Find out what you need to do to get into a UK university. How to prepare for undergraduate, masters or postgraduate programmes, and which preparatory courses can increase your chances of admission.
British universities are famous for strict selection of candidates. Future students must show high results in the examinations in the disciplines they want to study. It is better to start preparing for admission in advance. Let’s look at the main programmes that can help a foreign student in this regard.
If you’re aiming for a UK university, you can start preparing as early as 15-16 years old. The intensive iGCSE programme lasts 12 months and covers the material from the final years of GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). iGCSE includes 5-8 subjects and is designed specifically for international students. At the end of the programme, you will also need to pass an English language exam to obtain the iGCSE certificate.
For admission to the programme, you need:
A-Level (Advanced Level) is the next stage. It is the name given to the upper years of a British school, at the end of which pupils in the United Kingdom take examinations and receive an advanced level of General Certificate of Education. You can enter A-Level after 16. The programme involves in-depth study of 3-4 subjects, which usually correspond to the subjects that you are going to study at university. It best suits to those who have already chosen a future profession.
An alternative to A-Level is the IB (International Baccalaureate). This is an international high school programme that is used in selected schools both in the UK and around the world. What makes IB special is that you can study on this programme in your home country. All you need to do is to find a suitable school. IB also lasts for 2 years and includes 6 subjects, 3 of which are studied at an advanced level.
Most universities in the United Kingdom can use your A-Level or IB preliminary grades as entrance tests for admission to the first year of study.
The Foundation programme is aimed at graduates from countries where school education lasts for 11 years. As it takes 12 years in the UK, the Foundation programme is a necessary transit which helps to covers the academic gap. On average, the programme lasts 9 months, but the time frame can vary depending on language proficiency. Foundation programmes are offered by universities. Essentially, they are preparatory courses that helps you to get ready to study in a particular university.
For admission, you need:
In fact, it is possible to enter a British university after completing a regular school in your home country. However, this does not apply to everyone. If you have less than 12 years of schooling in your home country, as in the UK, you will have to attend one of the preparatory programmes to close the academic gap before you can enter.
The British education system focuses on advanced study of a particular subject, so you should first choose a department rather than a university. This is a very important decision as you need to work out which subject you want to spend at least 3 years studying. No-one can decide for you, but we can give you some advice.
Once you have chosen your programme, you need to decide on a university. Here are some tips to get you started:
For international students, each of the UK universities most often has its own admission system. You can find the requirements on the official websites of the institutions.
If you already have residency status in the UK, you can apply through the official UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) portal. This platform will help you with finding courses and applying to five universities of your choice.
The UCAS online registration procedure is relatively straightforward and involves several steps:
Please note that if you are applying to a medical school, you will also need to take one of the following tests:
After that, universities will review your case. The tracking section of the UCAS website will allow you to follow each institution’s judgement online. The most prestigious ones (Oxford, Cambridge, King’s College) may invite you for a preliminary interview.
Keep in mind: There is a fee to register for UCAS. The amount depends on how many schools you choose to apply to.
Be careful about registration deadlines: they usually run from 1 September to 15 January. Special case: Cambridge and Oxford have set a deadline of 15 October. The same goes for medical, dental or veterinary faculties. Another thing: if you decide to apply to Cambridge, you cannot participate in the selection process at Oxford. And vice versa. The two institutions have a long-standing rivalry! Finally, for art classes, the deadline is 24 March.
However, we recommend that you always check the universities website for up-to-date deadlines.
Now let’s take a closer look at some of the steps in registering for UCAS.
Your CV is a summary of your professional experience and skills. List your accomplishments in reverse chronological order. Include information about your degrees and research. Remember that a CV should be concise.
A letter of recommendation is an important part of the UCAS application. You need one person who can describe your academic skills and personal qualities. This is usually a teacher, but could also be an employer or trainee supervisor. The most important thing is someone who knows you and can support your application. Family members, friends, and associates cannot write letters of recommendation.
The first thing to remember is that your UCAS form, and therefore your covering letter, will be received by all of your chosen institutions. So do not refer to a specific institution in your letter. A covering letter is a letter in which you explain which courses you are interested in and why.
