HE Application Countdown

Here are some key dates and deadlines you should keep in mind...

Summer Term of Year 12: research and decide

Use the sources of information on this website and UCAS
Speak to your tutors and careers leader/adviser
Visit the UCAS Discovery Norwich exhibition at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich on Monday 8th June 2026
Go to university and college open days or attend a virtual open day
Some university courses (e.g. medicine) ask you to take an entry test - check if you need to do one and when
Consider doing some relevant work experience, shadowing or voluntary work - if possible related to the area of study you are interested in
Research bursaries and scholarships for university or college - prepare applications and check deadlines
Register with UCAS

This is the main period to be applying. UCAS start accepting applications from September
Check the deadline date (usually early October) for applications to music and drama courses studied at conservatoires
15 October (18:00 hours) 2025 is the deadline for applications to Oxford and Cambridge and for medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses
Look out for recruitment advertising from large national companies who may offer sponsored degrees or degree apprenticeships

14 January 2026 at 18:00 (UK time) is the deadline for the majority of courses beginning in 2026. Don't panic if you miss this deadline. You can still apply until 30 June, but your application won't receive equal consideration.
If you applied by 14 January, the deadline for universities to make a decision is Wednesday 13 May 2026. If you apply by 30 June, that deadline is Wednesday 15 July.
Universities send out offers of places or rejections - if you don't get any offers you can apply for different places via UCAS Extra (opens on 26 February 2026).
From the end of March apply for student loans

30 June is the final deadline for UCAS to receive your application. Any applications received after this date will go directly into Clearing
1 July is the last date to apply for a course in Extra
You should have received all your exam results by the end of August
If you get the results you need, you will get confirmation of your place
If you don't successfully get a place, you can apply again through Clearing from 2 July. Follow the links from the UCAS website to find out more

UCAS has information on applying including when to apply, help with applying and FAQ's
The Applying to University page on UCAS has lots of links to information about applying, dates and deadlines and deferred entry

Your sixth form or college will encourage you to apply well before the January deadline.

They may have a deadline as early as November to allow them time to complete references and check personal statements