UCAS help: breaking down how to apply for UK universities as an international student

Applying abroad can be daunting, particularly when studying in an English-speaking country, where English is not your native language. London, England’s capital, remains one of the world’s most multicultural cities – offering international students the opportunity to find a community and feel at home away from home. Here’s a breakdown of how to prepare for the UCAS application, the UK’s portal for applying to universities, and a breakdown of the universities.

Five Choices: Quality Over Quantity

Unlike countries such as the US, where students can apply to a large number of universities, the UK limits applicants to five university or course choices through a standard UCAS application.

With only five choices, it can be tempting to fill your application with the most famous names. However, your choices should be based on more than reputation alone. Look beyond Oxbridge and the Russell Group to the wide range of universities across the UK, and consider factors such as your chosen course, entry requirements, location, teaching style and career opportunities. One important exception to keep in mind: you can usually apply to either Oxford or Cambridge, but not both, in the same UCAS cycle.

Here is a summary of what some of the most popular universities are known for: 

• Oxford: Humanities, PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics), Law, Sciences

• Cambridge: Maths, Sciences, Engineering

• LSE: Economics, Finance, Politics, Social Sciences

• Imperial: Engineering, Medicine, Sciences

• UCL: All-rounder: Architecture, Social Sciences, the Arts 

• Edinburgh: Medicine, Humanities, Informatics

• Cardiff: Media, International Relations, Architecture

• Warwick: Economics, Maths, Business

• St Andrews: Humanities, International Relations, Sciences

• Durham: Law, Humanities, Social Sciences

• University of Bath: Psychology, Business, Engineering

Changes with the 2027 application: crafting a personal statement 

First things first: the UCAS personal statement has changed. From 2026 onwards, rather than writing one long essay, applications now need to answer three questions, with a 4,000-character total. Here are the three questions, and tips for how to respond :

1. Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Talk about what sparked your interest, but don’t leave it there. Explain what specifically caught your attention and how you’ve pursued it since.

Think: Interest → Development → Direction.

2. How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Focus on how your academic studies have shaped your interest in the subject and developed relevant skills. Did you conduct a research project or write an essay that strengthened your ability to analyse information or work with academic sources?

Connecting relevant coursework or research to the degree can be especially useful. For example:

My Economics coursework developed my ability to analyse data and evaluate competing policy arguments, while an independent research project on... strengthened my ability to work with academic sources.

3. What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

There are several ways to approach this question. Admissions teams want to see what you’ve learned, explored, or developed beyond the classroom, preferably something relevant to your field, but most importantly how you’ve taken initiative beyond what is expected of you. 

Have you read the work of an expert in your chosen field? Draw from their idea, and how you further explored that in your life. Follow the Source → Idea → Reaction → Further Exploration approach : 

Reading Tim Marshall's Prisoners of Geography introduced me to how geography can shape foreign policy. His discussion of Russia's vulnerable borders made me question its influence on modern Russian foreign policy, which I explored further while assisting a university researcher with a paper on Russian migration patterns.

You can also discuss extracurriculars, clubs and volunteering; however, make sure not to simply list. Many sixth form (upper high school) students make the mistake of taking on too many extracurriculars, leading to them losing their sense of self in the process. Any university counsellor would tell you that sometimes less is more, and honing in on one particular activity that you can a) gain valuable experience, b) build confidence, and c) push you to a breaking point can be more valuable than listing. It demonstrates your ability to maintain resilience and overcome. 

What else to prepare for the application

Before hitting submit, make sure you have:

✓ Chosen your five courses

✓ Checked entry requirements and international fees

✓ Entered all qualifications and grades correctly

✓ Prepared your supporting documents

✓ Asked for your reference: this can be from a teacher who knows you well, a member of the community, or a counsellor who can comment on your character and academic performance. 

✓ Checked English-language requirements and whether you need to have taken an exam such as IELTS to apply

✓ Checked whether you are required to sit pre-interview admission tests (e.g., TARA for Psychology majors, UCAT for Medicine, etc.)

✓ Written your personal statement

✓ Checked your deadline

A final note 

University applications can feel daunting, but the moment you finally hit submit is one of instant relief. Best of luck with your UK university application!

If you need support along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to Kokusaba. Our tutors can support you with everything from university applications and English-language development to subject-specific tutoring, helping you feel confident and prepared for your next step.