants apply via UCAS. UCAS’ international applicant data also does not include pre-degree, postgraduate taught or postgraduate research pathways. As such, this data provides a partial view of the overall UK higher education admissions landscape.
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UCAS
UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is an independent charity, and the UK's shared admissions service for higher education.
UCAS’ services support young people making post-18 choices, as well as mature students, by providing information, advice, and guidance to inspire and facilitate educational progression to university, college, or an apprenticeship.
UCAS manages almost three million applications, from around 700,000 people each year, for full-time undergraduate courses at over 380 universities and colleges across the UK.
UCAS is committed to delivering a first-class service to all our beneficiaries — they're at the heart of everything we do.