If you’re thinking of going to university next year, you need to know the deadlines and key dates on when to apply for entry in 2024. Most students start thinking about university a year in advance. However, if you are late to the game, don’t stress, you can still submit a uni application if you miss the UCAS Jan 31st deadline. To help you with the application process, we’ve come up with a list of key university dates in 2024 for you to jot down. We’ll also go over important things such as student accommodation, student finance, clearing, and deferred entry. Here’s everything you’ll need to know about when to apply to university in 2024
31st January 2024: UCAS Deadline
This is the first deadline to thinking about when applying for university. Jan 31st is the ‘equal consideration deadline for applying to university via UCAS. This means that applications for the majority of undergraduate UK courses should arrive by 18:00 on this date. Applications can still be submitted after this date however universities are non obliged to consider these and often only will if they have spaces to fill. Applications for Oxbridge are generally required by 15th October, the year prior.
In order to submit your application, you need to have selected a choice of (up to) five universities and have written your personal statement. You must then get a reference from a teacher or another individual who knows you academically. Once you have a reference, you can send your completed application to UCAS.
Can I apply to university without UCAS?
Most UK universities require that you submit your application via UCAS. However, some universities do accept direct applications so you need to check with them first.
28th February 2024: UCAS Extra opens
UCAS Extra opens on 28th February 2024 and is another chance for you to gain a place at university. You can use Extra if you used all five choices in your application and you didn’t receive offers from any of them. This allows you to add an extra choice, free of charge. If you only applied for one university in the first place then you must pay a £4.50 fee to add another choice.
16th May 2024: University decision deadline (on applications received by 31st Jan)
If you applied to University by the ‘equal consideration date’ then May 16th is when universities must offer or deny you a place. If you are happy with your offers, then you can accept one of your choices and start looking at things like university accommodation and student finance.
6th June 2024: Reply to university offers
If you’ve received all offers by 16th May, you need to reply to them by the 6th June 2024.
30th June 2024: the final deadline to apply to university before Clearing
Applications received before 18:00 on this date will be sent to your chosen universities by UCAS. Applications received after this date will be entered into Clearing.
Clearing is how universities fill any extra places on their course. If you do apply via clearing then be sure to get your student finance and accommodation sorted as soon as you can. Here’s how to look for accommodation in Clearing.
6th August 2024: SQA results day
SQA results come out.
15th August 2024: A-Level results day
A-Level results day can be really stressful for students applying to university. If you have a Conditional offer from a university and you don’t meet the required grades, they may still accept you. They could also offer you a place on a different course. Alternatively, you could apply to other universities via clearing or think about taking a gap year instead.
25th September 2024: Final deadline for 2024 courses.
Applications must arrive by 18:00 on this date for 2024 entry. Although this deadline is not flexible, it’s still worth contacting the uni you want to go to after this date in case their enrolment is still open.
University is the time of your life, whereas applying for university is far from it. Avoid the stress and stay on top of these key dates in 2024. Remember that there’s no shame in taking a year out if you didn’t get the results you want or you simply aren’t sure what to study.
