UK higher education offers a range of universities, conservatoires, and vocational institutions, which are summarized below:
Offer academic and research-based degrees with a focus on independent study.
In Scotland undergraduate degrees are typically 4 years with more flexibility in the early years.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, undergraduate degrees are typically 3 years.
Medicine is typically a 5-year degree (MBBS) regardless of country. Further information about applying for Medicine in the UK is below.
Degrees can include:
Single or Combined Degrees (e.g., English or English & Politics)
Sandwich Degrees (include a year abroad or in industry)
Extended Degrees (start with a foundation year)
Degree Apprenticeships (combine university study with paid work)
For students pursuing degrees in performing arts, conservatoires provide specialized education in music, drama, and dance. These institutions typically have highly competitive admissions and emphasize practical performance training. The application process for conservatoires differs from other UK universities and has an earlier deadline. Further details about how UK conservatoires is on UCAS.
For students seeking a more vocational or technical education, Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and foundation degrees offer practical skills. These qualifications can be a direct route into employment or a stepping stone to a full bachelor’s degree. Further detail regarding degree apprenticeships, foundation degrees and traineeships are within the Other Pathways section of the handbook.
Foundation years are different from the foundation degree mentioned above in that they are one-year courses that often grant immediate entry to a related bachelor's degree at the same institution provided that a student meets academic requirements. Several TASIS students who do not meet the minimum entry for bachelors degrees pursue the one-year foundation courses as a way to gain the UK bachelor's degree.
Undergraduate tuition fees vary depending on where you’re from and where you study. Students who do not hold a UK passport and/or have not been living in the UK with their families for 3 years before the start of their university course are often classified as overseas fee paying students. If a student is classified as an Overseas fee paying student then the tuition fees can vary by university as well as by course.
Please see individual university websites for specific details as well as the UK section of our Financial Aid page.
There are clear entry requirements which are stated in the form A-Level grades, IB scores, or other equivalent grading systems. Regardless of the curriculum (IB or AP), some competitive courses will specify specific subjects that need to be taken within the IB program or AP courses. The Course Selection Advice handbook section includes further suggestions for which type of TASIS courses to consider in relation to general university requirements. Further detail regarding entry requirements based on TASIS curriculum type are below:
Students with AP Courses: Students pursuing the TASIS high school diploma with AP courses, need to look for entry requirements for international students, then select the USA curriculum. This video clarifies this process further.
Students with the IB Diploma: Entry requirements for students pursuing the IB diploma are often stated in terms of a total IB score out of 45, often with higher level subject scores.
Students with AP and IB Courses: Follow the suggestions listed above and then contact the university for further details of what entry is needed. If you are following this curriculum model, then aim to have at least 3 AP subjects by the time you graduate from TASIS.
English Language Requirements: most TASIS students who have completed their High School studies in English will meet UK English Language requirements, but it’s important to check individual universities’ requirements. Some universities will require the IELTS, especially if a student visa is required.
Competitive courses can require specific admissions tests regardless of the English level and/or curriculum studied. See the United Kingdom section of the Standardized Testing section for further detail.
In addition, some courses will require interviews (see details in the handbook's Interviews section), portfolios or auditions.
TASIS offers an annual portfolio workshop, with the presentation within the University Presentations section of Google Classroom.
Students requiring audition support work with their college counselor and relevant arts teachers.
When applying to a competitive university (Oxbridge, Imperial, UCL, etc.) or a competitive course, it’s not enough to simply say you like a subject—you need to prove it. Admissions tutors want to see that you’re genuinely interested and capable of succeeding in your chosen field.
Here are some ideas of such activities to go beyond the school curriculum:
If your subject is taught at school, show deeper engagement—e.g., if applying for English, read beyond your assigned texts.
If it’s not taught at school, such as Philosophy or Law, show how you've explored it independently. This could be through relevant reading, podcasts, or hands-on experience like work shadowing. Saying it “just sounds interesting” isn’t enough—your enthusiasm needs to be informed and focused.
Summer is the perfect time to build your supercurricular profile. Use it to read, research, reflect, and get inspired. Strong preparation now means more confidence in interviews and richer material for your personal statement.
