Every year, the January Equal Consideration Date provides the first clear indication of how the rest of the admissions cycle may unfold.
It is the main point of application for undergraduate study in the UK, typically accounting for around 80 per cent of all applicants – and 95 per cent of UK 18-year-olds who apply.
UCAS’ January data for 2026, published today, shows that 338,940 UK 18-year-olds have applied – a record high and 4.8 per cent more than the 323,360 that applied in 2025. But focusing on a headline number alone can obscure nuances in applicant behaviour and what these may mean for choice and participation.
Population data
Although the number of UK 18-year-olds applying this year is at a record level, this comes against the backdrop of a growing youth population. The number of applicants is driven by two key factors: the size of the 18‑year‑old population and the proportion who apply. This year’s UK 18-year-old population is the largest in at least 35 years, up 4.5 per cent on last year, yet the application rate has held steady at 40.7 per cent compared with 40.6 per cent in 2025. Before the pandemic, the rate rose each year but after a period of unusually high levels, peaking at 42.8 per cent in 2022, it appears to be returning to more typical patterns of demand. As a result, the rise in applicant numbers is almost entirely due to population growth.
For those new to UCAS’ data, the January release provides early indicators across applicant numbers, demographics (age, domicile, background) and subject choices, with comparisons over time. What it does not capture is late-cycle behaviour such as offers and acceptances, which will follow after the 30 June deadline and Level 3 results day. These dates are when we also get a more complete picture for mature applicants (aged 21+), who typically apply later in the cycle.
New and improved
This year’s release also introduces several new features designed to shed more light on applicant behaviour.
UCAS has refreshed its provider categories. Sector feedback highlighted the limitations of the previous broad ‘higher/medium/lower tariff’ groupings. The new categories offer greater precision, reflecting the evolving HE landscape and better distinguishing smaller and specialist providers. These classifications are for sector analysis only and are not used in information for applicants. This enables UCAS to highlight differences across tariff groupings at an aggregate level, recognising that patterns can vary across groups.
Early trends suggest a continued shift in UK 18-year-old applicants towards higher tariff institutions (up +6.9 per cent to 247,130), with broadly stable demand for medium tariff (+2.8 per cent growth to 212,680) and a modest increase for lower tariff (+1.8 per cent to 180,210). The categories now also report on smaller institutions, where UK 18-year-old applicants are up +4.2 per cent to 9,360, and specialist institutions, which have seen a slight decline of -2.3 per cent to 40,670.
Provider regions are now available within the January dashboard. One of the other factors that can impact application patterns is the demand for HE in a region, particularly as UCAS has recently reported an increase in the number of UK 18-year-olds intending to live at home while they study. Understanding provider region patterns enables a more granular view beneath sector level trends. The data shows that universities and colleges in London have received the most applications from UK 18-year-olds, with 239,780 applications (+5.8 per cent).
This is unsurprising as the capital is home to a higher concentration of HE institutions than other regions. At the same time, London has a growing youth population, with students preferring to study locally. Having this data will support the sector in tracking not only where applicants are coming from but which areas of the country they are choosing to study at. Identifying regional disparities helps to highlight progression cold spots and areas requiring targeted support.
UCAS has added data on intention to live at home, care experience, and disability and mental health to align the January release with the End of Cycle publication. While useful at a sector level, this information should also help universities and colleges to offer tailored support earlier in the cycle as applicants progress towards the offer making stage.
UCAS remains committed to transparency in how data is shared. Having returned to the organisation last year and now having seen a full cycle again, I want to ensure that our data releases remain as informative, trusted and high quality as possible as we move forward.