Ucas Adjustment has been cancelled – but here's what it was

Adjustment was a Ucas process that ran up until 2021 but has now been cancelled. As Adjustment no longer exists, the following article is just for reference. A Ucas spokesperson says, “Adjustment will no longer be available from 2022 entry, but students who wish to change universities at confirmation can use ‘Decline My Place’ to enter Clearing and, if they use Clearing Plus, they will be signposted to relevant universities with spaces whose entry requirements match the student’s results.”

If things go well for you on results day, then you might find yourself with higher grades than you expected.

If you’re in love with your firm choice uni then you’re all set, but if you’re wondering what else is out there then it might be worth using Ucas Adjustment. It’s a route that could lead you to a place on a course with higher entry requirements.

Are you eligible for Adjustment?

Ucas Adjustment kicks off on A-level results day and gives you the chance to switch onto an alternative university or course should you wish to.

You can apply to a course through Adjustment if both of the following are true:

1. You’ve been accepted onto your firm choice and it’s now an unconditional firm choice.

2. You’ve exceeded the conditions of your firm offer, including subject-specific grade requirements. So, for example, if your offer is for ABB but you end up getting AAB, you could use Adjustment to potentially find a place at another uni instead. 

How Adjustment works 

• You can register for Adjustment in Track. While you hunt for a new place, your original firm choice remains safe – and will do so unless you confirm you’d like to go somewhere else.
• Unlike Clearing, there’s no vacancy list for Adjustment, so you’ll need to check university websites and contact admissions offices at the university you’re interested in directly to discuss possible places. Have your personal ID number ready and tell them straight away that you're applying through Adjustment. 
• You can contact any university you like if you're using Adjustment, even if it's one that didn't accept your application the first time round (although there’s no guarantee they’ll have any spaces).
• If you're offered a place, have a think about it and then get back to them to confirm you'd like to take it.
• Once you’ve decided to accept an offer and confirmed it with the uni, they will then update your Ucas Track screen, which will show that you're now swapped onto the new course. If you want time to think about an Adjustment offer, it's important to make sure the uni offering you that place understands this, because once the uni has put the offer on your Track, your original firm will be automatically cancelled, and you won't be able to change your mind.

Switch courses: do or don't? 

How to decide

• Chat through your options with a careers adviser or teacher on hand at results day.
• Go and visit the universities you’re interested in if possible, or look for virtual open days if not. Be sure to ask lots of questions about the course too - it might vary from that at your original choice uni. 
• Ask the universities about logistics – what are your accommodation options? How do you sort out your student finance?
• ​Research the city.