The five reasons why you can’t log into your application (and how to overcome them)

We receive lots of phone calls and queries on Facebook and Twitter from people who can’t log into their applications. There are a few different reasons why someone might not be able to log in, but here’s how to overcome the most common login issues, in case you find yourself faced with the following message:

1. You've selected the wrong type of application
When you go to the Apply page at www.ucas.com, there are four different types of application you can log into – UCAS undergraduate, UCAS Teacher Training, CUKAS Performing arts and UCAS postgraduate. Make sure you click on the correct option for the type of course you’re applying for. If for example, you’ve started an application for postgrad teacher training, you won’t be able to log in and complete it through the UCAS undergraduate page.

2. You’ve entered the wrong username and/or password 
If you’ve forgotten your username and/or password, click on the 'forgotten login' link to retrieve them. This will send two emails to the address you gave when you registered – one containing your username and the other your password. Remember, your login details are case sensitive so you must type them exactly as they appear in the emails.

If you haven’t verified your email address yet then your email address won’t be recognised – in this situation you’ll need to call us so an adviser can give you your login details after some security checks.

3. You’re locked out after too many invalid attempts
If this is the case you’ll need to call us so we can unlock your account after some security checks.

4. You’re trying to log into Track by mistake
To log in to complete your application, you have to go to the ‘Apply’ login page and not the ‘Track your application’ page. You’ll know if you’ve gone to Track by mistake because you’ll be asked to enter a Personal ID instead of a username.

5. You haven’t registered to apply for courses this year
If you’ve applied in a previous year and decided to reapply for courses for another year, you must register again. The username and password you had when you applied before won’t be valid this year.

For more help with logging into your application, check out our 'Problems logging in' playlist on YouTube 

Have you checked...?

So you’ve worked away at your UCAS application for weeks, adding fact after fact about yourself. You’ve trawled through GCSE certificates and alike to find the precise details needed for each section, not to mention the hours you’ve spent writing and re-writing your personal statement, only to scrap it all and start again from scratch with a completely different approach.

At last you feel ready to hit send, but don't be too hasty in completing this final step. It’s really important that you check and double check your application, to make sure it’s all tip-top and typo-free. Here’s our checklist of what to look out for:

Have you definitely completed everything? Lots of people think they’re done and dusted with their application, and then they find they can’t click ‘pay/send’. This is usually because one or more of the sections are still in progress. When your application’s ready to go, the checklist on the left-hand side will look like this.

If you’re applying through your school or college, the reference box won’t be displayed. Your tutor will complete it after you send it to them.

Have you included all your qualifications? Remember, you’ve got to add all those you’re taking in the coming year, which includes English proficiency tests, aptitude and admissions tests such as UKCAT and LNAT, as well as A levels (read our blog on how to add these correctly), BTECs and anything else you’re studying for. Make sure all the grades you’ve already got are included and that the dates and results are the same as on your certificates.

Proofread your personal statement! This is where mistakes are most likely to lurk. You might think you’ve read through it hundreds of times, but it always pays to check it again. Tim Wiltshire is Web Editor at UCAS, and with responsibility for everything that’s written on ucas.com, he knows a thing or two about proofreading. Here are his three top tips:

Tim Wiltshire, Web Editor

"Make sure you have time to 

proofread it a few times. It won’t be nearly as good if you’ve 

forgotten to correct any errors.

When you’re checking through, read it out loud or ask someone else to read it to you. It might seem a weird thing to do, but it makes it much easier to hear bad punctuation, overlong sentences or messy wording.

Then see if you can get your family, teachers or advisers to check it too – they might notice something you’ve missed."

Are your contact details correct? We rely on the information in the personal details section when we send your welcome letter, as well as emails about the status of your application. The universities and colleges will also use it to get in touch with you about interviews, offers and so on, so take a few moments to make sure they’re up-to-date and error-free. If you’re applying independently, remember to check your referee’s contact details too – a wrong phone number or email address here could hold your application up if admissions staff have to get in touch with you to get the correct info.

Have you selected the right course and institution codes in the choices section? It seems simple but make sure this section definitely reflects what you want to apply for. Easy-to-make mistakes include selecting the wrong institution where there are two in a particular town or city, and adding the wrong degree type where there’s a choice, i.e. BA and BSc etc.
Once you’ve been through each section carefully, ask someone you trust to read through it for you too. It’s amazing what a fresh pair of eyes will spot. And don't forget to send your application before the deadline for your course!