All UK university applications for full-time undergraduate courses need to be made through the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Regardless of the course or university, you are applying to, having a good grasp on the UCAS deadlines can make the application process smooth for you.
Unlike US universities, UK universities do not have early decision/regular decision differentiation. The deadlines are fixed and may be different based on the course you wish to pursue (medicine applicants need to apply well in advance compared to other course applicants). However, since the UCAS is the portal through which you are doing your registration, all Universities in the UK follow the same deadlines.
Keep in mind that all applications:
- For Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary courses need to be done by 15 October 20_ _, for 20_ _ intake.
- For the majority of the other courses, the official deadline for application is 15th January 20_ _, for 20_ _ intake.
- Some art and design courses keep the deadline on 24th March 20_ _, for 20_ _ intake. (Check the details of the course to see if this applies to you)
The above points summarize the key dates you need to keep in mind if you intend on applying to the UK. Below is a more detailed view on these dates, other services that the UCAS offers when you should ideally be expecting results from the universities, and other procedural requirements.