Application Information

Everyone takes Application Workshop in the first term of the University Preparation course. You will get support with your university application in your classes where you will explore the programmes and institutions available to you, your own needs and development as a student, and prepare your application, including the Personal Statement. During your first term, your Application Workshop teacher will advise you on your application. 

If you are a University Foundation programme student applying for undergraduate courses at university, you will be making your application through UCAS.  For the majority of undergraduate programmes, including all of the most competitive and prestigious universities, UCAS is the only way to apply. A few universities and the majority of postgraduate programmes also (and in some cases only) accept direct applications. 

UCAS provides a single application portal for university applications in the UK. It is not affiliated with EF and all UK students also apply through this website. In addition to operating the application system, the UCAS website also allows you to search for the courses available at universities around the UK, and provides a number of guides and information pages to help you with your application.

After you finish this module, your programme manager will continue to advise you on the next steps of your application, the decisions you need to make and the best options available to you. However, submitting your application is only the beginning of the process. There is more information to exchange and more decisions to take before you have your final place. 

Direct applications

If you are a Pre-Masters or Pre-PhD course student applying for postgraduate degree programmes, you will probably apply directly to the universities, although you might also make some applications through UCAS. To make a direct application, you should go to the specific university website. Sometimes you will need to go to the course page for the programme you wish to apply for; sometimes there will be an ‘Apply Now’ button on the university homepage. In either case, you may need to look around the website a bit to find the button you need.

You will then complete an online application form and upload documents such as your personal statement and sometimes a CV. Unlike UCAS, you will need to do this for each university where you are making a direct application. The disadvantage of this is that you have to complete multiple forms, often with the same boring details. The advantage is that you can tailor your application, especially the personal statement to the exact course you are applying for. Because direct application is organized by each institution individually, the exact application process and format may vary from one university to another.

If you need any help with the application form or if you are not sure whether you should apply direct or through UCAS, speak to your Application Workshop teacher or your programme manager.