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The United Kingdom is famous for its university system. Every year, British institutions dominate the top places in international higher education rankings, making the UK an attractive place for applicants from around the world. In order to apply to these universities, students must use University and College Admissions Service, better known as UCAS. This centralized admissions application service is used by all UK universities and colleges. In the 2022-2023 academic cycle, UCAS received 596,590 applicants.

Here is a step-by-step guide to understanding and applying to UK universities through UCAS:

Research

Start by researching the universities and courses that you are interested in. You can use the UCAS website, university websites, league tables, and prospectuses to find out more about the courses on offer. International students can apply through UCAS, just like UK students, but they will need to do some extra paperwork.

Choose a course of study

Once you have registered, you can search for courses using the UCAS website. You can search by course type, location, and subject. Applicants can choose up to five courses to apply for, while in the US, there are no limits.

Another important difference: Whereas most American students enter university without a declared major and finish in four years, UK universities expect students to hit the ground running in order to complete their studies in just three years. UK Students are admitted into specific programs, like Engineering or Classics, so before they even walk through a UK university’s gates, they will have selected and prepared for a major, or course of study.

This process begins with challenging coursework during the first two years of high school in the UK, which is then assessed by GCSEs. It is followed by even more focused and specialized coursework during the last two years of high school in the UK, which is then assessed by A Levels.

Converting international standardized test scores

For US applicants without A levels, APs are strongly encouraged – and often required – in order to demonstrate preparedness for the course to which you are applying. If your school doesn’t offer AP exams, you should be able to arrange to take exams at a nearby high school that administers AP Exams. In practice, this coordination is quite challenging. Students may also include ACT or SAT scores to further show academic excellence depending on the parameters of each university’s admissions office.

Many UK universities also make offers based on overall IB point score (or range) and specific points to be achieved in higher level subjects. For international applicants taking an IB diploma course, the conversion of points into scores is complex.

The highest total that a Diploma programme student can be awarded is 45 points. (42 from six subjects plus three from the Core). A student who manages to earn 45 points on their IB Diploma will get the equivalent to 5 A* at A Level. Following this same logic, 24 points is equivalent to 5 Ds. In the higher level individual courses, 7 is equivalent to A Level A* and 3 equivalent to E. In the standard level individual courses, 7 is equivalent to AS Level A and 3 equivalent to E.

Confused? Speak to your high school’s college counselor, who should be able to provide you with a more detailed explanation of how the IB converts to A Level scores.

Write your personal statement

You will need to write a personal statement that explains why you are interested in the courses that you have chosen and why you are suitable for them. This is your chance to show your passion for your chosen subject and demonstrate your skills and achievements. You can find out more about the differences between the American Common App essay and the UCAS personal statement here.

Provide your education history

You will need to provide details of your qualifications, including GCSEs, A Levels, and any other qualifications that you have. You will also need to provide the name and address of your school or college. If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate your proficiency in the language. Most universities in the UK require an English language qualification such as IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge English. Check with each university to see which qualifications they accept and what the minimum score requirements are.

A note on Oxbridge

Oxford and Cambridge are the two oldest English-speaking universities in the world and among the most prestigious, making them attractive to many students. Both universities use a special, intensive screening process for applicants and require a round of interviews for all potential admitted students. It is important to keep in mind that with these traditions come a number of unique quirks regarding their application processes. For example, while Cambridge and Oxford are both excellent schools, students may only apply to one, not the other–unless you happen to be a church organist!

Other significant details: At Cambridge, you apply directly to one of the 31 colleges within the university, while at Oxford, you can choose to apply to a specific college or make an open application. Harry Potter fans may already be familiar with the college system. Just like at Hogwarts, students live, dine, and socialize through their college, and each one has its own traditions and culture. Some colleges are women-only, while others specialize in certain subjects, like the sciences. Make sure to carefully research the colleges you’re interested in before applying, as it’s very rare for students to switch once they are admitted.

Additionally, Oxford requires applicants to take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) while Cambridge may require specific admissions tests depending on the course you are applying for, especially if it is technical. Again, make sure to thoroughly read any additional requirements before applying!

