Our application process is not currently affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. However, UAL is following the latest advice from the Public Health England (PHE), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), and the World Health Organisation (WHO). As the situation develops, we will continue to update our web pages, so we recommend that you check our website regularly for the latest advice and guidance.
It's not too late to join UAL this October.
We have a limited number of places available on some undergraduate courses now starting in October. You can apply to these courses up until the deadline of 30 June 2020.
This guide provides tips on how to apply, as well as information on the Clearing and Adjustment process.
So, what is your situation?
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You haven’t yet applied to a university
If you haven't yet applied to study at university this year, you can apply to one of our courses with places available through UCAS up until Tuesday 30 June 2020. If you apply after this date, your application will be entered into Clearing.
Clearing is a service that helps students who don't have a place on a full-time higher education course to find one. You can only receive an offer through Clearing if you already have your results. Not all courses will have vacancies during Clearing so we advise that you apply before 30 June if you have a specific course in mind.
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You have applied to universities, but are currently not holding any offers
If you've used all five choices on your application and have received decisions from all five and weren’t accepted, or if you declined the offers you received, you could still find a place at UAL using UCAS Extra. UCAS Extra is open until Sunday 5 July 2020.
If you did not use all your choices in your initial UCAS application, you can just add another choice in UCAS Track, as long as it’s before 30 June 2020, and you’ve not accepted or declined any offers.
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You haven't got the results you expected
If, on results day, you've not done quite as well as you'd hoped, and haven't been accepted onto your chosen course, you’ll be able to apply to other universities through Clearing.
Clearing opens on Monday 6 July 2020. If you haven't secured a place, Clearing is an opportunity to find the right course for you. Not all courses will have vacancies and those that do will be advertised on our website and on the UCAS website from June 2020.
You can only receive an offer through Clearing if you already have your results.
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You are holding an offer, but are considering studying at UAL instead
Adjustment provides an opportunity for students who pass their exams with higher grades than the conditional offer they had firmly accepted to reconsider where and what to study, while still holding their confirmed place. Adjustment is available from A level results day (13 August 2020), until 31 August. UAL considers applicants through Adjustment for any of our courses that are in Clearing.
Key dates
30 June
Undergraduate course application deadline. New UCAS applications received after 30 June are entered into Clearing.
5 July
Last date to apply in UCAS Extra for 2020 entry.
6 July
Clearing for October 2020 entry opens.
13 August
A-level results day.
If you're applying ahead of 30 June
If your situation allows for you to apply to UAL ahead of Clearing, applying early will mean you have access to a wider range of courses. We recommend you apply before 30 June if you are able to.
Step 1. Choose your course
- Browse our courses with places available to find the right one for you. See our course list for Home/EU applicants or our course list for International applicants, depending on your fee status.
- Read the entry requirements on the ‘How to apply’ section on your chosen course page carefully before applying.
- Many practice-based courses ask for a portfolio of work as part of your application process, as well as a personal statement and academic references.
- Many undergraduate students previously completed a pre-degree course to help prepare them for undergraduate study.
Step 2. Think about funding
- To get an idea of how much your studies may cost you and what funding may be available to you, explore our Student fees and funding information.
- You’ll also find plenty of advice about funding your studies and living as a student in London.
Step 3. Apply
- Once you have found a suitable course that has places available, you will need to apply through UCAS.
- After you’ve applied, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll contact you by email to ask you to upload any additional information to the UAL Portal, so make sure you check your email regularly, including your spam folders.
- If you have applied for a course that requires a portfolio, we’ll send you the instructions for uploading it once we’ve received your application.
- Depending on the course you’ve chosen, you may be asked to upload a digital portfolio and then invited to book an interview to talk through your portfolio with an admissions tutor.
- Once we’ve reviewed and assessed your application, we’ll contact you via UCAS Track or the UAL Portal to let you know whether your application has been successful.
If you're applying through Clearing and Adjustment
Step 1. Choose your course
- Clearing opens on 6 July 2020 but you can only receive an offer through Clearing if you already have your results, including an English language qualification if you need one.
- Browse our courses with places available and click on the name of the course you’re interested in to find out more. See our course list for Home/EU applicants or our course list for International applicants, depending on your fee status.
- You can complete our self-apply form ahead of results day to speed up the application process on the day. We will update our webpages when the self-apply form is available.
Step 2. Call us to discuss*
- Have your UCAS Personal ID number to hand.
- Call the UAL Clearing Line. The phone number will be announced closer to results day (13 August).
- Can’t get through? Leave a message with your name and telephone number and we’ll call you back as soon as we can.
*Please note – due to Covid-19, the Clearing process is subject to change in 2020. Although our current advice and processes remain the same as in previous year, we recommend you check this page regularly for updates to guidance. Alternatively, you can sign up to receive our Clearing updates by email.
Step 3. Apply
Dependent on the course that you are applying to, you may need to provide a portfolio in support of your application. Be sure to check the course page for specific requirements. You should only provide documents once you have spoken to us about your Clearing or Adjustment application.
Step 4. Update UCAS Track
- If your application is successful and you’re offered a place, you’ll need to add your course choice onto UCAS Track. We’ll let you know when to do this.
