How do I apply?
Getting in to an international university can be a complicated procedure or it can be relatively straightforward. It all depends on which country you are interested in and, in some cases, which university you apply to. Here are a few general pointers.
1. Do I apply to international universities through UCAS? No.UCAS deals entirely with British universities. This means that you can apply for up to five British universities and as many international universities as you like.
2. How much does it cost to apply to an international university? Usually there is some kind of application fee.These fees are not designed to put you off applying but they will stop you from applying frivolously. While you may not know exactly whether you want to go abroad when you apply , no university likes to deal with applications from students who aren't at all serious.
3. Do I apply to international universities at the same time as for British universities? This really depends on where you want to go. For example, if you are looking at going to the USA and you want to apply for scholarships, then you need to think about applying early, probably as much as 11 months in advance. If you want to go to an Australian university, you can usually apply after you get your A' level results because the academic year doesn't start until February of the following year. If you wish to apply to universities in the Netherlands you can often apply after you know which offers you have received from British universities. In this way you can look farther afield for your insurance offer.
4. What information do I need to provide in my application? Basically, you will need the same information as for your UCAS application although it may be required in a different format. Most universities make admissions decisions based on your grades (both achieved and predicted), your personal statement and your teacher's recommendation. Some universities may also require an interview although in most cases you won't be expected to travel for this. Some universities will require additional entrance exams. The most common example of this are US universities that require SAT scores or if you wish to study medicine abroad.
5. How long will it take for me to receive an offer? This really depends on the individual university and its own admission procedures. Some Australian universities can give you a decision in principle if you apply during the regular application period. Some American universities will take a lot longer than this.
6. What grades do I need? Do I need to be a straight A student to go abroad? Again, this really depends on the university you choose. The best universities in the world will require very good results and they will also be looking for students who can demonstrate excellence and interest in areas outside the classroom. However, there are many universities around the world that focus on providing education at all levels of ability. So, don't assume that you can only go abroad if you get the best grades.