What’s Changing in Global Undergraduate Applications: Trends from the 2025-26 Cycle Onwards

Every year, subtle shifts occur within global education application processes for various reasons. Some of these changes are designed to broaden student access or respond to the growing use of AI in applications, while others aim to give applicants a fairer chance to present themselves in the best possible way. As the landscape evolves, a few recent updates stand out for their impact and relevance. While not exhaustive, this blog highlights some of the most noteworthy changes shaping the 2025 admissions cycle.

1) Changes to the UCAS Personal Statement format:

Students applying for undergraduate degrees in the UK have long been required to submit a 4,000-character statement as part of their UCAS application. However, the UCAS Personal Statement format is changing for 2026 applicants. Instead of a single, free-form essay, applicants will now respond to a set of structured questions. This change is intended to create a more equitable, straightforward, and transparent process for all applicants. By breaking the statement into clear sections, the hope is to reduce the pressure students often feel when drafting their responses while giving them space to reflect on their motivations and preparedness.

Here are the new questions students will be asked to answer:

• Why have you chosen this particular course or subject?
• In what ways have your academic studies prepared you for it?
• What experiences beyond the classroom have helped you get ready, and why are they relevant?

What’s staying the same?

The word count remains unchanged — students will still have 4,000 characters (including spaces) to complete their responses. However, each answer will require a minimum of 350 characters. The core themes also remain consistent; the main difference is that the content will now be organised across three focused prompts rather than one continuous essay.

2) More UK universities are introducing admission tests: 

Admissions tests have traditionally been associated with highly competitive courses such as medicine and law and applications to the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. However, recent changes indicate a broader trend — more UK universities are beginning to incorporate admissions tests into their evaluation process for a wider range of courses. This shift is primarily driven by a desire to ensure academic preparedness and differentiate applicants in competitive subject areas. 

Here are some of the most notable developments: 

• Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA): Starting with the 2026 admissions cycle, University College London will require computer science, robotics, humanities, and social sciences applicants to sit the TARA. This non-subject-specific test is designed to assess essential skills needed for undergraduate study. 
• Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA): This UK university maths entrance exam assesses your ability to think mathematically and apply logical reasoning to problem-solving. For 2026 enrollments, students applying for mathematics programmes at the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of Warwick and Durham University will sit the test. 
• The Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT): The University of Cambridge and Imperial College London use this admissions test to assess 2026 applicants for undergraduate courses in engineering and science disciplines. The test evaluates candidates’ proficiency in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics.

Essential test dates for 2025:

3)The University of Southern California (USC) introduces Early Decisions (ED)

Beginning with the 2025 admissions cycle, USC has introduced a two-year Early Decision pilot programme for undergraduate applicants to its Marshall School of Business and Leventhal School of Accounting. This marks a shift from USC’s traditionally non-binding admissions options and reflects the growing number of students confident that USC is their first-choice university.

What does this mean for applicants?

Unlike Early Action, Early Decision is binding — students who apply under this plan must commit to attending if admitted. This option is designed for applicants who are confident that USC Marshall or Leventhal is the right fit and are ready to finalise their college decision earlier in the admissions cycle.

The pilot aims to offer a more streamlined process for highly motivated students while allowing the university to identify and support those with a strong interest in its business and accounting programmes. Students considering Early Decision should reflect carefully on their preferences and be aware of the binding nature of the commitment before applying.

4) Updates to the Common App Additional Information 

As one of the most widely used undergraduate application platforms in the US, the Common App regularly reviews its structure to reflect the evolving needs of students and institutions. For the 2026 application cycle, the platform has introduced thoughtful updates to improve clarity, reduce applicant stress, and accommodate a broader range of student experiences. While the core personal essay prompts will remain the same, students should take note of two significant changes to the optional “Additional Information” section.

What’s changing?

• A broader lens on student challenges: The current “Community Disruption” question will be revised and renamed “Challenges and Circumstances.” This change will allow students to share a wider range of personal, educational, or contextual factors that may have influenced their academic journey. The word and character limits will remain at 250 words for first-year applicants and 1,250 characters for transfer applicants.
• A shorter general response section: The general “Additional Information” section will now have reduced space for responses. For first-year applicants, the word limit will drop from 650 to 300 words. For transfer applicants, the character count will be halved from 3,500 to 1,500 characters. Students applying after August 1, 2025, will be prompted if their entries exceed the new word limits. They will need to edit their responses accordingly. Content entered before 1 August will not carry over for those using the transfer application.

