Difference between Undergraduate application process to US and UK universities
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Difference between Undergraduate application process to US and UK universities

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Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on May 5, 2024 14:43 IST

Those looking to graduate outside of India aim mostly for US or UK universities. What most of the applicants don’t know is that the application process is very different for British and American universities. UK universities have a strict quota on the number of students they can take, particularly from outside the European Union, so these colleges and universities are extremely selective about who they accept.

Applications have to be focused on the academic interest in the subject for which the student is applying. Extracurricular activities, while they may show qualities such as teamwork and leadership, play little role in the overall assessment of the application. The opposite is true in case of US colleges, where a holistic approach to each applicant is taken. The American universities are looking for a well-rounded personalities rather than only academically inclined students.

This is just one of the things that differentiates the approaches you need to take for US and UK college applications. Here are most points the tell the difference between US and UK undergraduate application process:

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  • The most notable difference between the US and UK application processes is that students applying to US undergraduate programmes must submit their applications directly to individual universities. In UK, for undergraduate admissions you need to apply via a centralised body called the UCAS form. In the US the Common Application, an undergraduate admissions application, is used by approximately 400 universities. It can streamline the process further as the member institutions all use the same core application. However, most institutions will request supplemental essays tailored to their university.
  • In US, each university will set their own application deadlines and fees, as well as admissions requirements. Fortunately, most application forms 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. In UK, since there is a centralized application form UCAS, it follows one deadline and admission requirements to many universities.

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  • Another difference between US and UK university applications is that in case of US universities you are applying for admissions to the institution rather than to a specific department within a university. Consequently, the undergraduate admissions office, rather than faculty members of academic departments, will likely be responsible for admissions decisions. It is crucial that you keep this audience in mind when drafting your application materials.

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  • At US universities, offers (also known as admissions decisions) are not specifically conditional (for example you must get an AAA or your offer is withdrawn). However, universities expect you to perform at or very near to the level predicted when they admitted you. It has certainly happened that a student has had his/her offer withdrawn for poor performance in their high school board exams. In UK, you get conditional admissions.  The conditional admission letter states which additional requirements are needed before the student can begin their programme. These additional requirements focus on meeting the English language requirements of the university or college.

Q:   What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?

A:

The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.

Q:   How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?

A:

The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses: 

The Undergraduate Application Process:  

Step 1:  You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.

Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.

Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.

Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements. 

Check out:  tips to improve your SOP

Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS. 

Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.

Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.

The Postgraduate application process: 

Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\

Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.

Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.

Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course. 

To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application. 

Step 5:  If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester. 

Q:   Does the University of Essex require IELTS?

A:

International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:

English Language Test

 Score

IELTS

Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section

The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:

English Language Test

 Score

TOEFL iBT

Overall score of 72 to 114

PTE

Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section

Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities

Q:   What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?

A:

There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.

Q:   Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?

A:

The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.

Q:   Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?

A:

According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:

Q:   Is University of North Dakota good for Indian students?

A:

The University of North Dakota is one of the top choices for international students to pursue their higher education. The UND warmly welcomes its international students as they have contributed a lot to the success of the university. Moreover, the university offers a top-notch environment, the best academic opportunities, technical & career training, etc. The university boasts over 1000 international students who represent more than 95 countries. Additionally, international students highly enjoy the facilities provided by the University of North Dakota. The UND is one of the largest research universities in the United States for international students.

Q:   How much is the application fee for Alabama University?

A:

The Alabama University application fee for International students vary by application type. Mentioned below are the application fee for UG and PG applications at Alabama:

  • UG: USD 40 or INR 3,342.14
  • MBA: USD 80 or INR 6,684.28
About the Author
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Written by
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert

Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio

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Comments

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Sachin Kumar

7 years ago

What are the environment of college and university in US? Are students safe there?

Reply to Sachin Kumar