Extra time for university applications

PROSPECTIVE UNIVERSITY students have been given an additional two weeks to complete their applications after most oncampus learning was cancelled, the body responsible for admissions has said.

The Ucas equal consideration deadline has been moved to January 29 at 6pm following the Government’s decision to instruct students to study from home.

Ucas chief executive Clare Marchant said there would be “significant demands” on university staff due to the move to online learning.

She said: “This decision to extend the deadline is about relieving the pressure not only on students, but also teachers and advisers.

“We know from our data that most students have started their Ucas application.

She added: “We expect to see the number of applications submitted by 29 January exceed the numbers we have seen in previous years.

“This additional time also allows schools and colleges to support students who do not have readily available access to digital devices to make arrangements to put the finishing touches to their application.

“We strongly advise students not to leave their application to the last minute and if they are ready to submit now to go ahead and do this.

“Whilst students can in many cases apply to courses after the January deadline, applying before 29 January means your application is considered equally against all other students that submit to the deadline and gives students the best possible chance of maximising the numbers of offers they receive.”

The move was supported by Universities UK, with the body saying admissions teams are working to assess applications.