Why apply to UK universities?
- Excellent academic reputation
- Fantastic faculty support
- Undergraduate research opportunities (Oxbridge)
- Study abroad & internship programs
- State-of-the-art facilities
- World-leading professors
P.S. Often top university alumni 'recruit from within,’ meaning they actively recruit soon-to-be graduates from their former universities to employ at their current workplace. Facebook, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg and Amazon all actively recruit from top university campuses.
Top 10 UK Universities
| Rank | University |
|---|---|
| 1 | University of Oxford |
| 2 | University of Cambridge |
| 3 | Imperial College London |
| 4 | University College London (UCL) |
| 5 | The University of Edinburgh |
| 6 | The University of Manchester |
| 7 | King's College London |
| 8 | The London School of Economics |
| 9 | The University of Warwick |
| 10 | University of Bristol |
QS World 2022 Rankings
Key differences between US and UK universities
The US and UK offer a variety of options when it comes to studying at some of the finest institutions around the world. Here are some highlights of each education system to help you decide which path is best for you:
US vs UK University System
| US Education System | UK Education System | Both |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility due to a unique liberal arts education | A focused and in-depth approach to learning | Unrivalled resources and professions at top universities |
| A wide range of clubs, activities, and extracurriculars | Financial assistance less significant due to lower costs | Global reputation and recognition as leaders in higher education |
| Various scholarships and financial aid opportunities | Shorter path to some professions (e.g. law, medicine) | Access to elite graduate and internship opportunities |
| Ability to compete athletically at an elite level with recruitment & scholarships | The tutorial system at top UK universities such as Oxford and Cambridge | Extensive alumni network and low student-faculty ratio |
What kind of students are UK universities looking for?
They actively seek students who will contribute unique and exciting perspectives to their campuses. Every year, hundreds of students apply to top universities in the UK, which means strong competition; meeting the minimum entry requirements is no longer enough to guarantee a spot at a top UK university.
How to apply to UK universities
The UK University and College Admission Service (UCAS) is the application used when applying to universities in the UK.
Before beginning your UCAS application, you must know exactly what you want to study, as there isn’t much wiggle room in the UK curriculum to change courses once you have started your study.
Once you know what you want to study, register for an account online and fill out your personal details (i.e. your name, phone number, address, email address etc).
Application Requirements
The UCAS application only allows you to apply to a maximum of five universities. You can apply for courses in multiple subject categories; however, this will become difficult when you start to write your personal statement as one essay is sent to all universities.
UK tuition fees
Students from the UK
Students pay £9,250 a year for full-time study, which is covered by a student loan. You can also apply for a maintenance loan to cover some of the cost of your accommodation and food bills.
- Tuition Fee Loans, to cover the full cost of your course, are paid directly to the course provider, and you won’t have to pay it back until after your course when you’re earning above a certain level.
- Maintenance Loans can be applied for at the same time, lending you money at the start of each term (or monthly in Scotland). How much you get depends on your household income, where you study, where you live, and how long for.
Taken from the UCAS website.
Students from the EU
EU and other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fee status in the UK and will have to pay between £27,840 and £39,010. However, there are some scholarships available; you can find some of them below.
University Scholarships
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham offers ‘’Undergraduate Excellence Awards’’ for high-achieving scholars from around the world. Applications close in April every year. The University also offers sport scholarships for successful sportsmen.
University College of London
The University College London has its own scholarship finder. There are plenty of options for international students. Students can explore in detail what possibilities are available to them based on their subject interests and background.
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol provides a list of International scholarships to help the best and brightest overseas students, including those from the EU, study at the University of Bristol. From Economics, Policy studies to Accounting and Finance, they offer from £5,000 to £10,000 per year, depending on the subject.
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield offers International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship from £2,000 to £2,500 to international students, depending on their course. Use their student funding calculator as a guide to available funding and financial support, including scholarships offered in your chosen department or faculty.
University of Brighton
The university offers a number of merit-based international undergraduate scholarships each year. They also offer sports scholarships. More information can be found here.
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester offers a variety of scholarships and bursaries for undergraduate international students. There are subject-specific awards, travel awards, and university funding.
Warwick University
Warwick University has a list of scholarships for international students by country that are available for students outside of the UK and EU.
Durham University
Durham University offers The International Excellence Scholarship to international students of outstanding academic ability.
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh offers three different types of undergraduate scholarships to international students: The Edinburgh Global Undergraduate Mathematics Scholarships for Math students, Robertson International Scholarships for History, Classics and Archaeology students, and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies International Scholarship for Veterinary students.
University of Leicester
The University of Leicester offers a variety of scholarships for non-EU undergraduate students, such as The President’s Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme and the College of Science and Engineering Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme, but on top of that, they offer bursaries and discounts as well.
Key application stages & deadlines for UK universities
Many students find the US application process complicated. By breaking down the steps into manageable pieces, you will find the process much less daunting and straightforward. Check out the chart for a complete US admission preparation timeline.
Some helpful extras
- Use our UK University Admissions Calculator to generate a list of schools that match your academic profile and interests
- Check out our University Profiles page to learn more about UK universities
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