UCAS Extra is a free UCAS service that offers applicants another chance to apply for undergraduate courses after they have used all five choices without receiving an offer. It becomes available once initial options are exhausted and lets you add one course at a time until you accept an offer or the service closes. To use Extra, log into your UCAS Hub, search eligible courses, and submit an Extra choice through your application. Adapt your personal statement for the new course and promptly contact the admissions team if you need clarification. Extra can turn disappointment into opportunity for better results.
What is UCAS Extra?
UCAS Extra is a free additional application route for undergraduate applicants in the UK who have used all five UCAS choices but have not received any offers. It becomes available after the standard decisions process and lets you apply for one more course at a time from eligible institutions.
When is UCAS Extra 2025 Start?
UCAS Extra for 2025 runs from 26 February 2025 until 4 July 2025. You can use Extra only if you’ve used all five UCAS choices and aren’t holding any offers; if you still don’t have a place after 4 July you’ll move into Clearing (which opens on 5 July).
Who's Eligible for UCAS Extra?
You can use UCAS Extra if all of the following are true:
- You used all five choices on your UCAS application and have received decisions on them.
- You aren’t holding any offers — that is, you were unsuccessful at those choices, your offers were withdrawn, or you’ve declined any offers you were given.
- You’re ready to add a new single choice (you can add one Extra choice at a time), and note that once you add an Extra choice you can’t go back to your original five choices.
If you did not use all five choices when you first submitted your application, or if you have not yet accepted any offers, or if you have been rejected by all of the institutions you applied to, then you do not need to use the Extra system. You simply need to add another choice through the UCAS Hub by 30 June, and make sure that you do not accept or reject any offers before adding it. Please remember that if you choose to reject any offers you have already received and add an extra choice, you will not be able to re-select them afterwards.
How to Apply through UCAS Extra?
- Confirm eligibility — you must have used all five choices and not be holding any offers.
- Sign in to your UCAS Hub/Track. If you’re eligible the “Add an Extra choice” button will appear in the Choices/Your choices area.
- Search courses that show availability for Extra (use the UCAS course search / “show courses with vacancies” filter). Pick a course that realistically matches your qualifications.
- Phone or email the admissions team first — confirm they’ll consider your application and ask any course-specific questions. Many unis recommend this before you add the choice.
- Add the course details in Track (UCAS will send your application to that university). There’s no extra UCAS fee for using Extra.
- Wait for the decision. If you haven’t heard back after 21 days you can either keep waiting or replace that Extra choice with a different one (until Extra closes).
- If you get an offer, reply in UCAS Track by the deadline. If you accept it, you’re committed to that place.
Important note: you can’t change your UCAS personal statement in Hub when using Extra — if you want to send an updated statement for this new course, contact the university directly and ask whether they’ll accept it.
How many Extra choices can I make?
There’s no limit to how many Extra choices you can make while UCAS Extra is running — but you can only apply for one Extra choice at a time (only one will be under consideration). If you get an offer and accept it you’re committed to that place; if you’re rejected or you decline the offer you can add another Extra choice (while Extra is still open).
What Happens Next?
UCAS sends your application to the university you chose.
The university reviews it and will either make an offer (conditional or unconditional), reject, or ask for more information.
Decisions usually come within a few weeks — if you don’t hear back you can replace that Extra choice with another while Extra is still open.
If you receive an offer, reply in UCAS Track by the deadline. If you accept, the place is yours and you’re committed. If you decline, you can add another Extra choice.
If you’re rejected, you can add another Extra choice while Extra runs; once Extra closes you’ll move into Clearing.
Practical tips: contact the admissions team before and after applying, have any extra documents ready, and be prompt — decisions and deadlines move fast.
FAQ
What does UCAS Extra mean?
UCAS Extra is an extra application route that gives applicants who used all five UCAS choices and aren’t holding any offers another chance to apply for undergraduate courses. You can add one Extra choice at a time. If your first choice is rejected or you decline an offer, you can add another while the extra choice is running. It’s free and sits between the regular decision cycle and Clearing, providing a final opportunity to find a place.
What is the UCAS Extra 2025?
UCAS Extra 2025 is the specific Extra window for applications to courses starting in 2025. It opens in late February and runs until early July, allowing applicants who have used all five choices and hold no offers to add one Extra course at a time. Institutions consider these applications during that period; if unsuccessful, you can add another Extra choice until the service closes. Check UCAS for exact dates annually.
What are the UCAS extra offers?
UCAS Extra offers are decisions made by universities after they receive your Extra application. They can be conditional (you must meet stated grades or conditions) or unconditional (no further requirements). Universities may also reject or ask for more information. If offered a place, you must reply through UCAS Track by the deadline; accepting commits you to that course. Contact admissions if you want to send extra documents or clarify conditions.
Does UCAS Extra cost money?
No — UCAS Extra itself does not cost extra. It is included as part of the original UCAS application service you paid for, so adding an Extra choice incurs no additional UCAS fee. Universities do not charge to consider your Extra application, though some course-specific requirements (tests, portfolio submissions, visiting) might involve separate costs. Always check UCAS guidance and the institution’s pages for any non-UCAS charges related to the course.
How many choices do you get with UCAS Extra?
With UCAS Extra, you can only have one Extra choice under consideration at any time, but there is no limit to the number of times you can add another Extra choice while the Extra window is open. If your Extra application is rejected or you decline an offer, you may add another Extra choice until Extra closes. Remember, this differs from the original five-choice limit on your main UCAS application.
