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Higher Education application timetable

This page outlines the timetable for applying for courses at most colleges or universities. The timetable starts the year before your proposed date of entry - fourth year for those considering going to university or college at the end of their fifth year; fifth year for those staying on for a sixth year.

The year before intended entry

Consider these points:

May

• If you are applying for medicine, dentistry or veterinary science, or to Oxford or Cambridge, contact the respective universities to obtain details of courses and colleges.
• You must submit your UCAS application and other documentation between the beginning of September and 15 October.  Early application is advisable.
• If you are applying to any of the music conservatoires check out details of the new application process on the CUKAS website. You must submit your CUKAS application by 1 October.

June

• Start to research your Higher Education choices. You can do this online, in your local Careers Scotland centre and in your school or college.  Check out:
  • Course search
  • Scottish Guide 2009
  • UCAS website
• Visit Open Days to get more information about specific institutions and courses. Many universities and colleges start holding these from the summer onwards.
  • Opendays

July onwards

• Consult the latest prospectuses for the universities and colleges you are interested in.
• If you're interested in trying to get sponsorship for your course, check out the information in Sponsorship and trusts.

September

• Start of applications to UCAS. Detailed notes and helpful references on completing the form are available in schools, colleges and on the UCAS website. Early application improves your chances of acceptance.
• Start of applications to Route A art and design courses - see UCAS website. 
• Higher Education Conventions.

October

• If you are applying to a university, your school/college will normally expect you to have completed your UCAS form by the end of October or early November.
• 15 October is the closing date for applications to medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and Oxford and Cambridge universities.
• If you are applying to a music conservatoire, the closing date for CUKAS applications is 1 October.

November

• Art and Design courses – Route A. UCAS recommend you apply by mid-November to allow the universities and colleges more time to ask to see your portfolio.
• Oxford and Cambridge entrance examinations.

December

• Offers begin to be made by the universities and colleges to candidates.

Year of intended entry

January

• 15 January is the official closing date for most UCAS applications.
• UCAS will forward applications received between 16 January and 30 June to the places you have listed on your form. However, the individual institutions decide whether or not to consider your application.
  • Remember, once you receive your AS2 acknowledgment letter, you can check on the progress of your application on the UCAS website.
• 1 January – 24 March – applications for Art and Design Route B - see prospectuses for the Art Schools you are considering.

March

• Route B Art and Design applications – although the deadline is 24 March, UCAS recommend you apply by 7 March. Late applications are considered at the discretion of the institution.

April

• If your application was received by UCAS by 15 January you can expect all final decisions by the end of this month. If you have received conditional offers you must choose your first (firm acceptance) choice and your second (insurance) choice by the date stated. If you don't reply by the date stated your offers will lapse.

May

• Applicants who have an unconditional offer and those who have accepted their first choice conditional offer can apply for Student loans and bursary assessments from the Student Awards Agency.
  • Students Awards Agency for Scotland

July

• Higher exams normally completed.
• If you put in a late application (16 January - 30 June) you can expect all your final decisions by this month. If you have not received an offer or you are making a late application, you will receive Clearing instructions from UCAS.
• New applications can be made 1 July to 20 September for Clearing vacancies. You need to explain why you are making a late application in Section 10 of the form.
  • Information on Clearing

August

• Exam results arrive early August. If you have satisfied the course conditions, you will receive confirmation of your place from the university/college.
• UCAS Clearing scheme enables you to apply for alternative university places if you have been unsuccessful so far.
• Details of course vacancies are available online, via telephone helplines, in national newspapers and on Teletext. Contact us for details.
• Think carefully about your choices but remember direct and prompt action is essential. For university places, apply through Clearing; for college places, apply directly to the college. 

September

• Colleges/universities will still be advertising course vacancies. Contact them directly for details.
  • Contact details for Further Education colleges
  • Contact details for Universities

Applying to The Open University

Registrations for Open University courses are made directly to the Open University rather than through UCAS. The closing date for applications depends on the start date of the course you are applying for. Full details are in the prospectus. For further information contact the Open University in Scotland on 0131 226 3851 or visit the Open University website.