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Studying at a higher education college

Higher education (HE) courses don’t have to be studied at a university – there are more than 240 colleges in the UK that offer a range of higher education courses.

Summary

And here we go, the Lifestyle Report 2021 is here. Here’s a taste of things to come. There are five chapters to look forward to before the full report gets released: Brand & Spend, Technology & Gaming, Social Media, Entertainment, and Food & Travel. But before we get started, let’s have a little look at the state of affairs, and what’s been happening in the student psyche these past 12 months...

Supporting UK Armed Forces veterans and service leavers

Students who have served in the UK Armed Forces as a Regular or Reservist may find there are unique challenges involved in applying to higher education. This guide will help you offer practical ways to help students explore their options and prepare for their next step.

Supporting your child with writing their personal statement for 2026 entry

Writing a personal statement is an important part of your child’s university application, and with the new format for 2026 entry, there’s a clear structure to follow. As a parent, guardian, or carer, your support can make a real difference. This page offers advice to help your child write a statement that reflects their experiences and goals, along with tips on what to avoid.

The UCAS Careers Quiz – personalised career matches

Using the power of real-world data, personality profiling and labour market information our new Careers Quiz matches your students to their best suited career options. And most importantly, we tell them which higher education courses others have studied to get them there.

Things to consider when choosing a UK university

Choosing to study in the UK as an international student can be a big decision, but how do you choose the right university? There are many ways to learn which university is best, even when living in a different country.

Try our Career Quiz!

Get matched to jobs and see what courses previous students studied to get there.

UCAS Streetview

We’ve been out and about asking students how they’re feeling about the big day and grilling those who’ve been there for their top advice. Our experts explain how Clearing really works, what to do if you change your mind and how to prepare for uni life.

UCAS' additional services

UCAS isn’t just an application – there are additional services you can sign up for to help you secure a place, and prepare for student life.

UK Armed Forces veterans and service leavers

If you have ever served as a Regular or Reservist in the UK Armed Forces, or remain a Reservist, you may find there are unique challenges involved in applying to university or college.

Undergraduate: Care experienced students

If you are in care, or have experience of being in care in the past, there's lots of support available in higher education to help you with finance, accommodation, and settling in.

Unexpected grades

If you received grades this year and they aren’t what you had hoped for, don’t worry – there are plenty of options available to you.

Using your personal statement beyond a university application

You’ve done all the hard work creating your personal statement, but have you thought about how you can use what you’ve written for different purposes? Whether you’re thinking about applying for an apprenticeship, or there’s a job you’d love, and you need a covering letter, your personal statement can be a great place to start.

Where do I start?

Wondering what to do next, but no idea where to start? The number of options out there can seem overwhelming – follow our tips to help you decide what’s right for you.

Why UCAS?

If you want to reach students in the UK, there's no one who knows them better.