UCAS vs Common App 2025: Key Differences, Costs, and Which One to Choose

If you're planning to pursue higher education in the UK or the US, you're likely familiar with the UCAS and Common App systems. The differences between them often confuse students trying to choose the right path. However, through this article, we will explain in depth UCAS vs Common App. With the upcoming UCAS results, it is essential to understand the difference between UCAS and the Common App. Before we begin with the difference between UCAS and the Common App, let’s cover a little bit about both processes. The Common Application process is built to handle multiple college applications in one place, making it easier for students to apply efficiently.

UCAS vs Common App Purpose

UCAS

• UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is the UK’s centralised system for applying to undergraduate courses.

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• It’s designed specifically for UK universities, with a streamlined process focused on academic qualifications.

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• You submit one personal statement that’s shared with all the universities you apply to.

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Common App

• The Common Application is used by hundreds of colleges, primarily in the US, but also some in Europe, Canada, and Asia.

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• It collects a broader profile of students' academic records, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendation letters.

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• Unlike UCAS, it allows you to write different supplemental essays for each college, making it more customizable.

UCAS vs Common App Fees

UCAS Application Fees (2025 Entry)

• £27.50 flat fee to apply to up to 5 universities
  
  
• No extra charges for each choice (as long as you stay within the 5)
  
  
• Fee waivers may be available for students from low-income backgrounds in the UK
  → Check the UCAS application  or speak to your school advisor for eligibility

Common App Application Fees

• Free to use the platform itself — creating and submitting the Common App comes at no cost
  
  
• However, each college sets its application fee, which typically falls between: $50 - $90 per college
  
  
• Applying to 5–10 colleges? That adds up fast — expect to spend $250–$900 in total
  
  
• Fee waivers are widely available for US citizens and permanent residents can request one directly through the app. Many international students can also get waivers based on financial need; requirements vary by college

UCAS vs Common App: Quick Comparison Table

UCAS vs Common App for International Students

• The UCAS application process for international students is designed to be streamlined and academic-focused, especially for those targeting UK universities.
• Common App offers wider college options, ideal for international students applying across countries.
  
  
• UCAS personal statement is general. Common App allows multiple, tailored essays.

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UCAS vs Common App Application Deadlines

Whether you're applying through UCAS for UK universities or using the Common App for US institutions, knowing when to submit your application is a vital part of the process. UCAS vs Common App, the two main application platforms, have their specific timelines.  The deadline for the UCAS undergraduate application is January 31, 2024. Students are expected to submit their applications by 6 PM GMT. This date is called the “equal consideration.” However, some of the universities have flexible and varying deadlines; hence, students are advised to check the deadlines before submitting their applications. If we talk about the Common App, then, in this case, every university can flexibly choose its application deadlines. Well, students are advised to apply with all documents by 11:59 PM (local time of the university) on a particular day on the platform. It's worth mentioning that understanding these timelines is crucial to avoid missing out on opportunities. 

UCAS vs Common App Personal Statement

Another of our list of differences between UCAS vs Common App is the personal statement or essay, which is considered the most important aspect of UCAS vs Common App. A personal statement plays an important role in standing out a candidate's application, which is why it is essential to understand the requirements and the criteria before writing the personal statement or essay. The personal statement should strictly stick to 4000 characters. Moreover, it focuses on the reasons behind students choosing or applying for specific courses in the UK. Whereas for writing the personal statement for the Common App, students get the flexibility of writing approximately 6000 characters. This is yet another difference between UCAS and the Common App that one needs to understand better to up their game while applying for universities through any of these platforms. 

How to Apply for UCAS and Common App?

We have already covered the major key differences between UCAS vs Common App. Now let us delve into the UCAS application process 2025 and the Common App process to help you decide which suits your academic goals better. Applying to universities through UCAS and Common App involves specific steps tailored to each platform. The criteria for applying through these platforms are quite easy and flexible. However, there’s a step-by-step process that students can follow. Let’s dive deeper into both processes. 

Number of Universities You Can Apply To

UCAS: Maximum of 5 universities.

Common App: No fixed limit, though some colleges set their caps.

This means Common App allows broader applications, but it also means more essays and fees per college. Understanding the key stages of the UCAS application makes it easier to stay on track and avoid missing important deadlines.

UCAS Application Steps

Here are the detailed UCAS application steps every student should follow to apply for UK universities through UCAS.

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1. The first step is to start by registering yourself on the UCAS hub, where you are expected to fill out all the required questions and confirm the year, along with the level of study.
2. The next step is to fill out all the required details for your application, which includes questions like residency status, how one plans to fund their education, and more.
3. Once you finish this, add your educational history and qualifications. Here, you are expected to send proof of your qualifications, that is, certificates, to your chosen university. 
4. Now it's time to add your employment history and enter details of up to 5 part-time or full-time jobs. You can also include any work you participated in.
5. You can choose up to five courses to pursue, followed by the next step is to write your statement. 
6. Once you are done following the above steps, you can submit your UCAS application.
7. The last step is to add the reference you get from the school or college and pay the UCAS application process fee.

Common App Steps

Let’s break down the Common App steps you need to follow to complete your application successfully.

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1. Begin by assembling all the required documents in one place. This includes your text scores and important dates from the college entrance exam, like SAT/ACT. Apart from this, students are also required to submit details like parent/guardian details, academic honours, achievements, etc. 
2. Next, create your account and choose the student login type. Fill up all the details such as the name, date of birth, home address, phone number, etc. You are also expected to choose your communication preferences. 
3. Next, select colleges based on your preferences and choice. You can select up to a maximum of 20 colleges; this is something that stands out about the Common App. 
4. This is considered one of the most important steps, where you are supposed to get your recommendations in one place. 
5. Depending on the college requirements, write an essay that stands out among other candidates.
6. The final step is to submit your Common App application process and pay the application fees if it is required by the college. 
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Planning to switch colleges? The Common App transfer application lets students apply for undergraduate transfers to many US universities. It has a different set of requirements, essays, and deadlines, so be sure to check the specific criteria for each institution.

Final Thoughts – Which One Should You Choose?

• Choose UCAS if you’re focused solely on UK universities.
  
  
• Choose Common App if you want more flexibility or are applying to the US.
  
  
• Some students use both—just be sure to manage deadlines and essays properly.

Well, this was all about the UCAS vs Common App that you would need to understand which one you want to go ahead with while selecting a university of your choice. UCAS vs Common App has been a topic of debate for a long time. I hope this article cleared out all your doubts regarding the same. Learn more about UCAS and its guidelines for applying to UK universities. This will be helpful for you while applying to UK universities. You can read our blog for more information on how to apply to UK universities. If you're a student planning to study abroad, finding suitable accommodation might be a concern. Explore amber to discover your perfect student housing options worldwide.