UCAS

For the public research university in China, see University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. For other uses, see UCAS (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with UKAS.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
AbbreviationUCAS
Formation27 July 1993; 31 years ago (1993-07-27)
TypePrivate limited company
PurposeEducational support services
Location
Chief Executive
Clare Marchant
Main organ
UCAS Board
Budget
£33 million (2011)
Websiteucas.com

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS /ˈjuːkæs/) is a charity[1] and private limited company based in Cheltenham, England, which provides educational support services.[2] Formed on July 27, 1993 by the merger of the former university admissions system, Universities Central Council on Admissions and the former polytechnics admissions system, Polytechnics Central Admissions System, the company's main role is to operate the application process for British universities and colleges. The company is funded by fees charged to applicants and universities as well as advertising income.

Services provided by UCAS include several online application portals, several search tools and free information and advice directed at various audiences, including students considering higher education, students with pending applications to higher education institutes, parents and legal guardians of applicants, school and further education college staff involved in helping students apply and providers of higher education (universities and HE colleges).

UCAS is most known for its undergraduate application service (the main UCAS scheme), however it also operates a number of other admissions services:

  • UCAS Conservatoires - application and search service for performing arts at the UK conservatoire.
  • UCAS Teacher Training (UTT) – for postgraduate teacher training schemes.
  • UCAS Postgraduate – application and search facility for some postgraduate courses.
  1. ^ "Charity Commission". www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  2. ^ "THE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES ADMISSIONS SERVICE overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2 January 2023.