Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Ontrack and about applying to UK universities from the UAE. For the exact dates and requirements that apply to you, sign up and Ontrack builds a personalized, source-verified timeline.
What is Ontrack?
Ontrack is a free, mobile-first web app that helps students in the UAE applying to UK universities never miss a deadline. It merges the official UCAS dates, your admissions tests, the extra UAE-to-UK steps (English test, visa, plus UAE-only steps like attestation where they apply) and your own IB or A-level schedule into one timeline, then surfaces what's due next.
Is Ontrack free?
Yes. Ontrack is free to use, with no charge to build your timeline, track your deadlines or back up your data. Just sign up to get started.
Where is my data stored — is it private?
Your data lives on your own device, not on our servers. If you want a backup, you can save an encrypted copy to your own Google Drive, in a private folder only this app can see, and restore it on a new device. We don't collect personal data to run the app.
Who is Ontrack for?
IB and British-curriculum (A-level) students in the UAE who are applying to UK universities through UCAS, and their parents. Students get their next tasks and a D-day countdown; parents get calm oversight of what's at risk, what's due and the likely costs. Younger students can start building their profile years before they apply.
Learn moreHow does applying through UCAS work?
UCAS is the single system for applying to UK undergraduate courses. You submit one application listing up to five course choices, with a personal statement and a reference from a teacher. Universities reply with offers, usually conditional on your final grades; you then pick a firm (first) choice and normally an insurance (back-up) choice. Exact deadline dates vary each year, so Ontrack tracks the ones relevant to your choices.
See a verified deadline exampleWhat admissions tests might I need?
Some UK courses need an extra admissions test, booked outside UCAS. For example, UCAT for medicine and dentistry, ESAT for science and engineering, TMUA or the Oxford MAT for maths, and LNAT for law. Which one you need depends on your course and university. Registration windows and sitting dates change year to year, so Ontrack surfaces the ones that apply to your choices.
What are the UAE-to-UK steps after I get an offer?
UAE applicants carry extra steps on top of UCAS. Once you accept an offer your university issues a CAS, which you need to apply for the UK Student visa. You may need IELTS for UKVI to evidence English, you generally must show proof of funds held for a continuous period (often called the 28-day rule), and in the UAE you give biometrics at a VFS Global centre. Budget too for the UK visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (amounts vary, so confirm officially). Ontrack lays these out in order, each as an estimate you confirm at the official source.
Learn moreDo I need MoE attestation for a UK university?
No. UAE Ministry of Education attestation or equivalency isn't required to study in the UK through UCAS. It matters only if you're also applying to local UAE universities as a safety, or planning to return to the UAE afterwards. Ontrack shows it clearly labelled so it never looks like a blocker to your UK plan.
Learn moreDoes Ontrack work offline, and do I need to sign in?
Ontrack is local-first: your timeline lives on your device, so it keeps working without a constant connection, and you can use it without an account. Signing in is only needed if you want to back up and restore your data with your own Google Drive.
How does Ontrack keep a date accurate?
Every official date shows its source and the day it was last verified, so you can check it yourself — a date is never shown without that proof. Each carries a confidence label (Official, Review, or Predicted when a future cycle isn't published yet), and when an official date changes, the verified update reaches your app automatically without a reinstall. Community reactions from forums are kept separate, labelled Unofficial, and never used as a source of dates.
Learn moreHow much does applying to a UK university from the UAE cost?
Costs vary and change year to year, so Ontrack never quotes a fixed figure. Always confirm the current amount at the official source. The main ones to budget for are the UK Student visa fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge, any admissions tests, and IELTS for UKVI. Ontrack shows typical cost ranges for guidance so parents can plan, but the official figure at the time you pay is what counts.
See it on your own timeline
Pick your courses and Ontrack builds the timeline around them — free, private, on your device.