Guide · autumn 2027 intake
Step-by-step plan for studying abroad
What to do and when, to make it in time to apply to universities worldwide. Save the universities you need — their deadlines will automatically appear in your deadline tracker.
12–18 months before the start of studies
Decide on a field and countries
- Take the career orientation test and test by country.
- Compare the language of instruction: bachelor's programs in Germany, France, Italy and Japan often require the country's language (B2–C1).
- Check whether a preparatory year is needed after 11 years of school (Studienkolleg, Foundation) — this is stated on each country’s page.
- Estimate your budget: tuition + living. Look for scholarships early — their deadlines are often earlier than application deadlines.
In 10–14 months
Take the language and entrance exams
- IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo: most universities ask for IELTS 6.0–7.0. Take it with enough time left for a retake.
- SAT / ACT — for United States, Singapore and some universities in other countries. Nearest dates are in the tracker.
- Special tests: UCAT, TMUA, ESAT, LNAT (United Kingdom), TOLC / IMAT (Italy), EJU (Japan).
In 9–12 months
Build a list of 6–10 universities
- Balance your list: 2–3 reach, 3–4 realistic, 2–3 safe options.
- Save universities ♡ — deadlines, a document checklist and application status will appear.
- Write to students: on each university’s “Students” tab you’ll find official chats and a letter template.
In 8–11 months
Prepare your documents
- Certificate or transcript of grades, translation and apostille (sworn/notarized translation).
- Motivation letter or essay — start 2–3 months ahead and write several versions.
- Teacher recommendations — ask at least a month ahead.
- Portfolio — for design, architecture, art.
September – March
Submit your applications
- United Kingdom: UCAS by 15 October (Oxford, Cambridge, medicine) or 13 January.
- United States: Early — 1 November, Regular — 1–15 January. Canada: 15 January.
- Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland, France, Singapore — from January to May; Germany — more often by 15 July.
- Keep portal logins and application numbers in the university's notes.
March — July
Offers, finances and visa
- Compare offers and scholarships, pay the deposit by the deadline (in United States — 1 May).
- Financial documents for the visa: blocked account (Germany), CAS (United Kingdom), I-20 (United States), CoE (Australia).
- Apply for a visa right after admission, book housing and insurance.
Application systems and key deadlines
Autumn 2027 intake. ✓ — verified against the official page. Individual university dates are on their pages in UniAtlas.
| Country | How to apply | Main deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB United Kingdom | UCAS | 15 October 2026 — Oxford, Cambridge, medicine; 13 January 2027 — others ✓ | ucas.com |
| US United States | Common App / Coalition / UC | 1 November 2026 — Early; 1–15 January 2027 — Regular ✓ | commonapp.org |
| CA Canada | OUAC (Ontario) / university portals | 15 January 2027 (U of T, UBC, McGill) ✓ | ouac.on.ca |
| NL Netherlands | Studielink | 15 January 2027 — numerus fixus; 1 May — others ✓ | studielink.nl |
| IE Ireland | CAO | 1 February 2027 (reduced fee until 20 January) ✓ | cao.ie |
| SE Sweden | universityadmissions.se | 15 January 2027 ✓ | universityadmissions.se |
| FR France | Campus France / Parcoursup | mid-December 2026 (Campus France); 11 March 2027 (Parcoursup) ✓ | parcoursup.gouv.fr |
| CH Switzerland | University portals | 31 March 2027 (ETH), 30 April 2027 (EPFL) ✓ | ethz.ch |
| DE Germany | uni-assist / university portals | often 15 July 2027 (for non-EU often earlier) ✓ | uni-assist.de |
| AT Austria | University portals | Uni Wien: summer semester — by 7 January 2027 ✓ | studieren.univie.ac.at |
| IT Italy | Universitaly + university | university windows, usually January–April (typical) | universitaly.it |
| ES Spain | UNEDasiss + university | May–June 2027 (typical) | unedasiss.uned.es |
| PL Poland | IRK of the university | June–July 2027 (typical) | go-poland.pl |
| CZ Czechia | e-přihláška of the faculty | February–April 2027 (typical) | studyin.cz |
| AU Australia | Directly to the university / agents | 30 November 2026 (Melbourne), 1 December 2026 (Sydney) — for February ✓ | studyaustralia.gov.au |
| JP Japan | University portals | Kyoto iUP: 3 December 2026 ✓ | studyinjapan.go.jp |
| KR South Korea | University portals | KAIST: 14 January 2027; spring intake — in autumn ✓ | studyinkorea.go.kr |
| SG Singapore | NUS / NTU portals | 17 February 2027 (NUS), 19 March 2027 (NTU) ✓ | nus.edu.sg |
| HK Hong Kong | Non-JUPAS | 25 November 2026 — first round HKU ✓ | admissions.hku.hk |
Scholarships
Official programs and scholarship databases. Deadlines are usually 2–6 months earlier than the university application.
DE
DAAD — Germany's scholarship database
KR
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
JP
MEXT — Japanese government scholarship
HU
Stipendium Hungaricum
TR
Türkiye Bursları
NL
Holland Scholarship
FR
Campus France — scholarships
US
EducationUSA — financial aid in United States
AU
Study in Australia — scholarships
CN
Campus China (CSC)
How to avoid scams
Official channels only
Applications go through the university’s website or national systems (UCAS, Common App, Studielink, Campus France). There is no such thing as “guaranteed admission”.
Pay only the university
The application fee and deposit are paid on the official portal. Check the payment details on the university’s website.
Check your email
Offers come from the university’s domain. If in doubt, write to the admissions office using the contacts on the official website.
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