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 2025. 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 29th 2025 deadline. To help you with the application process, we’ve come up with a list of key university dates in 2025 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 2025.
UCAS applications close for most uni courses: 29th Jan 2025
So, for almost all courses, UCAS applications close on Wednesday, the 29th of January 2025 at 18:00 UK time. That means you’ve got roughly a month to get everything done. Though, your school may impose earlier deadlines to make sure everyone is ready well in advance of the actual deadline, as mine did. But, if you haven’t gotten started, there’s still time. You should start ASAP, but you’ve got time. This deadline is for almost all courses at almost all universities, with only two exceptions.
UCAS applications close for Oxbridge: 15th October 2025
Oxford University and Cambridge University are the first of the two exceptions. With their unique application process, the deadline for your application is much earlier. They combines the regular UCAS application with subject-specific tests and interviews. All this means that the deadline has to be earlier, in order to be able to fit everything in. Unfortunately, the deadline for this year has already passed (the 15th of October 2025 at 6pm UK time). So, that means if you’d like to go to Oxbridge, you’ll have to wait until next year to apply.
Applications close for Medicine, Veterinary, Medicine/Science, Dentistry subjects: 15th October 2025
The other exception to the January 31st deadline is courses to do with medicine, veterinary medicine/science and dentistry. This applies to the majority, but not all courses, so it’s worth checking your specific course to make sure. But, like Oxbridge, the 2025 deadline to apply was the 15th of October, 2025 at 6pm UK time. But, all is not lost. If you’re applying to additional courses that fall outside of this subject area, you still have the regular January deadline. No need to panic.
UCAS Extra: 26th Feb – 4th July 2025
You can start applying for an ‘extra’ choice if you have no offers by 26th Feb 2025. The deadline to add an ‘extra’ is 4th July 2025.
UCAS Clearing: 2nd July – 20th October 2025
The other option in this scenario is Clearing. It’s how universities fill any empty spots that they may have on their courses. There are a few different circumstances that allow you to use Clearing:
- If you’re applying after 30th June
- If you did not receive any offers (or accept any)
- If you didn’t meet the conditions of your firm or insurance choice
- If you’ve paid the multiple choice application fee (£27)
- If you decline your firm place using the “decline my place” button on your application
Clearing opens on 2nd July 2025 and you can add a clearing choice until 20th October 2025.
So if you’re wondering when do UCAS applications close, the answer is that it depends on what uni and course you’re planning to study. But, for the overwhelming majority of cases, you have a little over a month from now to get your application done. The official deadline is 29th of January 2025 at 6pm GMT. So, get going!
The personal statement is an incredibly important part of your UCAS application. If you haven’t started already, check out this article to find out all you need to know about writing a personal statement.
Last
University decision deadline: 14th May 2025 (for applications received by 29th 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.
Reply to university offers: 4th June 2025
If you’ve received all offers by 16th May, you need to reply to them by the 4th June 2025.
Final deadline to apply to university before Clearing: 30th June 2025
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.
SQA results day: 5th August 2025
SQA results come out.
A-Level results day: 14th August 2025
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.
Final deadline for 2025 courses: 24th September 2025
Applications must arrive by 18:00 on this date for 2025 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.
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.
