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Full-time courses: how to apply

For the vast majority of full-time undergraduate courses, you’ll need to apply online through the UCAS website. See 'Completing your UCAS application' for details.

If you don’t have access to the internet at home, school or college, see ‘Apply through UCAS at an online centre’ for advice on what to do.

• Completing your UCAS application
• Apply through UCAS at an online centre Opens new window

Full-time courses: when to apply

To have the best possible chance of getting on the course you want, you’ll need to apply on time.

To be considered ‘on time’, you’ll need to meet the relevant deadline. For most full-time courses, this falls on the 15 January before you’re looking to start (that’s around nine months prior for courses starting in September).

But you should be aware the deadline is earlier for certain courses and institutions. See ‘Completing your UCAS application’ for more details on deadlines.

You can still apply through UCAS up to the end of June. Universities and colleges may still consider your application, but the most popular courses may already be full. If you apply after the end of June, you’ll automatically go into Clearing.

• Completing your UCAS application
• Clearing: last-minute places at university or college

If you’re applying to Oxford or Cambridge

You’ll need to make your UCAS application by 15 October.

If you’re applying to the University of Oxford, you’ll also need to complete a second application form (called the ‘Oxford application form’). If you live in the EU, the University of Cambridge no longer requires a second application form for courses starting from 2009.

• More about the Oxford application form Opens new window

If you’re applying to a music conservatoire

Admissions to all UK music conservatoires, except The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Music, are dealt with by the Conservatoires UK Admissions Service (CUKAS).

• CUKAS: Conservatoires UK Admissions Service Opens new window
• Key dates for CUKAS applications Opens new window

Initial Teacher Training and other postgraduate courses

The application procedures are different for postgraduate Initial Teacher Training courses and for other postgraduate courses.

• Applying for postgraduate study
• How and when to apply for Initial Teacher Training Opens new window

Part-time courses: how to apply

For part-time courses, apply direct to the university or college. You can search for part-time courses online through Directgov.

• Search for a course on Directgov Opens new window

Preparing to apply

To make sure you get the most out of your higher education course, it’s best to start researching your options well in advance.

Start thinking about it at least a year prior to the application deadline. You can find tips on what to consider in ‘Where to go, what to study’.

If you’re applying through UCAS, it’s a good idea to register for their ‘Apply’ service as soon as possible. This will give you plenty of time to work on your application - especially the ‘personal statement’ section.

• Where to go, what to study
• Completing your UCAS application

Before you apply

If you’re planning to take a year out, be sure to contact your colleges and universities and check that they will accept an application for deferred entry.

If you have the time, getting some work experience relevant to your course may help to make your application more impressive.

• Voluntary work placements (young people section)

More useful links

• Planning a gap year (young people section)