- What they are
- School's forecast of final grades
- Used for
- Conditional offers
- Already finished?
- Apply with achieved grades
- If results differ
- Confirmation, Clearing or Adjustment
Key takeaways
- Predicted grades are your school's forecast of your final results.
- Universities use them to make conditional offers before you have final grades.
- Applicants with completed qualifications apply with achieved grades instead.
- If results differ from predictions, options include confirmation, Clearing or Adjustment.
How predicted grades work
When you apply through UCAS before completing your qualifications, your school or college provides predicted grades — their evidence-based professional estimate of the grades you are likely to achieve. These appear in your reference and let universities make you a conditional offer (an offer dependent on you achieving stated grades). If you have already finished your qualifications when you apply, you use your achieved grades instead, and may receive unconditional offers. Predictions should be realistic, as wildly optimistic predictions rarely help.
When results don't match
On results day, the university confirms your place if you meet your offer. If you exceed your predictions, you keep your place and may also explore Adjustment for a more competitive course; if you fall short, the university may still accept you, you may move to your insurance choice, or you can find a place through Clearing. International students should plan for each scenario in advance. Study UK Now guides you through results day and any Clearing or Adjustment decisions so you land in the best place available.
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Frequently asked questions
What are predicted grades for UK university applications?
Predicted grades are your school or teacher's evidence-based forecast of the final grades you are expected to achieve, submitted with your UCAS application before you sit your exams. Universities use them to make conditional offers. If you have already completed your qualifications, you apply with your achieved grades instead.
What happens if I don't get my predicted grades?
If your results fall below your conditional offer, the university may still accept you, you may be accepted by your insurance choice, or you can find an alternative place through UCAS Clearing. If you exceed your predictions, you keep your place and could explore Adjustment. Study UK Now helps you navigate results day whatever the outcome.
Sources — verified June 2026
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