When to apply

View application deadlines for courses starting in 2009

View application deadlines for courses starting in 2010

Courses starting in 2009

There is an early closing date - 15 October 2008 - if you apply for any course in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or veterinary science (course codes A100, A101, A102, A103, A104, A105, A106, A200, A201, A202, A203, A204, A205, A206, D100, D101 and D102), or to either Oxford University or the University of Cambridge.

Most courses begin in September, although some specific courses have earlier start dates, such as nursing diplomas, which can start as early as January. If you want to apply for a course that starts before September, you must check with the universities and colleges if you need to apply before the 15 January deadline.

For Route B art and design courses, we must receive your application by 24 March 2009, however we recommend that you apply by 6 March 2009 to avoid the last-minute rush. You can list up to three choices and will be asked to indicate your choices in order of preference. This is the order in which we will send them to your chosen universities.

For all other courses, applications that we receive up to and including 15 January 2009 will be regarded as on-time and will be considered by the universities and colleges you have chosen. After 15 January, they will consider applications that we receive by 30 June, but only if they still have vacancies in the course(s) that you have selected.

International applicants

If you are applying from outside the UK or EU, whatever your nationality, you can apply at any time between mid-September 2008 and 30 June 2009, unless you are applying for Oxford University or University of Cambridge, courses in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or veterinary science, or Route B art and design courses, in which case you should apply by the dates above.

It is advised that you apply as early as possible. Universities and colleges do not guarantee to consider applications they receive after 15 January 2009, and some popular courses may not have vacancies after that date. Please check with individual universities and colleges if you are not sure.

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 15 January 2009.

Application flowcharts

Application flowchart for all courses (Route A) except Route B applications
Deadline dates for the 2009 entry application process, except for Route B art and design courses

Applications for Route B art and design
Deadline dates for the 2009 entry application process for Route B art and design courses.

Applications made through Route A and Route B
Deadline dates for the 2009 entry application process for applicants who apply through both routes.

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 2010, you must still apply by the relevant deadline above, and meet the conditions of any offers by 2 September 2009. If you accept a place starting in 2010, you cannot reapply through us in the 2010 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.

Courses starting in 2010

If you are applying from the UK

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 2009 - 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 2010 - 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. Check the 'Course information' screens on Course Search for the art and design courses you are interested in, to find out if they have a 15 January or 24 March deadline.
  • 24 March 2010 - application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications for art and design courses except those listed with a 15 January deadline. Check the 'Course information' screens on Course Search for the art and design courses you are interested in, to find out if they have a 15 January or 24 March deadline.

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, will only be considered by the universities and colleges if they still have vacancies in the course(s) you have selected.

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).

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. 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 2010.

Universities and colleges do not guarantee to consider applications they receive after 15 January 2010, 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 15 January 2010.

Application flowchart

View deadline dates for the 2010 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, you must still apply by the relevant deadline above, and meet the conditions of any offers by 31 August 2010. 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.