Admission Deadlines 2026/2027

Boarding School Admission
Deadlines 2026/2027

The main intake at UK boarding schools is September entry, and the most sought-after schools fill their boarding places well in advance. We strongly recommend starting the admission process as soon as possible, ideally 12 to 18 months before entry, to make sure you reserve the place for your child. At normal circumstances usually 6-10 months before entry is enough, however Visa process takes some time too, and it is good to leave extra window for unexpected obstacles. Registration is followed by entrance assessments, usually taken in the autumn and winter before the year of entry, with offers made early in the new year.

Once a place is confirmed, leave enough time for the visa process. Under-18 students need a Child Student visa: the school issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), a UK nominated guardian must be appointed, and the application can be made up to six months before the course starts. A decision usually takes around three weeks, but allow longer during busy summer months. See Child Student visa on GOV.UK and our UK Boarding School Admissions page for the full process.

UK Boarding School Placement

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Important: always leave enough time for the application process and the visa process. Do not leave the application to the last minute.

Summer Junior School Admission
Deadlines 2026/2027

Schools offering summer junior programmes have limited space, and popular courses and weeks sell out first. To ensure you reserve your spot, we recommend starting the application process as soon as possible, between January and May, as soon as the programme is announced by the school. Booking early also gives you the best choice of dates, course options and accommodation.

Most summer courses run for two to six weeks in July and August. Depending on nationality, your child may need a Standard Visitor visa or ETA for European citizens for a short course, so check the requirements early and build the processing time into your plans. Our Summer Junior Programme page explains the available schools and how we arrange places.

Summer Junior Programme Placement

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Important: always leave enough time for the application process and the visa process. Do not leave the application to the last minute.

UK University Admission
Deadlines 2026/2027

Applications to UK undergraduate courses are made through UCAS, and the cycle follows fixed national deadlines. The timeline below shows the key dates for January and September 2027 entry. Students hoping to start in September 2026 have now passed the main deadlines and can only apply through Clearing; students considering the January 2027 intake apply directly to universities, with deadlines usually falling between October and November 2026, see University Admissions information page.

2027 entry application deadlines

• UCAS Applications Open for Submission

  Completed applications for 2027 entry can be submitted to UCAS from this date. You will need a reference before you can send your application.

• Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine and Dentistry Deadline

  Equal consideration date for applications to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and for most courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine or science, 18:00 UK time.

• Main Equal Consideration Deadline

  The equal consideration date for most undergraduate courses, 18:00 UK time. Every application received by this deadline is assessed alongside all others, regardless of when it was submitted.

• UCAS Extra Opens

  Students who have used all five choices and are not holding any offers can add another choice, one at a time, through UCAS Extra.

• Last Date to Apply with Choices

  Applications received by 18:00 UK time are sent to universities and colleges. After this point, new applications are automatically entered into Clearing.

• Clearing Opens

  Clearing vacancies appear in the UCAS search tool and eligible applicants can be matched to courses that still have places. Applicants can also release themselves into Clearing.

• Final Deadline for 2027 Entry

  Applications must be with UCAS by 18:00 UK time. Clearing choices can be added until 18 October 2027, after which the 2027 cycle closes.

Always verify the current dates on the official UCAS dates and deadlines page.

International students also need a Student visa after accepting an offer: the university issues a CAS, and the application can be made up to six months before the course starts, with decisions usually within three weeks. See Student Visa on GOV.UK.

If you are under 18 and applying to a UK university or college, you are required to have a UK nominated guardian, and most institutions ask for guardian details as a condition of enrolment. Please contact us as soon as you are asked to provide nominated guardian details, so we can arrange your UK University Guardianship and issue the nomination letter in time for your enrolment.

UK University Placement

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Important: always leave enough time for the application process and the visa process. Do not leave the application to the last minute.

Student Exchange Programme
Deadlines 2026/2027

Exchange placements are arranged term by term with our partner schools, so deadlines vary depending on the school and the length of the exchange. As places are limited to what partner schools can host, we recommend applying at least one full term before the planned start, and for September starts, in the preceding spring. Our Student Exchange Programme page explains the available options and how to apply.

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Important: always leave enough time for the application process and the visa process. Do not leave the application to the last minute.