UCAS data releases and reports: what can they tell you?

What are the UCAS statistical releases?

UCAS holds unique insights – through applicant data and surveys – to support understanding the choices that people make and learning destinations they go on to, across UK regions and sectors. Aware of its unique role in the UK higher education sector, UCAS shares undergraduate statistical releases that provide core numbers on applications at scheduled points in the current application cycle. These statistical releases are timed with key deadlines in an undergraduate admissions cycle in the UK including:

• October deadline: This is the deadline for all courses at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, and for most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry. Find the statistical release for the 2024 October deadline here.
• January equal consideration deadline (ECD): All applications received by this deadline are considered equally by UK universities and colleges. Find the statistical release for 2024 January deadline here.
• June deadline: This is the point at which the main UCAS application closes, and any applications submitted after are entered into clearing. Find the statistical release for the 2024 June deadline here.
• Daily clearing analysis: After the results day for A levels and equivalent courses, UCAS releases daily dashboards providing core numbers for that cycle. In 2024, these were released between 15 and 30 August and then on day 28 of the results day.
• End of cycle resources: This is the final data release of an admissions cycle, published in December. It covers the full and final data for that admissions year. The end of cycle dashboard for 2023 can be found here.

How can you use these statistical releases as a counsellor/adviser?

These dashboards pack a large amount of insight. Filters are available on the right-hand side to extract numbers for domiciles (where applicants and accepted applicants are living), including for international students.

These can be further filtered for those domiciled in the European Union and non-European Union countries. You can also see the application trends for each country by filtering to domicile, through the filters at the top. These dashboards allow comparison over the years.

Trends for international students can be split across subject group, gender, age and more. Although each of your students is a unique individual, useful insight can be gained from this resource if your student is interested in further understanding the characteristics of international students who choose to study in the UK, and can also support the initial research phase.

What insights can UCAS reports provide?

UCAS gains millions of data points through its engagement with applicants to UK higher education and uses these to create high-impact reports for the higher education sector. UCAS reports shine a light on a range of important issues and topics, and across different student groups, including international students.

These reports can provide insights to a variety of audiences, including those looking to understand the UK undergraduate sector and motivations and influences on students. Two of our key reports on international students include:

Where Next? What influences the choices international students make? This landmark report highlighted the attributes and mindset of undergraduate international students in the UK. It raised important considerations on the individuality of international students connecting to HE, and how motivations and influences can be traced across nationalities and subjects. A key recommendation in this report was around personalisation of information and advice and how UCAS can support and enhance the pre-application decision-making.

Global Insights: What are the experiences of Chinese students in the UK? Continuing with the theme of individuality, UCAS released this report in 2023 providing a full student life cycle sight of Chinese undergraduate students in the UK, including where they are coming from, which subjects and universities and colleges they apply to, what their experiences are in the UK, and their plans after graduation. Based on the findings, this report highlighted the importance of working with advisers and teachers to enhance the decision-making of Chinese students and their experiences in the UK. For example, the report reinstated UCAS’ commitment to expanding its diverse, engaged and supported international community of quality school counsellors and agents.

Monitor, report and showcase your students’ progression

In addition to the data releases, advisers can also get access to in-depth reporting to see where their students are progressing and how they compare with the sector.

Reports available:

Monthly Key Statistics Report: providing key statistical trends and analysis of your students, their choices and their offers.

Annual Progression Report: showing which universities and subjects your students from previous cycles have progressed to, and the offers they received.

Annual Competitor Report: where you can directly compare your centre against a group of five or more competitors, which you define.

Explore and view example reports

You can hear more about UCAS’ resources available to advisers and be one of the first to know when there is a data release through signing up to the adviser newsletter.