UCAS key dates and deadlines

UCAS application dates 

What is UCAS?

UCAS stands for the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. All applications to UK universities are made through this service so if you want to become a full-time undergraduate student, you’ll need to register with them.  

UCAS follows a strict timetable, so it’s important to be aware of key application dates and deadlines. It can feel a bit daunting, but this handy article talks you through what’s happening now and what you need to do.

UCAS deadlines 2026 entry

These dates are also written for screenreaders below.

• 15 October 2025 – Deadline for applications to Oxford and Cambridge universities and for most medicine, veterinary, and dentistry courses (6pm UK time).
• 14 January 2026 – Deadline for most other undergraduate university applications (6pm UK time). 
• 26 February 2026 – UCAS Extra opens for any applicants who received no offers, or who rejected all their offers. 
• 3 June 2026 – Final date to reply to offers if you received all your decisions by 13 May. 
• 30 June 2026 – Applications received after 6pm will automatically be entered into Clearing.
• 1 July 2026 – Last date to add a UCAS Extra choice.
• 2 July 2026 – Clearing 2026 opens.
• 22 July 2026 – Final date to reply to offers if you get all your decisions by 15 July.
• 24 September 2026 – Final date for 2025 UCAS undergraduate applications.
• 19 October 2026 – Clearing 2026 closes.

For advice on how to complete your UCAS application, including tips on making your personal statement stand out, read our guide here.

You could also do some online research looking at where to study and live using our university league tables and reading our student city guides.

Clearing dates 2026

What is Clearing?

Clearing is a process universities and colleges use to fill places they still have available on their courses. You can use Clearing if you haven’t accepted a firm place at a university already or officially declined a firm place. It’s a bit like a second chance if you were late to the party or didn’t like the party you thought you wanted to go to. 

How does it work?  

The best way to find universities with vacancies is to check our Clearing course search, look on the UCAS website or directly on a university website. You can start finding vacant courses now, but you can only apply for a course through Clearing once you have your exam results. 

Clearing dates  

In 2026 Clearing starts on 2 July and closes on 19 October at 6pm. Here are some key dates to be aware of:

*Many universities run open days for students in Clearing so look out for these too.  

Once you’ve got your results and found a course, it’s up to you to call the university directly. If they still have a space, they’ll take your details and either give you a decision immediately or soon afterwards. Most universities will ask you for your UCAS Clearing number so do register with UCAS now if you haven’t already done so.  

Read more about what to do and key 2026 dates in our guide to UCAS Clearing here.

If you are thinking of applying through Clearing without registering with UCAS, read our advice guide here.

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