This is what happens when you apply to university

How do you apply to university, and what exactly happens along the way?

You might have talked to parents, teachers, or friends who’ve been to university, but as applications change over the years, it’s not always easy to know what actually happens when you apply to university.

In this blog, we've explored the 10 most commonly asked questions about the university application process. Read on for advice on how to plan your way from researching and choosing the university course that's right for you to packing your bags ready for your first day on campus.

Contents:

• How do I research universities?
• How do I apply to university?
• What happens after I've applied?
• When will I receive offers?
• How do I apply for finance?
• How do I reply to a university offer?
• How do I apply for university accommodation?
• How can I make sure I get into university?
• What happens on Results Day?
• What should I pack for university?

1. How do I research universities?

This is the time for talking to staff and students at UCAS fairs, experiencing virtual and on-campus Open Days, and generally researching how to choose the university course that's right for you.

Picking the right university will depend on a lot of factors, from the course you want to study to city life, so make a note of how each part of the university experience measures up.

Browse university websites, request a prospectus or university guide, and sign up for email newsletters to find out more about university life.

2. How do I apply to university?

To apply to university you need to register with UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) where you'll be guided to create your own UCAS Hub – your personal space to prepare and submit your application. The Hub is also where you'll track your university application and any offers you receive.

If you’re at school or college, you’ll need to add a buzzword when you register - your teacher should be able to supply this. 

You'll also need to attach a personal statement to your application:

• if you want to go to university this year, download our guide to writing a standout personal statement for 2025 entry.
• if you're planning to go to university in 2026, find out how the format for your personal statement has changed and what you now need to do

In your application you can choose up to five courses but only four can be for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or veterinary science. 

The application deadline for these four subject areas is in October of the year before you start your course. For the majority of other undergraduate degrees, the application deadline is in the January of the year you're planning to go to university.

3. What happens after I've applied? 

Once you've applied, university admissions tutors review your personal statement, reference, aptitude, skill set, and any special circumstances that impact your application.

It can feel like a while before you hear back from your university choices (at Newcastle, we have a reputation for sending out responses quite quickly) so use the time to do a bit more research into your chosen universities.

Most universities offer Post Application Visit Days so make the most of this opportunity to visit campus and get a ‘feel’ for life in the city or town - it could really help you decide which of your choices might be the one for you.

4. When will I receive offers? 

Waiting to hear back from universities is a nerve-wracking time.

When the university admissions tutors have made their decision, they’ll let you know by adding the decision to UCAS. This can happen quite quickly, from a couple of weeks after the admissions deadline to the following May.

There are three possible outcomes:

• a conditional offer means you’ve been offered a place but still need to meet university requirements, such as the required entrance grades.
• an unconditional offer means you’ve been offered a place regardless of grades.
• an unsuccessful application means the university hasn’t offered you a place on your chosen course.

5. How do I apply for finance?

From early March you can start applying for student finance to cover tuition costs and living costs. You won't need to start paying back these loans until you've finished university and are earning over a certain amount.

Soon-to-be-university students from England can find out how to apply here, and students from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland can apply through their own government funding bodies.

Some universities offer bursaries and scholarships for future undergraduates, too. Explore their websites to find out what they offer and what you might be eligible for.

For more information on student finance, read our guide on how to apply for student finance. You can also find out about scholarships at Newcastle University here.

6. How do I reply to a university offer?

You can only start responding to offers once you’ve received decisions from all of your chosen universities. 

You need to choose one university as your first or 'firm' choice and one as your second or ‘insurance’ choice. Most often, the insurance choice will require lower entrance grades, so if you miss the grades needed for your first choice you might still be able to attend your insurance choice.

If you use all five choices but don't receive any offers, you can still find a place through UCAS Extra.

7. How do I apply for university accommodation?

You might have already been on one or two in-person or online accommodation tours perhaps during an Open Day, or Post Application Visit Day. If you couldn’t make these events, some universities have virtual tours hosted all year round and you can read all about your options on their websites.

Every university’s process will be different, but at Newcastle, information about how to apply for accommodation is regularly updated on our website, according to the year of study.

There you'll find information about each of our residences, and can use our handy search filter to discover the accommodation options that suit you. To find out more about how to apply, keep an eye on our website.

8. How can I make sure I get into university?

To get into the university of your choice, you need to achieve the exam grades that make up your offer.

Use our guide on how to revise for exams. Plan out your revision timetable with our free downloadable template, give yourself plenty of breaks, and practise self-care.

You can do this. Good luck!

9. What happens on Results Day?

If you get the required grades you need for your offer, then congratulations - you're in!

If you don't get the results you need, then don’t panic. At this point, you can apply for alternative courses or universities through Clearing.

For more information on Results Day, we encourage you to read our blog on what to do on Results Day.

10. What should I pack for university?

Once you’ve secured your place at university, it's time to start planning what you'll need to take with you!

To find out what you should pack, read our blog collated by current Newcastle University students on the packing essentials.

You’ve come a long way since you set out on the university application process, and now your journey is really about to begin…