How To Apply To UK Universities

Manuel Ambra
May 5, 2020
5 min read

Updated: May 13, 2020

Hi, folks! As some of you know, last year I applied to Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. Therefore, I decided to explain to all the international students out there how to apply to university in the UK.

In Great Britain and Northern Ireland, students apply to their undergraduate or postgraduate courses through an online platform called UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). This website allows you to create a profile with all your information in order to send up to 5 different applications.

Let’s go through all the steps you need to take in order to successfully apply to a UK university.

Check out the video in Italian: Come Iscriversi all'Università nel Regno Unito.

UCAS

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service is a really intuitive and easy to use platform. Thanks to info buttons ‘?’, every section is well explained and you shouldn’t have any problem with filling up all the information needed. Also, you can save your progress and close the platform: you don’t need to complete the application in only one day! Usually, the deadline to send in your application is in January (for courses starting in September).

In my opinion, there are three sections of your application which will determine whether you’ll be successful or not: written reference, grades and personal statement. Let’s analyse them in detail.

Written Reference

A reference is a letter written by a person of your choice which basically has to sell you to the university. So, choose wisely. Often referees are teachers or employers as they might know you better academically or in regards of your work ethic. However, it can be anyone.

Grades

As I explained earlier in this article, every course has its entry requirements, like language certifications and academic grades. If you’re still in school, though, your referee will be asked to provide a predicted grade. Again, choose wisely who you want to give this responsibility to.

Hot Tips: If you know your course as a high grade requirement, try to talk with your referee about it. They might help you.

Personal Statement

A personal statement is a written presentation of up to 4000 characters. This is the most important part of your application: it’s the moment to show all your best assets and experiences that have formed you. Therefore, take your time.

Start by putting down all your ideas: it’s only the first draft, so don’t hold anything back. If you’re only applying to one university or to different universities but on the same course, talk about why you like that specific subject. Have you had any relevant experience? Have you studied it already?

This document is extremely personal. Don’t try to find one online: admission teams will notice it’s not genuine. However, here are some tips. - It’s never enough. It doesn’t matter if it takes you weeks to finish it, just keep writing. You can add or remove parts, change paragraphs, eventually you’ll get to the perfect version, just not yet. - Keep it real, but not too much. Remember, you don’t need to make up false experiences. However, try to make the real ones important, shape them into something you believe is relevant. Keep in mind: why should a university choose you over thousands of other applicants? - Get it checked. My advice is to send it to your English teacher to get it checked for grammar mistakes. However, also friends and relatives might give you interesting suggestions. Be open to critics. - Grammar matters. You’ll get it checked and it’s alright, but limit your mistakes. Avoid abbreviations and repetitions, look up words’ spelling on dictionaries and internet, use linkers and a high register. Careful: you’re applying to the UK, so be sure to write in British English.

Once your personal statement is done, you can upload it on UCAS and choose your courses.

Your choices

What would you like to study? Where? What are the things you value the most when choosing a university or college?

These are the questions you must ask yourself while looking for your ideal course. Get on your phone or laptop and start researching. You could start by a city, by a specific degree or by forums. You can decide, just be sure to consider all of your options. It might take some time, but it will be worth it.

Look carefully at the course entry requirements. As an international, you might need language certifications or visas to be enrolled. Also, tuition fees and cost of living are an important factor when choosing your courses.

Hot Tips: If you choose 2 or more courses, the price to send the applications will be the same. Even if your favourite universities are less than 5, try to expand your options with back-up choices.

After sending in your application (and paying UCAS to do so), you will receive credentials to access UCAS Track. This platform allows you to view all the information you provided in your application. Also, any update on your application will be shown here.

Offers

Now, you simply have to wait for universities to send you (or not) an offer. Your application can have three different outcomes: unconditional offer, conditional offer and unsuccessful.

Unconditional Offer

When you receive an unconditional offer, your university of choice assessed your application and decided that you meet all their requirements. Therefore, a place has been reserved for you.

Conditional Offer

Receiving a conditional offer means that your university of choice decided that you don’t have all the requirements yet. In order to ensure a place in this course, you must meet their conditions. If you’re still in school, it usually concerns your final grade. If you’re an international student, it’s usually an English certification (such as IELTS).

Unsuccessful

If your application has been unsuccessful, your university of choice decided not to offer you a place in their course.

Once all the universities examined your application, it’s time to decide. If two or more courses offered you a place (either conditional or unconditional), you must select a firm choice and an insurance choice (given you haven’t met their conditions).

Clearing

In case all your choices were unsuccessful, there’s still a chance to study in the UK. Clearing is a section of UCAS where universities and colleges can upload courses with vacancies.

You can use Clearing if: - you’re applying after June 30th - you didn’t receive any offer (or none you wanted to accept) - you didn’t meet the conditions of your offers - you’ve declined your firm choice

Clearing allows you to contact the universities directly and see if they will offer you a place.

Tuition Fees and Funding

Studying in the UK is relatively expensive compared to other European countries. Therefore, different financial support systems are available for students.

Most people apply for a student loan. At the start of each term, a loan is paid directly to your bank account. You can use this money to pay for tuition fees, accommodation, transportation, meals and so on. However, once you’ll start to work after your degree, part of your salary will be detracted to pay the loan back.

As you know, the United Kingdom is divided in four parts: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As a matter of fact, financial support varies based on the region you’ll be studying in. If you’re applying to a university in Scotland, please check out about the SAAS.

If you found this article helpful, please like it and share it. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for more!

For more information, visit UCAS Website.

To know more about Scottish financial support, visit SAAS Website.