UCAS vs. Direct UK Applications

When you start your research on how to apply to UK universities for your undergraduate degree, the UCAS Application is the main resource and platform to start your journey.

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What is the UCAS Application?

The UCAS Application is the centralized application system for all UK universities. In the application, you can only apply up to 5 UK universities. Therefore, it’s important to do your research and narrow your list on where you would like to apply. Plus, there’s fees associated depending on how many you apply to (£20 for a single course, or £26 for more than one course). It’s not only a centralized application system, but it also offers helpful tools such as a university course finder, student life, interviews, etc.

What you may not be aware is that many UK universities are also offering their own online direct applications outside of UCAS. Applying through their own system instead of going through UCAS can be beneficial and have many advantages including:

• Quicker response time on the decision of your application

• More affordable (Most are free!)

• Easier to complete compared to UCAS – many students have trouble inputting the correct information into the qualifications section, etc.

• Able to upload all of your documents instead of submitting them directly to the admissions department. Sometimes you may be waiting until the admissions department reaches you. With the UCAS application, you cannot upload documents.

The benefits are great but what happens if you apply to direct university applications and the UCAS application? What are the precautions when applying to both?

DISCLAIMER: Applying to both could ultimately impact your offers if you do not read the following below:

If you know a university has a direct application, we recommend you check their policy before applying. For example, University of Brighton recommends applying through their direct application only if you do not intend to apply to other institutions.

If that is the case, I would respect their requirements and choose wisely. With other universities, if they do not state this type of policy on their website, then it’s OK if you apply through UCAS and the university’s direct application. There’s no penalty or issues when applying to both. Plus, this could actually widen your pool of offers because you could potentially apply to more than 5 if you add the direct applications!

The biggest takeaway that you need to be aware of is when you accept an offer. We highly recommend that you accept only 1 offer between the direct app and UCAS.

Here’s the issue: If you accept two offers (one from UCAS (firm) and another from a direct app) you will jeopardize and risk losing both offers.

Why? When you accept an offer from a direct application, the information goes directly back to UCAS. Once the information is populated in the system, UCAS can notify both universities and reject your decision.

Overall, it is possible to apply both through UCAS and direct applications, but just be careful when accepting! You don’t want to risk jeopardizing your chance of admittance.

*If you are applying to Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science – due to the competitiveness of these programs, some universities may recommend applying through their direct application or only through UCAS. We recommend checking with the universities before applying.

UK Universities that offer direct applications for international students:

Aberystwyth University

Falmouth University

Northumbria University

London Metropolitan University

Oxford Brookes University

Queen’s University, Belfast

St. Andrew’s University

University College Birmingham

University of Brighton

University of Bolton

University of Buckingham

University of Cumbria

University of Dundee

University of Essex

University of Greenwich

University of Hertfordshire

University of Kent

University of Manchester

University of Roehampton

University of South Wales

University of Stirling

University of Strathclyde

University of the West of Scotland

York St. John

How The UK Study Expert Can Help You

Looking to find your best match UK university? Lucky for you, the UK Study Expert has taken the guesswork out of figuring out what each university requires with our handy dandy search tool. Or you can find your best university by taking our free UK University Quiz Match.

Need to speak to an advisor about studying in the UK? Check our Services webpage to see what the best available options are for your needs.