Here are the latest UCAS updates I can share right now:
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UCAS has announced a new fee-waiver expansion for care leavers, meaning eligible students can apply to university or college without payment, aiming to help several thousand students each year. This was highlighted in UCAS news published in January 2026.
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UCAS reported continued record-level applications from UK 18-year-olds, with data showing more students applying and more places available in certain sectors, alongside broader insights on where applications are growing or shrinking across subject areas and regions. These figures were noted in UCAS press updates early 2026.
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UCAS has been rolling out new tools and digital features to support applicants, such as a Scholarships tool to help students locate funding and changes to the application workflow designed to improve security and user experience.
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Additional UCAS coverage includes ongoing governance and data dashboards that track January deadline performance, regional patterns, and subject-area demand, along with commentary on how these patterns influence institutional planning.
If you want, I can narrow this to:
- Specific headline updates (e.g., fee waivers, application numbers)
- Regional breakdowns (England vs. Scotland vs. Wales vs. Northern Ireland)
- Subject-area trends (STEM, medicine, arts, etc.)
- Practical steps for applying this cycle (deadlines, the UCAS hub, funding options)
Would you like me to focus on one of these areas or pull in more details from the current UCAS pages?
Sources
Latest London news, business, sport, showbiz and entertainment from the London Evening Standard.
www.standard.co.ukUCAS expands fee waiver to care leavers after tens of thousands on free school meals benefit from first scheme Care leavers will no longer have to pay to apply to university or college in a move that UCAS hopes could benefit several thousand students each year. More school leavers living at home for university and college study The number of UK 18-year-olds living at home while studying at university or college has increased to record levels, new UCAS figures have revealed. UCAS launches...
www.ucas.comCare leavers will no longer have to pay to apply to university or college in a move that UCAS hopes could benefit several thousand students each year. The number of UK 18-year-olds living at home while studying at university or college has increased to record levels, new UCAS figures have revealed. Nearly half cite financial support as being key to decisions about going to university or college. Record numbers of UK 18-year-olds are celebrating today after getting a place at university or...
www.ucas.comUCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is an organisation that manages applications from over-16s in the UK to higher education courses.
www.mirror.co.ukA record number of 18-year-olds will be celebrating being accepted into university or college this morning, data just released by UCAS shows.
news.sky.comConsultation on proposals for two new initial conditions of registration (treating students fairly and effective governance) and changes to registration application requirements.
www.advance-he.ac.ukThe Education Hub is a site for parents, pupils, education professionals and the media that captures all you need to know about the education system. You’ll find accessible, straightforward information on popular topics, Q&As, interviews, case studies, and more.
educationhub.blog.gov.ukSocial mobility expert welcomes replacement of 'love letter' free text box Accepted student numbers on competitive courses have soared There is a “danger” the university admission disadvantage gap could widen this year, the chief executive of UCAS has... Tens of thousands of students faced more stress this morning as a glitch in UCAS’s system automatically rejected their... Ofqual has warned exam results could be delayed and students miss out on places if the government relies on......
schoolsweek.co.uk