How Much Does UCAS Application Cost? UCAS Application Fee, Who Has To Pay, And More

Before your UCAS application opens the door to university choices, personal statements and future plans, it helps to know how much the process costs so you can start with clarity and confidence.

For 2027 entry, the UCAS application fee is £34.50, covering up to five university or college choices, with Clearing included at no extra cost if you’ve already paid.

In this guide, we’ll discuss fee waivers, hidden costs, student finance and payment deadlines, so you can plan confidently.

Let’s break down what you’ll pay, what you might not have to pay, and what else to budget for before you apply.

The Standard UCAS Application Fee for 2027

For the 2027 cycle, the UCAS application fee is £34.50, which covers up to five university or college choices through one application.

Here’s what the fee includes and what may cost extra.

How Much Is the UCAS Application Fee, and What’s Changed?

For the 2027 cycle, the UCAS application fee is £34.50, whether you apply to one choice or five available choices.

For comparison, the UCAS application fee for the 2026 cycle was £28.95, so the 2027 fee is £5.55 higher than last year’s fee; unlike older UCAS cycles, there is no lower single-choice fee, so you pay the same standard application fee even if you only apply to one course.

What Is Included in the Fee?

The UCAS application fee covers your main application, including your personal details, education history, course choices, personal statement, reference and submission through the UCAS Hub.

For 2027 entry, your £34.50 fee covers UCAS Extra and Clearing, so you will not pay a separate Clearing cost.

How to Get Your UCAS Application for Free

Some students do not have to pay the UCAS application fee if they meet certain eligibility criteria or receive support through their school, college or UCAS.

Here are the different ways to check whether you can apply for free before paying the standard fee.

1. Eligibility for Free School Meals (FSM) Students

You may send your UCAS application for free if you received UK government-funded free school meals during your secondary education.

When you apply through UCAS, check the free school meals question carefully, and if you are applying through a school or college, ask your adviser before paying so they can confirm whether the fee waiver applies to you.

2. Support for Care-Experienced Applicants

For the 2027 cycle, eligible care leavers can have the £34.50 UCAS application fee waived if they meet UCAS criteria.

UCAS defines an eligible care leaver as someone who has been in local authority care for 13 weeks or more spanning their 16th birthday, and the waiver applies up to your 25th birthday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or your 26th birthday in Scotland.

To use the waiver, answer “yes” to the care experience question in the Diversity and inclusion section of your UCAS application, upload supporting information, complete your application sections, and contact UCAS before submitting so they can apply the fee waiver.

3. Using School or College Voucher Codes

If you apply through a school or college, your adviser may give you a buzzword, which links your UCAS application to your centre so they can check and submit it.

Some schools or colleges may also cover the UCAS application fee or provide a payment code, but this is not automatic, so ask before entering your own card details.

Film Studies

In-person

Explore cinematic arts in London, a city that...

Career Insights

Provides a comprehensive introduction to various professions. Suitable for students starting to consider their future careers and wishing to explore different professions.

Ages: 15-18

Creative Writing

In-person

Hone your writing craft in Cambridge, following in...

Academic Insights

Provides a thorough introduction to diverse academic fields. Ideal for students beginning to contemplate their future academic paths and eager to explore various disciplines.

Ages: 16-18

Prev next

Beyond the Application: Hidden Costs to Consider

Aside from the UCAS application fee, there may be additional costs linked to your subject, university choices or personal circumstances.

Here are some hidden costs to check before applying, so you can avoid surprises later in the process.

University Admission Tests

Some courses require an admissions test that you book and pay for separately from your UCAS application, so check each university’s course page before you submit your choices.

Here are some common admissions tests to budget for:

• UCAT: For many medicine and dentistry applicants; the 2026 test fee is £70 in the UK or £115 outside the UK, with a bursary available for eligible UK candidates.
• LNAT: For some law applicants; the test costs £75 at UK/EU test centres or £120 at test centres outside the EU, with a bursary available for eligible UK/EU candidates.
• TMUA: For some mathematics, economics, computer science and related courses; the test costs £78 in the UK and Republic of Ireland or £133 elsewhere.
• ESAT: For some engineering, science, natural sciences and veterinary medicine courses; the test costs £78 in the UK and Republic of Ireland or £133 elsewhere.
• TARA: For some courses that assess academic reasoning, including selected Oxford courses from the 2027 entry cycle; as a UAT-UK test, it costs £78 in the UK and Republic of Ireland or £133 elsewhere.
• STEP: For some highly competitive mathematics courses; the 2026 fee is £102.50 per paper in the UK or £142.25 per paper outside the UK, and some centres may add an administration fee.

Interview and Open Day Expenses

Interviews and open days can add costs for travel, meals or overnight stays, especially when your choices are far from home.

Before booking, check whether the university offers online interviews, virtual open days, travel bursaries or widening participation support, as some institutions help eligible applicants with transport or accommodation costs.

A practical way to budget is to list each university you may need to visit, estimate your train or coach fare, add food for the day, and check whether you would need to stay overnight before an early interview or applicant day.

