United Kingdom: 13 January 2027
UCAS handles applications to most UK undergraduate courses. Applications for Oxford, Cambridge, and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses closed on 15 October 2026. The main deadline for other courses is 13 January 2027 at 6 pm UK time.
United States: November and January
Many US universities run early rounds (Early Decision or Early Action) that usually close on 1 or 15 November, and regular rounds that mostly close in January. Each university sets its own dates, so check every school on your list.
Switzerland: spring, or earlier with a visa
Swiss public universities usually close applications in spring for the autumn semester, and earlier for students who need a Swiss student visa. At the University of Lausanne, for example, the last cycle closed at the end of February for visa applicants and on 30 April for others. Private hospitality and business schools admit students several times a year.
Rest of Europe: it varies
Dates differ by country and by university. Some programmes with limited places close in winter; others stay open until spring. Check each programme directly, and apply early if you need a visa.
The Netherlands: 15 January for limited places
Dutch applications go through Studielink and the university's own portal. Programmes with a fixed number of places (numerus fixus) close on 15 January 2027. Other programmes set their own dates, and for non-EU students these are often around 1 April, as at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Canada and Australia
Canadian universities set their own deadlines, and most students also need a provincial attestation letter before the study permit, under a national cap of 408,000 permits for 2026. Australia's main intakes are in February and July, so a student who is not ready for September can still start in early 2028.
Leave time for the visa
The application deadline is only half the plan. Switzerland asks non-EU students to apply for the visa at least three months before the course. The UK asks students to show living funds for up to nine months, and Germany usually asks for a blocked account. Book visa appointments as soon as the admission letter arrives.
A month-by-month plan for September 2027
- October and November 2026: final shortlist, English test booked, US early rounds
- December 2026 and January 2027: UCAS by 13 January, Dutch numerus fixus by 15 January, US regular rounds
- February to April 2027: Swiss public universities and most of Europe, while offers start to arrive
- May and June 2027: accept an offer, pay deposits and start the visa
- July and August 2027: visa, housing, flights and arrival
What to do this month
- Agree a shortlist of six to eight universities
- Book the English test (IELTS or TOEFL) early
- Ask the school for transcripts and references
- Check that every university on the list is recognised at home
Frequently asked questions
Is it too late to apply for September 2027?
No. Apart from Oxford, Cambridge and most UK medicine courses, which closed on 15 October 2026, the main deadlines are still ahead.
Should we apply Early Decision to a US university?
Only if the student is sure about one university, because Early Decision is binding. Early Action is not.
Which English test do universities accept?
Most accept IELTS or TOEFL, and many accept other tests or proof from the school. Check each university on the list before booking.
Start with a Pathway Plan
In 90 minutes we check recognition, build your shortlist and set every deadline in writing.
- UCAS key dates for 2027 entry (The Profs)
- University of Lausanne: bachelor's deadlines with a foreign diploma
- Erasmus University Rotterdam: bachelor's application deadlines
- CIC News: Canada's 2026 study permit cap
- Canton of Geneva: student permit for non-EU nationals
- UKCISA: changes to the Immigration Rules, September 2026