Study abroad8 min read
How to apply to UK universities through UCAS for 2027 entry
The Draimo team
Short answer
Undergraduate applications to UK universities go through UCAS. For 2027 entry, the deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses is 15 October 2026 at 18:00 UK time; for almost everything else it is 13 January 2027 at 18:00. You choose up to five courses and write one personal statement, now answered as three questions within 4,000 characters.
Try it in Draimo
Ask what a UK university accepts from you
- Does the University of Edinburgh accept the KCSE for undergraduate entry, or do I need a foundation year?
- What is Imperial's international tuition fee for a mechanical engineering degree?
- Help me plan my answer to UCAS question one for economics. Ask me questions first.
- University lookup
- For more than a hundred top universities, Draimo reads the official website of the one you are aiming for and shows you the page.
- Every plan
- Agent Mode
- Searches the live web, reads the pages, and cites every one. Use it to compare universities or read a government page.
- Monthly and yearly plans
- Documents
- Turns your plan, notes or checklist into a Word, PowerPoint or PDF file.
- Paid plans
The two deadlines
15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time: Oxford, Cambridge, and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses.
13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time: the equal consideration deadline for almost every other undergraduate course. Many universities accept applications later, but popular courses can fill.
The personal statement is now three questions
Since 2026 entry, UCAS asks three questions instead of one open essay. You write one statement for all five choices, within 4,000 characters including spaces, and each answer must be at least 350 characters.
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you prepare for this course or subject?
- What else have you done to prepare outside of formal education, and why are these experiences useful?
Entry requirements from outside the UK
UK universities list the A level grades they want and what they accept instead from other systems, such as the KCSE, the IB, the Swedish gymnasium or a US high school diploma with AP scores. Some ask international students from certain systems to complete a foundation year first. This is exactly the question to ask Draimo: pick the university and it answers from that university's own page for your country.
The Student visa and proof of funds
After you accept an unconditional offer, the university gives you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which you need for the Student visa. You must usually show you can pay your first year's tuition plus living costs, held for 28 consecutive days.
For applications made up to 29 November 2026, living costs are £1,529 a month in London and £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to nine months. From 30 November 2026 these rise to £1,570 and £1,203.
Questions people ask
- What is the UCAS deadline for 2027 entry?
- 15 October 2026 at 18:00 UK time for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses; 13 January 2027 at 18:00 for most other courses.
- How long is the UCAS personal statement?
- Up to 4,000 characters including spaces, across three questions, with at least 350 characters for each answer.
- How much money do I need to show for a UK Student visa?
- Your first year's tuition plus living costs for up to nine months: £1,529 a month in London and £1,171 elsewhere for applications made up to 29 November 2026, rising to £1,570 and £1,203 from 30 November 2026.
Sources we checked
- UCAS: 2027 entry deadline
- UCAS: personal statement for 2026 entry onwards
- GOV.UK: Student visa, money you need
Checked 30 September 2026. Dates and amounts change every year. Draimo reads the current pages when you ask.
Ask what a UK university accepts from your country, and see its own page.
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