Master Your study in the UK University Application In 5 Simple Steps
Written by Across the Pond - 01/08/2023
Applying to UK universities is both exciting and intimidating. Applying to Canadian universities can be difficult enough, but making the decision to study overseas in the UK requires even more courage and planning since it involves additional steps that are not necessary in Canada. But don't worry about these additional steps. Plenty of Canadian students have successfully studied in the UK with the help of Across the Pond, and you can too!
This blog will help ensure you take the appropriate steps to complete your study in the UK university application...
1 - Choose the right course of study
Whilst Canadian universities can be extremely competitive, UK universities are more ‘relaxed’ in comparison. You still have to meet the requirements of the university and your course though, before you are accepted for study. When choosing your course consider your background, current skills, and plans for the future. Having the ability to showcase you are the right candidate for the program will make a big difference as to whether you’re accepted or not.
Top Tip – Only apply for courses that suit your academic interest or future career path. Don’t be tempted to apply for something random that could backfire and ultimately leave you without a course at all.
2 - Choose your top university
You may be happy going to any university in the UK, but chances are that some are a better fit for you than others. Different areas of the country offer very different experiences, so you should determine the kind of environment in which you want to go to live and study.
Top Tip - We recommend you narrow your list of potential universities. Your personal advisor at Across the Pond can help you pick the best universities for you.
3 - You have several options to offset cost
The demands of your course work may limit the number of hours you can work while you study, but international students are only allowed to work up to twenty hours a week on their student visas. With plenty of part time jobs available in grocery stores and local attractions, this could become a valuable source of income. UK universities also offer scholarships for international students; these are competitive and merit-based. Canadian federal loans also help with tuition and living expenses.
Top Tip - You need to secure funding for tuition and living expenses before you apply for the visa in July.
4 - Fill out your application
This is where you need to pay close attention to what you are doing. The application will require you to enter a substantial amount of information, including personal details, preferred courses you would like to take, your previous education, your employment history and a personal statement. As an undergraduate, you will need to pay a small application fee to UCAS, and you will need to make sure you submit the application within the appropriate time frame. Failure to enter in all information accurately, or to submit the application at the correct time, can result in denial.
Top Tip - Although Across The Pond’s students rarely experience rejection from their preferred UK degree, it’s important to keep in mind that you will have to wait until the next application window to apply again.
5 - Understand the student visa process
It is not enough to be accepted by a UK university. You also have to gain the permission of the UK government to live and study in the country. Take the time to research the student visa process in the UK, and to understand exactly how you fit into it.
Top Tip – Across the Pond can help you with visa guidance! For more information, get in touch with one of our advisors.
Free advice available
All students looking to study in the UK can take advantage of free guidance and expertise from the Across the Pond team. We can help you overcome the hurdles of applying to study in the UK and identify the best university for your degree. For more information, contact an Across the Pond advisor today!
Essential Tips To Help Plan Your Overseas Scholarship Application
Written by admin - 13/04/2015
Apr 13, 2015 5:00:00 PM
There is a misconception that studying abroad is expensive, and we acknowledge that cost will always be a factor. However, there are funding options available to students, which make this opportunity possible; one of which is university scholarships. When considering the cost of tuition, living expenses, housing, and books, even a small discount in tuition is a big help. 
However, as thousands of students apply for scholarships every year, the chances of being chosen for funding is tough. Your location, grades, and current financial status all have a bearing on whether you will be accepted, but perhaps the most important factor is HOW you apply.
Follow these essential tips below to help you plan your overseas scholarship application, but remember, there are a limited amount available so even acing this process does not guarantee acceptance…
Be confident
Some applications request a letter of explanation as to why you should receive scholarship help.
The quality of your letter is absolutely essential. This is your chance to confidently explain who you are and what you hope to achieve with your degree.
Unless requested, do not go into too much detail about your hobbies and social life; rather, approach your letter as if you were giving a speech to people you do not know.
Your reader should be left with a sense of your history, your goals, how your degree will advance your efforts, even your personality. Make the decision committee want to help you!
It’s important to remember that many scholarships don’t need separate applications as you will automatically be considered through your initial application. For more information on this, get in touch with our advisor here.
Be comprehensive
Ensure your overseas scholarship application forms are completed comprehensively and correctly so as not to disqualify you immediately.
