University entry 2027, open days, UCAS applications, portfolios ...

[Issy422]

It seems a bit early, but with exams almost over and open days starting, I thought I'd start a thread for 2027 university entry. Join us whether you are highly experienced in all matters UCAS and happy to share your knowledge, a first-time university parent like me ready to receive all that wisdom or anywhere in between.

In my case, I went to university in Wales a long time ago, doing a subject that couldn't be further from DDs intentions, so feeling more than a little clueless about the whole thing. DD looking at either music (musical theatre or vocal performance) or design, so we'll have auditions, UCAS conservatoire and portfolio to consider as well.

ECA open day on Monday is the first for us, missing the first day of S6 and quietly hoping the induction morning is a repeat of last year and DD isn't missing any hugely important information.

We've decided not to do DJCAD S5/6 taster day on 10th as it would mean another long journey and two days off school so soon afterwards. Hoping there is another in the autumn.

Anyone in the know wanting to chip in with a brief summary of all things applying to university in Scotland would be most appreciated.

Hello, I have DD1 starting university this September and then DD2 doing sixth year and hoping to go in 2027.
Will need to get DD2 to sort out some open days!

Place marking. Think we will await results as DC isn't very focused on future plans. We live rurally so the number of open days we can realistically attend is limited, and annoyingly some seem to be on the same day as each other.

Hi @gracielooloo and @Meridas

We're rural too, so every open day is going to involve a long journey and an overnight stay.

We’re also fairly rural but not too far from Aberdeen and Dundee which are DD2’s top choices.
DD1 is off to Glasgow in September.

Highers finished here and S6 starts on Monday. We haven’t looked to open days properly and need to get doing so.

Welcome @Chocolateforbreakfasttoday

We did ECA open day yesterday. Some info in case anyone is going to the next one in September. Bit of a long post, even for me, and probably not helpful to those not looking to do art-based courses.

Format
Structure was lots of half hour sessions, about the various courses, which you book on in advance, plus short tours happening every 15mins. One venue for the sessions, is 10mins walk from the others, so arrive in plenty of time. They asked parents not to attend the tour or the course information sessions to allow more prospective students to attend, so be prepared for lots of hanging around. There was a stall area with admissions, student support and widening participation. There was nothing about accommodation, either in the stalls or on the tour, though one student helper did tell me she had a miserable time in Pollock Halls for being from a working class background and most people staying there were very rich.

Non-Higher course
DD has done the Daydream Believers Creative Thinking SCQF6, which was designed by various universities. In case anyone else has done it, I spoke with admissions who confirmed that it would be counted as a Higher, but only for design courses, and would not be counted at all for other (and I quote) 'more academic courses, like music'. It seems a shame, given they were one of the universities that created it, especially as UCAS give it the same points as a Higher (except an A, which gets more points than a Higher).

Degree Show
The degree show was on at the same time. It was good to see the students' work, so worth a look if you're not too far away. The degree show will also be taken to Glasgow as part of a show from multiple universities. The Interior Design area had staff at the show, who were really interested in finding out about DD and telling her about the course. That may have been just for the open day. They were excited to talk with someone who's done the Creative Thinking course and told her to include the work in her portfolio. They had additional info and tips about the portfolio requirements specifically for that course and talked her through it. The other areas of the degree show didn't have anyone doing that (not that we expected it as it's not the point of the show); they were either unmanned or had students talking about their specific project. The exception was Fashion, which had a stall outside of the degree show to talk to prospective students and offer portfolio guidance.

Overall, DD found it really helpful and is now more interested in some courses that weren't on the radar and less in some that were.

Thought some dates might be useful. I've started with the dates I happen to know about. Please add any you become aware of by copying the list and slotting in:

Useful dates

Degree Shows
DJCAD - ended 31 May
ECA - ended today
Napier - ended today
GSoA - ends Sun 7th, plus online GSA showcase
Gray's - 5 June to 14 June

Open Days
10 June - DJCAD Art & Design S5/6 Taster Day
17 June - Dundee mini open day
18 June - Glasgow
2 September - Glasgow
2 September - Gray's
15 September - UCAS Discovery event Glasgow
26 September - Dundee
26 September - Napier
31 October - Dundee
31 October - Gray's
28 November - Gray's

UCAS Dates
2026
28 April - Courses show in UCAS search tool
12 May - Registration opens and applications open for drafting
9 July - Conservatoire applications open
[4 August - QS H/AH results]
1 September - Completed applications can be submitted (with reference)
15 September - Equal consideration date for applications to Oxbridge, and for most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary
1 October - Conservatoire music courses application deadline
15 December - Application deadline for PGCE courses in Wales
2027
13 January - Equal consideration date for applications for most undergraduate courses
13 January - Conservatoire deadline for most undergraduate dance, drama or musical theatre courses
25 February - Extra opens (if used all five choices and not holding any offers)
30 June - Applications received by this deadline will be sent to universities and colleges. After this time, applications are automatically entered into clearing
1 July - Last day to add an Extra choice
2 July - Clearing opens
23 September - Final date for 2027 entry applications
23 September - Conservatoire final date for applications
18 October - Last date to add a clearing choice

Hi all,

DD has started S6 and is sooooo done. I'm hoping things feel more worthwhile and purposeful for her soon :/

She's applying to do Creative Music Production and I think will end up in England somewhere, only due to a lack of options in Scotland. She won't be 18 until the end of Sept and is considering deferring.

