UCAS Guide for Parents, Carers & Guardians
Click here for the 2026 Guide
Please encourage your child to leave contingency time before the UCAS deadline in case something goes wrong, for example loss of internet access, card payment failure, adding a reference. When applying through the school a member of staff will send the final application. Please ensure you attend the UCAS Information Evening for Parents in school. The DHT and PTPC will guide your child through the whole process it is important that they check the Year Group Team Page regularly for updates and guidance as school deadlines may vary from UCAS deadlines to ensure the application is completed with time for staff to read over and help.
These are UCAS Key dates at a glance 2025
29 April: Courses starting in 2026 are available in the UCAS search tool.
13 May: UCAS Undergraduate application live for registrations for 2026 entry courses. Your child
can start their application but cannot submit it to UCAS until September.
10 July: Conservatoire applications open for 2026 entry. From this date, applicants can register, pay, and send their applications.
2 September: Completed UCAS Undergraduate applications can be paid for and sent to UCAS. Applications can’t be sent until all sections are complete, the reference is added, and the application fee has been paid.
2 October (18:00 UK time): Application deadline for conservatoire music applications. Applications for dance, drama, and musical theatre courses may have a different deadline – check conservatoires’ websites for information.
15 October (18:00 UK time): Deadline for applications to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and for most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/ science. An application can still be sent after this date, but the universities and colleges concerned cannot guarantee they’ll give it equal consideration.
2026
14 January (18:00 UK time): Deadline for most undergraduate courses and most conservatoire undergraduate dance, drama, or musical theatre courses. An application can still be sent after this date, but the providers concerned cannot guarantee they’ll give it equal consideration.
26 February: Extra opens. If your child has used all five choices and is not holding an offer, they can add another choice using Extra.
30 June (18:00 UK time): Last date for receipt of applications with choices. Applications received after this deadline are automatically entered into Clearing.
4 July: Extra closes.
5 July: Clearing opens, and vacancies are shown in the UCAS search tool.
