Can you apply for 5 uni's through UCAS 2026, then decide to take a gap year, and then apply to 5 DIFFERENT uni's through a second UCAS form in 2027?

[LeatherTuscadero]

Can you apply for 5 uni's through UCAS 2026, then decide to take a gap year, and then apply to 5 DIFFERENT uni's through a second UCAS form in 2027?

I feel like this is normal and perfectly fine, but I cannot find it confirmed anywhere on the UCAS website.

Yes, but any university offer potentially accepted in 2026 would be lost by reapplying in 2027.

You can, but what you can't do is hold on to a deferred offer from attempt 1 while also applying to more universities. If you are holding an offer you are expected to treat that as a commitment. You can relinquish any offers and start again which is a reasonable thing to do eg if you get better grades than predicted and the course you want to upgrade to wasn't available in Clearing.

Thanks for the reply.
Yes, any uni offer in 2026 would be declined once the gap year decision is made.
I can't work out how to confirm this for definite.

'relinquished' is a better word

Yes. And often you are at an advantage when re-applying the following year as the university makes an offer knowing actual grades. My experience is that sometimes a definite place is offered despite lower grades.

You don’t need to confirm anything. I’ve given you the definite answer (source: a young adult DD and many of her friends who have done similar re: gap years!)

You’re massively overthinking this - a 2026 application will have no negative effect on a 2027 one.

I know. Thank you for being so clear.

Similarly can you accept an offer start uni and reapply the next year ? Then if you get accepted change your course or uni?

Yes, you can reapply having started elsewhere. Only has financial implications

@LeatherTuscadero you’re not the poster who was keen to turn down a Cambridge Foundation Year - are you?

I did have an instant ‘oh lawks, not this again’ moment when I read the OP.

Me three…

Doesn’t ring a bell, no

My dd applied and accepted places for English Lit. She had a massive change of heart during her gap year and reapplied for Biology at 5 completely different unis.

We had to pay UCAS again that’s all. And as she was applying with grades in hand, she heard back very quickly and had a clear plan for the rest of her gap year.

She's now in her 2nd yr of a Biology degree. Good luck.

Thank you!!

I admit I have been wondering if that poster is currently enjoying Cambridge - or still laboriously drafting posts on other forums debating their academic prospects.

Okay, @LeatherTuscadero, good luck with your studies.