Further information
&. useful resources
Selected online resources & useful links
The selection here focuses on resources to support students from The British School who will complete their schooling with English school qualifications.
You can find league-tables, general information, as well as information about supplementary services available to support you with the process of selecting and applying to universities.
If you're looking for specific information about what school qualification you need to apply for a particular course, please go to the 'how can I get there' page and look at the drop-downs to select the precise topic you need.
Photo - Faculty of Arts building, University of Manchester, England. Photo by James Harding
University rankings & league-tables
World university league-tables
QS World University Rankings *
In-depth worldwide league-table. Features 1,500 institutions across 104 locations.
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings *
Comprehensive ranking of world universities.
Shanghai Ranking - Academic Ranking of World Universities *
A comprehensive ranking of world universities, from the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy, China.
US News & World Report Best Global Universities *
Another comprehensive ranking of universities from across the world, listing a 'top 2000'.
European university league-tables (geographical Europe, including UK & Turkey)
QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024 *
UK university league-tables
The Guardian University Guide 2024 *
Good guide to UK universities from a leading UK news website.
The Complete University Guide league tables *
Features UK universities.
The Times Good University Guide 2024 - Best Universities in the UK *
Influential guide; paywall.
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) ratings (UK universities) *
Ratings based on the quality of teaching, for UK universities.
Wikipedia (English) article on UK university league-tables *
Useful and discerning overview of the UK league-tables, with information about how the league-tables are compiled.
UCAS review of UK league tables *
Another useful review of how the main UK league-tables are put together.
USA college league-tables
Forbes - America's Top Colleges list *
In-depth information on the top 100 colleges as ranked by Forbes. An annual rating, and a benchmark provision since 2008.
Another good source to compare universities in the USA, complete with photo-profiles of all featured colleges and universities.
UK university applications - general information
UCAS *
Information on, and the main mechanism for, applying to UK universities and music conservatoires.
Information on studying at university in the UK.
Unifrog *
A 'one-stop shop’ website supporting UK university applications, as well as apprenticeships and further education colleges in the UK; also US and Canadian universities, and degrees taught in English in Europe, Asia, and Australasia.
Subscription only - British School students are provided with accounts.
Online resource, part of The Student Room group.
Information about financial support for studying at university in the UK.
USA university applications - general information
US government website with comprehensive information for international enquirers about all aspects of education in the United States, including college and university entrance. Here's a link to the excellent section on how to choose a university.
Administers admissions tests for universities in the USA, including SAT, PSAT, etc.
Website supporting applications to many (but not all) US universities.
A 'one-stop shop’ website supporting UK university applications, as well as apprenticeships and further education colleges in the UK; also US and Canadian universities, and degrees taught in English in Europe, Asia, and Australasia.
Website from the USA which features comprehensive information about college and university courses as well as careers. See the 'plan for college' section.
National Center for Education Statistics
Searchable statistics and other information and tools to help you make up a shortlist of universities in the USA.
Canada university applications - general information
A useful official website detailing how to apply to university in Canada.
CUAC *
The longest-established recruitment organisation supporting applications to universities in Canada.
Official information for foreign students applying to study in Canada.
Ireland - university applications
The Central Applications Office *
This website is where applications to universities in Ireland can be made.
Included on this website is a Handbook * detailing everything you need to know about applying to university in Ireland.
Unifrog *
A 'one-stop shop’ website supporting UK university applications, as well as apprenticeships and further education colleges in the UK; also US and Canadian universities, and degrees taught in English in Europe, Asia, and Australasia.
Netherlands - university applications
Official information about university study in The Netherlands.
Site for applications to universities in The Netherlands (equivalent to the UK's UCAS)
Dutch Research University Consortium (top seven research universities in the country).
Norway - university applications
NUCAS *|
website for applying to universities and colleges in Norway.
website for general information.
information on student finances.
General EU & EEA university applications
EUNiCAS *
An independent application support service with information on applying to English-speaking courses at European universities. Based in Ireland.
Study EU *
Information on university study in English in European Union countries. Useful, up-to-date and comprehensive.
Unifrog *
A 'one-stop shop’ website supporting UK university applications, as well as apprenticeships and further education colleges in the UK; also US and Canadian universities, and degrees taught in English in Europe, Asia, and Australasia.
Specialist support with applications (UK & USA)
Comprehensive range of services facilitating access to universities around the world. Plenty of support to students via careers departments of independent schools.
Comprehensive services to support applications to top UK universities.
Specialist, high-end support with applications to Oxford and Cambridge. Claim to have the largest number of specialist Oxbridge tutors on their books of any agency.
Specialist, high-end support with applications to Ivy League and other top US universities.
US university advice and bespoke support with applications. US-based, with international services available. Founded 2019.
Competitively-priced guidance and mentoring for UK-based students who want to apply to universities in the USA, from an English former school head.
Specialist support with medical school applications (UK)
Excellent, comprehensive, free resources from this organisation which coordinates information about applying to medical school in the United Kingdom. Particularly useful is their guide to entrance requirements and courses *, updated each year.
For applications to university medical courses around the world, in official partnership with the Royal Society of Medicine (UK). UCAT and BMAT preparation. Services include online, in-person and group courses. One-on-one support (with fee) also available.
Non-profit organisation (UK) led by medical doctors to mentor and inspire students to apply to medicine.
Specialist support with law school applications (UK)
Supporting applications to law degrees and legal careers.
Resources include free online quizzes via the website.
Career support
‘is a pioneering EdTech platform built by teachers, providing a single digital platform through which young people can showcase themselves beyond exam grades alone and connect with future career and education opportunities’.
Online career networking. Superb resources aimed at teenagers and university students.
‘the UK's biggest graduate careers website with more than two million monthly browsers.’
Website from the USA which features comprehensive information about careers as well as college and university courses. See the 'explore careers' * section.