Applying to university FAQs

Applying to university comes with a lot of questions. Here, you’ll find answers to your most popular questions that you ask our Course Enquiry Team each month. And if you can’t find the answers you’re looking for, then don’t hesitate to contact us.  

How do I apply to university?

For undergraduate courses, you’ll be required to apply via UCAS. Simply register with UCAS Hub and start your application from there.

For your application you will need to write your personal statement and supply a reference. If you’re currently at school or college then your teacher will be able to help you with this.

For more in-depth information for how to apply for an undergraduate course, visit our website or contact our Course Enquiry Team.

What are the different types of offers that I’ll receive?

Here are the offers that you might receive in the coming months via UCAS:

• Conditional offer – this is the most common type of offer. It means you’ll be accepted onto the course on the condition that you meet certain entry requirements.
• Unconditional offer – this means you don’t have to meet any conditions. You’ve received an offer regardless of the exam results you get or if you’ve already received your qualifications.
• Conditional firm offer – if you accept a conditional offer as your first choice, this becomes a conditional firm offer. This means that, if you meet the conditions of the offer, you’re in!
• Unconditional firm offer – if you accept an unconditional offer, this becomes an unconditional firm offer. This means that you don’t have to meet any conditions and you’re in!

If you haven’t received any offers for your five choices, then you can apply to other places using UCAS Extra.

How do I reply to my offer?

Simply sign into your UCAS Hub to reply. You’ll see your deadline date there too. You have three forms of reply to choose from:

• Firm acceptance – this is your first choice. If you’ve met the conditions of your offer or received an unconditional offer, then you’ll be offered a place with us.
• Insurance acceptance – this is your second choice - your backup plan. If you’ve applied to multiple universities, then you can accept your first choice and a second (insurance) choice as a safety net.
• Decline – you can always decline an offer if you change your mind.

How do I change from insurance to firm choice on my UCAS application?

Within the first 14 days of your application, you’re able to swap your firm and insurance choices. But if it’s after this time, and depending on where you are in the application cycle, the best thing to do is to contact UCAS.

Remember that changing your choices will mean that you may also have to update your student finance and accommodation applications.

Once you’ve received your results you won’t be able to swap your choices. If you still want to go to your insurance choice after receiving your results, then you’ll be able to do so through Clearing.

When is the application deadline for 2025?

The 'equal consideration' application deadline for 2025 was back in January. But don’t worry – you can still apply but you may not be guaranteed a place on a course that is already full.

You can also apply through Clearing, which starts on 5 July.

When will applications open for 2026?

Applications for 2026 entry open on 13 May 2025. From this date, you’ll be able to register with UCAS and start your application in your UCAS Hub from 2 September.

When will I hear back about my application?

If you applied by the January deadline, you should expect to hear back from us by May at the latest.

If you want more of an overview about applying to university, then find out about the  undergraduate application process.

Do you have any interview advice?

Whilst some courses don’t require an interview, some do. Usually, the courses that ask to interview are more practice-based courses like nursing and teaching.

You can find out some tips for interview here:

• How to prepare for your interview
• Midwifery interview advice
• Interview advice for health courses
• Remote interviews for Medicine, Health, and Social Care
• Remote interviews for Arts, Humanities, and Education

Hopefully you’ll find everything you need to help you prepare for your interview at CCCU. Good luck!

Do you have any courses starting in January? 

Most of our courses have a September start. However, we offer some short courses that start in January, as well as some postgraduate courses.

The best thing to do is to check our course pages for the most up-to-date information. Use our course search to discover your options. 

What do I do if I get rejected?

In the event that your offer is declined, our Admissions team will always try to help you find a similar course where you’ll meet the entry requirements.

If we can’t find you a course, then you can always opt for a foundation year if there’s one available.

A foundation year is the first year of a four year degree. Taking this extra year will teach you the skills and knowledge to confidently enter year 1 of your subject without having to re-do your level 3 qualifications.

