Going to university is an exciting milestone, loaded with potential for a life to be well lived. Mind-boggling though it may seem to those filling out their Ucas applications, what and where you study will affect the rest of your life on many levels — from the intellectual and professional to the social and the personal. Careers and friendships are shaped during the university years. No pressure, then.
Where to start
There are more than 32,000 undergraduate courses on offer through Ucas and our guide lists the 134 leading UK universities. Applicants for certain specialisms will also be considering conservatoires (which offer performance-based courses in music, dance, drama, musical theatre, film and production) and other colleges. Considering subject area first, rather than a university, can reduce the because not all universities offer all subjects.
• Best universities in the UK: the Sunday Times league table revealed
How to choose your university degree
Some applicants already know what they would like to study, motivated by hopes of vocational careers in medicine, law or architecture, for instance, or guided by a standout talent. For floating voters, keep your options open at undergraduate level — think about broad subjects rather than highly specialised fields. Most graduate jobs are not subject-specific; employers value the transferable skills that higher education confers. There are postgraduate qualifications to consider later down the line if needed.
Degrees usually last three or sometimes four years, so you need an aptitude and enthusiasm for the subject. The right entry qualifications are a must too. Some degrees demand certain subjects at A-level, as well as requiring minimum grades or Ucas tariff points. Competitive programmes at leading universities will require sufficiently high GCSE passes too. After this, factor in personal preferences — campus or city? By this point, the beginnings of a manageable list may be within sight.
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The trend for full-time students is to pick a university within about two hours’ of home. This is far enough to discourage parents from springing unannounced visits, but close enough to make the occasional, more affordable, trip back to use the washing machine, cuddle the family pet and have a home-cooked meal.
Some universities carry more prestige than others and are treated by employers as yardsticks. More modest universities may have particularly strong departments for individual subjects, though. Make the most of this guide by cross-referencing the subject tables with the university rankings and read the university profiles to search out details on strengths in particular fields.
• What should I study at university? How to choose your course
Which courses have the most earning potential?
Naturally, candidates are increasingly driven by the desire for a well-paid career, as the shift away from the humanities, where applications are slumping, and increased demand for computing and business-related degrees reflects. Learn more about which degrees earn you the most money here.
Go to an open day
By now applicants for 2025 admission may have already put in the miles attending open days up and down the country, but there are still plenty of autumn dates too. Open days are the best way of getting a feel for a university, its location, and what studying in a particular department, faculty or college would be like. Don’t be tempted to skip a visit — here’s how to get the best out of them.
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When do I need to apply?
Ucas started accepting completed applications for 2025 admission on September 3 and the deadline for equal consideration is 6pm on January 29,2025, but even those received up to 6pm on June 30 will be considered if the relevant courses have vacancies. The deadline for conservatoire applications is October 2, and for Oxbridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine courses it is October 15. Some of the most competitive subjects now have additional entrance tests. Registration is usually before October 15. They have their own websites and details change from year to year.
The application process
You will create a Ucas Hub account and register the buzzword provided by your school or college. In most subjects you will be able to apply to five courses or universities at the most, other than in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, where the maximum is four, but you can still use the fifth choice as a back-up to apply to a different subject. Oxbridge applicants will know that you can only apply to one of Oxford or Cambridge in the same year, and that you cannot apply for more than one course at either.
How to write a personal statement
Applicants for 2025 entry will be the last to submit essay-style personal statements. These are being replaced by three questions from 2026 entry onwards in a move that is designed to help to widen participation. Social mobility experts have campaigned for change because privileged teenagers can get tailored help with free-form statements. The new system leaves less scope to gain an advantage, using these questions:
• Why do you want to study this course of subject?
• How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
• What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
For now the 4,000-character essay written by students is an integral part of the application. This is the bit where you share your deep knowledge of and passion for the subject you are applying to, and show off (eloquently) about your relevant extracurricular activities.
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Along with your personal statement goes the reference from your school or college, written by somebody who can comment in detail on your academic ability and potential, and predict your grades. The reference has to be independent, but that does not mean you should not try to influence what is contains. The referee might not know all about your achievements or interests, so use any opportunities available to keep them up to date of things you would like included.
How to prepare for an interview
Most applicants do not have selection interviews. For prospective medics, vets, dentists or teachers, though, a face-to-face assessment will be crucial. Likewise for the performing arts. Cambridge interviews about 80 per cent of applicants, at Oxford about 40-45 per cent of applicants reach interview. (Find out more about the cult of Oxbridge and how to get in here.) A few of the other top universities also interview a significant proportion. “Sales” interviews have become more common, where the university is promoting itself to the candidate and has already made up its mind about making an offer.
How do I track my application?
Follow your application’s progress in Ucas Track. Universities respond with one of three answers: an unconditional offer (UO), a conditional offer (C), or a rejection (R). By the end of March, universities should have sent their decisions on all applications received by January 29. Applicants then have to decide on their firm and insurance choices. Deadlines for submitting these replies are June 4 (if you received your decision from the university on or before May 14) or July 23 (if you received your decision after that, but on or before July 17).
What if I don’t get in?
If things go wrong and you get five rejections, there are still options. From February 26 until July 4 there is Ucas Extra, which lists courses that still have vacancies after the initial round of offers. Or if, come results day, all five are rejections, or you do better than expected and want to trade up, there is clearing. It opens from early July and runs until October. Read the Ucas chief executive Jo Saxton’s guide to clearing here.
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And remember …
Good University Guide 2025
See the full league table and a guide to all of the university profiles detailing everything from their academic reputation to campus facilities, wellbeing support, and scholarships and bursaries at The Sunday Times Good University Guide
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