When do university applications close?

University application deadlines are very different from country to country. And they sometimes depend on whether you need a student
visa. To start studying in autumn 2024, applications might close as early as January 2024 (Sweden or Finland) up until as late as July 2024
(Germany) or even August/September (Austria or Poland).

Europe: Application deadlines for autumn/winter semester 2024

Country Common application deadlines

Austria  June to September 2024 (varies by university)

Belgium  February/March (non-EEA students)

Czech Republic  usually February to April for most universities

Denmark  15 March 2024 (Bachelor degrees); varies for Master degrees

Estonia  between March and June 2024; deadlines for non-EEA citizens are usually earlier

Finland  19 January 2024 (most universities); March/April 2024 (some universities of applied
sciences)
Country Common application deadlines

France  between February and April 2024 for most universities

Germany  15 July 2024 for most universities/programmes; deadlines can be different especially if a
visa is needed

Hungary  between February and May 2024 for most universities

Iceland  varies by university; between January and April 2024

Ireland  Bachelors: 1 February 2024 is the priority deadline, later applications might also be
possible; Masters: varies by university and programme

Italy  varies by university; but generally from May to July, and earlier for students who need a
visa

Latvia  May/June 2024; varies by university

Lithuania  June/July 2024

Netherlands (Holland)  1 April 2024 or 1 May 2024 for most universities; some universities offer assistance with
accommodation if you apply early
 Country Common application deadlines

Norway  1 December 2023 for non-European students, might be different for some universities

Poland  varies by university; but generally from July to August

Russia  beginning of July 2024 for most universities

Spain  varies by university; some as early as January, some as late as July

Sweden  16 January 2024 to register application, and 1 February 2024 to submit all documents
and pay the application fee

Switzerland  varies by university; but generally from February to April, and earlier for students who
need a visa

United Kingdom  Bachelors/undergraduate: usually by January, and vacant places are filled via Clearing
applications from July until October 2024
Master/postgraduate: varies by university; some accept applications until the summer;
some popular courses are full much earlier

Some study programmes, or some private universities, may have different application deadlines before or after the entries in the table. Be
sure to do your research early so that you won’t be caught in a hurry.

Which documents do you need for your university application?

The application closing dates in the table above usually mean that by then you must have submitted your complete application. Check with
the universities for the details - but in general, applying for a Bachelor or Master means you have to submit the following documents:

 Cover letter (or motivation letter)

 Curriculum vitae (CV, or resume)
 Previous degree certificates or grade transcripts
 Proof of English proficiency (usually IELTS or TOEFL)
 Copy of your passport or national ID
 Academic reference letters (sometimes)
 Documentation for programme-specific requirements
In some cases, some of these documents can be supplied after the actual application deadline - so long as you began your application
before that date. Make sure to read the admissions guidelines to know exactly what documents are needed when.