How International Students Can Apply to a UK University

The UK is one of the most popular destinations for students from around the world. With some of the best institutions in global education, the UK’s reputation for educational excellence is a big draw and every year thousands of students start the application process.

Applying to a UK university requires overseas students to meet a number of different criteria and is a fairly lengthy process. Here is a guide to the key requirements and steps you need to take if you are applying to join a UK university.

Making your application

The first stage is to make your formal application. They are made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. The relevant form is available on their website and applicants can register their details with UCAS on the same site.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll need to find the course you want to take. This is a hugely important part of the process – after all, you’ll be studying this course for three years of your life! When you’ve chosen your course, write down its UCAS code.

With your choice of a course decided, your next step is to pick your university. To make that choice, you should consider all the main factors, including academic results, location, facilities and so on. All UK universities have websites that give you all the details you need to make an informed selection. You can select up to five universities.

Having gathered all the relevant information, you’re ready to fill in the UCAS form. The form will include the standard personal details, and it will also ask you to submit a personal statement. Consider that carefully, making sure that it is suitable and tailored to the courses for which you are applying. After you have made your application, there will be a period of waiting before you receive any offers of a place.

Meeting the deadline

International students applying from a country outside the EU are eligible to make an application to UCAS between September 1 and June 30 in the academic year before the studies begin, while EU students have until January 15. Most students get their application in well before the deadline to ensure that places are still available and to give themselves time to make the necessary arrangements, the most important of which is obtaining a UK visa.

Getting your UK Visa

Anyone outside the UK who is not an EEA or Swiss national will need to obtain a UK student visa to study in the UK. This may involve taking an English language test that has been certified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). If you earn a place on a course, the university or college making the offer will often help you with your application, and you can also enter your passport details on the UCAS site before or after your application.

Accommodation and fees

Finding somewhere to live during your UK university education can be a stressful process, so it is a good idea to ensure that you give yourself plenty of time to make the arrangements. Some universities offer accommodation near or on the university site, though these are often booked well in advance and may only apply for the first year of your course. Other options include renting privately or finding accommodation through organisations that work with universities to house international students.

To study at a UK university, you will also have to pay tuition fees. The level of the fees will vary depending on where you are studying and what course you take, as well as your status as an EU or non-EU citizen. If you are from the EU you may be eligible to apply for a student loan to meet your tuition fee costs. Alternatively, there are a number of scholarships and bursaries available that could be helpful. They can be found online and your university may also be able to point you in the right direction to arrange funding support.

The process of applying to a UK university can be daunting, however, by following these steps and ensuring that you give yourself plenty of time to arrange the details, you will give yourself a good chance of fulfilling your dream of having a UK university education.

More articles...