Applications with missing details will be more than likely be thrown onto the ‘No’ pile immediately. Fill out the forms with care, double check your answers and get someone else to check it for you too.
Be careful
Ensuring your details are correct is only part of it. Make sure you are not wasting your time in the first place by taking time to read through the eligibility criteria to certify you have a good chance of acceptance.
Be aware of any scholarship opportunities offered by UK universities themselves, especially if these offers guarantee acceptance. These promises are red flags – beware!
Some websites may offer ‘guarantees’ of getting accepted – these sites may be fraudulent so be careful who you trust. Only apply on websites that are approved by the relevant educational boards in Canada and the UK.
For any student unsure of researching funding available, the Across the Pond team can help to find the best and most eligible scholarships for your degree.
Be expansive
Although there are thousands of students applying for scholarships, surprisingly there are surprisingly still quite a few opportunities students never.
Remember there are also scholarships available by course, subject area, and even university department – but these are not available from any Canadian institutions.
In this case, don’t limit your options by just applying for one scholarship. Be expansive in your research and apply for as many eligible schemes as possible. Remember, any funding help, large or small, will be a big help.
Be accepted
Some scholarships require you to actually hold an offer from a UK university first, before applying for the scheme.
As you wait for a university decision, research your scholarship opportunities. As soon as you get an acceptance, apply for the scholarship immediately to ensure you are first in line.
Be timely
Meeting application deadlines is a must. Failure to submit on time means you will miss out on a scholarship opportunity.
Most UK scholarship deadlines are in the spring before the start of the program. For this reason, students should submit their university applications by the end of January at the latest.
This will allow the university plenty of time to extend the necessary offer so the student can successfully apply for the scholarship.
At Across the Pond, we can help you achieve your goals, even those who forget to apply! We will send your alerts of impending deadlines to ensure you’re always on track.
Be mentored
Applying for scholarships is not easy. It takes time, and a lot of brain power to put together a compelling overseas scholarship application.
If you feel you need assistance searching for and applying for scholarships, Across the Pond can help simplify the process, and make it as successful as possible.
Having assisted over 10,000 students to fulfil their aspirations of studying in the UK, we have a lot of experience. That is why we are experts. For more information, download our free guide Studying in the UK: A guide for Canadian Students.
Choosing Your UK University Course: A Canadian Student's Guide
Written by admin - 13/04/2015
Deciding where to go to study is not a decision to be undertaken lightly. You need to consider what you want to study, how quickly you want to complete your degree and how well you're likely to adapt to the local environment.
If you're torn between studying in the UK and Canada, both have their benefits and drawbacks.
However, the UK university system may be a more attractive option for students who prefer more one-on-one instruction, along with spending commensurately less time pursuing their degrees.
In this article we'll do a brief comparison of the Canadian and UK university structures so you can decide whether to study in the UK and give you tips on choosing your UK university course.
Canada
Educational structure
A benefit of staying at home, you will already know the structure of Canadian universities and colleges and what is expected of you. Having spent years in the system already, you will understand exams, coursework and the way you will be taught.
Although it is always tempting to stick to what you know, it doesn’t mean the UK system is completely different. In fact, the UK could be viewed as offering a better support service to students than at a home university.
Geography
Staying in Canada means you are closer to your friends and family. For those worried about homesickness, you can be assured you’re no further than a few hours away from a hug or your next ‘care package’ with emergency supplies.
Living conditions
Depending on where you decide to study you may have to cope with extreme weather which, although you’ve lived with it for the whole of your life, can cause disruption to your learning.
Canada has some of the harshest weather on the continent, but the UK in comparison is fairly mild – making getting to classes that little bit easier!
Study time
From your initial research you will know that most Canadian university undergrad programs are set up on the four-year model, taking 12 months longer than counterparts in the UK.
The breadth of your knowledge may extend in this time, but you could benefit more from studying in the UK for 3 years before returning to the jobs market early. To see whether the UK is a real possibility, download our free eBook Studying in the UK: The Essential facts for Canadian Student.
The UK
Educational structure
The UK university program is substantially different than that of Canada, with the exception of certain universities in Scotland. The Canadian system is based upon the four-year model whilst most British universities work to a three-year schedule for students.
For those looking to study courses in the medical sector as an example, you will be required to take a longer course than the ‘normal’ as you may have found out already from your Canadian research.
Geography
The weather in the UK tends to be milder year-round than that of Canada, which means students are less likely to be exposed to extremes of weather and temperature.
