Editing UCAS (section)

{{short description|England-based private limited company for university application processing}}
{{About||the public research university in China|University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences|other uses}}
{{distinguish|UKAS}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox organization
| name                     = The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
| image                    = UCAS logo.svg
| caption                  = {{small|UCAS logo}}
| abbreviation             = UCAS
| formation                = {{start date and age|1993|07|27|df=y}}
| type                     = [[Private limited company]]
| purpose                  = Educational support services
| location                 = [[Cheltenham]], England, UK
| leader_title             = Chief Executive
| leader_name              = Clare Marchant
| main_organ               = UCAS Board
| affiliations             = 
| budget                   = {{nowrap|£33&nbsp;million {{smaller|(2011)}}}}
| website                  = {{URL|https://ucas.com}}
}}

'''The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service''' ('''UCAS''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|j|uː|k|æ|s}} {{respell|YOO|kass}}) is a [[Charitable organization|charity]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charity Commission |url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1024741 |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission |language=en}}</ref> and [[private limited company]] based in [[Cheltenham]], England, which provides educational support services.<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES ADMISSIONS SERVICE overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02839815 |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref> Formed on 27 July 1993 by the merger of the former university admissions system, [[Universities Central Council on Admissions]] and the former polytechnics admissions system, [[Polytechnics Central Admissions System]], the company's main role is to operate the application process for [[Universities in the United Kingdom|British universities and colleges]]. The company is funded by fees charged to applicants and universities as well as advertising income.

Services provided by UCAS include several online application portals, several search tools and free information and advice directed at various audiences, including students considering higher education, students with pending applications to higher education institutes, parents and legal guardians of applicants, school and [[further education]] college staff involved in helping students apply and providers of higher education (universities and HE colleges).

UCAS is most known for its undergraduate application service (the main UCAS scheme), however it also operates a number of other admissions services:
* UCAS Conservatoires - application and search service for performing arts at the UK [[conservatoire]].
* UCAS Teacher Training (UTT) – for postgraduate [[teacher training]] schemes.
* UCAS Postgraduate – application and search facility for some postgraduate courses.