Prepare and submit your application

Once you have completed all the sections of the application, you can submit it through UCAS.

If you wish to apply to Oxford or Cambridge, you must submit your application by mid October (it is October 16 for 2024 entry); for all other schools, the deadline is late January (it is January 31 for 2024 entry).

If you are applying as an international student, you will need to provide additional documents to support your application, including your academic transcripts (translated into English) and proof of English language proficiency. You may also need to provide additional documents such as a passport, visa, or financial statement to show that you have enough funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses in the UK.

You can track the progress of your application on the UCAS website. You will be able to see when your application has been received, when universities have made decisions, and when you have received offers.

When to expect your offers

Once you have received offers, you will need to reply to them through UCAS. These offers will arrive at different times depending on the school and course you’ve applied to.

In the case of Oxford and Cambrdge, all decisions are made after interviews are held in November or December with candidates usually being notified by the end of January. But most other schools will send out letters in March, April, May, and even as late as July!

If you are also applying to American schools, this schedule may make it difficult to know what options you have, which is why it’s best to apply as early as possible in order to make an informed decision. And remember that if you have been accepted on early decision or selective early action to certain American schools, those decisions are binding.

Firm choice vs Insurance

Unlike the American university system, in which offers of admission are almost never reneged on so long as a student remains in good standing, UK schools offer admission based on predicted grades and mock A Level exams. However, this admission is conditioned on students’ final grades and A Level results, which are taken at the end of the academic year. This means students don’t have a clear sense of where they will be attending until the summer between sixth form (or high school) and the start of university.

For many students, this uncertainty necessitates a back up. If you’ve sat your practice A Levels and been accepted for a course at your Firm Choice that requires two As and an A* and then you fail to clear that same bar on your actual A Levels, your offer may be revoked.

The insurance school provides a sense of safety. Choose one with a slightly lower set of requirements than your firm choice. Though it’s not required on the UCAS application, it’s highly recommended.

Getting there

If you live outside the UK and are accepted to study at a UK university, you will need to apply for a student visa. Check with the university for guidance on how to apply for a visa and what the requirements are. Once you have received your offer and your visa, you can start preparing for your studies in the UK. This may include arranging accommodation, booking travel, and familiarizing yourself with the UK’s culture and customs. Tea, anyone?

For support with college planning in the US, UK, EU, or Canada, please contact our office.

By Brad Hoffman, M.S.Ed., Board Certified Educational Planner, and Faya Hoffman, M.A., Board Certified Educational Planner

The UCAS personal statement is a very specific essay that is both seemingly simple and mission critical to the process of applying to university in the UK. This is the only opportunity you have to introduce yourself to your chosen university in your own words, and the same essay will be sent to all of the universities that you apply to. And you only have 4000 characters to say everything you need to say.

4000 characters is roughly 650 words. That’s not a lot, so it’s important to be clear, specific and concise. Although the essay should be written in formal language it pays to keep things simple: you won’t impress the universities with fancy, thesaurus-sourced language, and it’d only waste valuable characters.

The British Education System

The nature of the UCAS personal statement strongly reflects the British education system itself. A defining aspect of British education is that students are able to narrow down their chosen fields of study over a period of years, and applying to university is the culmination of that process: with rare exceptions, students apply to study one specific subject that they intend to focus on for the next three years, and which is likely to inform their career choices that shape the rest of their lives.

In fact, when you apply to a British university you are not so much applying to the university itself as to a specific department within the university. Your personal statement will be read by the Director of Admissions but also by the faculty members who teach your chosen course. As a result, the people reading the essay are experts in their field and are looking for evidence that the applicant has an aptitude for the particular subject of study.

Since the British system forces students to whittle down the subjects that they opt to study at GCSE and then to specialize even further at A Level, they will typically have explored their chosen subjects at a deeper and more specific level than their counterparts in other education systems; and the professors at British universities expect their applicants to already be conversant with the technical language and concepts of their subject.

British students who have completed A Level studies have been specializing in their chosen subjects for two years and are likely to have explored their subject at a deeper level than students who have been following a broader curriculum. Therefore, it is this deeper level of knowledge and interest that the British professors are looking for. It is not enough to wish to study a certain course; one has to show a clear track record of interest and activity in that area.

