When your students should apply

If your student is applying from the UK or European Union (EU), whatever their nationality, we must receive their application between 1 September 2007 and 15 January 2008 for their application to be considered as on-time.

However, they must apply to us by 15 October 2007 for

  • Oxford University;
  • University of Cambridge;
  • medicine courses (course codes A100, A101, A103, A104, A105, A106 or A300);
  • dentistry courses (course codes A200, A201, A202, A203, A204, A205, A206 or A400);
  • veterinary medicine or veterinary science courses (course codes D100 or D101).

If applying for deferred entry for any of these courses or universities, they must also apply by 15 October 2007.

For Route B art and design courses, they must apply to us between 1 January 2008 and 24 March 2008. We recommend that they apply by 7 March 2008 to avoid the last-minute rush.female student using pc

Most courses begin in September, although some specific courses have earlier start dates, such as nursing diplomas, which can start as early as January. When your students send their applications, make sure that they allow enough time for their chosen universities and colleges to consider their application.

Universities and colleges guarantee to consider their application if we receive it by 15 January 2008 (or 24 March 2008 for Route B courses). If we receive it after the deadline but before 30 June 2008, they may consider it, but they do not have to.

If we receive their application on or after 1 July 2008, we will send them details about Clearing. We will not send it to universities and colleges at this stage, and they will have to contact them directly. Universities and colleges will want to speak to your student directly so advise them not to ask you or their parents to contact them on their behalf.

International applicants

If your student is applying from outside the UK or EU, whatever their nationality, they can apply at any time between mid-September 2007 and 30 June 2008, unless they are applying for Oxford University or University of Cambridge, courses in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or veterinary science, or Route B art and design courses, in which case they should apply by the dates above.

Most people apply well before 30 June. Universities and colleges do not guarantee to consider applications they receive after 15 January 2008, and some popular courses may not have vacancies after that date. Ask your student to check with individual universities and colleges if they are not sure.

Remind them to allow enough time for entry clearance or immigration; also travel and accommodation arrangements, which can take longer during the summer when immigration departments are busy.

If you think your student may be assessed as a 'home' student (UK or EU) for tuition fees, they should apply by 15 January 2008.

Give your student the best chance - make sure they apply as early as possible. But remind them to research their choices carefully and not wait for their exam results before applying.

Students can only send us one application in each year's application cycle.

Application flowcharts

You may find it useful to view the application cycle and the important dates as a flowchart. Click on a link below to access the relevant flowchart as a pdf document.

Application flowchart for all courses (Route A) except Route B applications
Deadline dates for the 2008 entry application process, except for Route B art and design courses (what is Route B?).

Applications for Route B art and design
Deadline dates for the 2008 entry application process for Route B art and design courses.

Applications made through Route A and Route B
Deadline dates for the 2008 entry application process for applicants who apply through both routes.

Taking a year out?

If your student wants to take a year out before starting their course, ask them to check with their universities and colleges that they will accept a deferred entry application. If they apply for deferred entry in 2009, they must meet the conditions of any offers by 31 August 2008. If they accept a place starting in 2009, they cannot reapply through us in the 2009 cycle, unless they withdraw their original application.