Guide · University
The UCAS timeline,
from abroad.
Applications to UK undergraduate courses are made through UCAS, normally in the final year of school. For a student at an international school whose year runs from August or September, that means preparing during the year before and applying in the autumn of the final year. This guide lists the stages; UCAS publishes the exact dates each year.
On this page
01 / The stages
Across two school years.
| When (typical) | School year | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn to early summer | Year 12 or IB Diploma year 1 | Explore courses and universities; compare entry requirements with subject choices; attend open days or online events |
| Spring to summer | End of Year 12 or Diploma year 1 | Register with UCAS; start the personal statement; prepare for any admissions tests （to be confirmed） |
| August to September | Start of Year 13 or Diploma year 2 | School provides predicted grades and a reference; the statement is finalised |
| Mid-October | Year 13 or Diploma year 2 | Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses （to be confirmed） |
| Late January | Year 13 or Diploma year 2 | Equal-consideration deadline for most other courses （to be confirmed） |
| Winter to spring | Year 13 or Diploma year 2 | Interviews for courses that hold them; offers are made |
| Spring | Year 13 or Diploma year 2 | Firm and insurance choices （to be confirmed） |
| July or August | After final exams | Results — IB Diploma in July, A-Level in August; offers are confirmed, or Clearing |
Autumn to early summer
- School year
- Year 12 or IB Diploma year 1
- What happens
- Explore courses and universities; compare entry requirements with subject choices; attend open days or online events
Spring to summer
- School year
- End of Year 12 or Diploma year 1
- What happens
- Register with UCAS; start the personal statement; prepare for any admissions tests （to be confirmed）
August to September
- School year
- Start of Year 13 or Diploma year 2
- What happens
- School provides predicted grades and a reference; the statement is finalised
Mid-October
- School year
- Year 13 or Diploma year 2
- What happens
- Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses （to be confirmed）
Late January
- School year
- Year 13 or Diploma year 2
- What happens
- Equal-consideration deadline for most other courses （to be confirmed）
Winter to spring
- School year
- Year 13 or Diploma year 2
- What happens
- Interviews for courses that hold them; offers are made
Spring
- School year
- Year 13 or Diploma year 2
- What happens
- Firm and insurance choices （to be confirmed）
July or August
- School year
- After final exams
- What happens
- Results — IB Diploma in July, A-Level in August; offers are confirmed, or Clearing
Dates change from year to year. Check UCAS (opens in a new tab) and each university's course page.
02 / Applying from abroad
Your school's calendar.
International schools with an August or September start follow a year that sits closely with the UCAS cycle. If your child's school runs on a different calendar, check when predicted grades and the reference will be ready in relation to the deadlines （to be confirmed）.
Some students have national or military service, or other commitments, after school. Universities set their own rules on deferred entry, so check each course you are considering （to be confirmed）.
03 / Preparing
What helps early on.
- Subject choicesMake sure IB Higher Level or A-Level subjects meet the requirements of the courses your child has in mind.
- Reading and activitiesReading around the subject and related activities give the personal statement real substance.
- The statementWritten over the summer before the final year, in your child's own voice.
04 / Questions
Families ask.
How many courses can be listed on a UCAS application?
（to be confirmed）
Will my child need IELTS or another English test?
That depends on the university, the course and your child's qualifications. Each university publishes its English language requirements.
Can you guarantee an offer?
No. Universities make their own admissions decisions.
About this article
- Written by
- （to be confirmed）
- Reviewed by
- （to be confirmed）
- Last updated
- 2026-10-31
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