When to apply

Step 2: Applying

Change for 2010 entry: The 15 January deadline was extended to 22 January. All other dates remain unaffected.

There are different application deadlines

There are three application deadlines for courses through UCAS - 15 October, 15 January and 24 March - it is important to check the deadline for your chosen course(s). If you are applying from the UK, you should submit your application by the relevant deadline below.

  • 15 October - application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications for all medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and veterinary science courses (course codes A100, A101, A102, A103, A104, A105, A106, A300, A200, A201, A202, A203, A204, A205, A206, A400, D100, D101 and D102), and for all courses at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
  • 15 January - application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications for all courses except those listed above with a 15 October deadline, and art and design courses with a 24 March deadline.
  • 24 March - application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications for art and design courses except those listed with a 15 January deadline.
 

If you apply for art and design courses with different deadlines, you can submit your application before 15 January for courses with that deadline, then add further choices before the 24 March deadline using Track (as long as you haven't used all five choices).

Applications received by the above deadlines are guaranteed to be considered by the universities and colleges. Applications received at UCAS after the deadlines, up until 30 June 2010 (30 June 2011 for 2011 entry), will only be considered by the universities and colleges if they still have vacancies for the course(s) you have selected.

If you're applying through a school or college, they might set an earlier deadline - you need to send your application to them by this date so that they have time to write your reference and send your completed application to us before our deadline.

View a list of important dates

Course start dates

Not all courses start in September or October - some start between January and May. Check the start dates for the courses you are interested in on the 'Course information' screen in Course Search. For courses that start between January and May, you may need to apply before the three application deadlines above, as the universities and colleges will need time to consider your application.

Contact the university or college direct for advice about when they need your application. Although some will be happy to receive applications right up to the start of the course, be prepared to send your application early.

Please remember you do not have to apply for all your choices at the same time. You can add further choices as long as you have not used up all your choices and have not accepted a place (before 30 June 2010 or 30 June 2011 for 2011 entry).

International applicants

If you are applying from outside the UK or EU, whatever your nationality, you need to be aware of the three application deadlines but many universities and colleges will consider your application up until 30 June 2010 (30 June 2011 for 2011 entry). This does not apply to applications for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, courses in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or veterinary science. For all of these, you must apply by 15 October 2009 (15 October 2010 for 2011 entry).

Universities and colleges do not guarantee to consider applications they receive after 15 January 2010 (15 January 2011 for 2011 entry), and some popular courses may not have vacancies after that date. Please check with individual universities and colleges if you are not sure. You are advised to apply as early as possible.

Remember to allow enough time for entry clearance or immigration; also travel and accommodation arrangements, which can take longer during the summer when immigration departments are busy.

If you think you may be assessed as a 'home' student (UK or EU) for tuition fees, you should apply by the relevant deadline at the top of the page.

Several countries require their citizens to complete mandatory military or national service. If this affects you, check with universities and colleges in advance to discuss when you should apply. You can defer through UCAS for a maximum of one year. It would be useful to include information on your military or national service in your personal statement.

Application flowchart

View deadline dates for the 2010 entry application process.

View deadline dates for the 2011 entry application process.

Taking a year out?

If you want to take a year out before starting your course, check with your universities and colleges that they will accept a deferred entry application. If you apply for deferred entry in 2011 (or 2012 if applying in the 2011 cycle), you must still apply by the relevant deadline above, and meet the conditions of any offers by 31 August 2010 (31 August 2011 for 2011 cycle). If you accept a place starting in 2011, you cannot reapply through us in the 2011 cycle, unless your original application is withdrawn.

You can only send us one application in each year's application cycle. If you send a second application, it will be cancelled and you will not receive a refund.