The Content of the Personal Statement

In essence, the UCAS personal statement is a persuasive essay with an introduction, a conclusion and several body paragraphs explaining why you would be a great student for the particular subject you’re applying to study. The thesis of the argument is simply that you should be studying this particular subject. Anything that doesn’t support that thesis doesn’t belong in the essay.

It can be hard to process that one’s heroics as the star of the football team or the organizer of a charity may in fact be irrelevant to this essay, except insofar as they provide evidence of character traits that might enhance your studies. Even then, such impressive achievements that demonstrate one’s enthusiasm, dedication, resilience, or initiative in general will only warrant a mention towards the end of the statement as a bonus. The point of the UCAS personal statement is simply to leave no doubt that you are passionate and determined to study this particular subject. In just 650 words. For reference, there are already over 600 words in this essay by this point. Space constraints mean that the kind of achievements that stand out in an American university application are merely reduced to a quick list in one sentence in the British personal statement.

The Structure

The key to grabbing the reader’s attention in the introduction – and therefore standing out from the thousands of other applicants – is to leave no doubt about how enthusiastic you are to devote your time to studying your chosen subject. Preparing for the UCAS personal statement is a great opportunity for self-reflection, including thinking about where your passion for this subject began, and what motivates you to keep studying it now. Sharing the journey of how your initial interest grew into a deep desire to explore this area further is a powerful statement that will resonate both intellectually and emotionally; thus it is a great way to begin the essay.

The body paragraphs should provide clear evidence that this passion has already motivated you and driven your behavior for some time, and that the desire to study your chosen subject for the next three years is the culmination of a string of historical choices and activities rather than merely a whim or ambition.

Each paragraph will introduce a new aspect that provides further evidence of this suitability, and each example should be clear and specific. Typically, half the space will in fact reflect academic experiences at school. For example, a student who wants to pursue archaeology will be able to discuss a history project that they carried out, while the student who wishes to learn more about pharmacology will be able to talk about – and have anecdotes to provide evidence for – their interest in chemistry.

The other half of the body paragraphs will demonstrate how the fascination with the subject is so deep that it spills over into extra-curricular activities. It’s crucial that these activities aren’t merely impressive but rather that they directly relate to the chosen topic. For example, an internship at Goldman Sachs will be a great anecdote for a prospective Economics student, but irrelevant for our archeologist. It is also beneficial to reflect on how these activities have impacted or deepened your insights and appreciation of the field.

Coming to the end of the essay, a few sentences can be spared for a little ‘bragging’, especially if these edited highlights demonstrate good character traits that will support your studies. Even then, there is no credit for being a ‘hero’. The professors at British universities who are reading the UCAS personal statement are not looking for stars but rather individuals who are invested in their education. You’ll certainly score bonus points if you can see yourself having a career in this field after graduating, or wish to follow those professors on an academic path. Dedication and devotion will be the qualities that win over the university gatekeepers.

Educating Young Adults

British universities aim their education at young adults rather than old children, meaning that they are not a more advanced version of high school. Students are expected to behave as adults and are treated as such: they must organize their own time, arrange their schedules and hold themselves accountable.

Academically, students are not going to be spoon-fed concepts as is typical in earlier education. Rather, they will be expected to be engaged in self-study, which is why the drive and motivation to pursue the subject is so important. At the same time, the long-standing interest in the subject – coupled with the naturally deeper study offered by A Levels – means that students are typically expected to already know the terminology and technical language of their chosen topic. Students who don’t have that pre-existing passion for the subject may find themselves floundering. And there’s every chance that you will be taught by the very professor who wrote the course book that you are studying from, so there is no room for students who aren’t invested in the material.

However, if you know what you want to study and have been fascinated by the subject for years, and you can’t wait to understand more or ask all the questions that only experts could answer, then finding the evidence to write the UCAS personal statement should be very straightforward. The hard part will be condensing it into only 4000 characters!

By Nick Thomas, Private Tutor, Brad Hoffman, M.S.Ed., Board Certified Educational Planner, and Faya Hoffman, M.A., Board Certified Educational Planner