Most UK courses start in September or October, and a smaller number in January. This timeline is for September entry. Undergraduate and postgraduate applications run on slightly different clocks, so both are shown.
| When | Undergraduate (UCAS) | Postgraduate (direct) |
|---|---|---|
| 12–15 months before | Research courses, check entry requirements for your country, plan your English test. | Research courses and funding, ask referees early, plan your English test. |
| September–October | UCAS opens. Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses close in mid-October. | Most applications open. Popular courses fill early, so apply in the autumn if you can. |
| November–January | Send your UCAS application before the January equal-consideration deadline. | Keep applying. Some scholarships close between December and February. |
| January–April | Offers arrive. Reply to them by the deadline UCAS gives you: one firm choice and one insurance. | Offers arrive, usually within a few weeks. Accept the one you want and pay the deposit if asked. |
| April–June | Book your English test if you still need one. Start gathering your visa money. | Meet your conditions. Make sure the money for your visa is in the right account. |
| June–July | International applicants can still apply through UCAS until 30 June, and through Clearing after that. | Send final transcripts and certificates. Ask for your CAS. |
| July–August | Results arrive. Your offer becomes unconditional, you get your CAS and apply for your visa. | Get your CAS, apply for your visa (up to 6 months before the course starts), book accommodation. |
| September | Travel, collect your eVisa details, enrol. | Travel, collect your eVisa details, enrol. |
The dates that catch people out
- English tests: results can take up to two weeks, and the test slots near deadlines fill up.
- Money for the visa usually has to be held for 28 days in a row before you apply. Start early.
- Accommodation: university halls often open for booking in spring and fill by early summer.
- Visa processing: apply as soon as you have your CAS. Peak season is July to September.
In RightUni, each application keeps its own deadlines and offer conditions, and “Next up” shows the soonest one across all of them, in the university’s time and yours.
UCAS publishes the exact deadline dates for each year on ucas.com. Check them for your entry year.
