How to Apply to University in the UK?
Studying Abroad Guide
Growing up, I developed an obsession with England caused by extensive Harry Potter reading. The said obsession only grew stronger once I visited the buzzing London when I was eight and ever since I worked my way to the lively capital. I figured that studying there would a good place to start and, about a year before graduating from high school I started looking at my options. The application process was quite arduous since I had little to no clue about the British scholar system and how to approach it from a Swiss point of view.
There are many things I wish I knew before applying and so much that I learned along the way that I thought I’d make a list of everything I wish I knew before studying abroad:
Start Early
As I mentioned, I started looking at universities about 6-8 months before applying however if you’re looking to apply to an A-list University, you’ll need to think about it earlier due to the application deadlines. Nevertheless, some of my friends applied last minute and everything worked out fine!
I applied through UCAS which I believe is the classic way to apply. Their website is pretty self-explanatory and gathers an extensive list of courses and universities. In your UCAS application, you can select up to 5 universities/courses and you’ll need to provide a personal statement explaining why you wish to pursue this academic path. A reference (sometimes even 2) from one of your (former or actual) teacher will also be requested. In the UK you choose a course/uni and then you pray that they choose you too. This process can be stressful so you must explore all your options and have a safety net. Trust me.
Because I was a good student and Swiss universities accept every applicant in possession of a Swiss Maturity anyways, I did not understand how competitive it could get. I was so confident that I only filled 3 options out of 5 and let me tell you, things did not go as planned. But that’s a story for another time.
Make your research about your program and the best universities for it
Once you’ve decided what you will be studying, you’ll need to decide where to apply. In the UK the name and ranking of the University you attend can be a game-changer for your future career although nothing matter as much as your grades. However, instead of looking at general ranking, make sure to Google what University is the best for your course. You might be surprised to see that the best universities in the country for you aren’t necessarily the ones with the most expertise in your subject of interest.
Of course, one can argue that even the worst subject at the best university is enough to get you settled. However, choosing a university that matches your interest and can provide you with the best resources is equally as important as a university with a shiny reputation.
Make your research about everything
Keep in mind that people don’t go to university just for their degree and that some of the best moments of this experience will most likely take place outside of your lecture halls. Going to university expands your horizons in many different ways and is the place where you’ll meet people/network, and live the uni experience. Academia might be the biggest part of your time at university but the social, cultural and practical aspects are just as important for a balanced and happy time. It’s important to pick a university with a lifestyle that suits you otherwise you might have a bit of a hard time. Make sure to list your preferences and what environment you can thrive in. Big or small city? By the sea or closer to the countryside? Wild nights out or chill dinners? Is the place diverse enough to your liking?
Try attending Open Days if possible otherwise, Youtube and Blogs are your new best friends. Don’t hesitate to message people on social media asking about their opinions or even email universities to learn more about life on campus.
Check the entry requirements for your course and what it means for you
Once you’ve done your research about what and where you need to be absolutely clear about the how. If you are international, the UK grading is probably quite different from yours and you need to look for grade equivalences. It can vary from one university to another so make sure to check the website for your potential uni and your course. Generally, UK students rely on their A-Level results to get into university however, they’ll share their past marks (e.g. GCSEs) and their teachers will provide them with predicted grades (often based on mock exams) before they actually take their exams so universities can have a rough idea of a student’s potential.
In case of any doubt about your transcript, email the admission centre for clarification as it can get confusing. For instance, I assumed that only my exam grades would matter but when I sent in my transcript I got rejected from some universities because of grades from the year before (which had nothing to do with the degree I was applying for). Make sure to understand what they expect from you from the start so you know what you’ll need to focus on.
Check the entry requirements to stay in the UK
Before Brexit, European students enrolled in a UK university could simply come and go as they wished but things changed and you need to check the country’s entry requirement. If you live outside of Europe, check what visa you might need and how long it might take to get all the administrative bit done.
Check the English language requirements
You will need to prove your English skills by taking either the Cambridge or IELTS exams unless you are attending an International School already (Even then, they might ask for it). I took the IELTS test which was an additional cost of 380CHF (= about £300). Yikes.
Check the application deadlines
I might be stating the obvious but check the application deadlines. Most universities open it in late October and close in mid-January. For Oxford and Cambridge however, the application deadlines take place in mid-October (so when most are starting!).
2. Make sure you have a solid application
Draft your personal statement until it’s perfect
Your personal statement has to make you appear as a desirable candidate in the eyes of a university. Almost like a cover letter, the point of a personal statement is to make you seem like a desirable candidate in the eyes of a University. If you don’t know where to start, I suggest you look for old personal statements written for your course or a similar course. Be careful not to plagiarise as it’ll only get you in trouble!
