Applying for university

How to apply for university

You'll apply through UCAS and can follow their step-by-step guide.

If you're thinking about a performing arts subject, you'll also find courses run by conservatoires through UCAS.

These are smaller than universities and focus on performance-based subjects. You can find more information about how to apply for one of these courses on the UCAS site.

If you're applying to study medicine, dentistry or law you might need to sit an aptitude test. These check if you have the right skills needed to do well on the course.

To find out more about the aptitude-tests, you can check out:

• the University Clinical Aptitude test for medicine and dentistry
• the Law National Aptitude Test site for more information

You can see whether universities have offered you a place, and what kind of offer they’ve made using the UCAS Track system.

When to apply for university

UCAS keep an up-to-date record of deadlines for different types of courses each academic year.

Application deadlines for medicine, dentistry and law close earlier than for other subjects. 

Applying for university through Clearing

Some universities fill places they still have on their courses through a process called 'Clearing'.

You can apply if:  

• you’re not already holding an offer from a college or university or you declined your offers 
• the course still has places 

Clearing usually starts in early July and runs through to mid-October.

Visit UCAS to find exact dates, more information and search for courses.