Learn the full breakdown of the academic year and when to apply. You can apply through UCAS until 29 January, add another option later in UCAS Extra, or research your options for Clearing in the summer.
When and how to apply before the January UCAS Deadline
For most courses and universities, the deadline for undergraduate applications through UCAS is in January.
This is sometimes known as the ‘equal consideration deadline’, meaning that if you apply by then, you’ll have the full choice of all our courses.
Only Oxford and Cambridge, and most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry have an earlier deadline, usually in October.
29 January 2025 is the next 'equal consideration deadline' for applications to our undergraduate courses through UCAS.
Choose up to five universities, write your personal statement and send it all via the UCAS hub before the deadline.
We really encourage any new student considering university to apply before the UCAS equal consideration deadline.
Anyone can apply at this time but if you're still studying for your Highers or A Levels, you'll need to have completed these by the time you start your university course.
When and how to apply in UCAS Extra
If you’ve already applied through UCAS, you can add additional courses to your application through UCAS Extra.
You can only use UCAS Extra if:
You can only add one extra choice (university and course) at a time, but once you hear back from that extra choice, you can add a different extra choice.
In 2025 UCAS Extra is open 26 February – 4 July. Remember you need to have met the UCAS deadline in January first. Apply through UCAS Extra now.
If you are able to apply through UCAS Extra, the option will appear on your UCAS Hub. There are a few conditions to applying in this time period, so take a look if it's for you:
When and how to apply in Clearing
Clearing is open from 5 July - 31 August 2025. Places are allocated to people who meet course requirements on a first come, first served basis. We recommend applying through Clearing as early as you can if you’re considering us.
Call us to apply in Clearing as soon as you have your grades. If you're still waiting for exam results, you can get a huge amount of information from our Clearing webpages to make a decision on what course to go for and fill in our enquiry form if you’re not able to call yet.
Anyone can apply through Clearing in July and August. You might use Clearing if:
You weren't ready to apply to university before, or hadn't made up your mind, but you have now.
You are changing your career, and a new degree is a good way to start.
You have changed your mind about the university you want to go to, or what course to study.
You are already at university but want to go to a different one.
You haven't received the offers that you wanted from the universities you applied to.
You have not met the conditions of your 'firm choice' or 'insurance choice' university offers on your UCAS application this year.