How can we help?
Search our Applying to study – extra frequently asked questions.
EverythingUndergraduateConservatoiresTeacher TrainingPostgraduateSubject compassApplyingApplying to study – application questionsApplying to study – care experienceApplying to study – carersApplying to study – ClearingApplying to study – disability, mental health, and learning differenceApplying to study – estrangedApplying to study – ExtraApplying to study – finding coursesApplying to study – free school mealsApplying to study – parentsApplying to study – personal detailsApplying to study – refugeesApplying to study – service childrenApplying to study – similarity in personal statementsApplying to study – tracking your applicationApplying to study – veterans
I only made four choices because I applied for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or veterinary science courses, and I’ve been unsuccessful with all of them. How can I use Extra as I haven’t used all five choices?
As you have not used five choices, you can’t normally use Extra at this stage. However, if you’ve been unsuccessful at your four medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or veterinary science choices, and you have seen a course available for application in the search tool for one of these subjects, contact the university to check if there are still places.
If the university confirms there are vacancies, and they’re willing to consider your application, call our Customer Experience Centre on 0371 468 0468 for advice.
If I accept a place in Extra, can I decline it and go into Clearing later?
By accepting an offer in Extra you’re making a commitment to that university or college and you’ll be placed with them if you meet the conditions of their offer. If you don’t meet the conditions of their offer, you will automatically become eligible for Clearing.
I’m applying for a different subject, can I change my personal statement?
You can’t change your personal statement, so if you’re applying for a course that’s different from your initial choices, it’s a good idea to contact the university or college. Explain to them you’ve changed your mind and offer to send them a revised personal statement.
If I’m offered a place through Extra, do I have to accept it as my firm choice, or can I accept it as an insurance choice and send my application to another university or college?
You can only have one Extra choice at any given time, so if you receive an offer through Extra you must either accept it as your firm choice or decline it. If you decline the offer you’ll be able to add another Extra choice providing there’s still time. If you use Extra, you will never have an insurance choice.
Is there a deadline for when I have to reply to an offer I’ve received in Extra?
Yes. If you receive an offer in Extra, the date you must reply by is shown in your application. You must reply by this date otherwise your offer will be automatically declined.
Is it true that if the university or college doesn’t make a decision within 21 days I have to replace them with another Extra choice?
No, this isn’t the case. A university or college should try to make their decision within 21 days, but sometimes they need longer. The ‘Add an Extra choice’ option will automatically become active again after 21 days. You must then decide whether to keep waiting for the university or college to make a decision, or to replace it with another choice instead. However, if you do replace it with another choice, this will prevent the university you are waiting for from making their decision.
If I want to use Extra, but I haven’t received decisions from some of my original choices what should I do?
To be eligible for Extra, you must have used all five initial choices and not be holding any offers, or waiting for any decisions. If you’re still waiting for decisions from some of your choices but you’re certain you’re not interested in these anymore and you don’t want to wait for their decisions, you can cancel these outstanding choices. The ‘Add an Extra choice’ option will then become available. You should think carefully before doing this because you won’t be able to reinstate these choices if you change your mind.
How can I apply through Extra if the course I want isn’t available?
If the course you want to apply for is listed as no longer accepting applications in our search tool, but the university is happy for you to apply, you should ask the university to open course vacancies. If they agree to do this, you’ll be able to add the choice. UCAS can’t do this on behalf of the universities.
Will all the universities have places available in Extra for all their courses?
Not necessarily – each university or college decides which of its courses (if any) still has places available. They inform UCAS using an online system, and these courses display the information in our search tool.
How many Extra choices can I make?
There’s no limit to the number of times you can add an Extra choice to your application while Extra is running, but you can only ever have one being considered at a time.
What if I’m still waiting for decisions from some of my choices when Extra opens?
You don’t need to be ready to use Extra when it opens in February. At whatever point you become eligible – up until early July – the ‘Add an Extra choice’ option will become available in your application.
Do I have to pay an additional fee to use Extra?
No, there is no additional fee to use Extra.
How will I know if I am eligible to use Extra?
You’ll see the option to ‘Add an Extra choice’ on your application.
Am I eligible to use Extra?
You’re eligible for Extra if you’ve used all five choices in your application and you’re not holding any offers. This means that all your choices must be either unsuccessful, you’ve declined any offers or cancelled any choices you have not received decisions for.
What is Extra, and how does it work?
Extra is a way of making a further choice after you have applied.
You are eligible for Extra if you've used all five choices on your application and have either been unsuccessful at all of them, or declined all offers you've received.