What is deferred entry?

Postpone simply means to postpone. A deferred entry means you apply for a degree and then take a year off before starting it. This can be planned if you want to take a gap year or if you changed your mind when applying. You can choose to “defer” your program of study when applying, but you should contact the university or college first to ensure that a deferred application will be happily accepted. In most cases, you can only defer your entry for just one year and it is up to the university whether they approve or reject your application.

Note: Some educational institutions contact students directly if they wish to postpone their listings. Remember, if you have met the terms of your offer, you do not need to agree and are fully eligible to participate this year.

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How to Defer Admission to the UK [Application Process]

Deferring admission to the UK is a long process. We have provided a step-by-step process on how to defer your admission to the UK, based on UCAS admission service guidelines:

1. Defer application after you have applied:  In this step, if you have applied for 2024 and now want to defer it, it will surely depend on your chosen university that will gladly accept it. To be safe, contact the university and explain your valid reasons for deferring the application. This is because some universities only accept applications for some courses.

1. Deferring your application after you have been offered a place:  If you have been offered a place for 2024 and now want to defer, it will again depend on your chosen university to approve it. It is considered a late deferral and you may be asked to apply again. Be sure of the decision you have made at this point because it will be considered a final decision.

1. Postponement of place:  If you have decided to defer a place and change your mind for any reason, contact the university. It is a very complicated process and will surely depend on the places available in the course.

1. Applying through clearing:  You can apply for the current year (2024) if you apply through clearing. Candidates who have a deferred place and want to apply for the current year through clearing can tap “decline my place” and complete the new application through the clearing process. Make sure you inform the university first that you will no longer retain your deferred place.

1. Accepting a deferred entry place for next year (2025):  You cannot reapply if you have accepted a deferred entry place for 2025. You must completely withdraw your existing application.

Points to remember for deferred entry to the UK

Postponement should be a carefully considered decision. There are several things to consider before deferring your application or postponing registration.

Good reasons for postponement 

You must have a defined reason for selecting deferred admission. The reasons could be a prolonged illness, a delay in visa approval, or any military or humanitarian service. One of the invalid reasons that may deny your deferred application is “lack of funds.” This is not a reason you can state when requesting deferred admission. It may seem suspicious because if you’ve secured a venue and claim you’ve run out of funds, you could get into big trouble.

Term and additional fees

Make sure you complete the application on time and that it reaches the university well before the deadline. They have a deadline that is usually three to five weeks before the start of the session. Additionally, some universities approve deferral requests without any additional charge; however, other colleges may charge a $50 deferral fee.

Duration of postponement

This is up to the university for the allowed duration of the deferral. For example, if you are unable to join classes in September intake, you can apply to defer classes from next intake i.e. January next year.

Validity of test scores

It is also one of the important factors in deciding whether to approve the deferred application. You certainly don’t have to worry in this case because English proficiency tests like  IELTS  and  TOEFL  are valid for 2 years, while some other competitive exams are valid for 2 to 4 years. Deferred admission is usually for only 1 year, which makes it easier for you.

Effect on scholarships

The offering of scholarships for deferred students is the responsibility of the university and the granting body. Therefore, be sure to contact them before requesting an extension.

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Documents required for deferred admission

Please ensure that the deferred application is complete in all respects and note the documents you must submit with it. Contact the university admission committee and start working on the necessary documents. In some cases, students are asked to submit an enrollment deposit ranging from $150 to $250. [INR 11,122 to 18,531]

Postponement approval

Approval of the deferred application states that you are allowed to delay or defer enrollment for one year or one semester. Additionally, you must retake course-specific entrance tests as requested by the university department.

Denial of postponement

There are several reasons for denial of deferred admission. Includes some colleges that may not offer deferred admissions, apply for deferred admission at two colleges at the same time, and file late payment fees. Also, for some subjects like medicine, the university may not accept the extension.

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Pros and cons of deferred entry into the UK

Advantages

• It allows you to have real-world experience, for example getting work experience or doing internships. Additionally, it is possible to work full-time or travel.
• Deferred entry to the UK allows you to secure a university place before starting your job and you don’t have to worry about time off.
• Additionally, if you do not achieve the grades you expect and therefore do not obtain a place on your chosen course, you have the option of reconsidering your career options or re-sit your exams and still go to university in your scheduled year.

Cons

• Delayed entry means that you will enter the job market and receive a salary in one year. If your chosen course is long, you may want to consider it. You may need time to get back into serious studying, but most students will soon catch up and start learning again.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the reasons why I might defer my admission to the UK?

Are you thinking about taking a gap year or do you need more time to prepare? There are several valid reasons why you may wish to defer your admission to a UK university. Here are some of the most common:

1. Take time to travel, volunteer, pursue internships, or personal development experiences before diving into academic life.
2. If you think your current grades are not good enough, postponing them can help you improve them and increase your chances of success.
3. Unexpected circumstances may require you to delay your studies to solidify your finances.
4. It may be necessary for medical reasons to postpone your admission for recovery or treatment.
5. If your chosen course or university no longer feels right, deferring will allow you to re-evaluate your options.

How can I postpone my admission to the UK?

The process for deferring your admission to the UK depends on whether you have already received an offer or not.

1.  Before receiving an offer:

–  UCAS Application:  When applying through UCAS, you can select a “deferred” start date. However, it is always best to contact the university beforehand to confirm that they accept deferred applications for your chosen course.

–  Apply Directly:  If you are applying directly to the university, check their website or contact the admissions office to learn about their deferral procedures.

2.  After receiving an offer:

–  Contact the university:  Contact the admissions office or department directly to discuss your deferral request. Provide a clear explanation of your reasons and any supporting documents (for example, doctor’s note).

–  Formal request:  Depending on the university, you may need to submit a formal deferral request form.

What are the possible disadvantages of deferring my admission?

While deferring can be beneficial, it is important to consider the possible disadvantages:

1. Maintaining motivation and structure during a gap year can be challenging. Plan your activities well and stay connected to academic resources.
2. Deferring means graduating a year later, which may affect your future career plans or your eligibility for financial aid.
3. There is no guarantee that your deferral request will be approved, especially for competitive courses.
4. Procrastinating can cause you to miss out on valuable university experiences, such as clubs, societies or events early in your career.

Hopefully, this blog on how to defer admission to the UK answered all your questions about deferred entry! Confused about your plans  to study abroad  ? You can enlist the help of  Leverage Edu specialists  to help you with the application process so you can achieve your goals. Call us immediately on 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counseling session.