Timeline

Ideally, the process of applying for undergraduate study in the UK will begin 1 - 1½ years before enrolment. For most current high school students, this is during the spring at the end of their junior year.

Do not panic if you are late getting started in this process. If it is the fall before you anticipate enrolling in a UK university, there is still plenty of time to put together your applications. You will simply need to work at a faster pace!

1-1 ½ Years Before Enrollment (For current high school students: Summer at the end of junior year)

At this time, we recommend that you begin learning about the UK higher education system and application process.
You will also want to begin researching and choosing UK universities with a view to narrowing your search from over 130 institutions to the up to 5 UK universities to which you will apply through UCAS.
For more information on UK universities, you may also be interested in viewing the list of relevant online sources on the enquiries page.

8-10 Months Before Enrollment (Fall of senior year)

At this point, you will need to complete and submit your admissions applications. You will apply through a centralised system called the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
September: Applicants may submit their UCAS application starting in September.
Mid-October: There is early deadline in mid-October for applications to Oxford or Cambridge (you can only apply to one), as well as courses (degree programmes) in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science or veterinary medicine.
Mid-January: Application deadline for all other courses aside from those listed for the mid-October deadline or the March deadline.
Mid-March: Deadline for art and design courses.
Alongside completing your admissions applications for undergraduate study in the UK, you will also want to research and consider funding options.

Lead up to Enrollment (Spring/Summer of senior year)

31 March: If you applied by the mid-January deadline, you should hear back from universities by the end of March.
You will need to notify the universities on your plans to accept or decline their offer(s) of admission by the summer.
If you are not admitted to your universities of choice or if you do not apply before the final June UCAS deadlines, it is also possible to apply for admissions to a UK university in the clearing process.
During the summer, you will complete your visa application.
Your studies will begin in late September or early October.