Your child’s UCAS application is in and now you wait for news. For some, the wait is painful.

Key UCAS Deadlines*

• Mid-October: Early deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, and most medicine, dentistry, and veterinary courses.
• Mid-January: Main deadline for most other undergraduate courses for equal consideration.
• School Deadlines: Your school or college may set an earlier internal deadline to allow time for references and checks.
• Mid-January: Most Oxbridge decisions have been made.
• March/April: Most Medicine/Dentistry decisions have been made.
• Mid-May: University decision deadline for most courses.
• Early-June: Offer response deadline for students to select their Firm and Insurance choices and decline other offers.
• Early June: UCAS Clearing opens for applications to any remaining course places.

*The exact dates change every year.

News can come at any time

Within this time period, universities don’t all follow the same processes or timelines during admissions. Some universities make offers as soon as they receive applications. Some will wait until the January UCAS deadline to give ‘equal consideration’ to all applicants before making decisions.

Some universities receive such a high volume of applications, that they need the full admissions period in order to process all decisions.

Not only does the approach change from one university to the next, but also from one course of the next so try not to read anything into it about what this signals for your child’s success.

The peer pressure is tough

It’s hard to hear classmates getting offers while your child is still waiting, especially if they are applying to the same universities, or to other study destinations that make early offers (such as the USA).

Don’t make assumptions about this (i.e. ‘If they haven’t heard, they haven’t been successful’), universities are wading through tens of thousands of applications during this time, and it may be that they have just not got to your child’s yet.

Hang in there. Focus on the right thing.

Although this is easily said than done, your child needs to try and put the applications out of their mind and stay focused on their final school year. It’s vital that they stay on track to achieve their predicted grades, as universities will make conditional offers based on these. Placing their energy and effort on their final exams instead of worrying about offers coming in will maximise their chance of admission.

Don’t jump the gun. Make smart decisions.

When offers do come in, don’t accept them prematurely, wait until all your offers are on the table, even if that means waiting months for a final decision to come in (it’s tough, we know!). Use the time you are afforded to your advantage; to make an informed and smart decision.

Holding off on accepting any offers until close to the offer acceptance deadline (early June) allows your child to see how they are doing at school and if they are on track to achieve their predicted grades. This important data can help them make a strategic decision about which is their best and realistic Firm choice, and which would make a smart Insurance choice. This maximises their chance of admission and cushions them from unexpected outcomes.

If the unexpected happens…don’t panic

By results day, your child will have selected their Firm and Insurance choices and will find out if they have successfully met the grades of their offer conditions.

For those who haven’t reached their offer conditions, they may be back to the drawing board with no offers on the table. Don’t panic, all is not lost. There is still time to find a suitable course and university to go to through Clearing. It can be a hit to their self-esteem but if they are pragmatic and proactive about it, it can be resolved quickly and the ‘hit’, short-lived. Ultimately, it can be a very positive experience of navigating challenges and making good independent decisions, with support when needed.

The UCAS admission process can feel like a an anxious time but it is a rite a passage for your child; experiencing excitement and sometimes, disappointment about their next step in life. This is just one step in their very bright future and whatever happens during admissions, they will land safely.

The UK Study Options Team have decades of experience guiding students through university admissions. We can help you maximise your university potential.

Get in touch if you need strategic offer selection advice or results-day support.

We are excited to announce a new strategic partnership between UK Study Options (UKSO) and COBIS, the Council of British International Schools. This collaboration has been designed to give British international schools, their families, and staff access to expert, practical support when it comes to UK university applications and to ensure students achieve the tuition fees they are entitled to.

Exclusive benefits for COBIS schools

As part of this partnership, COBIS member schools now receive discounted access to UKSO’s specialist services, including:

• Personalised guidance for students and families on UK university Home fee eligibility – helping them save thousands on tuition fees.
• Support for British and Irish expatriate staff and their families relocating internationally. This ensures their children’s access to Home fees is not lost.
• Expert advice on UK university courses, entry requirements, and future career pathways.
• Access to practical resources and events, including termly blogs, regular updates, and a dedicated annual webinar for schools.

Why this matters

Fee status is one of the most critical yet least understood parts of applying to UK universities. The difference between Home and Overseas fees can amount to tens of thousands of pounds. By partnering with COBIS, UKSO can now help more families understand their eligibility early, avoid costly mistakes, and maximise their child’s potential.