Audition and Portfolio Fees

Some creative, performance and conservatoire courses may involve extra costs for auditions, portfolio preparation or specialist materials, and these are separate from the UCAS application fee.

Music, drama, dance, art, architecture, design and fashion applicants may need to pay for audition travel, materials, recording or software.

As examples, Royal Northern College of Music lists an £80 audition fee for Single Principal Study and £120 for Joint Principal Study, while Royal Birmingham Conservatoire lists a £46 non-refundable audition fee for BA Acting.

Before applying, check each course page for audition or portfolio requirements, including deadlines, format, costs and whether online submission is available so you can budget accurately before sending your UCAS choices off.

Join the Immerse Education 2025 
Essay Competition

Follow the instructions to write and submit your best essay for a chance to be awarded a 100% scholarship.

Join competition

Financial Planning: Student Finance and Tuition

While the UCAS fee may seem affordable, wider university application costs can quickly add up without proper planning.

Here’s where smart planning starts to make a real difference.

When to Apply for Student Finance

For English home students, full-time undergraduate tuition fees can reach £10,050 per year in 2027 to 2028, so university can become expensive quickly without a clear funding plan.

Student finance can help reduce the upfront cost of studying by covering tuition fees and living costs, with eligible English students able to get a tuition fee loan of up to £9,790 per year and a maintenance loan of up to £14,135 in 2026 to 2027.

You can apply for student finance before confirming your university place, then update your course choice later if plans change. Applying early gives you time to arrange support, submit evidence if needed and avoid funding delays before your first term.

Understanding 2027 Tuition Fees

For English home students starting in the 2027 to 2028 academic year, standard full-time undergraduate tuition fees can be up to £10,050 per year at approved providers with a Teaching Excellence Framework award and an access and participation plan.

International fees are higher, with UCAS listing average undergraduate tuition around £22,000 yearly, ranging from £11,400 to £38,000.

This is why the UCAS application fee is only the first cost to plan for, as your actual university budget may also include accommodation, food, transport, books, visas, health surcharge costs and course materials.

Payment Methods and Deadlines

Now you know the UCAS fee, waivers and wider costs, it is time to understand payment and submission deadlines.

Here’s how you can manage payment through UCAS and avoid missing the key deadlines.

How to Pay via the UCAS Hub

There are two ways to pay the UCAS fee: independently through UCAS Hub or through your school or college.

Here are the steps to follow for each route before your application is sent to UCAS.

1. Independent Applicants

If applying independently, you pay and submit your UCAS application through UCAS Hub once all sections and references are complete.

• Create or log in to your UCAS Hub account.
• Start your application and select that you are applying independently.
• Complete every required section until each one is marked as complete.
• Enter your referee’s contact details and wait for them to submit your reference.
• Review your application carefully once the reference is complete.
• Pay the UCAS application fee by card when prompted.
• Submit your application directly to UCAS.

2. School or College Applicants

If applying through school or college, your adviser checks your UCAS application, adds your reference and submits it for you.

• Create or log in to your UCAS Hub account.
• Start your application and choose to apply through a school, college or centre.
• Enter your school or college buzzword when prompted, so your application links to the correct centre.
• Complete every required section until each one is marked as complete.
• Send your application to your adviser for review.
• Make any edits your adviser requests before final submission.
• Follow your school or college’s payment process, as they may ask you to pay them directly or pay through UCAS.
• Your adviser adds the reference and sends the completed application to UCAS.

Key Deadlines for Fee Payment

Your UCAS application fee needs to be paid before your application can be sent, so treat the payment date as part of the deadline, not something to sort out afterwards.

For 2027 entry, most undergraduate applications should arrive at UCAS by 18:00 UK time on 13th January 2027 for equal consideration, which means your application, reference and payment all need to be completed before it is submitted.

If you are applying to Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine/science, the earlier deadline is 18:00 UK time on 15 October 2026, so you should check your fee, reference and payment process well before then.

If you apply through a school or college, remember that your internal deadline may be earlier than the UCAS deadline because your adviser needs time to check your application, add your reference and submit it.

Key Points Summary Table

FAQs

Is the UCAS Fee Refundable?

No. The UCAS application fee is usually non-refundable once your application has been submitted.

Do International Students Pay More for UCAS?

No. International students pay the same £34.50 UCAS application fee as UK students for the 2027 cycle.

What Happens If I Apply After the Deadline?

You can still apply, but universities do not have to give your application equal consideration after the UCAS deadline.

Making the Most of Your Investment

Planning for university becomes easier when you understand what your UCAS application includes, how the fee is paid, and how much extra you may need to budget for before submitting.

For 2027 entry, the main fee is £34.50, but you should also check whether you qualify for a fee waiver and whether your course has extra costs.

Admission tests, interviews, auditions, travel and portfolios can affect your budget, while student finance supports tuition and living costs.

If you’re ready to prepare with purpose, explore our pre-university summer schools across nine global locations and build the academic edge to stand out.