Deadlines
It is possible to apply for most Dutch undergraduate degrees significantly later than you would apply to British universities through the UCAS process. Admissions to most courses do not start until early in the year that you will start university, typically in January/February for entry in September.
The deadline for applying depends mostly on whether a course is subject to Numerus Fixus or not; it will also depend on whether or not you possess an EU passport. In 2011 the deadline for most courses is 1st May 2011 for courses with Numerus Fixus and 1st June 2011 for courses with no limit on numbers. However, even here there are exceptions so it is worth checking directly with the university you are interested in.
In the past it has been possible to get students in to courses even after these deadlines; in some cases students have been able to switch to a Dutch university during the clearing process in August. However, we do not recommend this as it can be difficult and there will inevitably be complications relating to accommodation and settling in. It is further complicated by the fact that the Dutch academic year typically starts in the first week of September which does not fit in particularly well with the English timetable for exam results and university entrance. In the worst case scenario, it may be possible but it would not be sensible to rely on there being availability at such a late stage.
Some courses have multiple entry points throughout the year. For example, it may be possible to start some courses in February at the beginning of the spring semester. Please contact the individual university to receive more information about deadlines for spring semester entry.