UCAS Extra: How to Get a Second Chance at University Admission

Have you used all five of your university choices yet? Even if you didn’t get into one of your five top university choices, you still have options for getting into university. Additionally, if you decide that you no longer want to study the subject you originally applied to study and you rejected offers, you can still find a place. UCAS Extra could give you a second chance in both scenarios, providing a lifeline for your higher education dreams. 

What is UCAS Extra?

UCAS Extra is a system for putting in extra university applications after selecting and applying for your first five universities. It’s also for changing the subject you want to study.

 It’s a free service that you can use after receiving rejections from all five or the rejected offers you received. You don't have to use UCAS Extra if you didn’t use all five choices. In that instance, you only need to sign in to your original UCAS application and add your remaining choices before 30 June. In this case, you can’t accept or reject choices yet. If adding additional choices, you could incur an extra £4.50 application fee. You’ll have time to accept or reject offers after universities make decisions.

UCAS Extra allows you to apply for unlimited courses one at a time. It eliminates the option of picking first-choice and insurance offers, although you can withdraw your application should you find a different course or don’t hear back from a course.

When is UCAS Extra available?

UCAS Extra for 2025 opens on 26 February and ends on 4 July [1]. While the window remains open for the entire period, it’s best to apply as early as possible within the UCAS Extra time frame. Doing so provides you with more time to follow up if you receive a rejection from a university. 

Generally, you’ll wait 21 days for a response from an extra university you added. If you don’t receive correspondence from the university, you can add a new one. The Extra process is only for one university at a time. Universities can reply as late as 17 July, but you may not wait that long and miss out on another university that could reply earlier if they are taking much longer than 21 days. 

What strategies should you use?

Because you are later in the university application process, it’s essential to be a bit more strategic and organised throughout the process. For example, if your original choices didn’t accept you, consider why. Did you apply to courses with entry requirements you didn’t meet? Were those courses in high demand? Understanding the possible reasons you didn’t receive offers can help you find courses more likely to accept you. Note the requirements and how they match the grades you expect. Consider a wider range of locations and universities. Explore similar but related subjects.

Once you’re ready to start, use the UCAS search tool to find universities that interest you. It allows you to search for new universities by subject, study year, and entry year. Look for the universities that match your tariff points if you know them, and contact them to see if they’ll consider you before you add them. While calling universities that match your subject interests and qualifications, ask questions to see if the programme will fit you well.

For instance, how will the university help you with internships and job experience, and what are the courses like? If possible, you’ll also want to talk to alumni about their experience in the major and career path. You’ll better know whether the subject and career path match your interests and talents.  

Bonus strategy: Start researching a few extra choices before you need them. Then, you’ll be ready to start the process right when the extra time starts.

What happens next?

If you receive a positive decision from a university, select accept on your application if you wish to attend that university. Once accepted, you won’t receive any additional extra choices. You’ll see a deadline date for acceptance on the homepage. If you don’t accept admission by that deadline, it’s considered an automatic decline, making it critical to remain mindful of UCAS’ deadlines. 

Can you apply for a different course from the same college?

If you didn’t get into a subject at a college or university, you can apply during the extra time for a different course. According to the University of Manchester’s website, you can apply for a different course at their university once you receive notification that you’re UCAS Extra eligible. 

What options do you have if you don’t get your Extra choice?

Clearing is the final part of the application decision process. If colleges still have space in the process, for reasons ranging from the number of people who applied to applicants choosing a different university, it opens up room for learners like you to get another chance. If you’re eligible, you can select a clearing university. You’ll see a select a clearing choice button in your UCAS application. 

While you may feel disappointed that other options haven’t worked out, clearing provides another option to ensure you find a course that’s right for you, and that you’re not alone. Tens of thousands of students enter university through the clearing process, many of whom received better (or worse) grades than anticipated or changed their minds about their course or university. 

Can you use Extra for medical school?

While most talk about UCAS Extra centres on undergraduate programmes, medical schools have become a new entry to clearing since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and may participate in the clearing. This process typically occurs weeks later than traditional clearing, but it still may help you get a last-minute spot. While waiting, work on improving your grades or do anything you can to be the best candidate possible. Make use of your time by researching a few of your top choices so you’re ready to ask them about clearing spots when it’s time. If you don’t want to wait for clearing, you can also choose an Extra non-medical choice.

Next steps

UCAS Extra provides more learning opportunities. While you wait, or if you want other options, consider exploring online options to expand your skills and knowledge. For example, you might earn credentials like Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate or gain deeper knowledge in courses such as Brand Management: Aligning Business, Brand, and Behaviour, just two of the many options in various subjects and fields available on Coursera.

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