School is nearly over, and a whole new chapter is just around the corner. If you’ve applied for university, there’s probably one thing on your mind – what offers will you get. Hopefully your exams go well and your dream course says yes. But what happens if things don’t go quite to plan? We’re here to guide you through the university offer process and what to do if things don’t go quite to plan.
When will I get an offer?
For most school leavers, the answer is after your final results come out. Universities usually need to see your marks before they can say yes. The big exception is some early entry programs, where some universities make offers before you’ve even sat your exams.
Offer dates depend on where you live and how you applied. In Australia, the first main round normally arrives in late December or January. In the UK, universities send offers through UCAS on a rolling basis, so they can turn up at different times. In Ireland, CAO offers come out in late August, once Leaving Certificate results are in. In the US and Canada, decisions often land somewhere between January and May.
Here’s when most school leavers can expect to receive their first offers to university:
| Location | Offer Date |
|---|---|
| AUS – NSW & ACT | 23 December 2026 |
| AUS – VIC | 23 December 2026 |
| AUS – QLD | 23 December 2026 |
| AUS – SA & NT | 14 January 2027 |
| AUS – WA | 24 December 2026 |
| AUS – TAS | Mid-December 2026 |
| NZ | Mid-January 2027* |
| UK | Mid May 2027** |
| Ireland | From August 2027 |
| US | Late March – Early April 2027 |
| Canada | January – May 2027 |
*Universities will often send out provisional offers as early as November, but they only become unconditional once NCEA results are released in mid-January to ensure you meet University Entrance requirements.
**Universities make offers on a rolling basis at their discretion – this is the final deadline for universities to send offers to students who submitted their application before the end of January 2026.
The exact dates can change every year. Your best bet is to find the key dates page for your admissions centre or university and bookmark it now and add any key dates to your calendar.
Can I change my mind about my course?
Yes, you can. Your application isn’t set in stone. Most universities and admissions centres let you change your preferences. That means you can reorder the courses on your list, add new ones or take some off.
If you applied through an admissions centre, there’s usually a deadline before each offer round. Miss it, and your changes might not count until the next round.
Here are relevant change of preference closing dates for school leavers:
| Admissions Centre | CoP Deadline (Main Offer Round) |
|---|---|
| UAC | 18 December 2026 |
| VTAC | 12 December 2026 |
| QTAC | 21 December 2026 |
| SATAC | 6 January 2027 |
| TISC | 20 December 2026 |
| COA | 1 March 2027 (TBC) |
| OUAC | 15 January 2027 |
Applied straight to a university instead? Get in touch with them directly. If you contact them early, they can usually help.
Lots of universities also run help sessions. Find them on our events page by clicking the “change of preference” filter.
What are unconditional and conditional offers?
An unconditional offer means your place is secured. Congratulations! You usually just need to accept it.
A conditional offer is still great news. The place is yours, as long as you meet certain conditions first. The most common condition is getting the final results your course needs. Others include:
- sending in extra documents to finish your application
- completing a bridging course before your first semester
- sorting out funding or financial support to cover your fees.
Read your offer letter carefully, so you know exactly what you need to do and by when.
What if I miss out in the first round?
We know it can seem like the end of the world, but you still have time and options on your hands, so don’t stress.
Universities and admissions centres send out offers over several rounds, so even if you miss out the first time, you might receive an offer in a subsequent round. If you’re still happy with your choices, sit tight and keep an eye on your inbox.
Want to boost your chances of receiving an offer? You could change your preferences by moving a course with lower entry requirements higher up your list. It works like a safety net, giving you somewhere to land while you keep aiming high.
If you’ve applied through UCAS and didn’t receive an offer, you can still apply for courses with available places through Clearing. CAO also has a similar system called Available Places.
What if I don’t get any offers?
If all the offer rounds have passed and you still don’t have an offer, it doesn’t mean you have to give up. There are lots of alternative pathways you can take to get into your dream course. Here are just a few:
- Complete a tertiary preparation course. These short courses help you build the skills you need for study and can lead to entry.
- Take an alternative entry test, such as the STAT
- Study a lower qualification, like a Diploma which could help you get into a degree, and you may even get credit for what you’ve studied.
- Come back later. Spend some time working, travelling or volunteering, then apply again with extra life experience behind you.
Each university has its own rules, so check with the ones you’re interested in to see which pathways they accept.
Our top tips for offer season
Keep these suggestions in your back pocket as offers start rolling in:
- Take your time. You usually have a little while to respond, so think it through before you decide.
- Consider a backup. Sometimes you can accept one offer, then withdraw later if you receive another offer that suits you better. Check the rules first.
- Don’t hold on to too many. If you’ve accepted more than one offer, withdraw from all but one before any key dates.
- Ask questions. Admissions teams are there to help, so don’t be shy about getting in touch.
- Keep your details up to date. Make sure your email and phone number are correct, check regularly so you don’t miss any important notifications or dates, and check your junk folder too.
You’ve got this
The wait between applying and offers can be tough. Keep studying, do your best in your exams and check your key dates. Whatever happens, there are always options open to you, and plenty of people ready to help.
Want to keep exploring? Head to our university hub for more guides on applying, choosing a course and getting ready for uni life.
Good luck from all of us at Study Work Grow!
