Study in Europe in 2020: When to apply? - Deadlines

If you want to get a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Europe in 2020, 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.

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 2020, applications might close as early as January 2020 (Sweden or Finland) up until as late as July 2020 (Germany) or even August/September (Austria or Poland).

Europe: Application deadlines for autumn/winter semester 2020

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.

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
• 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.

Can I apply to university later?

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.

What to do if I missed the university application deadline?

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:

• Check the university website, and perhaps the country’s application system website. You might find information on how to apply late.
• Call or e-mail the university that offers the programme, and ask if they accept a late application. Don’t explain too much why you missed the deadline, just focus on convincing them that you will be a good candidate.
• Once you can confirm that a late application will be considered for admission, don’t waste time: Prepare all required documents and send them off. You may just be in luck!

Which countries accept late applications?

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.

This article was last updated on 5 October 2019.