Application Process

Overview

As detailed in the graduate study timeline, applying to UK graduate programs can be a lengthy process. Students applying for UK graduate degrees will most likely be required to submit their applications directly to individual universities. However, students applying for graduate teacher training will need to apply via a separate, centralized online application system.

While there is likely to be an admissions department within each school of the university (e.g. Arts and Humanities, Engineering), faculty members of academic departments, rather than admissions officers, will likely be ultimately responsible for admissions decisions.

Each university will set their own application deadlines, as well as admissions requirements, so it is best to consult their websites for details. Fortunately, most applications will follow a similar format that you will allow you to re-use or adapt some of the materials that you prepare for each application.

 

Typical Application Requirements

 

Admissions Criteria

The majority of graduate degree programs will ask that you have ‘an upper second class honours degree’, which is roughly equivalent to graduating with a minimum of a magna cum laude from a US university. However, to ensure that you receive full, accurate and up to date information, we recommend that you contact individual universities about whether your qualifications are sufficient to be considered for admissions before applying.

Establishing that you meet the minimum criteria for admission to the universities of your choice does not guarantee entrance to those universities, but is instead the first step in assuring that your application is seriously considered. The two key factors that faculty members are looking for in a graduate student’s application are academic ability and suitability for the degree program.

 

Personal Statement

Perhaps the most difficult part of the application process for admission to graduate study in the UK is the composition of a personal statement or statement of purpose. The most important rule of thumb is that you use your personal statement as a marketing tool - be imaginative and make yourself stand out.

No matter the structure of your personal statement, you will want to ensure it addresses some of the following:

 

Explanation of How You Intend to Fund Your Studies

On the application form, you will likely be required to provide an explanation of how you intend to finance your studies. This information primarily is used by departments to assess how many applicants are seeking university-based funding, so you are not required to have secured funding before applying. You should, instead, indicate which university-based funding you hope to be considered for, as well as any external sources to which you have applied.

 

Reference Letters

Another required component of your UK application will likely be two to three letters of reference. While your chosen universities may provide some loose guidelines for selecting referees (such as at least one of the letters being from an academic source), it will ultimately be your responsibility to choose your referees and to liaise with them about submitting their letters.

As a rule, letters of reference should highlight your ability to succeed academically within your chosen field of study, as well as your potential to positively contribute to the academic community at your chosen institution.

 

Interview

Many students applying for graduate study will find that having an interview is not a requirement but rather may be an optional part of the UK application process. In either case, admissions interviews can be an ideal opportunity to enhance your application by highlighting elements of your personality or interests that may be easier to convey in person rather than on paper.

Whether a compulsory or optional element of the application process, students will likely be afforded the opportunity to have an interview in the US or over the phone, rather then be asked to attend an on-campus interview. For example, one of the faculty members may be planning a trip to the US for a conference and might be available to interview you during their stay. In the event that a university requires that you attend an on-campus interview, you may then wish to ask whether they are able to provide assistance with your travel expenses.

Having already conducted extensive research when choosing the degree programs to which you would apply, you should be able to discuss your interests in the university and how you see yourself fitting into your chosen academic department, as well as the wider community, without hesitation. However, other potential questions may require more forethought. If you have already written your personal statement, you may find that you have already addressed many of the topics that will be discussed in your interview. In your interview, you will want to ensure that your responses to questions are consistent with your personal statement.

After asking you a series of questions, your interviewer is likely to as you whether you have any questions for them. To ensure that you make the most of this offer, we recommend that you prepare a few questions in advance to ask them.