Prospective students for the academic year 2017-18 should already have their applications underway. At the very least, you should know to which universities you are going to apply. The next six months or more will be a very complex time with strict deadlines on applications. Far from being too early to think about it, you should consider your options now. Here are some key dates.
6th September 2016
Some six weeks have passed since the UCAS applications for the next academic year opened. This is around a month before the current academic year began. It’s never too early to get the ball rolling on next year though and the earlier you start, the better for you.
15th January 2017
Oxbridge courses and those in medicine passed in the middle of October. However, for all other undergraduate courses, this is the deadline. It may seem early, but as universities must sift through thousands of applicants, it’s important that the deadline is early. Applications may be accepted after this date, but it is at the discretion of the university. This means you need the form, references and the personal statement complete.
25th February 2017
This is the date UCAS Extra opens – the scheme for students who applied by the regular deadline but are not happy with their initial choices. Students who received rejections or who simply wish to change their university or course choices can, from this date, make alterations ahead of the next academic year.
5th May 2017
All universities will respond to all student applicants by this date. If you do not hear from them at the close of play (around 6pm) UCAS will auto-decline on behalf of the university. However, in the majority of cases, students will have received an answer way before this date.
30th June 2017
This is the final deadline for all applications to universities. You can apply right up to this date, and UCAS will forward your application. However, your university choices are under no obligation to consider your application. They may outright reject it for not submitting by 15th January.
4th July
UCAS Extra closes. Any application to change university or course options made under the UCAS Extra scheme will be eligible up to and including this date. Any later, and your application expires. You must enter the clearing system in this case.
5th July 2016
This is the date that University Clearing opens. Universities set aside a number of courses and places for students with the expectation that some will take other options, drop out or go elsewhere. Inevitably, there will be unfilled places for last minute applications. Although University Clearing opens here, there may be few course options until the day A-level results are published so it may be wise to wait a little while.