Things to Remember When Applying to the UK

Are you stuck on where to start in your UK university application? Fear not! We have listed some helpful tips for you to keep note of when applying to study in the UK.

Choosing a University

Your first decision will likely be one of the most difficult ones; which universities should you apply to? There are a lot of schools to consider, each with their own unique draws. It is important that you take the time to carefully research them all to figure out which will be the best fit for you.  Some things you may want to consider, if you haven’t already:

• The ‘Ivy League equivalent’ schools will have higher tuition fees, but that’s not the only place where money is an issue. Cost of living in and around London is considerably higher than away from it.  In fact, a rule of thumb is that cost of living decreases the further you are from London.
• National UK newspaper, The Guardian, rates the top 150 universities in their League tables. This is important to some people, but keep in mind that in Canada, the fact that you studied in Britain will be impressive, regardless of which institution you attended.
• Campus type. There are two campus types, although most are a blend of the two. Campus universities have their buildings all together in one secluded spot. This gives the university environment a close-knit feeling. These tend to be in smaller towns, such as Kent or Swansea, or removed from the city centre, such as Roehampton or Queen Mary. Others are city campuses, where the university buildings are located in various places throughout the city. This gives you more opportunity to explore the city and some students feel less confined on campus in these sorts of environments. Leicester and Strathclyde are good examples of these.
• Courses in the UK are referred to as ‘modules’. Different universities offer different modules for the same programs. For example, if you are taking Law, some unis offer modules in Patent Law, others offer Environmental Law, or Commercial Law, etc. Take a look at the modules listed for each university you are considering, and make sure they offer the classes you want, and not the ones you don’t.

Filling out your application

Once you’ve made your list of universities you wish to apply to, your personal Across The Pond Advisor will help you begin your online application.

The documentation requirements within your application vary from program to program, but typically include a personal statement of why you want to study your chosen program in the UK, a letter or two of recommendation from a former teacher or professor, along with your academic transcripts. Some programs, like Creative Writing, Photography or Fine Art, may also require a portfolio of work for the admission teams to consider. Your Advisor will guide you through the process.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Studying in the UK is by no means a cheap option, but it doesn’t have to prohibitively expensive. There are provincial and federal funds that can help you pay for your education, the amount of which varies between each province and territory. Your Across The Pond Advisor can help identify which funds are available to you. 

The universities also offer scholarships to international students. You will be automatically considered for merit scholarships with your university application, but others require a separate application, usually involving a writing a short essay on why you should be considered. Scholarships tend to have early deadlines, so it is important to apply early to maximize your funding options!

Getting help

Applying to universities in the UK from Canada can be a difficult and confusing process, but Across The Pond has all this stuff figured out! We’ll walk you through every step of the process, and are free to answer any questions or issues you have! If are interested in studying in the UK, please contact one of our Advisors.