UCAS deadlines for 2027 entry
5 min read ยท updated 2026-10-02
There are two UCAS deadlines that matter for students starting university in 2027, and the first is on 15 October 2026. Here is what each one covers, and what needs to be ready before it.
The two equal-consideration deadlines
UCAS deadlines are 'equal consideration' dates: universities must consider every application that arrives by 18:00 UK time on the day.
- โ 15 October 2026: the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and most courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine or science
- โ 13 January 2027: all other undergraduate courses for 2027 entry
What must be ready before you submit
Your school adds a reference and predicted grades before sending the application to UCAS, so school deadlines are usually two or three weeks earlier than the UCAS ones. Ask your school for its internal date, then work back from it.
- โ Choice of up to five courses (four for medicine, dentistry or veterinary courses)
- โ Personal statement, finished and checked
- โ Admissions tests registered where the course requires them
- โ Predicted grades, which schools set largely from Year 12 work
After the October deadline
Oxford and Cambridge shortlist and interview in December. Oxford interviews are online, mostly between 7 and 18 December 2026; Cambridge colleges interview between 7 and 18 December 2026, some online and some in person. Both send decisions in January.
Applications that miss 13 January can still be sent, but universities do not have to consider them unless they still have places.
FAQs
What time is the UCAS deadline?๏ผ
18:00 UK time on the deadline day: 15 October 2026 or 13 January 2027 for 2027 entry.
Can I apply to both Oxford and Cambridge?๏ผ
Not in the same year, except in a few specific circumstances such as organ scholarships. Choose one.
Is the January deadline a hard cut-off?๏ผ
Universities must consider every application received by 18:00 on 13 January 2027. After that they may consider late applications if they still have places.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 2026-10-02.
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