- If you haven’t made a UCAS application this year but have been given a verbal offer through Clearing, you’ll need to register your details and make an application on the UCAS website.
Step 5. Update your funding
- If you have applied for funding from Student Finance England, Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), Student Finance Northern Ireland (SFNI) or Student Finance Wales (SFW), you will need to inform them about your change of university and/or course.
- Log into your online account and go to ‘Change your application’. You should do this as soon as your new course is confirmed.
- If you have not yet applied for any funding, and you plan to do this, you should do so immediately.
- Visit our Undergraduate funding page for more information.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is Clearing?
Clearing is a service that helps students who don't have a place on a full-time higher education course to find one. If you haven’t secured a place, if you’ve changed your mind or perhaps you’ve not received the results you were hoping for, Clearing is an opportunity to find the right course for you.
When can I contact UAL to apply for a course in Clearing?
If you’re a Home, EU or International applicant, call the UAL Clearing Line which will be open from Thursday 13 August 2020 up until 30 August 2020. The number will be listed here closer to the time.
Where can I find information about courses that are available through Clearing?
There are up-to-date lists of all courses available for Home/EU applicants and courses available for International applicants. Details of all available places are also listed on the UCAS website.
How do I contact UCAS?
You can contact the UCAS Clearing Service by calling 0371 468 0 468. If you’re calling from outside the UK dial +44 330 3330 230. Opening hours can be found on the UCAS website.
What should I do if I have not applied through UCAS but would like to apply for an undergraduate course at UAL this year?
If you haven’t made a UCAS application this year but have been given a verbal offer through Clearing, you’ll need to register your details and make an application on the UCAS website.
I have achieved higher grades than my original offer conditions – what are my options now?
Each year, some applicants pass their exams with better results than expected, and may, therefore, exceed the conditions of their firm choice. Adjustment provides an opportunity for these applicants to reconsider where and what to study, while still holding their confirmed place. Applicants who register for Adjustment, but don’t find an alternative course, remain placed at their original firm choice.
UAL considers applicants in Adjustment for any of our courses that are in Clearing. Therefore if you feel that you qualify, please look at our available courses and ring our Clearing hotline on results day. We will check that you are eligible for Adjustment.
I have a confirmed place at another University but want to study at UAL. What are my options?
If you have an unconditional offer, you’ll need to be formally released from the institution you are holding an offer with before you apply to UAL. Many institutions will agree to do this, but you need to contact them directly to check.
If you’re holding a conditional offer you first need to contact the institution your offer is with to get advice on your options before contacting UAL.
I have a place at UAL but would like to change to a different UAL course. What are my options?
This might be possible dependent on the course you are currently holding an offer with and the course which you would like to swap to. If possible, you will only be able to swap to a course that is open for Clearing applications.
Call our Clearing hotline on results day to discuss your options. Make sure you have your UCAS Personal ID number to hand.
My conditional offer has been rejected in UCAS Track as I have not met the grades or UCAS tariff points required. What are my options?
Unfortunately we will not reconsider the decision already made. Take a look at our list of courses with Clearing places to see if there's a different course at UAL you could apply for with your grades or UCAS tariff points. See our course list for Home/EU applicants or our course list for International applicants, depending on your fee status. Alternatively visit the UCAS website to find courses elsewhere.
I currently live in the EU. What information do I need to know in relation to Brexit?
We have students from over 130 countries studying with us as part of our internationally-diverse community, with around 3,000 students from the EU making up 15% of the student body. If you’re an EU student, visit our ‘Brexit information to students’ page for updates and guidance.
What financial support might I be entitled to?
Our Student Advice and Funding Service provides prospective and current students with information and advice about funding options available to cover tuition fees, living costs and course costs. Take a look at our Student Fees and Funding pages for more details.
What happens once my place has been confirmed?
In the final stage, once your offer has been confirmed through UCAS, you’ll receive information by email about enrolment and starting your course.
Take a look at our Enrolment page for useful information including enrolment terms and conditions, key dates, how to enrol online and attending an enrolment event.
What accommodation is available?
Take a look at our Accommodation pages to find out if we have rooms available in Halls of Residence and to get information and advice about finding a place to live whilst you study.
When does my course start?
Due to Covid-19, we have made the decision to delay the start of 2020/21 academic year so that new and returning students have sufficient time to make arrangements to start or return to study this autumn. The autumn term will now begin on 19 October 2020 and this means that dates across the academic year have changed to accommodate the later start.
I am an international student, can I still apply through Clearing?
Yes, international students can apply to UAL via Clearing. However, if your situation allows for you to apply to UAL ahead of Clearing, applying early will mean you have access to a wider range of courses. It will also allow additional time for you to organise the necessary documentation, such as a Tier 4 (General) visa and a secure English language test (SELT) if necessary. We are anticipating delays due to Covid-19 so we recommend applying early to give yourself sufficient time to make these arrangements.
I am disabled, dyslexic or have another Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD). How can UAL support me?
The UAL Disability Service can provide advice and support at any stage of the student journey, even before an application has been made. Find out more about how our UAL Disability Service can help you.