Lightning Enrolment logo
    Back to Articles
    Admissions

    UK Intake Deadlines 2026/27: September, November & January Dates

    By Lightning Enrolment Editorial TeamPublished Updated 8 min read

    Reviewed against official UK university and UKVI sources. See oureditorial policy.

    September 2026 is closing - places still open

    Missed September 2026? Apply for the November 2026 or January 2027 intake

    UK universities and international colleges are still accepting applications for November 2026 and January 2027 starts, with the same degrees, the same visa route and shorter waiting times.

    Apply for November 2026 / January 2027

    Free tool - 60 seconds

    Check if you're eligible for UK universities

    Enter your grades, English score and nationality. Get instant matches across 31 universities and 600+ courses. No account required.

    Check EligibilityQuick Apply

    Quick Answer

    For September 2026 intakes the main deadlines are: UCAS equal-consideration deadline on 29 January 2026, most direct postgraduate applications by 30 June 2026, deposits paid by mid-July 2026, CAS issued by late July, and visa submission ideally by early August 2026 to arrive before enrolment in late September.

    Undergraduate (UCAS) Deadlines

  1. 15 October 2025: Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary
  2. 29 January 2026: Equal-consideration deadline for most courses
  3. 30 June 2026: Final UCAS deadline (applications after this go to Clearing)
  4. July-August 2026: UCAS Clearing for remaining places

    5. Postgraduate Deadlines

    Most UK Master's accept applications until July 2026 for September entry, but competitive courses (Imperial, UCL, LSE, Manchester, Warwick business and STEM) close in March or April 2026. Always apply 6 to 9 months early.

    Internal Milestones

  5. Deposit deadline: 4 to 6 weeks after firm acceptance, usually by mid-July 2026
  6. CAS request window: Opens once conditions are met and deposit is paid, typically May to August 2026
  7. CAS cut-off: Most universities stop issuing CAS by mid-August 2026

    8. Visa Deadlines

  8. Earliest submission: 6 months before course start (so from March 2026)
  9. Recommended submission: June or July 2026
  10. Latest safe submission: First week of August 2026 with Priority service
  11. Visas can be approved up to 1 month before the course starts in some cases

    12. Travel and Enrolment

  12. Most enrolment weeks: 21 September to 5 October 2026
  13. Travel: within the 90-day vignette window stamped on your visa
  14. Late enrolment: usually possible up to 2 weeks after start, with permission

    15. Quick Comparison Table

    StepEarliestRecommendedLatest

    |------|----------|-------------|--------|

    Apply UCASSep 2025Jan 2026Jun 2026Apply PG directOct 2025Mar 2026Jul 2026Pay depositMay 2026Jun 2026mid-Jul 2026Request CASMay 2026Jun 2026early Aug 2026Submit visaMar 2026Jun-Jul 2026early Aug 2026Arrive in UKSep 2026mid-Sep 2026end-Sep 2026

    Bottom Line

    Treat the deposit and CAS step as the real bottleneck. Universities will not issue a CAS until tuition deposits clear, and a delayed deposit is the single biggest reason international students miss the September 2026 enrolment.

    *Sources: UCAS 2026 cycle calendar, UKVI Student Visa guidance 2026, UK university 2026 entry pages.*

    Need help checking your eligibility?

    Use our free tool to check if you meet UK university entry requirements.

    Check Eligibility

    📍 Entry Requirements by Country

    Check country-specific UK university entry requirements:

    🇮🇳 India🇳🇬 Nigeria🇵🇰 Pakistan🇧🇩 Bangladesh🇨🇳 China🇬🇭 Ghana🇰🇪 Kenya🇦🇪 UAEView all countries →

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the UCAS deadline for September 2026 entry?+

    The UCAS equal-consideration deadline is 29 January 2026 for most undergraduate courses. Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary have an earlier deadline of 15 October 2025. The final UCAS deadline is 30 June 2026, after which applications go to Clearing.

    When do UK Master's applications close for September 2026?+

    Most UK Master's courses remain open until July 2026, but competitive courses at Imperial, UCL, LSE, Manchester and Warwick close in March or April 2026.

    When is the deposit deadline for September 2026 UK universities?+

    Most universities ask for the tuition deposit 4 to 6 weeks after firm acceptance, with a hard cut-off in mid-July 2026.

    What is the latest I can request a CAS for September 2026?+

    Most universities stop issuing CAS letters by mid-August 2026 to leave applicants enough time to complete the visa process before enrolment.

    Related Articles

    Admissions
    9 min read

    UCAS Points for International Students 2026: Do Your Grades Convert?

    Which international qualifications carry UCAS Tariff points and which do not. How CBSE, HSSC, WAEC, Gaokao, HSC and IB grades are actually assessed by UK universities, plus what to do if your grades fall short.

    Read more
    Admissions
    8 min read

    University of Wolverhampton November 2026 Intake: 5 MSc Courses, CAS Deadlines and How to Apply

    Wolverhampton November 2026 intake is open for 5 postgraduate courses: MSc Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science and Project Management. Apply by 2 October 2026. Full deadline table and entry guidance inside.

    Read more
    Admissions
    8 min read

    Cardiff Metropolitan University January 2027 Intake: Course List, Deadlines & Entry Requirements

    Cardiff Met is open for January 2027. Application deadline 20 November 2026, conditions 27 November 2026, deposit 4 December 2026, with the full MBA, business and technology Masters list for the Llandaff Campus.

    Read more