For schools and counsellors

This partnership provides school leaders and counsellors with access to trusted expertise that directly benefits their communities. With UKSO’s support, schools can offer their families greater clarity and confidence during the university application journey, turning complex rules into clear, actionable advice.

Looking ahead

As long-standing Supporting Associates of COBIS, this partnership is a natural next step in our relationship. Together, we are committed to reducing barriers for students worldwide, strengthening the pathway from British international schools into UK higher education, and helping families save significantly on tuition fees.

COBIS schools can contact UKSO today to explore how to unlock these membership benefits.

A guest blog written by Inspira Advantage

If you’re studying in the UK or anywhere outside North America and your goal is to attend medical school in the United States, you’re facing one of the most competitive admissions landscapes in the world. 

This guide breaks down what it actually takes to get accepted, with specific strategies for UK and international students who want to compete with elite U.S. pre-meds.

Understand the U.S. Medical School Landscape

In the U.S., medical school is a postgraduate degree. You can’t apply straight out of secondary school or sixth form. You first need a four-year undergraduate degree (or its equivalent), which includes required pre-med coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and often statistics, English, and psychology.

That means your BSc in Biomedical Sciences may check some boxes, but not all. Most U.S. schools want to see two semesters each of biology with lab, chemistry with lab (general and organic), physics with lab, and English. If your UK degree doesn’t meet this standard, you’ll likely need to do a post-bacc program in the U.S. to fulfill prerequisites.

Med schools like Johns Hopkins explicitly state they require science coursework from U.S. institutions. Don’t assume your UK courses will transfer. Get them evaluated by the World Education Services (WES) and Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), and, if possible, plan to complete at least one year of science coursework in the U.S. or Canada if you’re aiming for the most competitive U.S. med schools.

Score High on the MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is the standardized test required by U.S. med schools. It’s 7.5 hours long, involves lots of critical thinking, and is rooted in the U.S. undergraduate science curriculum.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the national average MCAT score for 2024-2025 was 506.1. As an international student, your target score should be 515+ to mitigate the risk of seeming like you have an unfamiliar academic background.

The MCAT matters for international applicants because you’re not coming from a GPA-based system, meaning the MCAT becomes your one comparable academic metric. Use U.S.-style prep resources, and take full-length timed practice exams starting three months before your test date.

Build U.S.-Relevant Clinical and Research Experience

U.S. medical schools expect applicants to have direct exposure to American healthcare environments. NHS shadowing, while valuable, doesn’t demonstrate your understanding of U.S. clinical practice, health disparities, or systems-based care.

Here’s what you need instead:

• Shadowing a U.S.-licensed physician: Ideally, in-person, even for just 1–2 weeks. Remote or virtual shadowing through programs can help you if you can’t travel.
• Clinical volunteering: At least 100 to 150 hours of clinical experience is considered competitive for U.S. applicants. Find opportunities in the U.S. (even short-term summer work) or in international programs with strong U.S. affiliations.
• Research: Contribute to research that results in peer-reviewed publications, especially when supervised by U.S.-based principal investigators (PIs), such as MDs or faculty members affiliated with U.S. medical schools.

Schedule a U.S. visit during summer holidays and use that time to shadow, volunteer, and build professional references. Several hospitals accept short-term volunteers with advance planning and immunization records.

Address the Degree Equivalency Barrier Right Away

U.S. med schools are not required to accept foreign degrees. And in fact, many don’t. The safest path is to complete at least 1 year of coursework in the U.S., whether through:

• A formal U.S. bachelor’s degree (common for international applicants attending a U.S. undergrad)
• A one-year post-baccalaureate program designed for international pre-meds (e.g., Columbia’s Postbac Premed Program)
• A U.S.-based master’s degree in biomedical sciences, public health, or related fields

A UK undergraduate degree followed by a U.S. master’s can meet the eligibility requirements for top U.S. medical schools like Stanford and Harvard, provided you have completed the necessary science prerequisites and have spent the required time studying in the U.S. Admissions officers will expect an explanation in your application about how your academic journey aligns with U.S. standards.

Work With a U.S. Medical School Admissions Consultant To Improve Your Chances of Getting Into a US Medical School

If you’re applying from the UK or abroad, the U.S. medical school process is fundamentally different from what you’re used to.

