Why not check the links below to find out more about applying to UK institutions for your chosen course or level of study:
To apply for an English language course, first select the courses and schools or colleges that interest you. Make sure you choose an accredited school. Contact any schools or colleges that interest you for a prospectus and application form, or visit their website. Remember to find out information such as number of teaching hours each week, course dates (some English language courses can be started at any time of the year and others have precise start dates), class size, course fees (what is included and what extra costs there might be), the type of accommodation offered and any associated costs and if you can gain a qualification if you want to. In some countries an education agent or the British Council may be able to help you with this part of the process.
Once you chosen a course send the completed application form to the school or college. You can expect to receive a reply within about two weeks. If you are offered a place, you will receive a letter of acceptance that will confirm your accommodation requirements and request a deposit. Once the school have received your deposit they will send you a letter confirming your place. You will be able to use this letter to help support your visa application.
Applying to an independent school
Guests are invited to try their hand at archery at the Robin Hood Festival in Sherwood Forest © britainonview (Grant Pritchard)
Some independent schools have formal application procedures and prefer pupils to apply up to a year before they wish to start. Other schools are more informal and welcome applications at any time.
When applying to the school, you should include your age, nationality, religion and preferred starting date.
Schools usually prefer new pupils to start at the beginning of the academic year in September, although most will agree to admit pupils at the start of a new term in either January or April.
Applications can also be made via the British Council or through the Independent Schools Council International office (ISC International). ISC International offers placement, consultancy and advisory services to families overseas who are seeking to place their child/children in a UK boarding school.
Applying for career-based and pre university study
Charity Ceilidh at Edinburgh Assembly Rooms © britainonview (Natalie Pecht) For Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), you should apply through UCAS but for all other career-based programmes, you should apply directly to the institution which offers the course. Contact the institution and ask for a prospectus and an application form. Alternatively, our British Council office has standard application forms that you can use.
There is no standard closing date for applications to career-based courses but you will need to leave yourself enough time to apply for a visa, make travel arrangements and arrange accommodation.
In making a decision, the college will consider your background, interests and abilities and will treat your application on its individual merits. Once you have accepted a place, the college will send you a letter confirming this.
Applying for undergraduate study
Looking down on a smartly dressed man wearing a Top Hat and suit marking the form guide at Royal Ascot, held at York Racecourse in 2005 © britainonview (Grant Pritchard)
To apply for full-time undergraduate degree courses and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), you simply make a single approach through the centralised application process. This service is provided by UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) and can be accessed online via our website.
To apply online all you need to do is follow these simple steps:
1. Search for and click on the course you're interested in
2. Under interactive options (right hand box), click 'Apply online for this course'
3. You will be asked to click through to the UCAS Apply website.
The UCAS system allows you to apply for a maximum of six courses and you can only submit one application form. If you wish to apply for your maximum number of courses you will need to make sure you have the details for all six courses. However, if you do not know which other courses you wish to apply for don't panic, the UCAS system allows you to save your progress so you can come back at a later date to complete the form.
Applications for part-time degree study are not made through UCAS and you should contact the institution in which you are interested. Increasingly, universities and colleges are making their application forms for part-time study available on their website, either to complete online or to download.
Applying for postgraduate or MBA study
Jousting display at Arley Country Fair and Horse Trials held in the grounds of Arley Hall © britainonview / Visit Chester (Cheshire / NWDA / Grant Pritchard)
At postgraduate level you can apply directly to the university or college which runs the course you are interested in. There is no restriction on the number of different courses you can apply to in any one year, but student advisers recommend that you draw up a shortlist of six to eight institutions.
Some courses fill up their places very quickly, so you must prepare well in advance of the starting date. This might be as early as the October or November of the previous year; ideally, it shouldn't be any later than April, although some courses accept students as late as August.
Your should also consider the time it takes to gather information, the time referees need to supply references in support of your application, and the fact that it may take a number of weeks for a university to make a decision.
Additionally, we offer an exclusive service to registered users that allows you to apply to an institution online via our website. To apply online all you need to do is follow these simple steps:
1.Search for and click on the course you're interested in
2.Under interactive options (right hand box), click 'Apply online for this course'. This feature will only be visible if the institution supports online applications
3.Fill in the required fields on the form. As you finish each page, click 'Continue application' to go to the next page. When you reach the end of the form, you will be given three options:
1. Click 'Amend' if you want to make further changes
2. Click 'Save and submit later' if you would like to check your details before you submit them
3. Click 'Submit' when you are happy that your form has been completed correctly.
There are certain mandatory fields on the form, which are indicated by an asterisk (*). If you fail to add your details to any of these you will not be given the option to 'Submit' your form. So check your form very carefully.