The aim is that you can demonstrate deeper thinking through your personal statement. If you are applying to a course that includes an interview, then these supercurriculars assist you in developing the knowledge that can be advantageous during an in depth discussion. Lastly, participation in supercurriculars helps you either realize a passion that will motivate you to succeed!
Find what fascinates you and engage deeply. Keep an academic journal to reflect on what you’ve read, listened to, or watched. Ask yourself:
How did this extend my knowledge or change my thinking?
What questions did it raise?
How does it connect with what I’ve learned in school?
Practice articulating your ideas—think out loud, build arguments, and be ready to share your insights. The key is not how much you’ve done, but how thoughtfully you’ve done it.
TASIS Post-Secondary Handbook's Recommended Reading and/or Summer Planning Guide
University of Cambridge's HE+
University of Cambridge's "How to Explore Your Subject" section
University of Oxford's Oxplore
University of Oxford's Digital Resources and Suggested Resources (by subject)
Each college within Cambridge and Oxford often have resources to help explore subjects, such as those at the University College Oxford:
There are two options to apply, with most universities requiring the first option:
Students apply to a maximum of 5 choices using UCAS. This is the same website mentioned above to help with researching options. With this option, the same university application will go to each choice. Each May the junior class receives a UCAS Tip Sheet that helps to guide students how to complete the UCAS application and have it linked to TASIS.
Students apply directly to the university through a direct application on the university website or the foundation provider's website.
If applications are submitted through UCAS, then there are "key dates" for each application cycle determining deadlines to submit and when universities must respond. Direct applications vary in response timeline, anywhere from a month to timelines closer to the UCAS key dates.
Regardless of the UCAS deadline to submit an application, there is an earlier TASIS deadline to notify the school of intended applications. This is shared with juniors in the personalized College Counseling Calendar that is shared in January and is posted in Google Classroom as well as the Grade 11 and Grade 12 timeline section of the handbook.
If students do not receive offers from the initial UCAS application, then there is a process to continue applying through Extra and Clearing.
All UCAS and most direct applications require a personal statement. See the UK Personal Statement section of the TASIS Post-Secondary Handbook for further details.
Some competitive programs, most courses at Oxbridge, Medicine and selected courses at Imperial and UCL, require an interview after the application has been submitted. Review the details on the course's website as well as the resources in the UK Competitive Programs and UK Medical School pages within the handbook's Interviews section.
Decisions are made based on a combination of factors that vary based on the course type and stated entry requirements. The decision types and how to respond to decisions are clarified further on UCAS. The decision types and how to respond for direct applications are very similar to what is stated on UCAS. Students are encouraged to consult with their college counselor before responding to university offers.
If applicants do not receive an offer or do not meet the offer terms, then UCAS allows additional applications through Extra or Clearing. The college counselors share further resources regarding Extra and Clearing in the spring Future Pathways courses as well as an email sent as AP and IB results are released.
UCAS: Students are encouraged to make a UCAS Hub account. It is a great resource to research the application process, investigate how to choose courses and universities, learn about different types of accommodation and identify future career pathways.
The Higher Education Statistics Agency publishes data on the graduate outcomes from the UK.
Trotman has excellent books for UK university research (ex: Heap Guide), subject-specific guides and more.
Use Maia Learning to search for UK courses and universities. Maia Learning's data is inputted directly from UCAS!
You can apply to either Oxford or Cambridge, not both in the same year.
Courses are academically demanding and non-vocational, emphasizing independent learning.
There is a strong focus on exams for assessment.
Course structures and content can differ significantly between Oxford and Cambridge, even for similarly titled degrees.
Students must show passion, academic potential, and critical thinking ability.
Entry requirements and subject offerings vary by university and course.
Terms are short and intensive (8 weeks), with 2–3x more written work than typical UK university courses.
Students belong to a college, which serves as both a residential and teaching hub.
Within the UCAS, applicants can select a college or make an 'open' application
Research the options in advance of your application:
Applications are submitted via UCAS by mid-October by the TASIS College Counselors. In order to meet this deadline, Oxbridge applicants must complete their application by late September.
Over 85% of courses require admissions tests like LNAT, TSA, MLAT, UCAT, etc. Check the course's page for specific requirements. Further details about UK Admissions Tests are within this handbook's UK Standardized Testing section.
