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    Key dates and the application journey

    The key dates you need for applications, to help your child keep their application on track.

    2025 entry key dates

    1. Jul 09

      10 Jul 2024

      UCAS Conservatoires applications open for 2025 entry. Applicants can register, pay, and submit their applications to UCAS.
    2. Sep 02

      3 Sep 2024

      Completed UCAS Undergraduate applications can be sent to UCAS. All sections must be complete, the reference added, and the application fee paid.
    3. Oct 01

      2 October 2024 18:00 (UK time)

      Application deadline for conservatoire music applications. Applications for dance, drama, and musical theatre courses may have a different deadline – check conservatoires’ websites for information.
    4. Oct 14

      15 October 2024 18:00 (UK time)

      Deadline for applications to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and for most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science. Application can be sent after this, but universities and colleges concerned cannot guarantee they’ll give it equal consideration.
    5. Jan 29

      29 January 2025 18:00 (UK time)

      Deadline for most undergraduate courses and most conservatoire undergraduate dance, drama, or musical theatre courses. Applications can be sent after this, but providers cannot guarantee they’ll give it equal consideration.
    6. Feb 26

      26 February 2025

      Extra opens. If your child has used all five choices and is not holding an offer, they can add another choice using Extra.
    7. Jun 29

      30 June 2025 18:00 (UK time)

      Last date for receipt of applications with choices. Applications received after this deadline are automatically entered into Clearing.
    8. Jul 03

      4 Jul 2025

      Extra closes.
    9. Jul 04

      5 Jul 2025

      Clearing opens and vacancies are shown in the UCAS search tool.

       

      More key dates

    2026 entry key dates

    1. Apr 28

      UCAS’ search tool displays 2026 courses

    2. May 12

      Undergraduate applications open for 2026 entry

      Students can start their applications, but they cannot be submitted to UCAS until 2 September 2025. 
    3. Jul 09

      Conservatoire applications open for 2026 entry

      Applicants can register, pay, and send their applications.
    4. Sep 01

      Completed undergraduate applications can be submitted to UCAS

      All sections must be complete, the reference added, and the application fee paid.
    5. Oct 01

      (18:00 UK time) Application deadline for conservatoire music applications

      Applications for dance, drama, and musical theatre courses may have a different deadline – check conservatoires’ websites for information.
    6. Oct 14

      (18:00 UK time) Deadline for applications to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and for most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science

      Applications can be sent after this, but universities and colleges cannot guarantee they’ll give it equal consideration.
    7. Jan 14

      (18:00 UK time) Equal consideration date for applications for most undergraduate courses and most conservatoire undergraduate dance, drama, or musical theatre courses.

      Applications can be sent after this, but providers cannot guarantee they’ll give it equal consideration.
    8. Feb 26

      Extra opens

      If your child has used all five choices and is not holding an offer, they can add another choice using Extra.
    9. Jun 29

      Last date for receipt of applications with choices

      Applications received after this deadline are automatically entered into Clearing.
    10. Jul 03

      Extra closes

    11. Jul 04

      Clearing opens

      Vacancies are shown in the UCAS search tool.

       

      More key dates

    Egg timer on top of a calendar

    Don't leave it until the last minute

    Encourage your child to leave contingency time before the UCAS deadline in case something goes wrong, for example, loss of internet access, card payment failure, or if the reference isn’t added in time. If they’re applying through their school or college, it will be a member of staff who sends their application to us.

    Journey of an application

    1. Apply online

    The UCAS Hub is designed to help your child explore all their post-18 options in one central place. They can research subjects there and find courses in the search tool, where they can check entry requirements and application deadlines. They need to register and apply in the UCAS Hub.

    2. Wait to hear back

    Universities or colleges will decide whether to make your child an offer. It’ll be:

    • unconditional – if they’ve already met the entry requirements
    • conditional – if the offer’s based on exam results 

    3. Reply to offers

    Once all the decisions are in, your child has to reply to their offers by a specific deadline.

    • Select a firm choice – this is the first choice.
    • If the firm choice is conditional, your child can select an insurance choice too, if they want – this is a back-up.
    • Decline any other offers.

    4. Find out if they’ve got a place

    Your child will see in their application if their place is confirmed.

    • If the firm choice is unconditional, the place is theirs.
    • If the place is conditional, the university or college will update your child's status when they have their exam results, or other evidence they’ve met the conditions.
    • If they don’t meet the conditions they may be unsuccessful – in this case, they can use Clearing to apply for more courses.
    • If your child changes their mind and no longer wants their firm choice, they can use the ‘decline my place’ button in their application to use Clearing to find another place. More about declining a place. 

     

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