Students studying together in a group smiling and enjoying themselves

MakIng the choice to study with us

We've made you an offer and you're ready to accept: find out what you need to do and what happens next

Accepting an offer to study here is simple. 

How you accept depends on what kind of offer you receive. There are two types of offer: 

  • A conditional offer means you have a place once you meet conditions, usually certain exam results. If you're doing an undergraduate course, you need to meet the conditions of your offer between August and September in the year you start your course. 
  • An unconditional offer means you have a guaranteed place as long as you provide proof of your qualifications, and pass any other checks (such as a health check or criminal records check) if relevant. Most applicants who get unconditional offers already have their exam results.

How do I accept my offer?

UCAS applications

If you applied through UCAS, you need to let us know your decision in UCAS Hub.

Before you confirm your decision in UCAS Hub, you need to wait for all the universities you chose to get back to you. 

Direct applications

If you applied to us directly, you need to log in to your Applicant View and let us know your decision.

There is no deadline to accept your offer for the majority of our courses, but we recommend you accept as soon as possible so you know that your place is confirmed. 

When your unis will get back to you in UCAS, and when to make your decisions

All of the universities you chose need to get back to you before you can confirm your decision in UCAS Hub.

If you applied by the UCAS deadline (29 January 2025), all universities will get back to you with a decision by May.

Some will get back to you earlier. You’ll have several weeks to make a decision once all your chosen universities have replied. You don’t need to rush. 

If you receive your last decision on or before 14 May 2025, your reply date is 4 June 2025 (except if you're using Extra to find a place).

If you receive your last decision on or before 17 July 2025, your reply date is 23 July 2025 (including Extra choices).

What you'll see in the UCAS Hub

You’ll see decisions for each of your choices in UCAS Hub. There are five types of decision you will see:

  • Conditional offer - A conditional offer means you still need to meet the requirements – usually exam results.
  • Unconditional offer - An unconditional offer means you've got a place, although there might still be a few things to arrange
  • Invitation received – this means you’re invited to an interview, test or exam
  • Unsuccessful – An unsuccessful application means they've decided not to offer you a place on the course.
  • Withdrawn – A withdrawn application means a course choice has been withdrawn by either you or the university/college."

Making your choices

You only need to make a decision once all of your unis have responded to you.

You can then: 

  • Select 1 course as your firm (first) choice.
  • Select 1 course as your insurance (back up) choice.

Your remaining offers will then be automatically declined.

If you are made an Unconditional offer for your Firm choice, then you won't be able to select an Insurance choice. 

Changing your mind 

If you change your mind about your firm or insurance choice, you can make changes by contacting UCAS within 14 days of replying to your offers. 

If it’s been more than 14 days since you replied to your offers, you'll need to contact us. You can do this up until late July.

Deferring your place to 2026

If you hold an offer to start in Autumn 2025 and you're thinking of deferring, please contact us to discuss your options: 

If you're under 18 years old

Some students start with us before they turn 18. According to the law, you’re a minor until you're 18, so we have to make certain extra considerations when offering you a place.

If you’re under 18 when you apply or receive your offer, you’ll need to ask your parents or guardian to complete our parental/guardian consent form. We can't take parental responsibility for you when you're a student here, so it's important your parents consent to the activities you'll be involved in as part of your studies. For more information, see our . You can find the parent/guardian consent form on page 9 of that document.

Once your parents or guardian fill out the consent form, you’ll need to return it to our Admissions Office at admissions@port.ac.uk if you're a Home applicant, or globaladmissions@port.ac.uk if you're an EU or International applicant.

Appointing a UK guardian

If you’re under 18 when you accept your offer and your parents or guardian live outside of the UK, they’ll need to appoint someone to be your UK guardian. If you don’t have friends or family in the UK, there are organisations that can help you find the right person to support you. You can find out more about these organisations through the .

To appoint a UK guardian, your parents should complete the form on page 9 of our . Your UK guardian should complete the form on page 11. You’ll need to return both forms to our Admissions Office at admissions@port.ac.uk if you're a Home applicant, or globaladmissions@port.ac.uk if you're an EU or International applicant.