UCAS Confirmation and Results Day: What Happens When Grades Are Released

What Confirmation is

Confirmation is the stage where UCAS checks the grades you actually achieved against the conditions of your firm and insurance offers. For most applicants this happens automatically when exam results are released to universities.

You log in to UCAS Hub on results day to see whether your place has been confirmed. Universities often receive your results before you do, so your status may update first thing in the morning. Check the exact results dates and Hub opening time on the official UCAS website.

Three outcomes you might see

When your status updates in UCAS Hub, you will typically see one of a few outcomes depending on how your results compare with your offer conditions.

• Firm confirmed — you met your firm conditions; your place is secured
• Placed at insurance — you missed your firm but met your insurance
• Unsuccessful at both — neither place confirmed; Clearing is available
• Pending — the university is still reviewing your results

If you narrowly miss your firm grades

Missing your firm conditions by a grade does not automatically mean losing the place. Universities review near-miss applicants and may still confirm you, particularly if you did well in subjects relevant to the course.

Don't assume the worst — check UCAS Hub first, since the decision may already have been made in your favour. If your firm cannot confirm you, your insurance choice is considered next.

If you believe a grade is wrong, ask your school about the official review-of-marking or appeals process with the relevant exam board (such as AQA, Pearson, OCR, the IB, SQA or CCEA) before making big decisions. Verify timelines on the exam board's official website.

If you are placed at insurance, or unsuccessful at both

If you miss your firm but meet your insurance conditions, your status will usually move to your insurance choice and that place is confirmed. If you are unsuccessful at both, you are not out of options — Clearing lets you find courses with availability.

In Clearing you can contact universities directly about vacancies and add a Clearing choice once you have a verbal offer. Confirm the Clearing process and dates on the official UCAS website.

If you do better than expected

If your results exceed your offer, your firm place is confirmed and you simply proceed. Some applicants who significantly outperform their predictions explore more competitive courses while keeping their confirmed place — check whether any such option is running in the current cycle on the official UCAS website.

There is no need to rush an exciting but uncertain change. Weigh course content and fit, not just the name, before giving up a confirmed place.

Your results-day checklist

Results day moves quickly, so prepare in advance. Have your login details, choices and key information ready so you can act calmly whatever the outcome.

• Log in to UCAS Hub early to check your status
• Have your UCAS ID, offer details and predicted/required grades to hand
• Keep a phone charged and admissions phone numbers ready
• Know the Clearing steps in case you need them
• If contesting a grade, speak to your school about the exam board's review process
• Don't make irreversible decisions before checking your Hub status