Application Timeline
Applying for University can be a confusing process as there are lots of deadlines at different times and it can be difficult to keep track of everything you need to do. The guide below is designed to provide a clear outline of the application process and highlight what you need to be doing at each stage.
Start to think about university - February to June
You will start thinking about where you want to apply and what to study around the February of year 12 (if you have not already been thinking about it). This is the time when UCAS exhibitions talk place which is a good chance to find out which Universities offer the subjects they are interested in.
Decide where you want to apply - June to September
Once you have narrowed down the list of possible universities many of you will start to conduct some research online and decide to attend open days, both virtual and physical, to get a feel for the different institutions you are interested in and find out more about the courses and experiences on offer.
Submit your Application - September to January
With the choices narrowed down to your final 5 you will start to submit your applications through UCAS from late September.
Receive your offers - October to March
Depending on when you apply you can start to receive offers from early October. Some of you will receive your offer quite quickly but it can take longer during busy periods.Offers notification are sent directly through UCAS and you will receive information from the University including information about offer-holder days and how to book your place.
Attend offer-holder days - February to April
We hold offer-holder days between February and April. You are advised to book early to ensure you can attend on the date you want. This is a good opportunity for you to find out what the University has to offer and get a feel for what it would be like to study at Nottingham so we encourage you to attend one of these days.
If you are unable to visit in person then please get in touch we are happy to send you information about what it is like to study Natural Sciences at Nottingham, answer your questions and point you in the direction of opportunities to chat to our students and staff online from wherever you are in the world.
Make a decision about where to go - March to July
Once you have received all of your offers and visited any institutions you are thinking about attending then it is time to make your decision about where you want to go. The deadlines for replying to your offers are staggered depending on when you received your offers.
Find out the reply deadlines at the UCAS website
Apply for accommodation - April to July
Applications for accommodation at Nottingham open in April and run through summer. The deadline for applying to meet the accommodation guarantee is the 31st of July (other conditions apply check the Accommodation FAQs for full details).
Find out how to apply for accommodation and your accommodation options
Sit your Exams - May to June
We will try to avoid contacting you too much during this period as we know you are busy with your revision and exams. All of us here at Nottingham wish our prospective students the very best of luck with their exams.
Apply for Finance - June to August
Once your exams are out of the way it is time to start looking at applying for Student Finance, visit the relevant funding authority for your country to find out more about what is required. The applications for finance open in late-March so you can start applying sooner if you already know where you are putting as your firm choice.
Check out the Student Finance England Quick Start Finance Guide
Results Day - August
We check your examination results as soon as they are released and contact UCAS to confirm which students have a place to study at Nottingham. This means that when you get your results on Thursday you should be able to see straight away on UCAS whether your place has been confirmed.
Results time can be very fraught for many students and unfortunately not all students will make the grades they require for their first choice courses and universities. It is important to remain calm and stay positive: lots of places are available during clearing and if you are well-prepared you will almost certainly be able to find a university and a course that is right for you.
Preparing to Start - Early-September
A week after results day accepted students will start to receive information from the University about the start of the year. This will include information about choosing the stream you want to study on Natural Sciences as well as information about your arrival, accommodation and registration with the University.
Visit the Welcome webpages to find out more