University application checklist for 2027 entry

Dates are for applications made in autumn 2026 for courses starting in 2027. Deadlines are at 6pm UK time unless stated. Your school's own deadlines come first, so add them as you learn them.

Before the summer holiday

• Your courses' subject requirements match the subjects you are taking. See choosing a course.
• You have a longer list of possible courses and universities. See choosing universities.
• You know whether any course on your list needs an admissions test, and which. See admissions tests.
• You have registered in the UCAS Hub (applications opened on 12 May 2026).
• You know your school's internal deadline and how predicted grades are set.

Over the summer

• If you need the ESAT, TMUA or TARA: create your UAT-UK account and book the test (booking opened on 20 July 2026 and closes on 28 September 2026).
• If you need access arrangements or a bursary for those tests: apply by 14 September 2026 or 21 September 2026 respectively.
• Medicine or dentistry: sit the UCAT (testing runs until late September).
• Law at a university that uses the LNAT: check the registration and test deadlines, which are earlier for 15 October courses.
• A full first draft of all three personal statement answers. See the personal statement.
• Open days or virtual visits for your shortlist.
• International applicants: check which of your qualifications each university accepts, any English language requirement, and whether you will need a transcript.

September and October 2026

• Five choices (or fewer) confirmed, all close enough in subject to share one statement.
• Personal statement finalised and within 4,000 characters, including spaces.
• Every section of the UCAS form complete, with qualifications entered exactly as your school lists them.
• Your referee knows your final choices, in time for your school's deadline. See the reference and predicted grades.
• Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, dentistry or veterinary: application submitted by 15 October 2026.
• Admissions tests: sat in the October window, 12 to 16 October 2026.
• Cambridge: My Cambridge Application submitted by 22 October 2026.

November and December 2026

• Oxford courses that ask for written work: submitted by 10 November 2026.
• Email and the UCAS Hub checked regularly for invitations and requests.
• Interview arrangements confirmed if you are invited: date, time zone, format and technology.
• Admissions test results available in your UAT-UK account from 16 November 2026.

January 2027

• All other courses: application submitted by 13 January 2027, the equal consideration deadline.
• Oxford: decisions on 12 January 2027.
• Cambridge: decisions on 27 January 2027.

February to June 2027

• Firm and insurance choices made once all decisions are in, by the reply date in the UCAS Hub. See what happens after you submit.
• No offers? Extra opens on 25 February 2027.
• UK students: student finance applied for as soon as applications open. See GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).
• Accommodation applied for, if your firm choice asks you to apply before results.
• Cambridge Mathematics offer holders: STEP sat in June.

Results and the summer of 2027

• Results received and your place confirmed in the UCAS Hub.
• Without a place, or with better results than expected: Clearing, which opens on 2 July 2027.
• International students: Student visa applied for once your university has confirmed your place. See GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).