UCAS Deadlines & Key Dates 2026 & 2027
The main UCAS Equal Consideration Deadline for 2026 entry is Wednesday 29 January 2026 at 18:00 (UK time). The early deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, and medicine/dentistry/veterinary courses is 15 October. University decisions must be made by 14 May 2026, and Clearing opens on 5 July 2026.
Complete UCAS Admissions Calendar
Statutory deadlines set by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for UK higher education.
| Deadline / Event | Cycle | Date & Time | Countdown |
|---|---|---|---|
Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary DeadlineApplication Deadline Statutory deadline for all applications to Oxford, Cambridge, and most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science. Applies to: Applicants for Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, dentistry, and vet science/medicine. | 2026 Entry | Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:00 (UK time) | Past |
UCAS Equal Consideration DeadlineApplication Deadline Main statutory deadline for the majority of undergraduate courses. All applications received by this date must be given equal consideration by UK universities. Applies to: All undergraduate applicants for standard courses across UK universities. | 2026 Entry | Thursday 29 January 2026 18:00 (UK time) | Past |
UCAS Extra OpensExtra If you used all five choices and hold no offers (or declined any offers received), you can add one additional course choice free of charge through UCAS Extra. Applies to: Applicants who hold no offers or rejected their offers. | 2026 Entry | Thursday 26 February 2026 | Past |
University Decision Deadline (for Jan Applications)Decision Deadline Universities must make their decisions on applications submitted by the 29 January deadline. If no decision is received, the choice is automatically made unsuccessful. Applies to: Universities deciding on applications submitted by 29 January. | 2026 Entry | Thursday 14 May 2026 | Past |
Applicant Reply Deadline (Firm & Insurance Choices)Decision Deadline Deadline for applicants to select their Firm and Insurance university choices if all decisions were received by 14 May. Failure to reply results in offers being declined by default. Applies to: Applicants holding university offers. | 2026 Entry | Thursday 4 June 2026 | Past |
UCAS Extra ClosesExtra Final day to add a choice through UCAS Extra before Clearing opens. Applies to: Applicants using UCAS Extra. | 2026 Entry | Saturday 4 July 2026 | Past |
UCAS Clearing OpensClearing Clearing opens for students who do not hold any offers, applied after 30 June, or did not meet conditional offer requirements. Applies to: Unplaced applicants or late applicants seeking university places. | 2026 Entry | Sunday 5 July 2026 | Past |
A-Level Results Day & Clearing PeakResults UCAS Track updates with official confirmation of university places. Clearing vacancies surge as thousands of places are finalized. Applies to: All A-Level and Vocational students awaiting university place confirmation. | 2026 Entry | Thursday 13 August 2026 08:00 (UK time) | Past |
Oxbridge & Medicine Deadline (2027 Entry)Application Deadline Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, and medicine/dentistry courses for September 2027 entry. Applies to: Early applicants for 2027 entry. | 2027 Entry | Thursday 15 October 2026 18:00 (UK time) | Past |
UCAS Equal Consideration Deadline (2027 Entry)Application Deadline Main equal consideration deadline for undergraduate courses starting autumn 2027. Applies to: All undergraduate applicants for 2027 entry. | 2027 Entry | Wednesday 27 January 2027 18:00 (UK time) | In 93 days |
What is the UCAS “Equal Consideration” Rule?
Under UCAS regulations, course providers must consider all applications received by the 29 January deadline equally, regardless of when they were submitted between September and January. Applications submitted after 18:00 (UK time) on 29 January are classed as “late” and universities are not obligated to consider them if courses are oversubscribed.