2026 UCAS Discovery Days
With a mix of large flagship events and locally focused exhibitions across the UK, you can target your perfect audience in the locations most important to you.
Information and advice pages
2026 UCAS Discovery Days
With a mix of large flagship events and locally focused exhibitions across the UK, you can target your perfect audience in the locations most important to you.
A first-timers guide to a virtual event
Never been to a virtual exhibition before? Don’t worry, we’re here to guide you through what to expect from your first visit, and help you make the most of the experience.
A guide to using AI and ChatGPT with your personal statement
If you're not already using ChatGPT or other AI tools, you've probably heard about them. But should they be used to help with your UCAS personal statement? Is it cheating? Or can they be helpful in crafting your personal statement?
A levels
Facts about A levels: recent changes, subjects and grades, who they are for and what you can do afterwards.
A student's guide to Birmingham
You’ll find Birmingham to be a vibrant, youthful, and diverse city with so much on offer that you won’t want to leave...
A student's guide to Brighton
There is truly something for everyone in this little vintage city with a modern attitude.
A student's guide to Bristol
Bristol, the Green Capital of Europe in 2015, is one of the most forward-thinking cities in England.
A student's guide to Glasgow
You may be surprised at the deep and vocal love people have for Glasgow, but linger a while and you will soon understand it is a very 'dear green place'.
A student's guide to Leeds
Leeds is an exciting city if you scrape beneath the surface and uncover the buzzing independent scene.
A student's guide to London
London’s diversity and rapidity will challenge and excite you in equal amounts.
A student's guide to Manchester
Local yet international, full of heritage yet incredibly multicultural, large yet friendly and accessible – it has to be Manchester.
A student's guide to Newcastle
Where to eat, drink, and relax, and how to get the most out of your time living and studying in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
About the essay collection
UCAS, in collaboration with Unite Students and Knight Frank, is grateful for the input from a range of stakeholders and partners across the UK education and skills sectors, whose individual voices have created this essay collection. The opinions expressed in individual essays are the authors’ own, and do not reflect the views of UCAS. The purpose of this release is to stimulate debate.
Accommodation and maintenance loans: How does it all work?
If applying for student accommodation, you may choose to get a loan. From applying to paying it back, here’s all the information you need.