5) Standardised testing returns to several US universities

Many US universities adopted test-optional or test-flexible policies during the pandemic to account for widespread disruptions. As conditions stabilise, many institutions are revisiting those decisions, and some are reintroducing standardised testing requirements for undergraduate applicants.  Most recently, the University of Pennsylvania announced that it will require standardised test scores for students applying in the 2025-26 cycle. In a public statement, the university shared that this decision aims to promote greater clarity and fairness in its admissions process while offering flexibility for students who face genuine testing barriers.  

However, despite this trend, many universities are still using test-optional models, while others, like Yale University, are opting for a test-flexible approach, which allows students to submit Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam scores instead of the SAT or ACT. As universities continue to evaluate the role of testing in admissions, students must carefully check the latest requirements on each institution’s official website before submitting applications.

Universities reinstating standardised tests for 2026 admissions: 

• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Dartmouth College
• Brown University
• Stanford University
• Cornell University
• Harvard University
• Georgetown University
• Johns Hopkins University
• Georgia Institute of Technology

Universities continuing with test-optional policies for 2026 admissions:

• Princeton University
• Columbia University
• Northwestern University
• Duke University
• University of Chicago
• University of Michigan
• Rice University
• Carnegie Mellon University
• University of Maryland
• Texas A&M University
• New York University

6) Georgetown University joins the Common Application

Georgetown University has long stood apart in the US college admissions landscape as one of the few selective institutions that require a separate application form. However, starting with the Fall 2026 admissions cycle, that will change. As Hoya, Georgetown’s student newspaper, mentions, the university has confirmed it will begin accepting applications via the Common Application.

This move aligns Georgetown with leading US universities and simplifies the application process.  However, Georgetown has not yet confirmed whether it will phase out its standalone application.

Why this change matters?

• Increased convenience: Students applying to multiple universities already on the Common App can now include Georgetown without starting a separate application from scratch. 
• Greater reach: The move may attract a more diverse applicant pool, including international and first-generation students who are more likely to use the Common App.
• Streamlined document submission: School counsellors and teachers can now submit transcripts and recommendations for Georgetown through a platform they already use for other colleges.
• Improved application tracking: Students can manage their Georgetown application alongside others within the same dashboard, reducing the risk of missing deadlines or requirements.

7) Changes in the Advanced Placement (AP) exam

Advanced Placement (AP) exams are optional tests that allow high school students to demonstrate academic rigour in university-level courses across sciences and mathematics to languages, history, and the arts. From May 2025, the AP exam transition from traditional paper-based formats to 28 digital exams and 12 hybrid tests administered by Bluebook™ testing.

Here are some notable updates: 

• Selected AP exams to be fully digital: Subjects include African American Studies (U.S. schools only), Art History , Comparative Government and Politics , Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles ,  English Language and Composition ,  English Literature and Composition , Environmental Science , European History , Human Geography, Latin,  Psychology, Seminar , United States Government and Politics , United States History   World History: Modern  
• Some AP exams will follow the hybrid format: Subjects include Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Physics 1: Algebra-Based, Physics 2: Algebra-Based, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Physics C: Mechanics, Precalculus, and Statistics.
• Changes in the AP Physics course: The AP Physics curriculum has been updated to better align with introductory college-level coursework and clarify core content and skills. AP Physics 1 now includes a new unit on Fluids, totalling eight units. In AP Physics 2, the Waves and Optics unit has been split into Geometric Optics and Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics. AP Physics C (Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism) features revised course structures, with changes to the number and format of questions and an extended exam duration.
• New scoring model: AP exams will be evaluated using Evidence-Based Standard Setting (EBSS) to align scores with current college-level expectations better. Instead of relying on past patterns, EBSS uses actual data and expert input to set fairer score cut-offs based on subject mastery.

Students must plan in a world where the admissions process constantly evolves. A small change in format or policy can shift how a story is told or heard. Understanding these shifts isn’t just about strategy; it’s about making space to approach the process with clarity, intention, and a sense of calm. At The Red Pen, we stay informed about the shifting sands of global admissions processes and guide our students accordingly. If you need help with your undergraduate admissions, get in touch. Meanwhile, read our latest blogs: Understanding US College Waitlists: What It Means and How to Plan Ahead and Study in Germany: 6 Compelling Reasons For International Students.