The UCAS Adjustment Process Explained

So, you’ve aced your A-Levels and suddenly find yourself thinking, “What if I could have applied to a better university or a more competitive course?” The thought of changing now might seem impossible, but think again, UCAS Adjustment could be exactly what you need.

What is UCAS Adjustment?

UCAS Adjustment is a system that allows students who have exceeded the conditions of their original university offers to "upgrade" their course or university. In simple terms, if you’ve applied to study a course with relatively lower entry requirements, but your results are better than expected, UCAS Adjustment provides you with the chance to apply for a higher-tier course or university.

For example, if you applied for a course where the entry requirement was three C's, but you achieved three B's (or even higher), you may be able to switch to a course at a more competitive university. This is your chance to reconsider your options once you have the grades you need.

When Does UCAS Adjustment Take Place?

UCAS Adjustment is available from A-Level results day until the end of August, during which time you can apply for alternative courses or universities. This two-week period allows you to explore other options and potentially upgrade your place.

How Does UCAS Adjustment Work?

To take advantage of UCAS Adjustment, you’ll need to be proactive. Here’s how the process works:

• Register for UCAS Adjustment
  You must first register for Adjustment through your UCAS account. This will inform UCAS that you are interested in exploring other options with your higher-than-expected results.
• No Vacancy Lists
  Unlike UCAS Clearing, there is no central vacancy list for Adjustment. This means you need to contact universities directly to inquire whether they would be willing to offer you a place on a course that you may be more interested in.
• Contact Universities
  Once you’ve registered, you can reach out to universities you’re interested in. When you contact them, you will need to provide your personal ID number so they can access your UCAS application and confirm that you meet their entry criteria. You should be prepared to discuss your qualifications and your reasons for wanting to change courses or universities.
• Receive an Offer
  If a university is willing to offer you a place, they will typically make you an offer over the phone or via email. You will then have to decide whether to accept or decline the offer.
• One Offer at a Time
  It’s important to note that you can only accept one offer during the Adjustment period. This is unlike Clearing, where you can accept multiple offers. Once you accept a new offer through Adjustment, your original offer will be void, and you will be committed to the new course.
• Safety Net
  The key benefit of the Adjustment process is that even if you are unsuccessful in upgrading your place, you won’t be left without a university offer. If you don’t find an alternative offer that suits you, your original place will remain intact, and you can proceed with your original course as planned.

Who Should Consider UCAS Adjustment?

UCAS Adjustment isn’t something that most students will need to use. It is typically used by a small minority of students who have dramatically outperformed their predicted grades or entry requirements.

For example, if you were predicted to achieve C’s but achieved A’s, Adjustment could be a great opportunity to explore higher-ranking universities or courses that you might not have considered before.

That said, even if your grades weren’t predicted to be significantly higher, but you are still in the position to consider better alternatives, UCAS Adjustment could be a useful tool to explore other opportunities.

What Happens If I Don’t Use UCAS Adjustment?

If you decide not to use UCAS Adjustment, that’s perfectly fine! Your original offer still stands, and you can proceed with your initial university place as planned. The beauty of UCAS Adjustment is that it gives you another chance to reconsider your options if your results are unexpectedly strong—without the risk of losing your place altogether.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

• You must act fast: UCAS Adjustment is a time-limited process, running from results day until the end of August.
• Contact universities directly: Since there’s no central vacancy list, you must take the initiative to reach out to universities you’re interested in.
• One offer at a time: You can only accept one offer through Adjustment, so make sure it’s the right decision for you.
• You won’t lose your original place: If you don’t find a suitable offer through Adjustment, your original offer still stands.

Final Thoughts

UCAS Adjustment is an excellent opportunity for students who have exceeded expectations and want to pursue a more competitive course or university. It’s important to be proactive and organised, as you’ll need to contact universities directly, but the process is straightforward and offers the chance to explore a new academic path.

However, remember that UCAS Adjustment is not for everyone, and if you’re happy with the offer you’ve received, there’s no need to change your plans. But if you feel your results deserve something more, Adjustment can be the perfect way to “upgrade” your university experience.

Good luck!