<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-08-18</periodOfReport>


    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001070699</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNIVERSAL ACCESS GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>UAXS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001256521</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KAUFMAN RONALD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8405 COKEVILE ROAD 6TH FL</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>C/O CITYNET TELECOMMUNICATIONS INC</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SILVERSPRING</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20910</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Ronald C. Kaufman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-08-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

