What is UCAS Extra? A Complete Guide For 2025-26 Students

Applying to university through UCAS can be a stressful and sometimes unpredictable process. You might find yourself in a situation where you’ve used all five of your UCAS choices but haven’t received any offers, or you’ve declined the offers you got. This is where UCAS Extra comes in – a helpful option that gives you another chance to apply for a university place before the Clearing process begins. 

This article explains what is UCAS Extra, how it works, and how you can use it to improve your chances of securing a place at university in 2025.

What is UCAS Extra?

UCAS Extra is a free service offered by UCAS that allows applicants who have used all five of their original course choices but have received no offers to add a choice. This means you get a sixth chance to apply to a university or college course without any extra cost. It’s designed to help students who didn’t get the results they hoped for or who changed their minds after declining offers.

UCAS Extra is available from 26 February to 4 July 2025, giving you a window to find courses with vacancies and apply before Clearing opens on 5 July. It’s a useful option if you want to avoid the pressure of clearing or wish to secure a place sooner.

How Does UCAS Extra Work?

When you apply through UCAS, you can select up to five courses. If you’ve used all five and don’t have any offers, or you’ve declined the offers you received, UCAS Extra becomes available to you. On your UCAS Track account, a button labelled “Add an Extra Choice” will appear, allowing you to apply for one additional course.

You can only apply for one extra choice at a time through UCAS Extra. If you get an offer but decide it’s not right for you, or if you don’t get a decision within 21 days, you can withdraw that choice and apply for another course. This process can be repeated as many times as needed until UCAS Extra closes on 4 July.

How to Apply for UCAS Extra?

Applying through UCAS Extra is a straightforward process, but it requires careful planning and timely action to make the most of this valuable opportunity.

1. Check Your Eligibility
   You can only use UCAS Extra if you have already used all five of your original UCAS choices and currently hold no offers, or if you have declined all the offers you received. If you still have unused choices or offers pending, you won’t see the Extra option.

2. Search for UCAS Extra Courses with Vacancies
   Use the UCAS course search tool and filter for courses that still have vacancies during the UCAS Extra period (from 26 February to 4 July 2025). Many universities update their available courses regularly, so it’s important to check frequently. This search will help you identify UCAS Extra courses that match your interests and qualifications.

3. Contact Universities and Colleges
   Before applying, it’s wise to contact the admissions teams of the universities offering the courses you’re interested in. Confirm whether they are still accepting applications via UCAS Extra and ask if they require any additional information, such as an updated personal statement or references. This personal approach can improve your chances and clarify any questions you might have.

4. Add Your Extra Choice via UCAS Track
   Once you’ve selected a course and confirmed it’s available, log into your UCAS Track account and click the “Add an Extra Choice” button. Enter the details of your chosen course and university, then submit your application. This step officially adds your sixth choice to your application.

5. Consider Updating Your Personal Statement
   If your UCAS Extra choice is in a different subject area from your original applications, consider submitting a new or updated personal statement directly to the university. This allows you to explain your motivation for changing subjects and highlight relevant skills or experiences that make you a strong candidate.

6. Wait for a Response
   Universities have up to 21 days to respond to your UCAS Extra application. If you receive an offer, you can accept or decline it through UCAS Track. If you don’t hear back within this timeframe or decline the offer, you can withdraw your extra choice and apply for another course through Extra, provided the deadline has not passed.

7. Repeat if Necessary
   UCAS Extra allows you to apply for one course at a time, but you can repeat this process multiple times until the deadline for UCAS Extra on 4 July 2025. This flexibility allows you to continue exploring options and applying to courses that best suit your needs.

How is UCAS Extra Different from the Main Application Process?

Also read: What Are UCAS Apprenticeships  and Who Are They For?

Next Steps After Submitting Your UCAS Extra Application

Once you submit your UCAS Extra application, the university or college will consider your application. They have up to 21 days to make a decision. You will be notified through UCAS Track whether you have received an offer.

• If you receive an offer, you must accept or decline it within the deadline.
• If you accept, you are committed to that course and cannot add more choices through Extra.
• If you decline or don’t receive an offer within 21 days, you can apply for another course through Extra, provided the deadline hasn’t passed.

If you still haven’t secured a place by the time UCAS Extra closes on 4 July, your next option is to apply through Clearing, which opens on 5 July and runs until 20 October.

Also read: UCAS Clearing 2025: Landing Your Dream Course In The UK

Understanding Clearing After a UCAS Extra Offer

If you have an offer through UCAS Extra, you can still go through Clearing, but only if you withdraw or decline your Extra offer first. Clearing is designed for applicants without any offers or those who didn’t meet their conditions, so holding an active Extra offer means you’re not eligible for Clearing until you free up your application by removing that offer. Once you do, you can search for Clearing vacancies and apply to courses starting from 5 July 2025.

Understanding what is UCAS Extra and how it works can be a real relief if you find yourself without offers after your initial application. It provides a valuable second chance to secure a university place without the pressure of clearing. By using UCAS Extra wisely – researching available courses, applying early, and keeping track of deadlines- you can improve your chances of starting university in 2025.

Also read: UCAS Tariff Points Explained: A Simple Guide For Students

FAQs

Q. How many courses and universities can you apply to through UCAS Extra?

Ans: You can apply to one course at a time, but there’s no limit on the number of different courses or universities you can apply to sequentially during the UCAS Extra period.

Q. Once rejected from a course, can I reapply through UCAS Extra?

Ans: Yes, you can reapply to another course through UCAS Extra after withdrawing your previous application or declining an offer, provided the Extra deadline hasn’t passed.

Q. Can I use UCAS Extra if I have no offers?

Ans: Yes, UCAS Extra is specifically for applicants who have used all five choices and do not hold any offers, or who have declined all offers they received. If you still have an offer pending or have accepted one, you cannot use Extra.

Q. Is UCAS Extra only for new course choices?

Ans: UCAS Extra allows you to apply for any course that still has vacancies, including courses you did not apply for originally. This means you can explore new subjects or universities that you hadn’t considered before. However, if you’re applying for a course in a different subject area, it’s advisable to send a new personal statement directly to the university to support your application.

Q. How many choices can I add through UCAS Extra?

Ans: You can only add one choice at a time through UCAS Extra. If you receive an offer and decline it, or if the university doesn’t respond within 21 days, you can apply for another course through Extra. This process can be repeated multiple times until the UCAS Extra deadline on 4 July 2025.