UCAS - timing your application

Hit that deadline.

The earlier you apply the better your chances of success:

It costs £15 to apply through UCAS via their online application form (it's no longer possible to apply via a paper form).
By January 15, 2008 you need to have picked five HE courses that you would like to take the following academic year.
If you are applying to Oxford or Cambridge - or for a Dentistry, Medicine or Veterinary Science course at any university - the deadline is October 15, 2007.
Once you have received a conditional offer, or a rejection, you must narrow the choice down to two in the summer. These must be one firm (your first choice), and one insurance (safety net, better to go for lower grades or more flexible offers here). You may be asked for an interview before a decision is made.
On results day, find out which course will take you, and if it turns out to be neither, go through clearing or repeat the year.
If you want to apply for deferred entry in 2009 you should check that the university or college will accept a deferred entry application. If you apply for deferred entry in 2009, you must meet the conditions of any offers by 31 August 2008. If you accept a deferred place you won't be able to reapply through UCAS in the 2009 cycle.
You can only submit one UCAS application form in each year's application cycle.

Late applications

If you miss the deadline you can still apply, UCAS will forward your form to the institutions for consideration at their discretion - thus courses with lots of places to fill are more likely to consider you than popular ones.

After June 30 all applications are processed through clearing.