UCAS For International Students

UCAS For International Students

If you go and study in the UK, there are a lot of exciting opportunities available for you to explore. International students will need to apply through UCAS just like their UK counterparts. Let’s talk about what you need to know.

Understanding UCAS

UCAS for international students is much the same as it is for UK applicants. International students apply through UCAS as standard practice. 

UCAS is the single organisation which has been recognised as being responsible for collecting all of the applications to British universities and colleges together for higher education hopefuls. As an undergraduate, you’re allowed to apply for five courses at once during the application process.

Why Study in the UK?

Studying at a UK university will definitely help to earn you some credit with employers. You may not know this, but the UK actually attracts the second largest number of students internationally in the world. There are more than 430,000 international applicants coming from abroad to study here.

There are a couple of different reasons why this is the case. First of all, many of the educational institutions in the UK, like Oxford and Cambridge, are some of the highest-ranked in the world. Furthermore, undergraduates have access to more than 40,000 courses.

Additionally, lots of our course programs here in the UK offer the opportunity to participate in work placements. This means that not only will you gain valuable knowledge about your subject, but you may get a chance to put some of your theory into practice by studying and working part-time.

While it’s true that international students can’t benefit from the student loan scheme that the government offers, you’re still a very valuable part of the student world. Therefore, you can get access to scholarships, grants, and bursaries. These help with things like student accommodation and tuition fees.

We have some of the best universities in the world, too, here’s just a few of them:

  • The University of Manchester (Manchester)

  • University of Oxford (Oxford)

  • University of Cambridge (Cambridge) 

  • SOAS University of London (London)

Embrace Our Unique Culture

The UK is one of the most diverse places in the world, with London being a particular hotspot for different cultures mixing together.

Everywhere that you go in the UK, there’s something to experience. Whether you try the local food, engage with a community or simply try the nightlife, there is a place for everyone here, and our diverse culture is a point of pride for many UK universities.

Choosing a Subject

Lots of degree programs allow you the ability to specialise early on in the course. Obviously, you’ll have to take the mandatory modules, but you can also specialise with regard to what you study.

It’s a good idea to try and pick a specialisation that focuses on your passions. If you like studying something, you’re more likely to see it through. This is especially true for some of the more famous universities - they’re big on specialised study.

Something we recommend you do is take a look at what other people have said about studying in the UK. Getting the POV of other international students will help you to understand what you need to keep in mind.

International Students and UCAS Points - What You Should Know

If you’ve had a look at some of the courses on offer, you may have noticed a common theme - they require you to have an A-Level. If you’re not from the UK, then you won’t have this qualification but you don’t need to panic - UCAS can convert your qualifications into points which can be used to get into courses.

The International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate is one of the most recognised international qualifications. 159,000 students took exams for this qualification in 2016.


You’ve probably noticed that the entry requirements for some courses talk about IB scores as well as grade requirements for A-Level. Roughly ⅓ of the universities in the UK use this tariff system and it’s worth knowing. Let’s take a look at the IBO points you could have.


H7 = 56 Points

H6 = 48 Points

H5 = 32 Points

H4 = 24 Points

H3 = 12 Points

H2/H1 = O Points

Applying to UCAS

Like any student applying to UCAS, you’ve got two choices as to how you apply. You can submit five applications at once, but only four if you apply for medicine, dentistry or vet science.

International students applying on UCAS

When you submit your application you’ll need to note down your personal information, give your qualifications and write a personal statement. There are application fees to keep in mind - these are around £26 for all five applications.

Once you’ve sent your application in, you can keep up to date on the progress of that application via the UCAS Track platform. If you’re not a native English speaker - which most international students aren’t - then you’ll be expected to participate in admissions tests. These will be a judge of your English language skills.

You’ll need to get a student visa for your application, and you can’t apply in another language - all supporting information and documents have to be in English.

Writing a Personal Statement For UCAS

As part of your application you’ll be expected to submit a UCAS application. This is perfectly normal and is a core part of the application. You’ll need to prove that you’re worth being accepted using information about yourself that isn’t part of your grades.

Take the time to write your statement and proof it. You’ll need to show why you should be accepted, but also your passion for your subject and why you want to study here in the UK.

International Student UCAS Application Deadlines

If you’re submitting an application to student vet science, medicine, or dentistry, or you’re applying to study at Oxford or Cambridge, then your UCAS deadline is the 15th October. If you’re not meeting any of these deadlines, then you’ll apply by January. You’ll be notified exactly when your deadline is so you should keep an eye on it and see when you need to have your application submitted by.

If, for whatever reason, you can’t apply by the dates given, you’ll need to wait until clearing opens up and then go through the process. The UCAS clearing system is designed to help you find courses that don’t have places. You don’t need to fill out another UCAS form, but you may have to go and face the usual interview questions to get in. 

Here For You

If you need help with the writing of a statement then we can help you. Our team of expert writers has plenty of experience creating personal statements which can be used to showcase your strengths and get you an interview. We can make a statement for you from scratch or we can edit something you’ve worked on - it’s whatever you need from us that we provide.