Things to Remember when Applying for Universities in the UK | Gradway

For international students, applying to universities is a task as daunting as the preparation for the entrance test itself. And when that dream university happens to be in the UK, it is time to avoid making any mistakes. After all, nobody likes to see their British-degree dream shattering. Here is a quick checklist to avoid the heart ache:

Choose the apt route

Your application route will depend on the course you are applying for. When you are applying for an undergraduate programme in the UK, an application is submitted to the undergraduate application service provider UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

On the other hand, you shall apply to the universities directly when applying for postgraduate courses. Consider checking the official websites of the universities for the application process.

Course entry requirements

You will need to fulfill the entry requirements for the course you are applying to before the application process. Some universities and courses have tougher admission criteria than others. Such entry requirements can be in the form of GCSEs, BTechs, A-levels, admission tests, language tests, portfolio of work, and UCAS points. Consider finding detailed information about all these requirements on the official websites of the universities you are targeting. 

You will also need to compare your qualifications with the entry requirements in case you have not gained your earlier education from the UK. While some universities provide such comparison details on their websites, some do not offer it. Consider getting in touch with the universities for guidance. 

Living viability 

Applying to a university in the UK is not all about the course and the university. You will also need to consider the location of the university to determine the viability of choosing it over others. Your university location will help you determine your total living costs and plan your budget accordingly. Whether you are looking for a campus university or a city one, the environment offered by the university will also play an important role in its selection. Also, do not overlook the weather conditions as the UK’s climate varies with its four varying regions and with the rest of the world, too. 

Get in line before the deadline

You must apply before the deadline when considering admission in a UK university. Unlike the universities in the US, applications are not given any preference according to their receipt date. All applications submitted before the due date are treated alike. 

You can apply even after the deadline but in such a case, your application will be given lesser preference than the ones received before the deadline. In other words, your application might not be considered by the university at all if it has already received great applicants for the course.

Focus on your Personal Statement

Lastly, your statement of purpose or personal statement is an extremely important part of your application. It determines your suitability for the course you are applying to and shows you apart from other applicants having similar qualifications. Consider writing a concise, coherent, and comprehensive statement within the maximum word count allowed. Writing, re-writing, and proofreading your personal statement will help you bring it closer to perfection.