It’ll also give you a year to adjust to uni life and the CCCU campus. You’ll get the opportunity to build strong relationships with academics and will be readily prepared to enter level 4 (year 1) once you’ve finished.

So, don’t worry if you haven’t received the offer that you initially wanted. There are always other options available, and we’ll do what we can to help you get onto the course you want.

The January deadline has passed. Can I still apply?

Yes – you can still apply. However, if you apply for a course that’s already full then you may not be able to join that course. In this instance, you may be offered a place on a similar course, depending on your current and/or predicated qualifications.

You will also be able to apply through Clearing, which starts on 5 July.

How do you transfer to CCCU?

If you’d like to transfer to or from another university, you’ll have to apply through UCAS again.

It’ll be the same process as when you applied previously – you’ll still have to write a personal statement and have references etc. You’ll need to change the Point of Entry to year 2.

In order to be considered for transfer, you’ll need to have completed each full academic year with 120 credits. This means that:

• To transfer into year 2, you’ll need 120 credits from year 1
• To transfer into year 3, you’ll need 120 credits from year 1 and 120 credits from year 2, equalling to 240 credits. Some courses don’t accept a transfer in year 3, so it’s best to contact our Course Enquiry Team for confirmation.

If you don’t manage to get the full 120 credits for one year, then you’ll have to repeat that year with your current university or CCCU before progressing onto the next academic year.

What language tests do you accept?

We accept the following English Language tests for international students seeking to study with us:

• IELTS
• Pearson PTE Academic
• TOEFL IBT
• Oxford ELLT.

However, depending on which course you’re studying, you may be eligible for exemptions. Please check our specific English Language requirements page for more information.

Alongside your English language qualifications, you can also apply to complete our General English course, which is accredited by the British Council. This course focuses on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, as well as enabling you to learn about living in the UK.

If your conversation skills are good but you’re looking to improve your academic skills for university level, the Pre-sessional course in academic English skills will enable you to improve your academic language. This will prepare you for university-level study at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Is accommodation guaranteed?

Yes! Once you put CCCU as your firm choice on UCAS and apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year you’re starting university, you will be guaranteed student accommodation.

This is available to all foundation, first year, and international students.

Find out more about our accommodation guarantee.

How much is student accommodation?

Prices vary depending on which accommodation you choose. Starting from £124 a week, you can choose a range of accommodation to suit your needs and budget.

All prices include:

• Bills
• Wi-Fi
• Contents insurance
• 24/7 security.

Find out about accommodation prices.

What accommodation do you offer?

We offer a range of student accommodation, from single rooms with shared spaces to large studies. Depending on where you want to live and your budget, you’ll be able to choose student accommodation that will cater to your needs.

What’s more, as the majority of our accommodation have shared inside and outside spaces, this will make it easier to socialise and make friends.

View our accommodation.

When do accommodation applications open?

You can apply for accommodation right now for 2025 entry. If you’re applying for next year (2026), then the accommodation portal will be open around April 2025.

Simply log into the Accommodation Portal to apply for this year.

Facilities and support  

Is there support for mental health at the University?

Yes, there’s a huge range of support for all our students, both available on campus and online.

From study support to mental health and wellbeing, we offer a range of services to ensure that you are supported throughout your time at CCCU.

If you have a disability or mental health condition, there are an array of specialist support services available to ensure you succeed. There’s also an out-of-hours service, so whether you need to speak to someone day or night, there will always be someone available.

You can also find a wealth of advice from the Christ Church Students Union. Have a look at their website for important contacts and helpful resources to help with your wellbeing.

Will I fit in?

Yes, definitely. There are a lot of ways where you’ll be able to meet new people and make friends. And remember, you won’t be the only new person starting university.

Not only will you have the opportunity to make friends in your accommodation, but you’ll get the chance to meet new people during Welcome Week. The chances are you’ll also naturally make friends on your course as you’ll share similar interests.

