UCAS — the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service — is the centralised application system through which students apply to undergraduate courses at virtually all UK universities. International students, including those studying through online schools anywhere in the world, apply through exactly the same UCAS system as students based in the UK. There is no separate international application process.

Understanding UCAS is the starting point for any family planning a UK university application. This guide explains what UCAS is, how the process works step by step, what the key deadlines are, and what international students studying through an online school need to do differently — if anything.

What UCAS is and what it does

UCAS handles undergraduate applications to nearly every UK university and college. Rather than applying to each institution separately, students submit a single UCAS application and select up to five courses or universities from within it.

Universities use the UCAS application to review qualifications, predicted grades, personal statements, and references — and to make conditional or unconditional offers. Students then accept or decline offers through the same system.

UCAS is not selective. It does not decide who gets into university. It is the administrative platform through which applications move between students and universities.

How the UCAS application works: step by step

Step 1: Register on UCAS Hub Create an account at ucas.com. The Hub is where the entire application is built and tracked. Registration is open from May of the year before intended university entry.

Step 2: Link to your school If your school is registered with UCAS, enter the school's buzzword to link your application. This allows your school to add your reference and predicted grades directly. Teneo Online School is registered with UCAS — students receive the school buzzword through the admissions team. Contact Teneo's admissions team to confirm your buzzword before starting your application.

Step 3: Choose up to five courses Select up to five courses from up to five universities (or fewer courses from fewer universities). These can be the same subject at different universities, different subjects, or a combination. All five choices are submitted simultaneously — universities do not know which other institutions a student has applied to.

Step 4: List qualifications. Enter all secondary qualifications — IGCSEs, AS Levels, and any other qualifications completed or in progress. Pending results (qualifications not yet sat) are listed as predicted.

Step 5: Write your personal statement. The personal statement is a structured written response to questions about why you want to study the chosen subject, your academic preparation, and your relevant experience. As of 2025, UCAS uses a question-based format rather than a free-form essay. Oxford University advises against using generative AI to write the statement, as authenticity is assessed at the interview.

Step 6: Obtain a reference. A teacher at your school writes an academic reference that accompanies your application. This is separate from your personal statement and is submitted directly by the school. At Teneo, subject teachers who know the student's academic work write the reference.

Step 7: Pay the application fee and submit. For 2026 entry: £28.50 for up to five choices. Applications cannot be submitted before 2 September of the preceding year.

Step 8: Track offers through UCAS Hub. Universities review applications and make conditional or unconditional offers. Conditional offers specify the grades required in upcoming examinations. Students accept a firm choice and, optionally, an insurance choice through UCAS Track.

Step 9: Receive results and confirm. When examination results are released, universities either confirm offers (if grades meet or exceed the conditions) or release students who did not meet the conditions. Clearing provides additional options for students without confirmed places.

UCAS deadlines for 2026 entry

Critical point: if any of your five choices is Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary Science, the entire application must be submitted by 15 October. You cannot submit the Oxbridge or medical choice separately later.

For all other courses, applications submitted by 14 January are considered equally — there is no advantage to applying in October over January for non-Oxbridge, non-medical courses. Apply by the deadline, not necessarily as early as possible.

What international students need to know

International students apply through exactly the same UCAS system as UK students. There is no separate international application form or separate deadline.

The main additional considerations for international students are:

English language requirements. Most UK universities require evidence of English-language proficiency from international students. Students with a high grade in Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English (typically grade 6 or above) may satisfy this requirement without a separate IELTS or similar test — but this varies by institution. Check each university's English language policy directly.

Visa requirements. International students accepted to the UK need a UK Student Visa to study in the UK. This is a separate process managed after a confirmed university offer is in place. Begin the visa process as soon as an unconditional offer or confirmed place is received.

Qualifications verification. UK universities are familiar with Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs and International AS Levels. No additional qualification conversion or verification is typically required — universities assess these directly. Oxford and Cambridge explicitly confirm that Pearson Edexcel International qualifications are accepted on a grade-for-grade basis.

Frequently asked questions about UCAS for international students

Do international students use a different UCAS application? No. The application form, process, deadlines, and fee are identical for UK and international students.

Can students from online schools apply through UCAS? Yes. Online school students apply through UCAS in exactly the same way as students from physical schools. The school provides the reference and predicted grades. Teneo Online School is registered with UCAS.

What if my school is not registered with UCAS? Students can still apply through UCAS without a school buzzword. The reference must be obtained from a teacher and entered manually. This is more complex — choosing a UCAS-registered school avoids this complication.

Is there a UCAS application for postgraduate study? UCAS handles undergraduate applications. Postgraduate applications are typically made directly to universities, not through UCAS.

What is UCAS Clearing? Clearing is a process that runs from July through September, during which universities with unfilled places offer them to students who do not hold confirmed offers. Students who did not receive offers, did not meet conditions, or are applying after the main deadline can use Clearing to secure a university place.

View Teneo's AS Level programme, explore the full British International pathway, see results and accreditation, or contact the admissions team to discuss university preparation for your child.