Undergraduate: through UCAS
Almost every full-time undergraduate course in the UK uses UCAS. You make one application with up to five choices, one personal statement and one reference, and pay one fee. Universities see your application but not where else you applied.
- Up to five choices (only four for medicine, dentistry or veterinary science).
- Choices can be at different universities or different courses at the same one.
- Once you have your offers, you pick one firm choice and one insurance choice.
- Your school or college usually adds the reference. Independent applicants ask a teacher or employer.
The UCAS personal statement
From 2026 entry, the personal statement is three questions instead of one free essay: why you want to study the subject, how your studies have prepared you, and what else you have done to prepare outside education. The total length is still 4,000 characters. Write specifically about the subject — what you have read, built, tested or noticed — rather than general enthusiasm.
Postgraduate: directly with each university
Master’s and PhD applications go to each university through its own online portal. There is no limit on how many you send, and many have no application fee. You usually upload transcripts, a degree certificate (or expected date), a CV, a statement of purpose, references and your English test result.
- Many taught master’s courses decide on a rolling basis, so applying early helps.
- Some courses ask for a portfolio, writing sample or interview.
- PhD applications usually need a research proposal and a supervisor who agrees to take you.
Foundation and pre-master’s courses
If your qualifications don’t meet the direct entry requirements, a foundation year (before a bachelor’s) or a pre-master’s course can be a route in. Many are run with a partner college on campus. Check whether the university guarantees progression and what grade you need to progress.
Where agencies fit in
Many universities work with education agents who help you apply, and the university pays them commission. A good agent can save you time; a bad one can push you towards the universities that pay best. You never need an agent to apply, and you can always contact the university’s admissions team yourself. Whichever route you use, keep your own copy of your applicant ID, portal login link and every document — RightUni has a field for each.
Never let anyone else hold your passport or the only copy of your documents, and never share your portal passwords.
