Understanding your unconditional offer

Your UCAS application is an essential part of getting into university. Once you've submitted your application, you'll wait to see if you receive an offer from a university. This will either be a conditional offer or an unconditional offer. What type of offer you receive will have an impact on the rest of year 13 and what it means for Results Day. Here, we'll share what an unconditional offer is and some answers to key questions about your offer.

What is an unconditional offer?

An unconditional offer is an offer a university makes a student that means you have a place at the university no matter what A-Level or BTEC results you receive on Results Day. However, this doesn't mean your studies don't matter - you'll still be expected to complete all of your exams and end year 13 with your results in hand!

The difference between conditional and unconditional offers

The main difference between the two is that conditional offers will require you to meet the grade requirements for the course you applied to and you won't know whether you've secured your place until Results Day. On the other hand, an unconditional offer is an offer without this condition and, no matter your results, you'll have secured your place on the course.

What are the chances of getting an unconditional offer?

Conditional offers are the most common type of offer but that doesn't mean you can't receive an unconditional offer from a uni! While the number of unconditional offers given to students has increased over the years, conditional offers remain the most likely offer you receive.

How to get an unconditional offer

While there isn't a failsafe method for receiving an unconditional offer, they are likely given under 1 of 4 scenarios:

• You're applying after already receiving your final grades and don't need to take any other exams.
• You're offered a place at university where, no matter your grades, you'll be accepted onto the course. This usually happens if your predicted grades are much higher than the course requirements.
• The university offers you a conditional offer, but if you make it your firm choice, they will convert it into an unconditional offer.
• You are offered an unconditional offer as part of a contextual offer which takes into account mitigating circumstances.

How to accept an unconditional offer

Once you've received your university offers, you'll decide which is your firm and insurance choice. However, with an unconditional offer, you will only have a firm choice and won't choose an insurance choice. This is because you're already guaranteed a spot on that course so there's no need for a second choice! You can accept a conditional offer as your first choice and an unconditional as your second but make sure your unconditional offer isn't under the condition that you make it your firm choice.

Can an unconditional offer be withdrawn?

Unconditional offers are binding, meaning there have been terms agreed upon that both sides are expected to meet. The only exception is if the course becomes no longer available, but this is a very rare occurance. If this happens, the university will let you know about the change.

What if I change my mind?

Unlike popular belief, while your conditional offer is binding, you can change your mind. If you do have a change of heart, you can go through the process of "self-release" which will allow you to apply for any courses through Clearing. It's not a decision to be made lightly - if you do this, you won't be able to change your mind later and you are limited to those courses in Clearing.

Can I defer an unconditional offer?

Whether you can defer your unconditional offer will depend on the university and whether you applied originally through UCAS for deferred entry. Some universities will allow you to defer but the offer will expire or the conditions can change - if you defer after receiving an unconditional offer, you'll want to understand what the entry requirements are for the following year. It may be your unconditional offer will expire if you don't attend the university the academic year you've applied to and so may need to re-apply for the year you want to go.