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SPA archive documents

Supporting Professionalism in Admissions (SPA) was an independent and objective voice on UK higher education admissions to promote professionalism, fair admissions, and access to higher education.

Studying in the UK

Discover everything you need to know about what it's like to study in the UK. What countries make up the UK? What support is available? How do I find work and accommodation, and how much does everything cost? Find all this information, and more, to help you prepare yourself fully for life in the UK.

Studying in Welsh

Studying higher education in Welsh can offer lots of career options – not just in Wales but further afield too. Find out more.

Supported internships

Facts about supported internships: who's eligible, how the study programme works, and who to contact for more information.

Supporting care experienced students

Students who have spent time in care are entitled to support to help them access higher education. Here are some practical ways you can support care experienced students research their options and prepare for their next steps.

Supporting children from UK Armed Forces families (Service children)

If a student's parent(s) or carer(s) is serving as a Regular or Reservist in the UK Armed Forces, or has done so in the past, their experience of going to university may be different to their non-Service peers. We have worked with the Service Children’s Progression (SCiP) Alliance to explain how you can practically support Service children along their journey to higher education.

Supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and those with limited leave to remain in the UK

It can be very difficult to understand how to support refugees, asylum seekers, and students with limited leave to remain in the UK, especially if their immigration status is insecure or due to change. We have worked with expert organisations, including STAR Network, Refugee Education UK and We Belong to help clarify what you can do to help and support young students' aspirations for higher education.

Supporting students with mental health conditions

Students can access a variety of support to manage their mental health and wellbeing in higher education – ranging from help with a specific condition through to ways they can look after their general wellbeing.

Supporting students with parenting responsibilities

Balancing studying with family life can present challenges, so student parents will find it useful to know what support they can access to manage their priorities. Here, we offer some practical tips to help them along their journey to higher education.

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. We have worked with the Ministry of Defence and experts at the University of South Wales to offer practical ways to help them explore their options and prepare for their next step.

Teacher Degree Apprenticeships

The Teacher Degree Apprenticeship is a new route to become a qualified teacher, offering a salaried, on-the-job experience while you study for a bachelor's degree and gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This pathway is ideal for those who do not yet have an undergraduate degree but want to build a career in education.

Teacher training

If you’re considering teaching in a UK state school, you’ll need to have a degree, and a recognised teaching qualification. Initial Teacher Education or Training (ITET) programmes across the UK are broadly similar, providing a combination of academic study and time in school, as you learn about key teaching methods. The routes, entry requirements, and statutory teaching standards are different depending on where in the UK you plan to train, and ultimately, teach. You can apply through UCAS for the main postgraduate and undergraduate teacher training programmes in Wales and Scotland. For programmes in England, use the DfE's 'Apply for teacher training' service.

Teachers and advisers

Information and resources for teachers to help students choose their post-16 education and training.

UCAS for International

UCAS has been helping connect the world to UK Higher Education since 1992, supporting over one million international students to make their UK study dream a reality. As pressure on providers to improve the quality and diversity increases, and the local and global competition intensifies, UCAS is here to ensure you and your teams can deliver your international recruitment and admissions goals.

UCAS Reports

Over the past four years, UCAS has released these high-impact reports that shone a light on pertinent issues in education and skills.