UK

Applying with IB Diploma

Students apply via UCAS with their Anticipated Grades, for Fall entry.

Universities will expect a certain IBDP point total, and may require specific scores in HLs, which varies by course and by university.

Students should carefully check university websites, and ensure they do a final check of entry requirements in September of the school year they plan to apply (as these can be changed / updated on an annual basis).

Applying with Individualized Pathway (US High School Diploma)

Students apply via UCAS with their Anticipated Grades (AP/BTEC) for Fall entry.

Universities will expect a certain number of APs and certain scores. They may require specific AP subjects, depending on the course you are applying for. Less commonly, some UK universities may ask to see your high school transcript as part of your application.

BTEC students applying for art / design related courses apply with BTEC anticipated grades.

"Conditional" Offers

UK universities are very familiar with anticipated grades, as this is the same as the wider UK system (primarily A Levels) - with the exception of Scotland. Conditional offers are common - universities 'hold' the student's place until July IBDP/AP/BTEC results are released. If the conditions are met (i.e. grades meet the entry requirements) then the offer becomes unconditional.

Students can apply for 'deferred' entry in UCAS (to take a gap year) as standard.

When do I apply to UK universities?

The standard UCAS deadline is in January each year (Semester Two of Grade 12). Students can apply to a maximum of five choices within UCAS, within each year / admissions cycle.
This applies to all students regardless of fee status, and can also be the case even when taking a gap year / having military service as UCAS allows for deferred applications. See the UCAS website for more details on dates and deadlines here.
However, there are three types of early deadlines in October:
- Oxford / Cambridge: Students can only apply to either Oxford or Cambridge.
- Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine. These are also limited for students, in that they can choose these programs for only four of their five UCAS choices (with the final 5th place being reserved for a different 'back up' major - i.e. Biomedical Sciences BSc, for a Medicine applicant).
- 'Conservatoires' are applied to via a separate part of UCAS, the UCAS Conservatoire system. Note: Music conservatoire programs have the earliest deadline of all Conservatoire applications, in early October each year. Students can make both a 'regular' UCAS application AND a UCAS Conservatoire application within the same year.
Some universities may accept applications after the stated UCAS deadline - this is called UCAS 'Extra'. Students can check available programs still receiving applications within the UCAS Search Hub.
Students receive conditional offers from their choices through to May (Grade 12 Semester Two). Students then decide to keep a Firm (first choice) and Insurance (back up / safety) choice. The other choices are all then declined - students cannot hold on to all of their choices! Note: in the UCAS Conservatoire system, students can generally only hold on to one choice.
In July, following exam results being released, students receive updated offers - if they have met their stated conditions in their conditional offer, this then becomes 'unconditional' and their place is therefore fully confirmed.
Students can also apply via a system called UCAS 'Clearing' following the exam results period in July, which includes all remaining university places for the immediate intake (September). Where students may not have met their conditions for either/both their Firm or Insurance choice, this provides a further backup/alternative route to gain a place in a UK university for the same year.

What type of funding can I receive for UK universities?

Generally, funding is very limited for international students in the UK. There may be merit-based scholarships (10-25% fee discount, most commonly) available at individual universities, however this can be very competitive.
For UK passport holders, your passport alone is not sufficient to confirm 'home' domestic fee status. Students must also prove their 'domicile' - which can involve completing a full fee assessment, for each individual university to which you have applied.
- Note: this process is handled by universities individually, as the regulations for fee status can be interpreted differently by each university in the UK - and so, some students may find that of their five choices, a few may confirm home fee status, whilst the others all confirm international fee status. It is helpful to contact universities in advance to understand their fee assessment process. However, in most cases it is not possible to ask for an assessment before submitting your UCAS application.

Important things to remember for applying to UK universities:

In general, all students receive conditional offers - meaning your place is not confirmed until after your final exam results. UK universities are focused on your final grades received in July.
Some universities will have very specific entry requirements which may include exact courses from school - e.g., IB Math AA HL, or AP Calculus BC. It is important to research entry requirements therefore in Grade 10 (when deciding your pathway) and also again in Grade 11 (if studying the US High School Diploma / individualized pathway).
Where students may not meet the stated entry requirements for a Bachelor (undergraduate) program in the UK, there are often many Foundation routes through which to start studying in the UK, before progressing on to a Bachelor degree a year later. Some universities offer their own Foundation programs (either as one year, individual programs - or as 'integrated' Foundation years, sometimes called 'Year Zero' of a Bachelor degree). Other options include Foundation program providers, such as INTO, which have dedicated Foundation study centers in London and Manchester, and also in partnership with universities (offering the programs on their campuses).
Scottish universities offer 4 year degrees, whereas universities in England / Wales / Northern Ireland offer 3 year degrees. US universities are actually modeled off of Scottish universities! The 4 year model in Scotland means it can be easier to explore different majors, and it is more common to get a dual degree or double major in Scotland.

Helpful links and resources:

UCAS - the UK application portal
UCAS Conservatoires - for conservatory style programs in the UK
The Guardian University Guide

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