According to the AAMC, the national medical school acceptance rate in the 2024-2025 admissions cycle was 44.58%. With a rejection rate of 55.43%, a dedicated U.S. medical school admissions consultant can position you as one of the select few who get accepted. An experienced advisor can:

• Evaluate whether your current coursework meets U.S. prerequisites and tell you exactly where to fill the gaps
• Help you build a school list that realistically reflects your visa status, funding options, and academic background
• Strategize your clinical and research exposure so it aligns with American expectations
• Guide you through MCAT preparation, personal statement development, and letter of recommendation logistics with international applicants in mind
• Prepare you for U.S. medical school interviews, including MMI and traditional formats, with mock practice and coaching

Working with a former U.S. medical school admissions officer provides you with an advantage that most applicants will never have.

One of the most popular options for med school consulting in the USA and for students abroad is Inspira Advantage, as their admissions counselors have 15+ years of experience helping applicants from all over the world get into U.S. medical schools. Additionally, you can work with former admissions officers at Harvard Medical School, Yale School of Medicine, and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine at Inspira Advantage to build a successful international application.

Get Accepted to a U.S. Medical School

U.S. med schools accept only a handful of international students each year. If you’re a UK-based or international student, you don’t have room for error. You must be specific in how you build your story, select schools, and prove your alignment with American medicine.

If you’re still early in the process, start now: take summer courses in the U.S., secure shadowing placements, ace the MCAT, and don’t waste time on programs that won’t consider you. Work on building an application that highlights your background as a strength, not a barrier.

 

By Alicia Drummond, Therapist and Founder of The Wellbeing Hub

A-Level Results Day can be a rollercoaster for students and parents alike. As a parent, you’ll want to be as supportive and prepared as possible, whether the day brings celebration or an unexpected curveball. In this blog, Alicia Drummond, Therapist and Founder of The Wellbeing Hub, shares practical and compassionate tips to help you guide your teen through the highs and lows of results day with empathy and reassurance.

Exam results day can be stressful for students at any stage of their education, but it can be especially intense for those awaiting their A-Level results.

Here are some tips on how to support your teen on A-Level results day:

• Before results day arrives have a chat with them about how they might feel/cope if the results are not what they are expecting. Let them know that whatever happens you love them, and if things don’t go according to plan you will be there to help.
• Let them open their own results!
• Opening results early is particularly important for A-Level results day because the clearing places fill up fast. It is worth understanding how the clearing process works before D-Day – you can find all the information on the UCAS website.
• If the results are not what they wanted they need you to stay calm. Hide your disappointment whilst you help them manage the array of emotions they will be feeling by showing empathy. “It’s horrible when things don’t go according to plan, I’m sorry” – do not say any more until they are through the immediate upset.
• Separate the action from the person and be optimistic – “failing exams does not make you a failure. It is upsetting and annoying, but you are ok, we love you, and we will find a way forward”.
• Do not blame the school, teacher, or exams board. When we resort to this type of rescuing, we make it harder for them to recover because we cast them into the role of victim and reduce their sense of power. There will be time enough for investigations later.
• Do not ask how others have done as this may fuel compare and despair.
• Be aware that getting a place through clearing, even at a top-class university, may still feel like failure to them, and maybe anxiety inducing. Help them be proactive in familiarising themselves with their new university. Be alert to signs of distress and give them opportunity and permission to feel their feelings, “I guess you might feel that going to X rather than X feels like failing”.
• If clearing doesn’t provide a solution, would a foundation year get them onto the course they want? Perhaps a gap year would give them the space to re-evaluate. Consider the reasons for failing carefully before committing to retake exams.
• Do not big up a lower grade – when you say, “he got a high B” they hear, “he failed to get an A” – let the result be what it is. This will help them get over any disappointment faster.
• Get them to focus forwards on next steps and what they can do to move themselves towards the next goal.

If your teen is navigating university choices, Clearing, or considering a change of plan, UK Study Options offers expert guidance on every step of the UK university application journey. Whether they need help with course selection, personal statements, or managing multiple offers, our Application Support services are designed to make the process clearer and less stressful.

Learn more about our University Admissions Support and how we can help your teen apply with confidence.

The Wellbeing Hub from Teen Tips is a live and interactive online platform, offering a proactive approach to young people’s mental health and wellbeing by providing expert-led resources and practical support.They have given us a discount code that you can use to save 5% on the cost of their parental membership – use code UKSOp0025.

