Guide · University
The UCAS timeline,
from Singapore.
Applications to UK undergraduate courses go through UCAS, usually during the final school year. For a student at an August-start international school in Singapore, that means planning in the year before and applying in the autumn of the final year. This guide sets out the steps; check UCAS for the dates of each year.
On this page
01 / The steps
Two school years.
| When (typical) | School year | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| August to June | Year 12 or IB Diploma year 1 | Research courses and universities; check entry requirements against subject choices; open days and online events |
| Spring to summer | End of Year 12 or Diploma year 1 | Register with UCAS; draft the personal statement; prepare for any admissions tests （to be confirmed） |
| August to September | Start of Year 13 or Diploma year 2 | Predicted grades and the school reference; finish the statement |
| Mid-October | Year 13 or Diploma year 2 | Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses （to be confirmed） |
| January | Year 13 or Diploma year 2 | Deadline for equal consideration for most other courses （to be confirmed） |
| Winter to spring | Year 13 or Diploma year 2 | Interviews where courses use them; offers arrive |
| Spring | Year 13 or Diploma year 2 | Choose firm and insurance offers （to be confirmed） |
| July or August | After final exams | Results: IB Diploma results in July, A-Level results in August; offers confirmed, or Clearing |
August to June
- School year
- Year 12 or IB Diploma year 1
- What happens
- Research courses and universities; check entry requirements against subject choices; open days and online events
Spring to summer
- School year
- End of Year 12 or Diploma year 1
- What happens
- Register with UCAS; draft 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
- Predicted grades and the school reference; finish the statement
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）
January
- School year
- Year 13 or Diploma year 2
- What happens
- Deadline for equal consideration for most other courses （to be confirmed）
Winter to spring
- School year
- Year 13 or Diploma year 2
- What happens
- Interviews where courses use them; offers arrive
Spring
- School year
- Year 13 or Diploma year 2
- What happens
- Choose firm and insurance offers （to be confirmed）
July or August
- School year
- After final exams
- What happens
- Results: IB Diploma results in July, A-Level results in August; offers confirmed, or Clearing
Dates change each year. Always check UCAS (opens in a new tab) and each university's course page.
02 / For Singapore families
Planning from Singapore.
Many international schools in Singapore follow an August-to-June year, which matches the UK application cycle closely. Schools on a different calendar should check how predicted grades and references fit the deadlines （to be confirmed）.
Male Singapore citizens and permanent residents usually serve National Service after school. Many apply for deferred entry or apply during National Service; universities set their own rules on deferral （to be confirmed）.
Students in MOE junior colleges sit their A-Level exams at the end of JC2 and receive results early the following year, so their timing differs. We do not teach the MOE syllabus.
03 / Preparing
What to do early.
- SubjectsCheck that IB Higher Level or A-Level subjects meet the requirements of the courses your child is considering.
- Reading and activityWider reading and activities related to the course give the personal statement something to say.
- The statementDrafted over the summer before the final year, in your child's own words.
04 / Questions
Families ask.
How many courses can my child apply to?
（to be confirmed）
Does my child need IELTS or another English test?
It depends on the university, the course and your child's qualifications. Check each university's English language requirements.
Can you guarantee an offer?
No. Universities decide admissions.
About this article
- Written by
- （to be confirmed）
- Reviewed by
- （to be confirmed）
- Last updated
- 2026-10-30
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