Applicants may need to submit a sample of written work or further details after the application. It is important to check emails regularly post-application for further details, as well as reviewing the applying section of each university's website.
Cambridge applicants must also complete the My Cambridge Application that is typically due October 22 (6pm UK time). Applicants receive the link to start this application 48 hours after College Counseling submits the student's UCAS application.
Develop your subject knowledge through reading, work experience, and critical engagement beyond schoolwork.
Keep an academic journal to reflect on your learning—useful for your personal statement and interviews.
Discuss your application with college counselors and subject teachers early.
Avoid over-researching the application process at the expense of actual preparation.
Most courses have required tests that need to be taken. Check the course page at each university for further detail.
Some courses do not require a separate test, rather applicants take a university developed assessment during the interview.
Most of these tests are taken in the fall of your senior year. In some instances (i.e. UCAT) you can take the test earlier.
Prepare thoroughly for admissions tests—use past papers and get feedback from teachers.
Further details regarding UK Admissions tests are within the UK Standardized Testing section.
Only applicants with incredibly strong UCAS applications are selected for an interview.
Notifications for interviews are typically made in November through early December.
See further details within the UK Competitive Programs Interview section of the handbook.
Trotman's Getting into Oxford & Cambridge Entry (updated each year)
So You Want to Go to Oxbridge? Tell Me About a Banana
Each university's official websites, especially:
Cambridge: Applying pages, International Student pages, Cambridge's Webinar Series (includes a link to register for their newsletter)
Oxford: Annual Webinars (includes recordings from previous webinars), Applying to Oxford pages, International Student pages (register for the International Student Mailing List)
We strongly recommend the international student pages as they often have excellent webinars that are applicable to all students.
Register for the official mailing list(s) as this is the best way to receive notice of upcoming events and webinars.
Each university's social media feeds
Oxford’s International Ambassador Program
Cambridge webinars and recorded sessions
Google Classroom’s UK Competitive Interview Preparation Workshop Handout
Consultation with college counselors and subject teachers
UK medical courses typically last 5 years, though some offer 6-year courses with a foundation year or 4-year graduate-entry options. Once you receive a medical degree, you have an additional 2-year foundation training, followed by 3-8 years of speciality training. Refer to the NHS website for further details.
Many schools offer intercalated degrees—a one-year break from the medical degree to study another field in depth.
Courses differ in teaching styles:
Traditional: Preclinical and clinical stages taught separately.
Problem-Based Learning (PBL): Student-led group learning through solving problems.
Case-Based Learning (CBL): Learning through real clinical cases.
Integrated: Combines systems-based teaching with early clinical exposure.
Further details are within Medic Mind's Teaching Style page.
Check entry requirements carefully as Biology and Chemistry are often required subjects at the IB Higher Level or Advanced Placement.
Confirm medicine is the right fit—it’s intellectually demanding, emotionally taxing, and people-focused.
Within your personal statement, show unique insights into medicine and/or how you have experience helping others.
Think carefully about location—you’ll be there for 5–6 years, and possibly 2 more for Foundation training.
Work experience is valuable—clinical placements are great, but other people-facing roles (e.g. in retail or care) are also useful.
It is strongly recommended to reflect on your work experience within your personal statement.
Reflection is crucial: focus on what you learned, not just what you did.
Your personal statement should more information about experiences beyond the classroom to demonstrate that you have the qualities required to be a doctor. Refer to the Supercurricular links in the general UK section above.
Commitment and consistency matter more than prestige.
Follow scientific journals to make sure you are aware of current issues within the profession.
Most medical courses require the UCAT. See the UK Standardized Testing section of the handbook.
The Medic Portal typically keeps an updated list of medical courses that do not require the UCAT.
See further details within the UK Competitive Programs section and UK Medical School Interview section of the handbook.
General Medical Council's Becoming a doctor in the UK to understand the responsibilities of a doctor.
Trotman's Getting Into Medical School
Cambridge's My HE+ Medicine page (look within the Resources section)
Medic Mentor offers support network for aspiring medics
Medical Schools Council, especially:
Entry requirements section allows you to see competition ratios, Admissions tests, etc.
Publications - search for "UK Medical School Entry" for current summary of all medical school entry (typically updated in June or July by MSC)
The Medic Portal (includes interview, UCAT, personal statement tips, guides and free resources)