The Steps to Join a UK University

Guide for International Students
The Steps to
Join a UK University

The essential checklist that you need to go through.
Getting Things Ready
01
Contents
How can you narrow down the choices?
Choosing University & Course
02
Academic qualifications and English proficiency.
Checking Entry Requirements
03
How important is it for a successful application?
Preparing Personal Statement
04
What goes into the final stages of the process?
Application to University
05
© AH&Z Associates Ltd. 2021 2

Getting Things Ready
Passport, Financial Statements & English Test Results

The Checklist
Choosing a suitable university in the UK might seem like the initial
step, but you need to ensure that you meet the travel requirements
before that. This essentially involves assessing the availability of all
necessary documents to avoid the situation where you miss a
deadline.
The passport must remain
valid during the entire time
period under consideration.
Passport
Proof of your financial
capability to pay the tuition
fees and living expenses.
Financial Statements
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE,
Duolingo, MOI or other
proof that is accepted by
the university.
English Test Results

Typical Living Expenses
In addition to your tuition fees, your financial statement
should account for your capability to meet the living
expenses while studying in the UK.
Larger cities like London comes with comparatively
higher living costs than other locations, but offers
numerous benefits like access to the lucrative job
market.
Particulars Average Expense (per month)
Accommodation £400 - £600
Bills £40 - £50
Food & housekeeping £160 - £200
Television license £12 - £13
Clothes £25
Mobile phone £15 - £50
Sports & leisure £10 - £20
Books & stationery £21
Socialising £120
Travel £32
Childcare (if applicable) £656
Source: Coventry University

University & Courses
Global Rankings & Course League Tables

Making the Final
Selection
Your academic passions and pursuits gain
significance when it comes to choosing a
university in the UK.
Finalise a course or several subjects that
appeal to you. This gives you more
flexibility than going the other way around-
choosing a university first and then, the
course. Once you shortlist the course(s)
that you prefer, search for universities that
offer the course you chose.
The Times Higher Education World
University Rankings, QS World University
Rankings as well as The Guardian
University rankings offer valuable insights
that help you narrow down your choices to
the best ones.

The Questions to Consider
Does the university has a good student satisfaction rate?
-- The National Student Survey (NSS) can provide you authentic statistics.
What percentage of students go into job or higher studies soon after graduation?
-- Compare based on the data provided by Destination Leavers of Higher Education (DLHE)
How does the university perform in teaching standards and research quality?
-- Use the reports by REF (Research Excellence Framework)
What about facilities like libraries, laboratories and study spaces?
-- Go through the university profiles in various websites
Are there enough extracurricular activities offered?
-- Student clubs, unions, sports, recreation and arts
What are the accommodation options?
-- Choosing between on-campus facilities and private renting
Is the university recognized by the UK government?
-- Verify the authenticity of the institution through qualified consultants

The Entry Requirements
Academic Background and English Proficiency.

Do You Meet the Requirements?
Postgraduate (Master’s) Programs
Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) Programs
For Master’s (PG), universities accept
IELTS 6 to 7 and a UG or Pre-Master’s
degree (second class or above). Some
institutions prefer experienced candidates
for MBA programs, but that’s not always the
case.
Generally, undergraduate (UG) programs in
the UK require that you possess IELTS 6 to
6.5 (or equivalent) along with “A” Level or
Higher Secondary (HSC) or Foundation Year.
Those with lower IELTS score can opt for
Foundation courses for which band score 5.0
to 5.5 is accepted. For Pre-Masters, IELTS
5.5 to 6 is generally required while it is 6.5 to
7 (or equivalent) for PhD courses.

The Personal Statement
The Deciding Factor for Your Application

Why is it so
Important?
The Statement of Purpose (SOP) allows the UK university to look beyond your school
grades in deciding whether you qualify as a suitable candidate for admission.
Arguably the single most important part of your application, the SOP stands as the
deciding factor between you and another applicant.
The SOP should list your abilities, goals, and how you plan to apply the knowledge you
gain through the course. Make sure that you explain the reason why you choose the UK,
the specific university as well as the course.

Things to Consider
The Structure of an SOP:
 Introduction: Make
sure you grab the
attention in the
beginning itself. Explain
your passion for the
subject and motivation
for choosing it.
 The Body: Mention your
career aspirations,
academic background &
work experience (if any).
 Conclusion:
Summarise your
statement and tell the
university why you
would make an ideal
candidate.
You SHOULD:
 Specify your aspirations &
goals
 Mention your academic &
other achievements
 Entice the reader by
making the letter unique
 Write it as a first-person
narrative
You SHOULD NOT:
 Plagiarise the document or
use a template
 Sound monotonous
 Forget to proof-read the
letter before final
submission

Application to University
The Procedures That Go into the Final Stage.

The Crux
of the Matter
• Register on the UCAS website. The portal asks for
your details as well as academic qualifications, so
make sure you have the information at your disposal.
• Once you submit your application, the university will
assess the same and respond accordingly.
• Occasionally, the university might invite you for an
interview and in the event that it happens, make sure
not to miss it.
• A successful application enables you to obtain the
Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) along
with a reference number.
• Further to obtaining CAS, you can apply for a Tier 4
General student visa in the UK.

The Steps to Join a UK University

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