Key dates and undergraduate offer holder days
Congratulations on receiving your offer. Starting university is one of the most exciting times of your life.
By now you'll already be thinking about what lies ahead and what you should do to prepare for your course and all that follows. We're here to guide you along the way.
Offer holder days
We would love to invite you to an offer holder day to spend some time with us and get a further taste of life at the RAU. These on campus events will give you the opportunity to find out more about your chosen course and experience what it’s like to study here. There will be relevant activities such as sample lectures, practical activities, visiting our farms or going on a field trip. Plus you'll get to meet your fellow offer holders before you start at the RAU, as well as the staff and students already here.
You can also find out about student finance, support, careers, work experience opportunities, accommodation and all the clubs and societies run by our Students' Union.
This is a fantastic chance to meet the people that make the RAU, and discover why around 1,100 students choose to live and study with us. With a thriving social scene and plenty of opportunities to further your knowledge and entrepreneurial expertise, your future starts with a degree at the RAU.
The offer holder days are taking place on the following dates:
- Wednesday 28 February 2024
- Wednesday 17 April 2024
- Saturday 11 May 2024
As an offer holder, you will shortly receive a personal email invitation containing information and a direct link to book your place at one of our offer holder days. If you have any questions, please email the open days team.
This handy timeline breaks down all the important phases between now and when you start your course, and shows you the things to do next.
| From March | Applications for on-campus accommodation open via myRAU. You'll receive an email once the portal is open. | |
| February-April |
Offer holder days. You are invited to join us at one of our offer holder days to discover more about the University, your chosen subject area and to hear from academic staff and students. You’ll also be invited to explore our offer holder hub which contains lots of useful information relating to your offer, chosen course and starting University. You’ll be sent an email with more details about these events. |
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| From February |
UK applicants: Arrange student finance loans and check for any other additional support, scholarships, awards and bursaries you might want to apply for. Try to apply for your student loans as soon as possible to make sure they are in place in time for the start of your studies. International applicants: Check for any additional support, scholarships, awards and bursaries you might want to apply for. |
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| April/May | If you're an international student needing a Student Visa you'll be sent an email asking you to complete the BIPF (Background Information Pro Forma on the myRAU portal. This must be completed as soon as possible and no later than June. | |
| Early May onwards |
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| May/June | International students: TB screening tests - for visa applicants. If you're coming to the UK for more than six months and are resident in any of the countries listed on www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa you'll need to have a tuberculosis (TB) test. | |
| 6 June 2024 | UCAS applicants only - If you've received your offer from the RAU before 16 May you need to choose your firm and insurance choices using UCAS Hub. | |
| 15 August 2024 | BTEC and IB results are published. Please send your results to the RAU Admissions Office by emailing admissions@RAU.ac.uk. | |
| 15 August 2024 | A-Level, Diploma and Pre-U results are published. Check UCAS Hub online to see the status of your application. | |
| 22 August 2024 | GCSE results are published – relevant to Undergraduate applicants who may be re-taking GCSE Maths and English. | |
| Late August | A confirmation email will be sent to all applicants who are holding an unconditional firm offer. | |
| Late August | Online self registration will open. You'll need to complete this before you arrive. You'll be able to request a permit to park on site at this point. You'll receive an email once the portal is open. | |
| Early September | Get vaccinated. All students - British, European or overseas - admitted to UK universities are advised to be vaccinated against Meningitis C and to ensure all of their vaccinations are up-to-date. | |
| Early September |
Get your money organised. Make sure your tuition fee loan and maintenance loan is approved and/or set up an online payment for your tuition and/or accommodation fees. International students: Make sure all the money you need is available and payment arranged for your tuition and accommodation fees before you arrive, or have provided details of any sponsors. Please email studentfees@rau.ac.uk with any questions you have. |
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| Before you arrive in the UK | International students: Obtain sufficient UK currency or an international credit/debit card to cover you until you open a UK bank account. | |
| September 2024 | International students: International Orientation Programme (optional). Dates to be confirmed. | |
| 22 September 2024 | Arrivals for on-site accommodation | |
| 23-27 September 2024 | We look forward to welcoming you for on-site Student Registration and Induction Week. | |
| Within 10 days of your arrival in the UK | International students: Collect your Biometric Residence Permit (i.e. Student Visa) from the appointed collection point, either the RAU Admissions and Visa Compliance Office or Swindon Post Office. | |
| Open a UK bank account | International students: Ask Registry for a student status letter (state the bank you'll use) to allow you to open a UK bank account. |
Semester dates for 2024-25
For information about our semester dates, please visit: https://www.rau.ac.uk/courses/semester-dates