How can we help?

When you submit your application to UCAS we run your personal statement through sophisticated software which compares it to other sources, such as previously submitted personal statements, websites, and books.

If we detect any similarities between your statement and these sources, we alert you and the universities or colleges you have applied to. We produce a report showing the passages of text we have identified as being similar, and pass this on to the universities. It is then up to them how they respond, and they may contact you to discuss the report.

If you have previously applied and used the same personal statement, our software will highlight this – but it will recognise you are applying again and discount any similarities with your previous statement. We will not contact you or the universities or colleges about this. So, if your have been sent a similarity report it means your statement has matched other sources.

For general enquiries about similarity reports, please contact us or email [email protected].

You need to tell your universities and colleges, as well as UCAS.

Complete the qualifications amendment form with the relevant details.

Check our making changes page for more information.

If you withdraw a choice it will not be available to you later and the university or college won’t be able to access your application. So you need to be absolutely sure you no longer want to be considered for this place.

It's also important to know that if you withdraw a choice, you will not be able to replace it with another.

Withdrawn by mistake

If you accidently withdrew a choice and still want to be considered by the university, you must contact us immediately for advice.

There are no guarantees they will still be able to consider your application, as the course may be full or the place offered to another person.