Depending on your level and course of study, the application process and entry requirements for UK universities may vary. Follow our advice and recommended steps to succeed.
Depending on your level and course of study, the application process and entry requirements for UK universities may vary. Follow our advice and recommended steps to succeed.
Undergraduate Admissions
For undergraduate admissions, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) handles all applications in the UK. For most undergraduate programs, you must submit your applications through UCAS by January 15 for entry in September (the next academic year).
The application process takes place online and you can choose up to five different courses with some restrictions on how they can be combined. There is a fee to apply through UCAS. The amount depends on the number of courses and universities you are applying for. See the UCAS website for more details.
If you are applying to Oxford or Cambridge, or most courses in Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine, you must submit your application by October 15 for entry in September (the following academic year).
Admissions to graduate and postgraduate studies
For graduate and postgraduate admissions, some courses and programs work through UCAS, but most require you to apply directly to the university or college. You must ensure that you meet the admission requirements of the degree you have chosen.
There are different requirements for each level of study. The requirements correspond to the academic ability needed to complete your intended course. UCAS may request information on qualifications completed or in progress, which may be given in an international equivalent of the UK system of GCSEs and A levels.
If you are studying at the graduate level and cannot find your institution or course requirements in the UCAS system, visit the university or college website for the specific application process that applies to the course you are considering.
Application form
The UCAS online registration procedure ( Apply and Track section ) is relatively simple as long. In addition to your civil status, you will have to specify several choices of universities or colleges, provide more information on your secondary studies, the marks of your anticipated tests and the list of subjects (modules) that you will take for the baccalaureate, etc.
Personal statement
Universities also often ask for a personal statement to distinguish you from other applicants. If you are applying as an international student, we advise you to include your reasons for wanting to study in the UK in your personal statement.
If you need some inspiration to get started, we’ve put together some tips on what international students should include when writing personal statements for university.
Clearing
The compensation is a way for universities to fill unclaimed places in their courses after the release of high school exam results to UK students. In 2018, over 60,000 students were accepted to a university in the UK through compensation.
To be eligible for compensation, you must have applied for a place at a UK university through UCAS and received no offers, or changed your mind about your first choice and rejected all offers you received. If you are eligible, your UCAS profile will automatically indicate that your claim is ‘clearing’ once the clearing period has started.
You can also use the UCAS search tool to find specific courses that have places available. Most compensation jobs are posted in August. UCAS will provide you with university contact details, including a number if you are calling from outside the UK, and you must contact the university you wish to apply to by telephone. Have your authorization number and UCAS ID number ready so the university can identify you in their system.
During the conversation, the university may ask you about your previous academic qualifications, your English proficiency, your visa status, and other details about qualifying to study at their institution. They may also ask you more specific questions about why you want to study your course of choice, so be prepared with all the relevant information. If the university wishes to accept you, they will make a verbal offer to you over the phone and you can return to UCAS to add that university as a compensation choice. The institution will confirm the choice with UCAS, and you will receive a confirmation letter!
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, most universities will ask you to prove your English proficiency. To do this, you can take a test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This ensures that you can share participate fully in your course and get the most out of your degree.