For 2027 entry, the UCAS equal consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses is 18:00 UK time on 13 January 2027. Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses closed earlier, on 15 October 2026. If you are applying in January, the work to do now is your personal statement, reference, predicted grades and any admissions test.
What are the key UCAS dates for 2027 entry?
Dates below come from university admissions pages, including Imperial College London and Bournemouth University. A few third-party sites list 14 January, so check your UCAS Hub for the date that applies to you.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 12 May 2026 | UCAS applications open for 2027 entry |
| 15 October 2026, 18:00 | Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses |
| 13 January 2027, 18:00 | Equal consideration deadline for most other undergraduate courses |
| 25 February 2027 | UCAS Extra opens for applicants with no offers |
| 30 June 2027 | Last date for standard applications, after which they go into Clearing |
| 2 July 2027 | Clearing opens |
What does “equal consideration” mean?
Universities treat every application that arrives by the deadline equally, whatever day it came in. You can still apply afterwards, but it is not guaranteed to be considered, and popular courses may be full. Do not plan to submit on the final afternoon: your school or college has to attach your reference before it goes in, and that often needs several days.
What should be on your UCAS checklist?
- Choose your courses. You can apply to up to five. Check entry requirements and any required subjects on each course page.
- Check admissions tests. Imperial lists test windows for ESAT and TMUA on 4 to 8 January 2027, which is very close to the UCAS deadline, so book early if your course needs one.
- Draft your personal statement early. Write it in stages and get a teacher to read it.
- Ask for your reference. Tell your school or college which date you are aiming for, not just the official deadline.
- Confirm predicted grades. Make sure your teachers have your latest results and mock marks.
- Check the details. Personal data, qualifications and the fee, using a personal email address rather than a school one.
- Submit with a buffer. A week before the deadline is a sensible target.
How do you plan the last eight weeks?
Work backwards from 13 January. Put a date on each step, then break the personal statement into small tasks, such as an outline, first draft, teacher feedback and final edit. In MyStudyLife you can add each step as a task with a reminder, and link focus sessions to the writing so the draft actually moves. Keep your revision timetable running alongside it, because predicted grades depend on your autumn results.
If you are aiming for Oxford, Cambridge or a competitive course, our Oxbridge application planner and Russell Group application planner go deeper.
What if you miss the January deadline?
You can still apply until 30 June 2027, and universities may consider late applications if places remain. After that, applications go into Clearing, which opens on 2 July 2027. If you apply and get no offers, UCAS Extra opens on 25 February 2027. Speak to your school or college adviser about the best route for your situation.
FAQ
When is the UCAS deadline in January 2027?
Most universities state 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time. Check your UCAS Hub.
Is the October deadline the same as the January one?
No. October applies to Oxford, Cambridge, and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses.
Can I apply after January?
Yes, until 30 June 2027, but late applications are not guaranteed consideration.
Related reading: UK degree classification | GCSE grades explained | Study Tips
