British University Application Info For Dummies – Application Channel, Dates, and More

England, being a traditional academic venue, possesses an astounding academic atmosphere that attracts lots of applications as most bachelors can finish their degree in three years. British universities provide an exceptional international learning environment, with most well-known universities having as high as 30% to 50% of international students.

Let’s dig into the necessary information needed to apply for the universities in England with Valour, and begin this journey together.

1. British Application Channel — UCAS®

(1) Single Channel
There is only one channel to apply for a British university, UCAS, and almost every university in England is a member of UCAS. Thus, even if you wanted to apply to every university in England, you will only have to create one account.

(2) Department Exploration
Not just used for submitting the application, UCAS also provides information about every department in every college (including department briefing, entry requirement, and English ability requirement etc.) as well as an interest exploration service according to pupils’ interest, hence, students can make good use of UCAS to decide which major to take that fits their desired career path. In addition, there’s also a tutorial for how to compile a Personal Statement which is a plus for every pupil in their early preparation stages.

(3) Application Limitation
There is a limitation set on the number of colleges each student can apply to, with most students only being able to apply to 5 colleges, and those seeking to apply for medical associated majors only being able to apply to 4. Furthermore, students can choose between either Oxford or Cambridge, but will not be allowed to choose both.

UCAS Website： https://www.ucas.com/

2. British University Entry Method

Generally speaking, there are two ways to apply for those who are studying internationally: o use either an IB score or submit 4 scores of AP with their high school transcript.

(1) Using IB®DP Score to Apply
IB®DP is a 2-year course targeted at students from the age of 16 to 19, that provides a diploma accepted globally. The courses are relatively harder than general high school materials, as students not only have to take tests and finish group reports, but in some cases, also have to conduct independent research.

Schools providing IBDP in Taiwan include Kang Chiao International School, Taipei Kuei Shan School, Taipei American School, Taipei European School, and Taipei Municipal Xisong High School.

(2) Submitting 4 Scores of AP With High School Transcript.
If one didn’t take IB courses in high school, they can also choose to take 4 different AP tests to showcase their high school performance. A-level ranking related to AP scores are given below for reference, but there will be slight differences as there are different entry standards between each school.

General entry requirements

A level grades Equivalency AP only Equivalency AP plus SAT Reasoning test
A*A*A 5,5,5,5,5 in five distinctive AP subjects, taken in the final three years of high school. 5,5,5,5 in four distinctive AP subjects, plus a combined score of 1440 in SAT(1) Reasoning test taken in the final three years of high school
A*AA 5,5,5,5,4 in five distinctive AP subjects, taken in the final three years of high school. 5,5,5,5 in four distinctive AP subjects, plus a combined score of 1280 in SAT(1) Reasoning test taken in the final three years of high school
AAA 5,5,5,5 in four distinctive AP subjects, taken in the final three years of high school. 5,5,5 in three distinctive AP subjects, plus a combined score of 1440 in SAT(1) Reasoning test taken in the final three years of high school
AAB 5,5,5 in three distinctive AP subjects, taken in the final three years of high school. 5,5 in two distinctive AP subjects, plus a combined score of 1440 in SAT(1) Reasoning test taken in the final three years of high school
ABB 5,5,4 in three distinctive AP subjects, taken in the final three years of high school. 5,5 in two distinctive AP subjects, plus a combined score of 1280 in SAT(1) Reasoning test taken in the final three years of high school

Resource：https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/international/united-states-america

Valour tip: Using UCAS system to search entry requirement

Step1: Search for your targeted school or department in the home page

Step2: Click into the link of desired school/department (Caution: For bachelor choose B prefix or 3-year period)

Step3: Click ‘Entry Requirements’ and search forA-level ranking to get a further understanding of how much AP score you must pursue

UCAS Website： https://www.ucas.com/

Question: Can SAT® be used for applying for British Universities?

