Apply for university

You need to register in the UCAS Hub before you can apply for university.

To register, create an account using your:

• name
• date of birth
• address
• email address

You’ll also be asked to select the subjects, locations or industries you’re interested in and choose if you’d like to receive tailored advice, information and offers, as well as take part in surveys. You can change these preferences at any time.

To help UCAS personalise the support they offer to care experienced students, you can let them know if you’ve ever lived in public care or as a looked after child. This could include foster care or kinship care.

You can register and start your application for 2027 entry now. Completed applications can be submitted to UCAS from 1 September 2026.

Once you've registered, sign in and complete your application. You'll need to provide: 

• the rest of your personal details and nationality details
• funding for your course
• your course choices - you can choose up to 5 courses
• what you've studied up to now and your exam marks
• a reference from a tutor, teacher, employer or volunteering supervisor
• where you've worked including full and part-time jobs
• a personal statement describing your ambitions, skills and experience
• any circumstances you might need support for during your studies
• any extra activities you've attended to prepare you for higher education

There's guidance on writing a personal statement on the UCAS website.

Find more information about how to apply on the UCAS website.

Fees

You pay a fee for applying with UCAS.

For 2026 entry, the fee is £28.95 for up to 5 course choices. Looking to apply for 2027 entry? Find out more on the UCAS website.

When to apply

Most courses have a January deadline, but some may be earlier.

The deadline is 15 October for applications to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and for most courses in:

• medicine
• dentistry
• veterinary medicine and science

Check the deadline for your course or courses on the UCAS website. You can also ask your school or college to check.

If you're applying through your school or college, they may give you an earlier deadline. This gives them time to write your reference and send your application.

If you apply after 30 June, your application will be entered into Clearing.

Tracking your application

You can track your UCAS application by signing in to your UCAS Hub with your Personal ID and password.

In your UCAS Hub you can:

• find out if universities have made a decision
• manage your course choices
• receive interview invitations
• reply to offers
• add Extra course choices

When to reply to offers

If you get all your offers by:

• 31 March 2026 – you must reply by 6 May 2026
• 13 May 2026 – you must reply by 3 June 2026
• 15 July 2026 – you must reply by 22 July 2026

If you want to defer your university place to take a 'gap year' you need to contact your university. They may consider your application for deferred entry.

Other applying options

After you submit your UCAS application you still have additional options to choose from. This depends on your circumstances and what offers you get.

UCAS Extra

If you've used all 5 choices and: 

• do not receive any offers
• decline all your offers

You can use UCAS Extra from 26 February to pick one extra course choice at a time.

UCAS Clearing

UCAS Clearing starts on 2 July 2026. You can use Clearing if you: 

• apply after 30 June
• did not receive any offers (or any you wanted to accept) 
• did not meet the conditions of your offers
• declined your firm place 

Support with your options

If you want to talk through your options you can contact a careers adviser through Skills Development Scotland.

Part-time or distance learning

If you want to study part-time or through distance learning you need to apply direct to the university.

You can search for part-time or distance learning courses on the UCAS or Discover Uni websites.