University offers: what they mean and what to do next
As you start to receive responses from universities, you'll see terms like 'unconditional' and 'conditional' offers appearing on Ucas Track. Here's what to do next...
While it will be exciting to see you've got an offer, you need to dig into the detail of any conditions surrounding it – so you know the entry requirements you must meet (if any).
Remember, on The Uni Guide you can read the full entry requirements for a course you have your eye on – search here now.
Skip to:
Universities typically make unconditional offers when you've been able to include your actual results as part of your application – perhaps you're returning to education as a mature student, or are applying mid-gap year. It's an open door into that uni, if you want to take it.
Be aware that if you accept an unconditional offer, you are committing to go to that university. Therefore you can't select an insurance choice or enter Clearing (you would need to be formally 'released' by that university in order to do so).
If you accept an unconditional offer, the pressure is effectively off when it comes to your exams in the spring, but you should still work hard as these grades will follow you around in the future.
But beware, 'unconditional' doesn't always mean what it says on the tin. 'Conditional unconditional' offers have become a thing in recent years. This is where a university makes you a conditional offer, with the promise to update this to unconditional if you accept it as your first choice.
Think of it as the university saying to you: 'there's a place with your name on it on our course, but you'll need to prove yourself academically to take it up.' The vast majority of offers made to applicants by universities are conditional offers.
Entry requirements for a course come in all shapes and sizes, according to the qualifications you're taking. The university will tell you the exact terms of your offer when responding to you, via Ucas Track. Usually these will be the same as or similar to the general entry requirements for that course (you can read typical entry requirements guidance on our course pages here on The Uni Guide).
Don't meet your offer come results day? If you only just miss the grades you need to meet a conditional offer, speak to the university to see if it will accept you anyway. Otherwise you can enter the Clearing process in the summer to find a spot on a course with similar or lower entry requirements.
The university may provide a reason for its decision on Ucas Track or in further communication to you (or you can get in touch directly to learn why). You simply may not meet their entry requirements based on your predicted grades, or it could be a super-competitive course with applicants far outweighing the number of places up for grabs.
This can be undeniably tough, but don't get too disheartened – learn from this and wait to hear from your other Ucas choices.
You can also withdraw your application yourself if you change your mind about applying to that course or university.
Remember, on The Uni Guide you can read the full entry requirements for a course you have your eye on – search here now.
Skip to:
- Unconditional offers (including conditional unconditional offers)
- Conditional offers
- Application 'on hold'
- Unsuccessful applications
- Withdrawn applications
- Responding to offers
- What if you don't receive any offers?
What do different university offers mean?
Unconditional offers
That's it! You've met the terms or entry requirements for that course. While you still need to do a few things, such as provide paperwork to confirm your academic grades, you're pretty much in.Universities typically make unconditional offers when you've been able to include your actual results as part of your application – perhaps you're returning to education as a mature student, or are applying mid-gap year. It's an open door into that uni, if you want to take it.
Be aware that if you accept an unconditional offer, you are committing to go to that university. Therefore you can't select an insurance choice or enter Clearing (you would need to be formally 'released' by that university in order to do so).
If you accept an unconditional offer, the pressure is effectively off when it comes to your exams in the spring, but you should still work hard as these grades will follow you around in the future.
But beware, 'unconditional' doesn't always mean what it says on the tin. 'Conditional unconditional' offers have become a thing in recent years. This is where a university makes you a conditional offer, with the promise to update this to unconditional if you accept it as your first choice.
Conditional offers
This is also good news! It means the university has accepted you onto its course, subject to you meeting the entry requirements of the offer. This usually means you'll need to obtain certain grades in your current studies or achieve a minimum number of Ucas points.Think of it as the university saying to you: 'there's a place with your name on it on our course, but you'll need to prove yourself academically to take it up.' The vast majority of offers made to applicants by universities are conditional offers.
Entry requirements for a course come in all shapes and sizes, according to the qualifications you're taking. The university will tell you the exact terms of your offer when responding to you, via Ucas Track. Usually these will be the same as or similar to the general entry requirements for that course (you can read typical entry requirements guidance on our course pages here on The Uni Guide).
Here are some examples of a conditional offer:
- A-levels, grade AAB with 'A' in chemistry and at least two other sciences or mathematics;
- 160 Ucas Tariff points including BTEC 18-unit Diploma Pass;
- Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade A in creative and media, plus an A-level at grade 'B' for additional and specialist learning;
- 220 Ucas Tariff points of which at least 160 must be obtained from two A-levels or equivalent, excluding general studies. Equivalent qualifications can include GCE/VCE Single or Double Award, BTEC and OCR Nationals, Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers but do not include AS Awards and BTEC QCF Certificate.
Don't meet your offer come results day? If you only just miss the grades you need to meet a conditional offer, speak to the university to see if it will accept you anyway. Otherwise you can enter the Clearing process in the summer to find a spot on a course with similar or lower entry requirements.
Application 'on hold'
If your application shows as being 'on hold' it means the university has seen your application but is still making a decision. There's nothing to worry about - here's how the University of Bristol describes how it uses 'on hold': "Putting an application on hold means that we have assessed the application and decided that the applicant meets the entry requirements for our offer, but we are unable to make a final decision."
So it's basically an indication that you're in the running for an offer, but that the university needs to assess more applications before it can decide for certain.
Unsuccessful applications
It's not good news unfortunately. This means the university has declined your application and hasn't offered you a place.The university may provide a reason for its decision on Ucas Track or in further communication to you (or you can get in touch directly to learn why). You simply may not meet their entry requirements based on your predicted grades, or it could be a super-competitive course with applicants far outweighing the number of places up for grabs.
This can be undeniably tough, but don't get too disheartened – learn from this and wait to hear from your other Ucas choices.
Withdrawn applications
Your application to a university may be withdrawn for a number of reasons. For example, you might not have responded to a university's communication by a required date, or you may have missed an interview. You can learn why your application has been withdrawn on Ucas Track.You can also withdraw your application yourself if you change your mind about applying to that course or university.
Responding to offers
Once you've received responses, good and bad, from all the courses you applied to, you need to decide which of your offers you want to make your firm (first) and insurance (back-up) choices. You can only choose one for each of these.- Read more: making your firm and insurance choices
