International schools submit UCAS predicted grades as part of each student’s application, entered by the school’s UCAS adviser before it is sent. For 2027 entry, the deadlines are 15 October 2026 for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses, and 13 January 2027 for most other courses. UCAS expects every prediction to rest on demonstrable evidence of performance.
When are the UCAS deadlines for 2027 entry?
Both main deadlines fall at 18:00 UK time. Schools in Asia and the Gulf should set an internal cut-off several days earlier, because the reference and predictions must be complete before the adviser sends the application.
| Date (18:00 UK time) | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 15 October 2026 | Equal consideration date for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses | UCAS |
| 13 January 2027 | Equal consideration date for most undergraduate courses | UCAS |
| 30 June 2027 | Last date for applications to be sent to universities | UCAS |
| 2 July 2027 | Clearing opens for eligible applicants | UCAS |
| 23 September 2027 | Final date for 2027 entry applications | UCAS |
After 13 January, universities may still consider applications if they have places, but they are not obliged to.
What predicted grades does UCAS need from an international school?
UCAS needs a predicted grade for every pending qualification: Cambridge International AS & A Level, Pearson Edexcel International A Level (IAL), or anything else still to be sat. If an adviser tries to send an application with a pending qualification left blank, UCAS shows a warning (UCAS adviser portal). Achieved results, including IGCSE grades and any retakes, are listed by the student as completed qualifications and are not predicted.
UCAS predicted grades are not the same as the grades schools send to exam boards. The difference matters when one team handles both:
| UCAS predicted grade | Cambridge forecast grade | Pearson estimated grade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who receives it | Universities, via UCAS | Cambridge International | Not collected |
| Purpose | Admissions decisions | Grade threshold setting, special consideration and pre-results checks | Pearson says it “no longer require[s]” them |
| When | With the application (15 Oct or 13 Jan) | 30 April 2026 (June series), 31 October 2026 (November series) | — |
Sources: Cambridge Handbook 2026, Pearson exams officer FAQ.
What evidence should support a UCAS predicted grade?
A prediction should be traceable to marked work. UCAS’s guidance on predicted grades says predictions should be achievable, objective and data-driven, and set by professional judgement independently of a student’s university choices. It adds that “whilst aspirational predicted grades can be motivational for students, they should be based on demonstrable evidence of performance”.
For a Cambridge or Edexcel student, the strongest evidence is:
- a full mock paper sat under exam conditions and marked to the official mark scheme
- achieved AS Level or IAL unit results, where the student has them
- the trend across two or more assessments, not a single result
- a department moderation note where the grade differs from the mock
Our predicted grades policy and evidence framework sets out how to make this consistent across departments.
How does the UCAS reference work for international schools?
The UCAS reference has three sections: a general statement about the school, extenuating circumstances, and other supportive information about the applicant and course. The total limit is 4,000 characters, and UCAS advises keeping text under 3,800 (UCAS). International schools should use the school statement to explain their curriculum, grading and any disruption, such as the 2026 Gulf exam cancellations. Extenuating circumstances may be included only with the applicant’s consent.
What are the most common UCAS predicted grade mistakes?
- Over-predicting. UCAS reports that around half of UK 18-year-olds were predicted AAA or above, while 26% of accepted applicants achieved it. That figure is for UK students, but the pressure is the same in international schools.
- Predicting to fit the offer. UCAS says predictions should be independent of the courses a student applies to.
- Relying on one mock. A single result is not a trend.
- Missing the October deadline. Oxbridge and medicine applicants need predictions weeks earlier than everyone else.
- Leaving qualifications blank. Every pending qualification needs a prediction.
How schools do this with AI Buddy
AI Buddy’s predicted-grade reports show each student’s results across mock exams and practice papers, marked instantly against past-paper-style questions. Advisers can see the trend behind a prediction, not just the latest score. Heads of department use the same data to challenge predictions that sit well above the evidence before they reach UCAS. The prediction remains the teacher’s professional judgement; AI Buddy supplies the record behind it.
Frequently asked questions
When do international schools submit UCAS predicted grades?
With the application. For 2027 entry that is by 15 October 2026 for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine courses, and by 13 January 2027 for most others, both at 18:00 UK time.
What is the Oxbridge deadline for predicted grades?
15 October 2026 at 18:00 UK time. The reference and predictions must be complete before the adviser sends the application.
Do international school students need predicted grades for IGCSE?
No. Achieved IGCSE grades are entered as completed qualifications. Predictions are needed only for pending qualifications such as AS & A Level or IAL.
Can predicted grades be changed after the UCAS application is sent?
UCAS says universities may only consider the predicted grades received as part of the application, so schools should treat them as final once sent.
What should an international school put in a UCAS reference?
A statement about the school and its curriculum, any extenuating circumstances (with the applicant’s consent), and supportive information about the applicant, within 4,000 characters.
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Sources
- UCAS, Key dates timeline for advisers
- UCAS, 2027 entry deadline for all undergraduate courses
- UCAS, Predicted grades: what you need to know
- UCAS, Managing references and predicted grades in the adviser portal
- UCAS, Undergraduate references
- Cambridge International, Cambridge Handbook 2026, section 4.1
- Pearson, Exams officers: frequently asked questions