Key Dates for UCAS Applications & University Clearing
If you’re applying to university in the UK the chances are you will have heard of the UCAS application process. Kaplan Business School isn't on UCAS just yet, but most universities and colleges in the UK are listed on UCAS, and it is an excellent place to begin your search for the course that is right for you.
July of your penultimate year of study
By July in your penultimate year of study your school will give you access to the UCAS application system, which means you can start the process of completing your application. You can’t send it off until September but you can get lots of the little bits done straight away, like your contact details, GCSE results, work experience and other bits and pieces that won’t change between the summer and later in the year.
September of your final year
Once you are in September of your final year at school or college you are able to send off your UCAS application, but in reality very few students do. If you can send your application off this early then great, you will look very organised and will get your offers from your chosen universities in very good time. Applying early is a great thing to do, as long as you’ve still spent the time making sure your five choices are the right ones.
15 October in your final year
15 October is the deadline set for applications to Oxford and Cambridge, plus any medicine, dentistry and veterinary applications. Even if you are not applying to any of these institutions or courses we strongly recommend that you use this deadline as the deadline to send your application off. By doing so you look organised, you beat the rush of applications that land at university doorsteps in November and December, plus you get all of the stress and hard work out of the way before Christmas and any modular exams you might have around that time too.
15 January in your final year
15 January is the deadline all other courses, apart from a few art and design ones. If at all possible try to get your application in before Christmas – it really does make a difference!
30 June in your final year
This is the last date that you can send an application to UCAS before UCAS Clearing kicks in. Remember though that applications sent after 15 January do not have to be looked at by each university. So if you leave it this late you are playing a dangerous game!
Third Thursday in August each year (16 August 2012)
The big day! Results day for students doing A Levels in the UK – and the date that Clearing opens for students who find themselves without a place at university. If you want more information about UCAS Clearing 2012 and some tips about how to handle it, be sure to check out our University Clearing News section.