Study in Europe in 2024: When to apply? - Deadlines
by Norbert Reimer, , modified
If you want to get a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Europe in 2024, it is important to do your research early. In some countries, you may have to submit your applications up to 9 months before the start of term.
This article is regularly updated with the relevant university application deadlines.
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).
We have compiled an overview of university application deadlines in Europe - check out the table below. The following dates are generally valid to start studies in the following autumn semester, in some countries called fall semester or winter semester; and they apply to the majority of public universities in the respective countries.
| Country | Common application deadlines |
|---|---|
| Austria (search now) | June to September 2024 (varies by university) |
| Belgium (search now) | typically 1 June 2024 (students from the EU/EEA); February/March (non-EEA students) |
| Czech Republic (search now) | usually February to April for most universities |
| Denmark (search now) | 15 March 2024 (Bachelor degrees); varies for Master degrees and can be as early as January |
| Estonia (search now) | between March and June 2024; deadlines for non-EEA citizens are usually earlier |
| Finland (search now) | 17 January 2024 (most universities); March/April 2024 (some universities of applied sciences) |
| France (search now) | between February and April 2024 for most universities |
| Germany (search now) | 15 July 2024 for most universities/programmes; deadlines can be different especially if a visa is needed |
| Hungary (search now) | between February and May 2024 for most universities |
| Iceland (search now) | varies by university; between January and April 2024 |
| Ireland (search now) | Bachelors: 1 February 2024 is the priority deadline, later applications might also be possible; Masters: varies by university and programme |
| Italy (search now) | varies by university; but generally from May to July, and earlier for students who need a visa |
| Latvia (search now) | May/June 2024; varies by university |
| Lithuania (search now) | June/July 2024 |
| Netherlands (Holland) (search now) | 1 April 2024 or 1 May 2024 for most universities; some universities offer assistance with accommodation if you apply early |
| Norway (search now) | 1 December 2023 for non-European students, 1 March 2024 for students from EU/EEA; might be different for some universities |
| Poland (search now) | varies by university; but generally from July to August |
| Russia (search now) | beginning of July 2024 for most universities |
| Spain (search now) | varies by university; some as early as January, some as late as July |
| Sweden (search now) | 15 January 2024 to register application, and 1 February 2024 to submit all documents and pay the application fee |
| Switzerland (search now) | varies by university; but generally from February to April, and earlier for students who need a visa |
| United Kingdom (search now) | 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.
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:
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.
It is definitely recommended to apply by the official application deadlines - and in some cases it is even technically impossible to apply later, because the websites through which you would have applied are shut down. However, many universities in many countries allow late entries when there are still places available.
Even if you missed the application date for a study programme, there is still a chance you can apply and get admitted. Here is what you should do:
If you need a student visa for the country you’re thinking about studying in, be aware that visa processing times can be long, and that the outcome is uncertain. This is the reason why application deadlines for non-EU students are often so much earlier.
Most embassies will provide guidance on typical wait times for initial appointments, as well as how long the whole process might take. The earlier you know this, the better you can adapt! We recommend you start looking into this around two years before you want to start studying in Europe. The actual visa application usually requires you to have an offer from a university; but at least you will then be well-prepared for the rest of the process.
Universities in some countries require you to send your applications very early, for example Sweden or Finland, where first-round closing dates are usually in January. However, it is common that you can send in late applications for a second admissions round. This could be successful if the courses you apply to did not otherwise get enough applicants.
Otherwise, some countries generally have very late application deadlines. In the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania - you can usually apply to university until June. German public universities commonly accept applications until mid-July. In Austria and Poland, you can sometimes send in your application until shortly before the start of the semester.
20815 Programmes in Europe