The Christ Church Students Union is also buzzing with socials, societies, and events. Independent from the University itself, CCSU is run by students, for students. From sports and music societies to EdSoc and the Feminist Society, you’re bound to find like-minded people who have similar mindsets and interests.

What are the facilities like?

Our campuses have state-of-the-art facilities where you can learn and apply your knowledge to prepare yourself for the workplace.

Our Verena Holmes building contains some of the most impressive facilities on campus, and equipment for a variety of subject areas including health, engineering, and sport.

We also have another building for the creative arts: Daphne Oram. The perfect space for creativity, this building contains a graphic design space, dark rooms, music studios and much more.

What’s more, our award-winning Canterbury library, Augustine House, is located near the centre of the city and is a fantastic hub for both studying and unwinding. This space is modern and spacious and was built with sustainability in mind, reducing carbon emissions by 23%.

What are the sports facilities like?

Our Christ Church Sports Centre  includes a gym, spin studio, and sports halls, with our main campus housing the MUGA - the Multi Use Games Area.

The gym includes the latest gym equipment. It also has a space for functional fitness with a multi-use rig, which is perfect for cross-training and weightlifting.

What’s more, there’s an interactive spin studio, climbing wall, and double sports hall.

You can also have personal training sessions to help you reach your fitness goals. Whether you want to focus on strength, endurance, or you’re recovering from an injury, our personal trainers will create a personalised plan for you.

Our main Canterbury Campus has tennis and basketball courts, which is used for training sessions and for if you want to play with your friends in between lecturers.

If you’re studying a sport-related course, you’ll learn using state-of-the art equipment in modern and spacious facilities within our Verena Holmes building.

Our SportsLab, which is a professional service for athletes, includes a movement analysis lab and physiology lab, which are used to perform physical performance tests. Students studying a sport-related subject can use these facilities to aid their practical learning and get involved in academics’ active research.

What societies are there?

The Christ Church Students’ Union is thriving with societies, sports clubs, and much more. From the British Sign Language Society and Rad Soc to Show Choir and Dungeons and Dragons, there’s a society for everybody.

And if you can’t find one, then you and some friends can create your own.

Check out the CCSU’s website for more information about what’s going and how you can get involved as a CCCU student.

What support is there for disabilities?

If you have a mental health condition or disability, there’s an abundance of support available. We have dedicated teams to support you whilst you’re at CCCU. From giving advice on specialist funding to ensuring that adjustments are made to support your learning, our teams are here to help you thrive during your course.

Our Mental Wellbeing team can:

• provide advice on specialist funding
• ensure adjustments are in place to support your learning
• help you apply for diagnoses
• enable you to access specialist equipment, tuition and resources.

If you have any specific questions that you’d like to ask the Student Disability and Mental Wellbeing teams, don’t hesitate to email them at disability@canterbury.ac.uk or mentalwellbeing@canterbury.ac.uk.

What scholarships do you offer?

We offer a range of scholarships for undergraduate, postgraduate, and international students. Scholarships include:

• Sport Scholarship
• Bursaries for care leavers 
• Academic Excellence Scholarship

...and much more.

These awards change throughout the year so it’s best to keep an eye out on our website for the most up to date information.

How do you apply for student finance?

You can apply for student finance through the government website.

Firstly, you’ll have to create your account, take down your Customer Reference Number (CRN), and follow the steps to apply. You’ll also need your National Insurance number and bank details so you can be paid your maintenance loan.

Your tuition fees will be paid straight to your university, so you won’t have to worry about this.

If you’re still living at home with your parents, they will also need to register. Once you’ve applied for student finance, your parents/carers will receive an email within 24 hours, asking them to create their own account. Their account is separate to yours so be sure to keep their login details to hand.

When does student finance open?

Applications for 2025 and 2026 entries are already open.

Visiting us

When are your Open Days?

You can find our Open Day events on our Visit Us page. There are a range of events you can attend, including helpful webinars, offer holder events, and Open Days.

Do you offer bespoke tours? Do these include accommodation?

