UCAS Applications for 2026 Entry

[gethighlikeplanes]

Following on from the very supportive thread for 2025 entry, I thought I would start a new one for 2026 as once more into the fray I go . . .

This will be a totally different experience for me this time as DC is applying for Art courses which require a portfolio to be submitted. She meets the standard grade requirements for all courses but I expect so much will be dependent on the portfolio?

Until recently she has been adamant that she doesn’t want to move away which greatly limited her options as there is only one university within commutable distance however I’m led to believe this Uni is very difficult to get into. She has now said that she’s “open to the idea of moving away” (too soon for me to be thinking of that, I’m still not used to the older one being away from home!)

I would love to hear from anyone else who has a DC applying for 2026, which subject they are applying for and which universities they are applying to ☺️

@WhatWouldTheDoctorDo are you happy to share which course at Strathclyde? We are anxiously awaiting them as a top choice, but they said Jan/Feb in the holding email.

No problem @macaroonmayhem it was politics and IR. Or economics and IR? One or the other anyway! I hope you get a response soon. He did have the minimum requirements and his higher subjects very relevant to the course.

DC also heard back very quickly for IR, politics and history at Strathclyde. Agree it's a big relief to have an early unconditional. Still waiting to hear back from Edinburgh and Glasgow though.

Thank you @cazzyg and @WhatWouldTheDoctorDo - we’re waiting on a science course, with entry requirements met already from S5 results so we’re hopeful but you never can tell!!

I know someone who has heard back for a science course and has an unconditional with 5 As but was also applying for medicine so their application was in early to meet the cut off date.

DD still waiting for school to do her references! She is getting really antsy, as some people are getting offers and she wants some as well. She is checking with her guidance teacher regularly, but obviously the teacher has a lot of references to wade through. And it doesn't help that so many teachers are off sick at the moment that the guidance teacher is having to help cover a lot of classes so there isn't much time for her to do it!

DS just had an unconditional from Glasgow for a science subject.

Aw it’s great hearing that everyone’s DC are getting offers. DD submitted her portfolio to two of her choices on Friday and heard back from one today with an unconditional offer!

She also heard back from Dundee about a month ago (without a portfolio being submitted) but they have offered a different course at a different level from the one she applied for, she’s not particularly keen on Dundee anyway so it doesn’t really matter.

It has been a tough couple of months for her as I’ve been away a lot looking after a sick relative and I know she’s found it hard hearing about the offers her friends were getting so I’m delighted for her. Still holding out for Glasgow though so I don’t need to “lose” another wean to the East Coast 😭

Thank you, that’s lovely to hear your DC has had such a positive experience and done so well. If mine had chosen any that are further away than the ones she’s picked then I’d have to move with her 😂

Aww, that’s brilliant! And so fast.

Thank you @Hapagirl48 she hasn’t submitted her portfolio to Glasgow or Edinburgh yet - each uni has asked for something different and as these are her top two choices she wants to make sure it’s just right.

@gethighlikeplanes Well done to your dd. That’s interesting about Dundee. Dd is applying there too but hasn’t submitted her portfolio yet. Are you able to say what course she applied for and what she was offered?

DS sent his UCAS application yesterday -finally! Keeping fingers crossed for him now.

Can I join in? Dd's college has submitted her form yesterday but we are in England. Her first choice is Dundee. Then Abertay and some English ones.
Do scottish universities reply quickly? We were under the impression that we would not hear back until feb/March?

DC heard back very quickly from Dundee. I think it depends on the subject though. She applied on the Tuesday and had an offer Wednesday evening.

@cazzyg was that via ucas? I guess dd should be checking it often.
Its for forensic science.

DC’s form just in yesterday . Hoping they hear back soon . Although suspect it may be the busiest week this week, with a lot of schools finishing on Friday .

Feel a flashback to waiting for the exam results but ultimately not much we can do now .
Good luck to everyone’s DC .

@TeenWhisperer Thanks 😊 I will ask her for the exact details but off the top of my head she applied for Graphic Design and they offered her Art and Design with a Foundation year. She hasn’t submitted a portfolio to Dundee.

When her sister applied last year (Law) Dundee offered her entry straight into 2nd year 🤷‍♀️

@Boxingshibes I think a lot of “home” students get quick offers as many already have their grades in hand from S5 (Highers)? Whereas RUK students are waiting on A-Level results? That’s just a generalisation though and I’ve no experience really of the English school system.

DD is applying for art this year too. She’s still working on her portfolio but hopes to get it finished and submitted this week. Her first choice is Dundee, I think she applied for fine art with the foundation year. My other DD, her older sister is applying to Abertay to do computer science for 2026 too after dropping out of a degree in Edinburgh last year. She’s currently doing a HNC, so we’re expecting conditional offers for her.

@TeenWhisperer DD applied for Graphic Design and the Uni wanted her to change her application to Graphic Design with a foundation year in Art and Design. So my mistake and she hasn’t actually had an offer from them.

Good luck to both your DDs 🍀 you’ll have your hands full with two going at once!

So today is apparently the last day offers can come in before Christmas and I have a very happy teen sitting with her 4th unconditional, for Glasgow now and that's her first choice.

So pleased for her - she worked so hard last year and it's paying off.

That's interesting that today's the last day to get offers before Christmas ds has got unconditional offers from Edinburgh and Glasgow, still waiting to hear from Dundee, Aberdeen and St Andrews. St Andrews is his first choice .

Good to know that today’s the last day, I can tell DS to stop incessantly checking emails! Well done to your DD @cazzyg that’a nice to get just before Christmas. Out of interest, how long ago did she apply, still waiting on Glasgow here.