This article was written by the Great British Mag Editorial Team on 13 January 2021.
The deadline for undergraduate applications to UK universities has been extended from 15 January to 29 January, to help students and their advisors complete their applications in the face of Covid-19 restrictions.
Aside from this change, universities are processing applications for courses starting in September 2021 as normal.
What happens if I miss the deadline for the 2021 intake?
While it’s strongly recommended that you aim to get your university applications in by the 29 January deadline, a lot of universities will carry on accepting applications from non-UK students throughout the spring and into the summer, so it is worth checking the deadlines of with the universities you are interested in applying to.
That said, meeting the deadline will guarantee you ‘equal consideration’ by the university. This means that your application will be assessed in exactly the same way as everyone else’s, whereas later on in the year, universities may offer places on a first-come, first-served basis, for instance.
Also, remember you’ll need time to consider your offers, apply for your visa and organise accommodation, so you don’t want to leave your application too late.
Have my chances of being accepted into a UK university changed due to Covid-19?
If you’re wondering whether there are fewer spaces available for courses starting in 2021 due to people deferring last year because of Covid-19, you needn’t be worried. UK Universities confirmed that the number of people who chose to delay their place by a year only rose by 0.1% in 2020. What’s more, some universities are planning to increase their capacity this year. This means there are still plenty of opportunities available.
Will university courses starting in September 2021 be affected by Covid-19?
At the moment, there’s no way to tell what the situation will be in September, but universities are preparing for a range of different scenarios. Last year, virtual learning was implemented for many courses, with lectures and seminars taking place online. It’s likely that this will still play a significant part in courses for the autumn term, to comply with social distancing rules and contain the spread of the virus.
Will I be able to get the Covid-19 vaccine while I’m studying in the UK?
The government have confirmed that international students will be included in the roll-out of the coronavirus vaccination in the UK. Right now, the vulnerable and elderly are being prioritised along with healthcare workers, but it’s thought younger people and those without underlying health concerns will start receiving them later in the year.
What if I’m not sure about moving to the UK this year?
If you’re undecided about whether now is the time for you to start your studies in the UK – because of the pandemic or for any other reason – you can still apply and will have the option to defer your place until next year.
You may also want to read:
How to apply to UK uni as an international student
