Making the Most of Your Time Between Applying to and Accepting Your UK University

You’ve worked with Across the Pond to apply to several UK universities – now what?

The application process can seem like such a whirlwind of activity in the early stages of applying. Between writing personal statements, ordering transcripts, gathering letters of reference, re-writing personal statements, and of course researching your top university choices, it can bring a huge relief when you finally click that ‘submit button’. While it is completely normal to have a bit of a quiet period while the UK universities are processing your applications and making their decision, there are a few ways that you can continue actively working to prepare for your UK studies.  
 

CONTINUE RESEARCHING YOUR TOP UNIVERSITY CHOICES

Remember, even if you’ve applied to 5 universities, you can still only attend one. It’s important to continue researching every aspect of your university choices to ensure once your decisions do come through, that you can make an informed decision about which university will be the best choice for you and your academic/professional goals. This is where it’s helpful to make those pros/cons lists! 

Look at the modules offered, the tuition cost, the location, and any other aspect that may be important to you. 
 

ENSURE YOUR PASSPORT IS VALID 

To travel to the UK, you’ll need to have a valid passport. If you need to apply for a UK Student Visa, you’ll need your passport before finalizing your UK offer and starting the visa application process. Some may think this is an obvious statement, but it’s so easy to lose track of passport renewal dates. Do yourself a favour and check your passport expiration date early so that you can renew your passport if needed while you wait for your university decisions to come through. This will give you plenty of time to receive your new passport before you need it for your visa application.  
 

DETERMINE HOW YOU’RE GOING TO FUND YOUR STUDIES 

This is an extremely important step and something that students consistently leave until the last minute. While you’re waiting for your university decisions, make a plan for how you can pay for your UK studies. This may include a combination of the following:  

• Check the UK university websites for available university scholarships.  Ask your Across the Pond advisor for help if you’re not sure where to find these! 
• Many universities will release these in the late winter or early spring so apply early to avoid disappointment! Even if you’re not 100% sure whether you’ll be attending or not: apply for scholarships! You’ll be thankful you did when the summertime arrives.  
• If your parents have agreed to help fund your studies, speak to your parents about the expected tuition costs. The tuition prices are always available on the course pages! 
• If you’re considering a loan or line of credit, make an appointment with a financial advisor at your banking institution to understand the funding options available to you. 
• If you plan to apply to Canadian federal funding to take abroad, make sure you research the application process, application dates and availability for your own province.  
   

Most importantly: keep your Across the Pond advisor in the loop! We’re here to help support you right up until you leave for the UK so do not hesitate to check-in with your advisor about how you’re feeling about any aspect of the process – we’ve all been there! We’ll help keep you on track and excited about your new adventure. 

Don’t have an advisor yet? Enquire today!