The UCAS website has a short online guide in the fill-in-the-blank form to help you with your letter. However, it is important to remember that a personal statement is a reflection of your personality and your ambitions. Therefore, it should be sincere, authentic and above all, unique. Don’t copy someone else’s and don’t lie about your skills and achievements.
It is advisable to start your letter with an original phrase that will make the recruiter want to read more. You can start with a brief explanation what discipline you want to study and why.
Next, break the text into several paragraphs, including your professional experience, extracurricular activities, studies, future projects, interests or even hobbies if they are relevant to your choice of industry you want to work in.
To maintain clarity, develop one key idea in each paragraph. Illustrate each of your ideas with concrete examples that reinforce your point and show the logic of your journey.
Finally, your conclusion should summarise what you want to gain by joining your target programme. Highlight the main reasons that make you a suitable student for your chosen course or demonstrate your interest and passion for the subject.
In most cases, if you are applying to a UK university from outside the UK, you will need to apply directly to the university. This usually requires the same documents as applying through UCAS. However, you will also need to include your English language test results.
To prove your English level, you must pass one of the SELT (Secure English Language Test) exams, which meet strict quality standards. A certificate of completion of an English course at school is not sufficient. Make sure that the exam you choose is approved for the SELT.
However, even if you started your educational journey outside the UK you still have the chance to become a UK student.
For international students, there are programmes equivalent to the first UK university course, such as International Year One or International Diploma.
Candidates must be at least 18-19 years old. The duration of the programme is 9 months in an accelerated format or 12 months for students with a low language level.
The main advantage of these programmes is the possibility of changing specialisation and moving on to the second year of study if you achieve good results. In this way, students do not lose a year of study and can continue their studies with fellow British students.
For admission you will need:
Students aged 20-21 who have completed 2nd or 3rd year of study at their university can transfer to a UK university for a second year. However, this is not possible at all UK institutions. Some institutions only accept students in their first year, while others may accept students in their second year, depending on their specialties. It is almost impossible to transfer to the third year due to the limited number of places available, especially at top universities.
The Master’s programme is the second stage of higher education in British universities.
For students from abroad, there is the Pre-Masters programme, which allows you to prepare for a Master’s degree in 3-12 months. During this time, students improve their English and necessary academic subjects.
A bachelor’s degree is required for entry to a master’s programme at a UK institution. However, it does not necessarily have to be a major. There is a separate Graduate Diploma programme for students wishing to enter a different field of study, which allows them to change direction.
Master’s degrees can be obtained in the following areas:
To get into the programme you first need to submit your application form, preferably electronically. For this purpose, the following package of documents should be prepared:
If you are applying for a programme in a creative field, a portfolio with examples of work may be required.
If you are applying for a practical Master’s programme, you should attach letters of recommendation from previous employers (if any). Thus, you will need to add to your application package:
After a favourable decision, the university will contact you to schedule an interview. Successful completion of the interview will lead to the next stage, during which you need to submit the following documents:
A PhD is the final stage of higher education and is suitable for those who wish to deepen their knowledge in a particular field or to start teaching. The process of obtaining a PhD degree usually takes 3 to 4 years.
The PhD involves active participation in scientific seminars and conferences, but during the course of study the PhD student works and manages his/her time independently. There are no scheduled lectures, and interaction with the supervisor occurs approximately once every few weeks to discuss progress and resolve issues.
One of the popular programmes in the UK is the New Route PhD. This programme combines research activities and professional training, it aims to develop research projects as well as leadership competencies of a PhD student.
For admission to the doctoral programme, the following are required:
A special test is also required for admission to medical postgraduate programmes:
Education at the best British universities is a secure investment in your future. Imperial & Legal specialists will help you find the right institution, prepare all the necessary documents to apply for admission and, finally, obtain a visa to study in the UK.
There are two types of tuition fees at British universities: home fees and overseas fees.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer as success depends on your abilities, skills, financial situation and specialisation. However, attending a British school with good A-Level or IB grades significantly increases your chances of getting into a good university.
They can. However, it will not be easy to get it. The best known government programme is the Chevening Scholarship. It fully covers accommodation, food and a year of undergraduate study. There are other large government grants (GREAT Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarships), but they are not available to all applicants.
Yes, many UK universities provide rooms in dormitories for international students. These are usually private rooms with a shared kitchen and living room.
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