Looking back, mine was far from perfect and I wish I had done more research before writing it. My advice would be to watch some videos from Study-Youtubers who actually got into great unis to see what is expected from you.
Make sure the teacher writing your reference understands their assignment
Once again, I wish I had done more research about this. My teachers had no idea what to write and passed the assignment like a football. Unless your teacher understands the UCAS application system (they usually do in private schools), they won’t write a good reference simply because they’re not bothered to look this up. Make sure to explain the importance of this reference and turn to a teacher who knows and appreciates you well enough to write nice things.
Do the research for them and, write a to-do (or in this case ‘to say) list of what should figure in this letter. Ask them for a draft first so you can have a look at it before sending it in. To send the reference, UCAS will send you a link for your teacher only and they’ll have about 30-60 minutes to put ‘write’ the letter (I found it the hard way). That is why they must write the letter in advance and then only copy-paste once they get the link. Once it’s sent, there’s no going back. The two main things are to:
State that you’re a good student, passionate about the subject you’re applying for.
Prove that you have the academic abilities to be successful in the subject you’re applying for by providing previous grades and predicted grade (= how good they think you’ll do in your exams). Obviously, the predicted grades should resonate with the entry requirements for your course.
3. Plan your finances ahead
Studying in the UK is expensive and you must plan your finance. For European (at least before Brexit) and UK students would pay ‘Home fees’ which are about £9,200 per annum. Most students apply for student loans through Student Finance which will help them cover the cost of both University and rent thanks to their maintenance loan. However, they will ask about your parents yearly income and the better off, the less money you’ll get from the government.
Are you European or International?
The difference between ‘Home fees’ and ‘Overseas fees’ can be a dealbreaker when it comes to studying in the UK. International students pay an average of £16,000 (it depends on the university but it’s usually between £12,000 and £30,000) and per annum and the maximum loan is about £9,000/year so make sure can afford your uni. I had the pleasure to find out last minute that Swiss and Norwegian students are considered as International however there are some exceptions. Look up the UKCISA website to understand your status and find more about university fees.
Living costs
Even with the maximum loan, money might come short, so you need to research the cost of living and plan your finances. A lot of students arrive at uni with some savings but spend it throughout the first couple of months and fresher events. Before moving to Brighton I researched everything from the price of a daily bus ticket, a monthly mobile plan, the average price of an iced latte (or a pint), weekly grocery shop to rent. I listed everything planned on a monthly ‘predicted budget.’
Student jobs are always a good idea and I would advise you to apply before the start of the uni term as it can be really competitive. Make sure however to find the right balance between your studies and work! First-year is often the most expensive but also the most relaxed as it is a formative year and all you really need is a pass. Getting a part-time job is a good way to enrich your CV while giving yourself some financial freedom. I rather work throughout the summer so I can focus on my studies fully throughout the academic year but that’s totally up to you!
4. What if things don’t go according to plan?
Sometimes, shit happens. But it’s okay because you’re not alone and there are solutions.
The Clearing system and what it means
The clearing system starts in July, although sometimes a bit later when UK students get their A-Level results. Essentially, after the general application process universities keep some spaces for clearing students who either didn’t as well in their exams, did way better than expected or simply had a change of heart last minute and decide to apply. In my case, I got to Brighton through clearing and I couldn’t be happier that things didn’t go as planned!
If you get don’t get definitive offers from the universities of your choice because of your results but still wish to study in a UK University, look up ‘Clearing Courses UK + the year’ and again, check the entry requirements. Once you find something + somewhere you like, RING the University. It’ way better. They’ll ask you to send an email with your transcript + personal statement and you’ll see from there.
Have backup plans
Apply to your local university or literally anything else just in case. If all your UK plans fall through, make sure that you have a backup plan. I distinctively remember stressing out like crazy when my conditional offer fell through in late July and I couldn’t apply in my hometown because I had missed the late applications deadline. You don’t want to be the person begging on the phone for a course. Unless you’re cool with taking a gap year to figure things out and eventually reapply, think of a plan B, C, D, and the whole alphabet.
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Studying in the UK was probably the best decision I’ve ever made and even if the application process was a bit of a rocky road, it was worth it. I love studying in Brighton and I adore my degree. I know that it might sound scary, but with good organisation, the hardest thing is to leave. This article is the first of my Studying Abroad Guide and I hope it will be helpful to some of you!
For further tips about the application process, I would highly recommend Jack Edward's The Uni-Verse: The Ultimate University Survival Guide. Jack studied Literature student at the University of Durham and is a study-tuber. Binged-watched all of his videos before (and after) applying to uni and remained a loyal subscriber ever since.
Let me know if you have any question regarding the UK application process as I’d be more than happy to help. Leave a comment if you have any tips for prospective students (or even current ones!) and as always, your opinion matters so let me know what you’d like to read next!
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