What is a conditional offer?

Once you submit your uni application, it's a suspenseful wait until your university offers start to roll in. When you receive your offers, they will come in one of two forms - an unconditional offer or a conditional offer.

What is a conditional offer?

In a nutshell, a conditional offer is when a university has offered you a place on the course you applied for but on the condition that you meet the grade requirements for the course on Results Day. If you receive the results needed, your place at the university will then be confirmed and off you go!

How your conditional offer will look depends on how the university decides to offer. Here are some examples of how it might look:

• A-Level grades BBB with at least a B in Chemistry or Biology
• 112 UCAS Tariff points
• AAA from three A-Levels, not including General Studies or Critical Thinking
• BBBB in Scottish Highers

Does a conditional offer mean that I’ve been accepted?

A conditional offer means that the university has accepted you as long as you meet the terms of the offer they have set. When you receive your conditional offer, you won’t be accepted just yet - but you’re one step closer!

How to accept a conditional offer

Once you have all your offers, you will need to make a firm and insurance choice within UCAS hub. If on Results Day you meet the requirements for your firm choice, you will automatically have a place! If you miss out on the grades, then your insurance choice is still there - if you meet the requirements for your insurance, you will receive a place on this course instead.

What happens if I don't meet the terms of the conditional offer?

Missing out on the expected grades will mean UCAS will automatically reject your place at this university. However, universities have been known to make exceptions - they may lower the grade requirements so can still go to your firm-choice course. There is also nothing to stop you from ringing up the university directly to see if there are any options available to get you a place at your chosen university.

Alternatively, you always have your insurance choice. It's not a bad thing if you don't meet your firm choice grades. Everything happens for a reason!

Is a conditional offer final?

On rare occasions, universities have been known to change the conditions of their offer but this is highly unlikely. If the university outlines grades you have to achieve, these are what you should aim for during your exams and final assessments.

How long does a conditional offer last?

If you're thinking of deferring a year, this might be something you'll want to ask! And the answer will largely depend on the university but, likely, your offer will only stand for that year of entry. So if you decide to take a gap year or retake your A-Levels, this offer won't count. This might be different if you already applied for deferred entry UCAS hub.

Sometimes, policies may change if you're looking to delay your entry due to mitigating circumstances. If this happens, you'll be asked to supply relevant information to the university and they'll be able to share more about your options.