Sometimes, after submitting your UCAS application, you realize your original choices no longer fit. Maybe you’ve discovered a course that excites you more, or your predicted grades have changed. The good news? UCAS provides ways to switch choices without throwing away your entire application.
At RevisionDojo, we guide IB and A-Level students through these transitions. Here’s how to switch your UCAS choice strategically and safely.
Quick Start Checklist
- You can’t directly swap a UCAS choice after submitting
- Use UCAS Extra if you’ve used all five choices and have no offers
- Use UCAS Clearing if you didn’t meet your offers or apply late
- Contact universities directly for minor course changes
- Always check deadlines before making changes
Step 1: Before Submitting Your Application
You can edit or replace choices freely before the UCAS deadline. Once submitted, however, you’ll need to follow official UCAS processes to make changes.
Step 2: Using UCAS Extra
If you’ve used all five choices and received no offers (or declined them), you can use UCAS Extra from late February to early July.
Through Extra, you can:
- Apply to one course at a time
- Keep applying until you receive an offer
- Expand your options without waiting for Clearing
Step 3: Switching Through Clearing
If you don’t hold an offer after Results Day, or if you change your mind, you’ll enter UCAS Clearing. This allows you to:
- Search available courses across universities
- Contact institutions directly to see if they’ll accept you
- Replace old choices with new ones
Clearing is fast-paced but provides huge flexibility.
Step 4: Requesting Course Swaps at the Same University
Sometimes, you realize you’d prefer a slightly different course at the same university — for example, switching from History to History and Politics. In these cases:
- Contact the admissions office directly
- Explain your reasons for the switch
- If approved, the university updates UCAS for you
This option depends on availability and departmental policies.
Step 5: Things to Consider Before Switching
- Are you switching for genuine interest, or just out of stress?
- Does the new course match your predicted or achieved grades?
- Will switching affect your long-term career goals?
- Are you prepared for the different workload or subject requirements?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming you can freely swap after submission — you can’t
- Declining all offers without researching Extra or Clearing
- Switching courses at the last minute without understanding differences
- Ignoring how course changes may affect accommodation or finance
Tips for Switching Smartly
- Research alternative courses early, before Results Day
- Speak to advisers or teachers before making changes
- Use UCAS Hub to track deadlines and opportunities
- Keep calm — UCAS offers structured pathways to adjust your choices
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I change my UCAS choices after the January deadline?
Not directly. After the deadline, you can only make changes through UCAS Extra, Clearing, or by contacting universities for specific course swaps.
2. If I accept a firm choice, can I switch later?
No. Once you confirm your firm and insurance, they are locked. To change, you’d have to decline and enter Clearing, which is riskier.
3. What is the difference between UCAS Extra and Clearing?
UCAS Extra is for students without offers before Results Day. Clearing is for those without confirmed places after Results Day. Both let you apply to new courses but operate at different stages.
4. Can I apply to a completely new subject through Extra or Clearing?
Yes. You’re not restricted to your original subject. Many students switch to entirely new courses through these routes.
5. Will universities look down on me for switching?
Not at all. Universities understand that interests change. As long as you present a clear case for your decision, switching won’t harm your chances.
Conclusion
Switching UCAS choices is possible, but it requires strategy. Whether through Extra, Clearing, or contacting universities directly, you can adjust your path without losing opportunities.
At RevisionDojo, we help students stay flexible and confident, ensuring every UCAS decision supports their future.
Call to Action
Thinking about changing your UCAS choice? Explore RevisionDojo’s resources to make smarter, stress-free adjustments to your application.