Securing a place on a highly selective university course in the UK can be a significant challenge. These programmes receive far more applications than available spaces, meaning that even well-qualified students are not guaranteed an offer. With fierce competition and stringent entry requirements, applying to highly selective university courses requires careful preparation and strategic planning to maximise the chances of success.

What Makes a Course Highly Selective University Courses?

Highly selective courses are those where the ratio of applications to offers is particularly high, therefore, the admissions process may include additional stages before an applicant can secure a place. These courses include Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Law, and courses at Oxford and Cambridge – where admissions tests and interviews are an additional part of the application process. However, courses or universities which are popular and in demand can also be very competitive to apply to. For example,  Economics at LSE, Politics at Durham Engineering at Imperial or Psychology at Edinburgh  may also be considered selective.

Admissions teams are not only looking for excellent grades which alone are not enough to distinguish one excellent applicant from another. They are also seeking evidence of motivation, subject interest, relevant experience, and well-developed critical thinking skills. Personal Statements, references, entrance tests, and interviews all play a role in helping universities differentiate between exceptional candidates.

Understanding the Admissions Process

Applying to a highly selective course typically involves multiple stages. It is essential to understand the requirements and expectations at each stage:

• Academic qualifications – Students need to be on track to meet, or exceed, the required A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) for entry. Applying before you have your final results means that predicted grades carry significant weight.
• Admissions tests – Many competitive courses require applicants to sit standardised tests such as the UCAT (Medicine), LNAT (Law), or subject-specific assessments for Oxford and Cambridge. These tests are designed to assess aptitude and subject knowledge, often under time pressure.
• Personal Statement – This is a student’s opportunity to express their passion for the subject, reflect on relevant experiences, and outline their academic journey and future aspirations. A compelling Personal Statement can significantly strengthen an application.
• Interviews – Particularly for Oxbridge and Medicine, interviews are a key component. They allow admissions tutors to assess a student’s ability to think critically, apply their knowledge, and communicate clearly under pressure.

Tips for Strengthening Your Application

Students aiming for highly selective courses should take a strategic approach to their preparation. Some practical steps include:

• Start early – Begin researching course requirements two years ahead of your intended university start date. Prepping for competitive admissions  takes time to plan, organise and execute.
• Seek relevant experience and knowledge – For vocational courses like Medicine and Veterinary Science, work experience is often essential. For academic subjects, engagement beyond the classroom (e.g. summer schools,  reading lists, podcasts) demonstrates commitment.
• Practice admissions tests – These tests can be unfamiliar in style and format. Timed practice using past papers helps students develop speed and accuracy.
• Prepare for interviews – Practice articulating your thoughts on complex topics and responding to unfamiliar scenarios. Mock interviews can be especially helpful.
• Stay organised – Keep track of deadlines and requirements for each university and course. Missing a step could result in disqualification from the process.

How UK Study Options Can Support Your Application for Highly Selective University Courses

UK Study Options offers a comprehensive Admissions Support service, tailored to each student’s academic goals and the unique demands of their chosen courses. Our experienced University Guidance Counsellors provide one-to-one support on every aspect of the process, including:

• Course and university selection – ensuring that choices are realistic, ambitious, and well-aligned with the student’s profile
• Personal Statement support – helping students craft compelling, well-structured narratives that showcase academic ability and commitment
• Interview practice – offering mock interviews and feedback to build confidence and communication skills
• Timeline management – keeping students on track with key deadlines and requirements.

Whether a student is applying to Medicine, Oxbridge, or another competitive course, our personalised support can make the difference between a good application and an outstanding one.

Why Choose UK Study Options?

With years of experience supporting international and UK  applicants, we understand the specific requirements and challenges of selective university admissions. Our success lies in our tailored approach. We do not offer generic advice; instead, we work closely with each student to develop a strategy that maximises their potential.

Our support extends beyond the UCAS form. We help families navigate key decisions, plan effectively, and present the strongest possible case to admissions tutors.

Start Your Journey Today

If your child is planning to apply for a highly selective course, the earlier they begin preparing, the better. The most successful applications are built over time, with thought, research, and reflection.

Learn more about our Admissions Support services or contact us today to discuss how we can help your family approach the university admissions process with confidence and clarity.