UCAS

💡We love hearing from schools and colleges about how they’re supporting students and using UCAS tools to inspire their next steps. Last week, the UCAS team visited Sunderland College to see first-hand how the UCAS Hub is being used in the classroom to help students explore their options, stay organised, and feel more confident about their future. 💭The Hub gives students everything they need to navigate their journey beyond school, including: - exploring pathways and careers - shortlisting courses - building their application - accessing personalised guidance Teachers, parents, carers, and advisers can also use the tools and resources within the Hub to support students at every stage. A huge thank you to the team at Sunderland College for welcoming us and sharing how they’re using the UCAS Hub to empower their students. 

❔ Have you explored UCAS’ Scholarships and Bursaries tool yet? In December, UCAS introduced a new online tool designed to help students quickly and easily see what financial support is available to them at universities and colleges across the UK. 🔎Bringing together over 900 scholarships, bursaries and grants in one place, the tool helps applicants, especially those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, understand the range of support they could access to help with study and living costs. If you’re a student, parent, adviser, or supporter, take a look through the images below to see how scholarships are already making a real difference to current students. ➡️Explore the scholarships and bursaries tool here: https://lnkd.in/gBZDE_Yh

We’re celebrating International Women’s Day! 💜 At UCAS, we’re celebrating International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month by recognising the incredible women who support others, create opportunities, and build a more inclusive workplace. This year’s theme, #GiveToGain, highlights the power of generosity - how sharing time, knowledge, and encouragement helps others thrive. To honour this, our staff were invited to nominate colleagues who champion fairness, lift others up, and collaborate generously. We also continued our Women in Tech recognition category, shining a spotlight on those driving progress and representation in technical roles.  We’re proud to share some of the standout nominations, including Kelly Morris, Tracey Young, Samira Pishneshin, Samantha Sykes and Kay Harper, whose contributions help make UCAS a more supportive, empowering place to work. 👏 #IWD2026 #GiveToGain #CelebratingWomen #WomenInTech 

Trustee - Technology & Digital. 💭UCAS is seeking to appoint a senior leader with significant experience in delivering or overseeing complex, large‑scale digital transformation, ideally involving core systems modernisation or the migration of legacy platforms within a live operational environment. Direct experience within higher education is not required, although prior non‑executive or trustee experience is highly valued. We have embarked on a multi‑year transformation of our core admissions platform and wider digital capabilities. To support this programme, the Board is looking to appoint a Trustee with deep expertise in digital and technology leadership. This is a governance role with meaningful influence. The transformation will progressively modernise UCAS’s core admissions platform, ensuring a careful balance between innovation and operational stability. In parallel, we are strengthening our data, cyber security and digital engagement capabilities to enhance system resilience, improve the student experience and further support widening participation. ➡️To discuss the role confidentially or to find out more and apply, please contact Helene Usherwood or Elyse Turner-Pearce, or visit: https://lnkd.in/dBq843_S

💥As we launch UCAS Discovery 2026 in Manchester during National Careers Week, thousands of students will begin exploring the paths that could shape their futures. This is the perfect moment for students to discover what’s possible - whether they’re considering university, college, an apprenticeship, or entering the world of work. 💭Bringing together universities, colleges, apprenticeship providers, and employers, UCAS Discovery events offer students a unique opportunity to compare their options and gain the insights they need to plan their next steps with confidence. A huge thank you to the fantastic organisations joining us to support students in making informed and meaningful decisions about their futures. ➡️And with the Discovery tour heading to more UK locations over the coming months, there’s plenty of opportunity for students to get involved: https://lnkd.in/eYnFA9rU

🎉 Today’s the day! We’ve kicked off the annual UCAS Teachers & Advisers Conference 2026 — live at The Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, running 24–25 February 2026! We’re welcoming educators from across the UK for two days of fresh insight, practical guidance, and sector expertise. 💡With a jam‑packed agenda featuring sessions on areas such as managing applications, strategic careers planning, and sector trends, it’s also a brilliant opportunity to connect, collaborate, and share best practice with colleagues who are all committed to helping students make informed, confident decisions about their futures. Here’s to a productive and informative couple of days ahead. 

🎉 National Apprenticeship Week 2026! 🎧 To mark #NationalApprenticeshipWeek, we’re spotlighting a special episode from the Getting Ahead with UCAS podcast series - focused on how students are building the skills they need for the future. For this episode, we visited McLaren Racing to hear directly from current apprentices and graduates about their journeys into work and how they’re developing real-world skills in a high-performance environment. The episode also features Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and UCAS CEO Dr Jo Saxton, who discuss: -Practical advice on exploring higher education pathways -How to balance key skills and personal interests when thinking about the future -What life is really like entering the world of work as an apprentice or a graduate 🎧 Whether you’re a student exploring your next steps, or supporting young people with their choices, you can listen here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/eFZYmKdX #NAW2026 #NationalApprenticeshipWeek 

📢 Today UCAS has released the January Equal Consideration date applicant data for 2026, showing that the number of UK 18‑year‑olds applying to higher education has increased, reflecting the growing size of the UK 18‑year‑old population. The data also highlights increases in applicants from the most deprived areas across all UK nations. UCAS press release and data dashboard provides key details into: 📊Disadvantaged students 📝Mature students 🌍 International students 🩺 Subject choices More insights and the full story available here: https://lnkd.in/ez6xks2k Take a deep dive into the dashboard here: https://lnkd.in/ez8Z2pTw

🌟 UCAS is proud to share that, from the 2027 application cycle, our fee waiver will be extended to support care leavers across the UK up to age 26.   We know that care leavers can face unique pressures when planning their next steps. Removing the application fee is one way we’re helping to ensure that cost isn’t a barrier to exploring higher education opportunities. This enhancement follows the success of our fee waiver for applicants eligible for free school meals, which supported more than 40,000 students who applied last academic year to start university or college in autumn 2025. ➡️You can read more about the announcement here: https://lnkd.in/efB8HVab

Be the voice of schools on the UCAS Board of Trustees 🎓 For over 30 years, UCAS has guided millions of students on their journey. Now, our Next Chapter strategy is driving greater access and value for schools, colleges, and universities across the UK. We’re looking for a bold, experienced education leader from the schools sector to join our Board of Trustees. This is your chance to: ✅ Influence UCAS’ strategy at the highest level ✅ Champion equality, diversity and inclusion ✅ Open doors to life-changing opportunities for learners Could this be your next chapter? 💭 You’re a senior leader in state-funded schools or MATs, with a proven record of driving change and supporting underrepresented students. You understand the challenges across schools and higher education - and you’re passionate about creating fairer access for all. Find out more about the role here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g2ew_TVR If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply by 15 January 2026 via Saxton Bampfylde (Ref: TAOOP). #EducationLeadership #TrusteeOpportunity #UCAS #EqualityInEducation