Americans studying within UK- can I request a specific entry date for my student visa?

Question

I will begin my postgraduate course in late September and want to go ahead with purchasing a plane ticket, etc...when I fill out my visa application, I wonder if I will be able to request a specific date for my entrance to the UK and if that request will be honored. If you have any knowledge or experience on this, please advise! I would rather not pay the hefty charge of calling the visa help line. Thanks!

Answer 1

General rule: Never purchase a plane ticket, make travel arrangements or any other such thing which relates to your proposed move until your visa application as been granted and you have your visa/passport back in hand.

You are never guaranteed a visa regardess of being accepted into a university.