If you don't get an offer from the uni you had your heart set on, here are some alternative options you can start researching now.
We'll take a look at the pros and cons of each route below. But first, let's start with why you might have been rejected – and how to deal with it.
Reasons a university may reject you
There could be a few reasons your application wasn't successful – including falling short of grade requirements, strong competition from other applicants and your personal statement.
Or maybe the qualifications you're currently taking don't match up to their favoured subject mix. Universities don't have to give you a reason, but you could contact them to ask for feedback if the rejection has left you wondering.
Try not to take it too personally. Admissions tutors usually have hundreds of applications to deal with and it might not always be obvious why you haven't been chosen.
What to do if a university doesn't offer you a place
1. Accept another university offer
If you had your heart set on a particular university, you might not have given quite so much thought to anywhere else. Now's the time to consider your options.
Take another look at the other universities on your application. If you've received offers from some of these, are there any that appeal?
If possible, try to get along to an open day to refresh your memory.
Ideally you'll have already visited before applying, but a second visit can be useful too. You can get a feel for what the campus, accommodation, location and the course is like.
Speak to current students about their experiences at the uni – maybe it wasn't their first choice either, but how are they getting on?
Head over to The Student Room's dedicated forums for UK universities to ask any questions and see what other students are saying about it.
You can also check out student reviews on our university profiles, as well as detailed information on UK university courses.
Pros
- You've already researched the other universities on your application: there must be something about those that you love, too
- Provided you meet your offer, you won't have to go through the application process again – hooray!
Cons
- Don't settle for just any university or course. If you really can't picture yourself at one of these other unis, then it might not be the right choice for you.
When can you do this? You can choose your firm option as soon as you've received decisions from all the universities you applied to. If you're not feeling confident while you're waiting for these to come back, read below for more options.
2. Apply to a new course through Ucas Extra
Don't have any offers? If you've had decisions back from all the unis you applied to, and none have made an offer (or if you chose to decline them), Ucas Extra becomes an option.
This part of the Ucas process enables you to make a new application for another course.
It's up to you if you want to apply for the same type of course or someething completely different.
When you're applying for a course, consider why you might have been unsuccessful with your initial application.
For example – if you only applied to competitive courses, you could increase your chances of an offer by looking at some broader alternatives.
Pros
- You could discover a completely new course or university. Get thinking about wider options by taking a look at our course search and university profiles.
- You may even get a second stab at applying to your dream uni if they have other courses available through Extra (though it could be worth contacting the university admissions team before you apply).
Cons
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If you're sitting on any offers, you will have to decline them in order to use Ucas Extra. Once you've declined your offers and made an Extra choice you won't be able to return to your original choices – so don't rush into a decision.
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You can't change your personal statement, which might be an issue if you're now opting for a different type of course. In this case, it's a good idea to call the university before putting it down as an Extra choice.
When can you do this? Ucas Extra runs from 26 February 2026 to 1 July 2026.
3. Find a course through Clearing
If you don’t manage to find a course through Ucas Extra, Clearing might be an option instead. Clearing opens on 2 July 2026, although you will need to have your exam results in hand before you can apply for a place. For this reason, most Clearing activity happens on and immediately after A-level results day.
Results day can be hectic, but you should be able to find a suitable course and university if you're organised.
Pros
- As with Extra, courses at your preferred university may become available during Clearing – but there's no guarantee.
- There's a good chance you'll be heading to uni that year.
Cons
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Although there are thousands of courses to choose from in Clearing, choice is more limited than during the main application window.
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Don't rush into accepting the first place you can find – you need to act quickly, but make your course decision carefully.
When can you do this? Ucas Clearing opens in July but properly gets going in August. You can get ahead by researching the options while you're waiting for your results.
4. Take a gap year and reapply
If you don't manage to find the right place – or you think you could build your experience or boost your grades for a stronger application – you might choose to reapply next year.
If a university rejected you, can you apply to them again?
There’s nothing stopping you from reapplying to a university, but consider what held you back the first time.
Think about what you'll do differently and how the way you'll spend the following year will relate to your course.
If you're in doubt, speak to a teacher or contact the university to discuss your application.
Pros
- A year out gives you the chance to build on your work experience or skills. This could be useful if you're applying for a competitive or vocational course like medicine.
- You have the opportunity to retake exams and potentially improve your grades.
Cons
- While unis are generally happy to accept retake grades, it might impact your chances of an offer from highly selective universities such as Oxford or Cambridge.
- As unis often don't provide feedback when giving you a rejection, it's difficult to know if you'll have a better chance next time.
When can you do this? Key dates for applying don't vary much from year-to-year. If you need a reminder, here are the important Ucas application deadlines.
5. Consider alternative routes to a degree
If you're doubting whether the university route is right for you, take a look at what else is on offer.
A higher or degree apprenticeship, for example, would give you a mixture of work and study. Our guide can help you decide whether an apprenticeship is right for you.
Pros
- Apprenticeships give you a combination of study and real world experience. Even better, you'll be paid for the work that you do and could graduate with a debt-free degree.
Cons
- You'll be expected to achieve academically and at work, working full-time hours with fewer holidays than university-going friends.
- Competition can be tough, with potentially hundreds of applications for a place.
When can you do this? There are no fixed application times or methods of applying. Register and look for vacancies on the Find an Apprenticeship, All About School Leavers or Not Going To Uni websites.
