UCAS says that for 2027 entry applicants will be able to upload supporting documents directly into the system. The option applies to the 2027 cycle, and to 2026-entry applications made direct to Clearing after 30 June 2026.
What is changing
UCAS recommends checking, before you upload, that a document relates to the application, is official and is legible. Universities will be able to read the documents you attach when they consider the application, but which documents are needed still depends on the applicant’s circumstances and on the requirements of the courses chosen.
- Check the requirements of each university you have chosen.
- Prepare official, clearly legible versions of each document.
- Check that the spelling of your name and the other details match across all materials.
- Do not upload documents that are unrelated to the application or that were not requested.
Key dates for the 2027 cycle
On the UCAS calendar, applications for the 2027 cycle can be prepared from May 2026 and submitted from 1 September 2026. Equal consideration dates and the separate earlier deadlines vary by course, so the calendar has to be checked against your own list of courses.
The new feature does not replace checking the requirements: it changes how some material is submitted, but it does not mean every university asks for the same documents.
Frequently asked questions
Is uploading documents compulsory?
No. UCAS states that uploading supporting documents is optional, and that it does not replace completing the application itself: all the relevant information still has to be entered in the application fields.
Who can see the documents I upload?
Your documents are made available to the universities and colleges you have chosen, for admissions purposes. UCAS itself and the school, college or centre your application is linked to cannot view the contents; your centre sees only the file names.
Can a document be changed after the application is submitted?
No. Once the application has been submitted to UCAS you cannot add or amend attachments. You can amend them before submission, and again if your school, college or centre returns the application to you, so review the files before you submit.
How many files can be uploaded, and how large?
UCAS allows up to five documents at a time and a maximum of 30 per application, with each file limited to 5MB. Every file is scanned automatically for viruses, file type, size and password protection; a document that fails these checks will not upload.
Who does this apply to?
Everyone applying for 2027 entry, and those applying direct to Clearing for 2026 entry after 30 June 2026.