An applicant is someone who has submitted an application to a university but has not yet completed the full admissions process to become a student.
An offer we give an applicant if they meet the requirements and conditions of their chosen course, for example, if they gain the required A'Level grades.
Contextual admissions is a university admissions process that takes into consideration an applicant's circumstances and background.
A contextual offer may be made if an applicant meets certain criteria. This would be an offer that is lower than our usual entry requirements.
Clearing is an opportunity for university applicants to apply for a place that has not been filled yet.
Deferred entry is delaying the start date for the course being applied for. For example, if an applicant wants to take a gap year before starting university.
This is the date where there is a guarantee that all applications receive equal consideration.
This date is usually the end of January.
Firm choice is an applicant's first-choice university.
Insurance choice is essentially an applicant's 2nd choice university, for if they do not meet the conditions of their firm choice.
An applicant would still need to meet the conditions of their insurance choice to get a place.
Circumstances or issues that have impacted or disrupted an applicant’s studies.
A piece of writing which an applicant provides as evidence of their experiences outside of their academic studies.
UCAS is the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, and all applicants go through them to apply for a university place.
An unconditional offer is an offer made to an applicant without any conditions because they may have already met the entry requirements.
The University Clinical Aptitude Test – or UCAT – is a test that you are required to take if you’re applying to certain medical or dental courses. Further information is available on the course pages.