SAT® is not a requisite for applying to British universities, but most schools allow students to use SAT grades in addition to their AP scores. For instance, students may be able to substitute one of their AP scores with their SAT grade, if scored at a certain level. (refer to the abovementioned table) Valour suggests students decide whether or not to take the SAT after evaluating their demands and abilities.

For example:
1. Applying for both British and American universities simultaneously, or only for American universities → SAT suggested 

2. Applying for British universities only, and started preparing for APs in G10 → SAT not suggested 

*Suggestions above are only for reference, please carefully evaluate your personal demand and pick the most suitable method accordingly.

3. Other Entering Method (Foundation or A-level)

Since IB and AP are the courses more reachable within international schools, if you’re studying in a public school or not qualified with the above mentioned requirements, there’s an alternative to studying in the U.K. by taking Foundation or A-Level courses.

(1) Foundation
Foundation, as known as the British Foundation Studies Program, is the preclass exclusively designed for high school students. Students can apply to study a 9-month foundation course (only have to submit an IELTS score) after graduating from high school. If accepted, the student will be directly enrolled in the bachelor programs of the school. Since the Foundation program is a university-oriented course, students can choose a certain domain to dig into instead of spending time on different subjects, this is more suitable for those who have decided on their university major.

British University Pre Class Program Entry Requirement

  • Average school performance (Percentage may vary from different schools)
  • IELTS scores between 4.5 ~6 (Score may vary from different schools)
  • 11th or 12th-grade qualification in Taiwan (May vary from different schools)
  • Uncompleted British A Level or IB Diploma Program

(2) Acquire A-Level Score
General Certificate of Education Advanced Level, as known as GCE A-Level or A-Level are courses studied in a general British high school. In England, students can use their final scores to apply for university once they finish A-Level courses and pass the exam. Taiwanese students must study at a local British high school if they choose this channel. Therefore, it’s more applicable to those who are still studying high school.

A-Level Course Entry Requirement：

  • High school student between 16 ~ 17 years old
  • Possess original school’s academic performance from 10th or 11th grade
  • IELTS score higher than 5.0 (Score may vary from different schools)

4. What do I have to prepare when applying for a British university?

(1) English Transcript of your highest education pursuit
(2) English High School Graduation Certificate
(3) Copy of Passport
(4) English Financial Statement
(5) 1 recommendation letter
(6) Personal statement
(7) Application Fee： One school for £22, two or more for £26.5
(8) IELTS score
(9) Portfolio（Design/Art related department）
(10) Expertise Certificate (Required for some special major such as Medical or Math)

e.g.Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT)/University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)/Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP)

5.British University Ranking and Entry Requirement (Top 100s of QS Ranking)

QS Ranking University IB Requirement SAT/AP Requirement IELTS Requirement
2 University of Cambridge 40-42 776 from HL 55555 from 5 APs 7.5 in total, and none below 7
4 University of Oxford 38-40 6/7in HL 5555 from 4 APs
or
555 from 3 APs  + SAT 1460-1480		 7 in total, and none below 6.5

7.5 in total, and none below 7
6 Imperial College London 38-42 6/7in HL 555 from 3 APs  – 5555 from 4 APs 7 in total, and none below 6.5

7.5 in total, and none below 7
8 United College London 34-40 555 from 3 APs  – 55555 from 5 APs
or
55 from 2 APs + SAT 1280 to 5555 from 4 APs  + SAT 1440		 7 in total, and none below 6.5

7.5 in total, and none below 7
15 The University of Edinburgh 32-39 444 from 3 APs 7 in total, and none below 6.5
28 University of Manchester 30-39 444 from 3 APs 6.5 in total, and none below 6

7 in total, and none below 6.5
37 King’s College London 35 44444 from 5 APs – 55555 from 5 APs
or
444 from 3 APs  + SAT 1300 – 555 from 3 APs  + SAT 1410		 6.5 in total, and none below 6