Yes, we do offer bespoke tours which include accommodation tours. You can book a tour, and one of our student ambassadors will show you around campus.

How can I visit campus?

There are multiple ways you can visit campus. You can come to an Open Day, book a bespoke tour, or take a self-guided tour.

If you’re unable to make it to campus, you can also take a virtual tour, where one of our students will virtually show you around an open day, giving you a taste of what it's like.

View our Visit Us page for the latest events and information on how to book a tour.

Location 

How close is Canterbury to London?

London is just under an hour away from Canterbury, making it an incredibly easy journey to the Capital. You can take a direct train from either Canterbury East or West, and you will arrive in the centre of London.

Are there any reading lists?

Yes, once you’ve accepted your offer from us, you’ll receive everything you need in the summer before your course begins. This will include a suggested reading list if you’re keen to get ahead before September.

When do I get my timetable?

You will receive your timetable once you have registered online with us. Everything you need to know will be in your course essentials, which you will receive in the summer before you start.

You can also use UniTimetables to view the teaching timetables for all modules and courses at Canterbury and Medway. You can find out more information via our website. Simply visit 'timetable and dates'.

When do I register?

You will receive an invitation to register during the summer before you start your course. However, if this isn’t the case, then you might need to complete some outstanding checks before you’re able to register.

You can only officially become a CCCU student once you’ve registered, so make sure that we have all the information we need.

To be eligible to register, you must have:

• met and accepted the academic, and other conditions, of your offer (you'll have an 'Unconditional Offer' against your application in MyRecord)
• started the Disclosure and Barring Service clearing process (if you will be working with young or vulnerable people as part of your course)
• completed the online occupational health questionnaire (if you will be studying a relevant Education or Health and Social Care subject).

All the information you need to successfully register is on our website. Simply visit ‘registering as a student’.

When does Clearing open?

Clearing 2025 opens on Friday 5 July. However, our phone lines are open from Monday 1 July.

So, if you have any questions or you’re confused about what Clearing is, don’t hesitate to call our Clearing team on 01227 92 6000.

How do you apply through Clearing?

Simply give us a call on 01227 92 6000. We'll then make you an offer on one of our courses. You'll then need to:

1. Log in to UCAS
2. Click 'Add a Clearing choice'
3. Fill in the course details.

You'll then receive your acceptance within one working day. 

For more information visit our Clearing page.

Do you have any Clearing Open Days?

Yes, there will be a Clearing Open Day nearer the time of when Clearing opens. Keep an eye out on our Visit Us page for the most up-to-date information.

What courses will be in Clearing this year?

We’re unable to confirm which courses will be open during Clearing until nearer the time. Keep an out on our course pages, where it’ll tell you if it’s open for Clearing.

Studying  

Can I study abroad as part of my degree?

Depending which course you take, you may be able to take an extra year to study in North America.

You can find a full list of courses that include a year abroad. Simply visit our web page for more information on studying abroad.

Can I work whilst I study?

Yes - working alongside your studies can have huge benefits: it can fund your social life, help towards the bills, and add to your savings.

To help you find part-time work, we have a service called UniTemps where you can find vacancies, internships, placements, and much more.

However, we do recommend that you only work up to 15 hours a week so you have time to study and enjoy your social life. It’s important to manage your time and work schedule effectively so your studies, and your mental health, aren’t negatively affected.

What is the library like?

Our main library, Augustine House, is situated close to the centre of the city, and is just a ten minute walk from main campus.

The library includes four floors that offers a range of study spaces, depending on how you like to study. Whether you need a room for a group project or a silent space, you’ll find a space in Augustine House.

You also have access to computer, printers, and scanners, and if you need some lunch and a coffee, you can take a break in our cafe. You’ll also find your support services here.

If you’re studying in Medway, then you’ll have access to Drill Hall Library, which is Europe’s longest library.

Drill Hall Library contains around 130,000 books and journals, 400 computers, and 100 laptops, with training rooms and discussion spaces open to you.