The United Kingdom (UK) is one of the top destinations to study abroad. It offers quality education, reasonable stay, scholarships, and excellent work-visa opportunities. The country is home to more than 300 public and private universities and most of the best universities in the world with the lowest acceptance rate.
The UK offers a wide range of specialties at different entry levels along with innovative teaching, vibrant campus life, post-study work experience, and a multicultural experience for foreign students. Due to its high-quality education system, thousands of students apply to top universities in the UK.
Since the United Kingdom is home to world-ranked universities and the number of international students is massive, they are selective in choosing the right applicant. The universities in the UK have various entry requirements for studying in the country that students need to satisfy.
The entry requirements differ depending on the nationality, selected course, university/college, etc. This article will guide you on how to apply for university in the UK for International students.
Table of Contents
List of top universities in the UK
Below, we’ve provided the list of the top global universities in the United Kingdom. These universities in the UK have been ranked based on their positions in the overall Best Global Universities rankings. If you are struggling to find out the best university in the UK for your higher studies then the following list may assist you in this.
- University of Oxford
- King’s College London
- University College London (UCL)
- The University of Edinburgh
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- University of Cambridge
- The University of Manchester
- University of Glasgow
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
Intakes to study in the United Kingdom
The country invites students in three intakes i.e., Fall (September), Winter (January), and May. The details for different intakes in United Kingdom are as follows.
| Particulars | January (Winter/Spring Intake) Intake | September (Fall/ Autumn) intake | May (Summer) intake |
| Intake Type | Secondary | Primary | Offered by a few universities |
| Session starts from | January | September | May |
| The Application process starts from | September to November | December to July | October to November |
| Admission time | June- September | February-May | January- February |
How to apply to an International in the UK
For undergraduate courses
Candidates seeking admission to undergraduate courses in British Universities are required to submit their applications using the UCAS application website (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Most of the universities in the UK will only accept your application through the UCAS system.
Steps to Apply
Candidates can follow the below steps to apply through UCAS:
Candidates should register and create their application on the UCAS portal
Apply for up to five courses, at the same or different colleges/universities in the UK
Provide personal information
Provide educational qualifications
Add financial details
Write a personal statement
Some British universities may ask for additional tests like the LNAT for Law degrees, UCAT or BMAT for Medicine
Documents Required for Bachelor degree courses in the UK Universities
Check the list of documents required for UG Education in the UK:
Educational Records for 10th and 12th class
Application form
English language test scores –TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, C1 Advanced, PTE Academic, or Duolingo
Medium of Instruction Certificate (if needed)
Entrance exam scores such as LNAT Exam (for law) BMAT (for medical, biomedical, and dentistry courses), Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) – for bachelors in sciences & engineering, and SAT etc.
Date of Birth certificate
Passport
Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume
Copies of degree/diploma certificates, if applicable
Reference letters, if required
Statement of Purpose
How to apply for Postgraduate Admission in the UK
Candidates who want to apply for PhD/Master’s degree courses in the UK can apply directly to their selected university. Most universities in the United Kingdom allow you to send your application throughout the year, but PG Courses have specific deadlines.
It is highly recommended to contact your selected university to find out the dates for the postgraduate application process.
For PG admission, candidates can apply via the UKPASS system. Fill out the asked information in the online form.
Scan and upload required documents such as a copy of your passport and previous academic certificates.
For PhD courses, candidates are usually expected to also select an appropriate supervisor from the university.
Documents Required for Master’s degree courses in UK Universities
The list of documents required for PG courses to study in the UK is provided below.
Application form
English language test scores – C1 Advanced, TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or Duolingo
Passport
Medium of Instruction Certificate (This certificate is accepted in rare cases instead of English scores)
Entrance exam scores such as GMAT, GRE, Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT Exam), etc.
Date of Birth certificate
Reference letters (if needed)
Academic certificates for 10th, 12th class, and bachelor’s degree
Resume/CV
Copies of degree/diploma certificates (if applicable)
Statement of Purpose
Research proposal/ Any Portfolio (for specific courses)
FAQs
As per the survey report of 2021-22, the annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students in the United Kingdom started at around £11,400. For UG medical degrees in the UK, the tuition fee ranges between £9,250 – £67,892.
September (fall) intake, is considered as the primary intake in the United Kingdom. The flow of application during fall intake is maximum.
The application process for the winter Intake 2024 in the UK starts from September 2023 to November 2023.
Yes, English language proficiency tests scores such as IELTS or TOEFL are mandatory for international students to get admission in UK universities.
For UG admission to top-ranked Universities in the UK, a student needs to have at least 80 to 95% marks in 12th. For admission to middle-ranked Universities, student needs to have at least 60%- 80% in class 12th. A Few universities in the UK also accept candidates having 50 to 55% in 12th.