UCAS for Americans: How to Apply to UK Universities

Thinking about the United Kingdom for college? Here’s how US students navigate the UCAS system, choose courses, and hit deadlines—without guesswork.

UCAS in a nutshell

• One online application for most UK universities and courses
• Apply to up to 5 courses (not just schools)—be strategic
• Submit a single personal statement tailored to your course choices

Entry requirements

• Academic: APs/IB/A-level equivalents; some courses ask for specific subjects
• Testing: IELTS/TOEFL for English unless waived (prior study or test scores)
• Documents: transcripts, recommendation, personal statement

Timeline (typical)

• Junior spring—senior fall: shortlist courses, plan AP/IB/testing
• Senior fall–winter: submit UCAS; earlier deadlines for medicine/oxbridge
• Spring–summer: decisions, housing, visas

We’ll help you match course prerequisites, fine-tune your personal statement, and map deadlines.