What is UCAS Extra? Your comprehensive guide

If you’re eligible, the “Add Extra Choice” button will automatically appear in the Choices section of your UCAS tracking page. 

• There’s no limit to the number of courses you can apply to though Extra.
• You can only apply for one at a time, so you won’t be able to pick a first choice and an insurance offer like in the first round of applications.
• If you accept an offer through UCAS Extra, you will be expected to take up your place there and will be ineligible for Clearing, unless you fail to meet the grade requirements of the offer.
• If you’re still waiting for a decision and want to apply elsewhere, you can withdraw your Extra application after 21 days - it's a good idea to check with the university first to make sure an offer isn’t coming.

• After you’ve added a choice through Extra, the university or college will review your application.
• After 21 days you can choose to either continue to wait for a decision from the university or college or replace it with a different Extra choice.
• If you receive an offer, reply to it using UCAS. If you accept the offer, it’s yours – subject to you meeting any conditions.
• If you don't want to accept the offer you can decline it using UCAS and start your Extra search again.
• If you don't receive an offer, you can try again through Extra until it closes on 1 July, after which you’ll automatically be entered into Clearing.

Yes! There’s no limit to the number of courses you can apply to though Extra, but you can only apply for one at a time, so you won’t be able to pick a first choice and an insurance offer like in the first round of applications.

If you haven’t heard back from a course you applied to through Extra, and you’re anxious to apply for another, you can withdraw an Extra application at any time. After 21 days, you can add  a different choice straight away. However, it’s worth checking with the university or college itself to make sure an offer isn’t on its way before you do.

By accepting an offer through Extra you’re committing to that university or college and you’ll be placed with them if you meet the conditions of their offer. If you don’t meet the conditions of their offer, you will automatically become eligible for Clearing.

You can only apply through Clearing if you have no offers, so you would have to negotiate a release from your firm choice before being able to apply through Clearing. But this can take up to 10 days and there is no going back, so it's important to think carefully before you commit.

If you don't manage to find anything through Extra, don't panic - there may still university places available during the Clearing process.