7.5 in total, and none below 7
56 The London School of Economics and Political Science 37-38 44 from 2 APs – 5555 from 4 APs 6.5 in total, and none below 6
7 in total, and none below 6.5
61 University of Bristol 31-38 444 from 3 APs 6.5 in total, and none below 6
64 University of Warwick 32-39 544 – 555 from 3  APs 6.5 in total, and none below 6
78 University of Southampton 32–38 555 from 3 APs 6.5 in total, and none below 6
81 University of Glasgow 32-34 444 from 3 APs
or
44 from 2AP +SAT		 6.5 in total, and none below 6
86 University of Leeds 32-38 444 from 3 APs 6 in total, and none below 5.5
91 University of Birmingham 32-35 544 from 3 APs 6 in total, and none below 5.5
92 Durham University 36-38 544 from 3 APs 6 in total, and none below 5.5
96 The University of Sheffield 28-36 444 from 3 APs 6 in total, and none below 5.5
96 University of St. Andrew 36 444 from 3 APs 6.5 in total, and none below 6

Resource：Websites from universities, may vary from different years and department

6. Conditional Offer and Unconditional Offer

Generally speaking, there are 2 phases when applying for British universities

First Phase
Conditional Offer
 Second Phase
Unconditional offer
Students still need to fulfil extra requirements– usually exam results and receive a qualified IELTS score to get a place. This means you’ve already passed the first phase and met the entry requirements, so the place is yours if you accept the offer!

7. UCAS Application 4 Phases

Special Application Normal Application

Deadline: 10/15

University of Oxford
University of Cambridge
Medical, Dentistry, Veterinary, etc.

Deadline:1/25

Any other university
IELTS score should be submitted in advance when applying for G5
UCAS Extra UCAS Clearing
Duration: 2/23-7/4

If no offer was given in Normal Application, students can reapply in this phase.

Duration: 7/5

If no offer was given in UCAS Extra, remaining quotas from universities may be given in the Clearing phase.

8. British University Application Timing (12th Grade)

  • Jun. - Aug. (Summer Vacation)

    • Prepare for standardized exams（IELTS/TOEFL、SAT/AP）
    • Confirm your 2 referrers: Politely ask for the teacher’s willingness and attach related information for the recommendation letter, ex. personal resume, autobiography, study plan, and the department in list etc.
    • Prepare English transcripts from grade 9 to 11
    • Register a UCAS account and fill out detailed personal information correctly
    • Decide your schools and departments: take entry requirement, English ability requirement, school location, dormitory, and tuition fee into account
    • Compile and polish your Personal Statement

  • Sep. - Dec.

    • UCAS application begins (9/1)
    • Application submission: Most British universities take rolling admission, so we suggest submitting as early as possible
    • First round UCAS deadline (10/15): Oxford, Cambridge/Medical, Dentistry, Veterinary associated departments
    • Process Tracking: Most schools respond in 3 weeks, students can use ‘ucastrack’ to track the process

  • Jan. - Apr.

    • UCAS Application Deadline (1/25)：All departments except in the first round
    • Process tracking
    • UCAS Extra Application Commences (2/23): If none of the 5 schools is accepted, students can have another opportunity after Extra is opened
    • Makeup for unsent IELTS/TOEFL scores

  • May. - Jun.

    • All schools will have sent their admission letters (5/18): If students don’t get any notification by this date, rejection is guaranteed
    • Decision Response (6/8): This is the deadline for deciding whether to take the acceptance for the schools that have sent admission letters before 5/18
    • Acquire CAS from schools
    • Apply for student Visa

  • Jul. - Aug.

    • UCAS Extra deadline (7/4)
    • UCAS Clearing Commences (7/5): If all schools applied for were rejected, students possess the last opportunity for applying to schools with a set quota (applications submitted after 6/30 will be counted as Clearing)
    • Ready to go: Ticket reservation and luggage preparation

*Note, above is a general timeline for 2023 entry applications. Please refer to the official site of UCAS for future application deadlines.

Resource：
https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/events?refinementList%5Bevent_type%5D%5B0%5D=Key%20Date&refinementList%5Brelated_scheme_name%5D%5B0%5D=Undergraduate