And as the UK is such a small island in comparison to Canada and the US, you are able to travel around the historic country during your studies, as well as making the two hour flights across to Spain, France, Greece, Italy and other European destinations.
Living conditions
Life in the UK offers you a more varied cultural experience.
For those living in London, accommodation and living costs may be higher compared to the rest of the UK, but you are within touching distance of some of the most famous buildings in the world including Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
Canada or the UK?
While the differences between Canada and the UK university systems seem vast, the UK may actually offer more advantages to the student who wants to get away from familiar surroundings and experience a completely different culture.
Studying in the UK offers you more freedom and flexibility, the opportunity to complete your degree faster, and the chance to learn what you're really capable of with an ocean between you and the comfortable support structures you're used to, giving you a better chance to find out who you really are.
Click here to get in touch with an Across the Pond advisor to learn more!
12 Things Every Canadian Student Studying In The UK Should Take
Written by admin - 13/04/2015
Apr 13, 2015 5:00:00 PM
Studying abroad is a great way for Canadian students to learn from a different culture, and a journey to the UK is no exception. And though it may sound like a visit next door due to common language and history, the trip should still be planned for accordingly. The following is a list of twelve things every Canadian student studying in the UK should pack, at the minimum, for a comfortable and safe voyage across the pond to the land of Doctor Who and Sherlock.
1 - Passport
It may sound obvious, but too many students neglect their passport while abroad and lose it to theft or simple misplacement. Bring a dedicated wallet or sleeve to keep it safe, and make it large enough so it won't easily be left behind by accident. It is a student's lifeblood while travelling.
For extra back-up, scan and save your passport at home.
2 - Other identification
Bring along any driving or non-driving licenses you may have, school identification, and other official government issues ID to assist in proving who you are when asked for such things.
3 - Credit card
This isn't for clothing or jewelry shopping on a whim or for that last minute pizza party. This is a source of emergency funds, preferably linked to a parent's account for close monitoring. A credit card can solve a great many problems for a student abroad if only they have access to it.
Remember to let your bank know you’re travelling abroad so you don’t encounter an anti-fraudulent freeze on your card.
4 - Cell phone
Your own cell phone can be used in the UK, providing it is unlocked before or whilst you come into the country. Once unlocked, you will be able to get a new SIM and use a much cheaper international plan.
5 - Mobile music
Another great reason to bring along your smart phone is for your music library, but you can also grab your iPod for long trips on trains and the bus. Having your music can calm your nerves and make things a little less foreign. Spotify listener? Invest in the premium account to listen to your playlists offline.
6 - Reading material
Preferably, your reading material should be tied in with your trip. For those of a classical bent, try Shakespeare. For a modernist twist, go with Orwell, J.K Rowling or Tolkien. A good book does wonders for a homesick heart, and there are enough choices to please anybody in the UK.
7 - Clothing
Simple, yes - but pack for the long run. Laundry facilities might not always be available, so bring at least enough to cover a week or two, depending on how long you will be staying. Underwear, t-shirts, shoes... bring it instead of planning to buy it overseas. It can get expensive.
Think of the weather too. Although it doesn’t rain as much as you think it would in the UK, it’s always worth bringing a waterproof coat, umbrella and plenty of layers for the cold evenings.
8 - Laptop
Worth the weight if you keep it nearby and safe without misplacing it. You can complete school work, communicate through social media to home, or any of a multitude of possibilities. Just be sure not to lose it - it contains your life, after all. Also - don’t forget your charger!
9 - Jump drives
Just as with academic work at home, back up your files while travelling. A couple of small jump drives to save important information and files from your laptop will make its loss, if it happens, that less of a big deal. Back up your information at all times.
10 - Messaging app
Downloading a messaging app gives you the opportunity to stay in touch with family at home and friends at your new university. Whatsapp is a great app to download - just make sure everyone at home downloads it too!
11 - Academic stuff (digital versions)
Whether its on your laptop or your iPad, taking your previous academic research and links could be really valuable. Books are heavy and take up a lot of your baggage allowance so don’t bother bringing them with you.
12 - Medicines
Lastly, bring not only your prescriptions, but also the documentation that shows they belong to you. This could include the bottles, the boxes, or even the scripts themselves. Don't be caught unawares.
For more tips on studying in the UK, download our free Canadian student's checklist here.
