The different decisions that your universities and colleges can send us

We will contact you when each university or college makes a decision about your application. If you entered and verified an email address when you applied, we will email you when any changes have been made to your application. If you didn't enter an email address, we will send you a letter. You can check the progress of your application on Track. If you receive emails from us, a copy of the letter will be available to view and print, if necessary.

Remember that:

  • offers are only official once you have received our letter or email, even if you receive an offer direct from a university or college
  • if you have a question about a decision, you should contact the university or college for advice
  • the universities and colleges are given a deadline by which to make a decision about your application. You can check the deadlines here.

The following decisions can be made.

Interview

Interview decisions are not sent to us - the university or college will contact you direct and it will not be displayed on Track. If you are invited to go for an interview on a day that is not convenient, let the university or college know straight away and ask for a different date.

Please try to give advance notice of the dates when you are not available because of exams or other commitments.

Conditional offer

A conditional offer means that they will offer you a place if you meet certain conditions, which are usually based on your exams.

You may be asked to achieve specific Tariff points (eg 200 points from three A levels) or grades in named subjects (for example, B in chemistry, C in physics). You may also need to obtain specific grades in the individual units that make up these named subjects.

You must meet the conditions of your offer by 31 August 2009, even if your offer is for deferred entry in 2010. If you are taking a winter exam, the offer may ask you to meet the conditions by an earlier date.

One or more of your offers may be a joint conditional offer, for example, a degree and HND. When your examination results are published, the university or college will decide which part of the offer is most suitable for you.

Each offer is specific to your qualifications and circumstances.

Unconditional offer

An unconditional offer means that you have met all the entry requirements and the university or college is happy to accept you. The university or college will contact you if they need proof of your qualifications. They may also specify other requirements, such as financial or medical conditions, that you must meet before you can join the course.

Withdrawn application

A choice may be withdrawn by you or the university or college. The reason will be displayed on Track. It may be withdrawn because you have not responded to any letters or emails sent by the university or college, or because you have not attended an interview.

Unsuccessful application

This means that the university or college has decided not to offer you a place on the course.

Please remember that universities and colleges can decline an applicant for many reasons, one of which could be that the course is full, so it may not be personal. The university or college may provide a reason for their decision on Track at the time of their initial decision, or at a later date. However, if you have already replied to offers or no reason is shown on Track, you will have to contact the university or college direct to discuss the reason why you were unsuccessful.