Accepting an offer
Congratulations
Your UCAS Hub will show your decision and provide access to important information about your course, including any conditions you may need to meet. Understanding the details of your offer helps you make informed choices, plan for results day and prepare for student life. Guidance is available for both conditional and unconditional offers, so you can feel confident about what to do next and when.
Understanding your offer
You’ll receive several important documents that explain your course, your responsibilities, and what to expect as a Herts student. This table of contents introduces each item – from your formal offer letter and programme details to key policies, finance information, and essential guidance for international students – so you can feel informed about what each document means. You’ll find more information on our admissions policies and the fees and finance pages.
Documents you’ll receive | What the documents mean |
Your formal offer letter | This explains whether your offer is conditional or unconditional, outlines any conditions you must meet – such as exam grades and tells you how to accept your place. |
Programme specification | This is where you’ll find detailed information about how your course is delivered, including modules, learning outcomes, assessments, and any additional costs beyond tuition fees. |
Key facts document | The key facts document sets out the terms of your contractual relationship with the University – covering your rights, your responsibilities, and what you can expect once you accept your offer. |
Fees and finance policy | This outlines tuition fee amounts, when payments are due, and the financial terms that apply to your studies, including how fee changes are managed. |
Registration declaration | The registration declaration includes the terms and conditions you agree to when registering as a student. It covers expectations around conduct, academic responsibilities, and University policies. |
Student protection plan | This explains how the University protects your interests if significant changes affect your course – for example, course closure or major restructuring – and what support you would receive. |
UPRSA18 | The UPRSA18 provides essential guidance for international students sponsored under Home Office Student Visa rules, including circumstances in which sponsorship may be withdrawn. |
Immigration history questionnaire | The questionnaire collects information needed to determine whether the University can issue your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Your offer may be conditional on completing the online immigration history questionnaire. |
Codes of practice for international students | This explains the responsibilities of international students under UKVI regulations and outlines how the University manages visa sponsorship requirements. |
Types of offers
Conditional offers
You’re being offered a place, but you need to meet certain conditions first – usually specific grades in qualifications such as A levels or BTECs. Once you meet these requirements and they’re verified, your offer becomes unconditional. Keep an eye on your UCAS Hub for updates.
Unconditional offers
You’ve been fully accepted onto the course. Your place is confirmed, but you may still need to provide some non-academic documents, so make sure you read all messages in your UCAS Hub carefully to check if anything else is required from you.
Change of course
You may be offered a place on a similar or related course instead of your original choice. This usually happens when another course is a better fit or has available spaces. Review the new course details in your UCAS Hub before deciding whether to accept the change.
Withdrawal
If you decide you no longer want to be considered for a course, you can withdraw your application. This will be shown as ‘withdrawal’ in your UCAS Hub. Once withdrawn, the University will stop assessing your application, but you can still explore other UCAS options.
Unsuccessful
Your application hasn’t been successful, and the University is unable to offer you a place on this course. Although this is disappointing, you can still explore other options through UCAS, including different course choices or applying during Clearing.
What’s next?
Firm choice
Once you’ve received decisions on all your course options, you’ll need to choose a firm choice in the UCAS Hub. This is the university and the course you most want to attend. After selecting it, all other options – except your insurance choice – are removed from your application.
Insurance choice
Your insurance choice acts as a backup if you don’t meet the conditions of your firm choice. Ideally, pick a course with slightly lower entry requirements to increase your chances of securing a place. Once confirmed, any remaining options are removed from your UCAS Hub.
Results day
A level or mixed qualification students typically receive results in August. When results are published, check the UCAS Hub to see whether you’ve secured your firm or insurance choice and prepare for any next steps.
Clearing
If your results don’t meet the entry requirements for either your firm or insurance choice, you may still get a place through Clearing. Each August, universities reopen applications for courses with available spaces, allowing you to explore new options and potentially start in September.
Before you start at Herts
Before you join us, there are a few key steps to help you feel prepared and supported. Explore accommodation options, understand your fees and funding, and read our admissions policies so you’re fully informed.
