Application Process

Admissions Criteria

Each university will set their own admissions requirements for US applicants. Therefore, it is best to consult each university's admissions page for international students for details. Please note 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.

To give you an idea of what to expect, Oxford University (one of the most competitive universities to apply to) requires American applicants to have:

a high school diploma or IB Diploma (38+, with 6s and 7s in Core Subjects)
a minimum score of 1,400 on the Critical Reading and Mathematics sections of the SAT Reasoning Test and preferably a 700+ on the Writing, resulting in a combined score of at least 2,100
OR ACT scores of 32+ out of 36
AND a score of 5 or above in three or more in APPROPRIATE (ie, related to your field of study) Advanced Placement tests OR 700+ in three appropriate SAT subject tests

Admissions Process

Students apply for undergraduate study in the UK through a centralised system called the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). UCAS simplifies the admissions process by allowing you to complete only one application that may be submitted to up to five programs (up to four for medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine applications). UCAS applications generally include a personal statement, letter of reference and education information. You may also be required to submit supplemental forms to each university separate from your UCAS application, such as an official transcript or school profile.

Please note that your UCAS application will go to the academic department in which you wish to study rather than a central admissions office at each chosen university. Therefore, it is advisable to tailor your personal statement and selection of referees to an academic audience. Further, your personal statement should be relevant to all universities to which you apply.

To apply through UCAS, you will register through the UCAS website and complete UCAS Apply, the online application

For information and tips specifically for US students applying through UCAS, please refer to the British Council website.