My eldest child has just finished his first year at Heriot Watt, having applied in S6 and starting in the Sept after. Happy to answer any Qs!

Welcome @YouBelongWithMe . Thank you for the offer of answering questions.

Updating the dates now that degree Shows and some open days are done. Please do add to it if you're aware of any key dates / open days.

Open Days
2 September - Glasgow
2 September - Gray's
15 September - UCAS Discovery event Glasgow
26 September - Dundee
26 September - Napier
31 October - Dundee
31 October - Gray's
28 November - Gray's

UCAS Dates
2026
28 April - Courses show in UCAS search tool
12 May - Registration opens and applications open for drafting
9 July - Conservatoire applications open
[4 August - QS H/AH results]
1 September - Completed applications can be submitted (with reference)
15 September - Equal consideration date for applications to Oxbridge, and for most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary
1 October - Conservatoire music courses application deadline
15 December - Application deadline for PGCE courses in Wales
2027
13 January - Equal consideration date for applications for most undergraduate courses
13 January - Conservatoire deadline for most undergraduate dance, drama or musical theatre courses
25 February - Extra opens (if used all five choices and not holding any offers)
30 June - Applications received by this deadline will be sent to universities and colleges. After this time, applications are automatically entered into clearing
1 July - Last day to add an Extra choice
2 July - Clearing opens
23 September - Final date for 2027 entry applications
23 September - Conservatoire final date for applications
18 October - Last date to add a clearing choice

My ds is 20 and been out of school and working for a while. He's thinking of heading back to college or uni this year. Of course he hasn't applied to anything yet so he's left it pretty late. I think 2026 entry is more likely. Also has no idea how to apply since he's not in school. He'll be 21 if he applies for 2027.

He's thinking of history which was always his favourite subject but I'm not sure he's cut out for book learning and essay writing which seems to me a lot of what a history degree will be about. But what do I know?

It will be interesting to see how it works out for everyone.

Welcome @Randomchat . The UCAS website is pretty good at explaining the process, including for entrants not at school.

A few more dates added below. As always, if you are aware of anything not there, please copy and paste the list and add it in.

Open Days
Mon 22 June - Edinburgh
Weds 1 July - Dundee - Medicine
Tues 25 August - Aberdeen

Tues 1 September - Strathclyde
Weds 2 September - Glasgow, Robert Gordon/Gray's
Fri 4 September - GCU
Sat 19 September - Stirling
Sat 26 September - Abertay, Dundee, Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt (Edi), Napier, QMU, UWS (Lanarkshire)

Sat 3 October - Aberdeen, GCU, Glasgow (Dumfries), Strathclyde
Weds 7 October - UWS (Ayr)
Thurs 8 October - UWS (Dumfries)
Fri 9 October - Heriot-Watt (Galashiels)
Sat 10 October - St Andrews
Sat 17 October - UWS (Paisley)
Sat 24 October - Abertay, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Napier, Stirling
Weds 28 October - St Andrews
Fri 30 October - Heriot-Watt (Galashiels)
Sat 31 October - Dundee, Robert Gordon/Gray's

Sat 7 November - Heriot-Watt (Edi), QMU
Sat 28 November - Robert Gordon/Gray's
Wed 14 April 2027 - St Andrews

SRUC - various dates for different courses and campuses
GSA - various online sessions & tour dates
RCS - open days have passed, online events available
UHI - various dates for different courses and campuses

UCAS Discovery Dates
Thurs 27 August - Stirling (university)
Weds 2 September - Dundee (university)
Thurs 3 September - Carnegie Conference Centre
Tues 8 September - Robert Gordon
Weds 9 September - UHI Elgin
Thurs 10 September - UHI Inverness
Tues 15 September - Glasgow SEC
Weds 16 September - UWS Lanarkshire
Thurs 17 September - Ayrshire College, Kilmarnock
Tues 22 September - Edinburgh Royal Highland Centre
Tues 29 September - Easterbrook Hall Dumfries

UCAS Dates
2026
28 April - Courses show in UCAS search tool
12 May - Registration opens and applications open for drafting
9 July - Conservatoire applications open
[4 August - QS H/AH results]
1 September - Completed applications can be submitted (with reference)
15 September - Equal consideration date for Oxbridge, and most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary
1 October - Conservatoire music courses application deadline
15 December - Application deadline for PGCE courses in Wales
13 January - Equal consideration date for most undergraduate courses
13 January - Conservatoire deadline for most undergraduate dance, drama or musical theatre courses
25 February - Extra opens (if used all five choices and not holding any offers)
30 June - Applications received by this deadline will be sent to universities and colleges. After this time, applications are automatically entered into clearing
1 July - Last day to add an Extra choice
2 July - Clearing opens
23 September - Final date for 2027 entry applications
23 September - Conservatoire final date for applications
18 October - Last date to add a clearing choice