How to apply for university.

Signing up for university is a big decision, but it’s also an incredibly exciting one. Higher education continues to be a very popular learning route, with over 2 million students heading to uni in 2023.

But before you get carried away in picking your halls and course, there are a few things to weigh up. In this guide, we’ll explore how to apply to university in the UK, and share some key tips and templates from Adobe Express to help your application stand out.

Deciding if university is right for you.

This first step is an important one – deciding what you want to do once you finish school, and whether university is the right option for you. There are various paths you can take outside of education, from starting work to taking a gap year. So, it’s worthwhile weighing up your options before you apply.

Some of the factors you may want to consider include:

• Costs. It goes without saying, university can be expensive. Government loans will often cover the cost of your course fees, but you might need to factor in other things like your rent and living costs.
• Career prospects. Some careers no longer require a university degree. Think about your future career and what you want to do, then do some research on the routes you can take to get there. You might be able to do an apprenticeship instead, go straight into work, or even start your own business.
• Personal preferences. Take some time to check in with yourself – is going to uni what you want? If so, great! But know that it’s not the only option if you don’t think you’ll enjoy it.

How to apply for university in the UK – step by step.

When looking at how to apply for a university, the process is slightly different for everyone. It’ll usually depend on the university and course you choose, and any other personal circumstances. However, there are some general steps you can follow to get started.

1. Find the right university for you.

This step probably requires the most thought and research. When choosing your university, you’ll need to think about:

• Location. Are you looking for somewhere close to home, or further away? Is it possible for you to move there?
• Courses available. Not every university offers the same course. Some specialise in arts degrees, while others may focus more on the sciences.
• Accommodation and living costs. Each city has different living costs. For instance, a university in London or Edinburgh might work out more expensive, than choosing a university in an area with lower living costs, like Newcastle, Nottingham or Belfast.
• Open days. Open days are a great way to get a taste of the universities you want to apply to. Make sure to find out as much information as you can, and collect as many brochures as you can to help make your final decision.

2. Research entry requirements and application dates.

Each university (and each university course) will have different entry requirements. University websites will show you the grades needed and when the application deadlines are, along with other important details. This should help give you a better idea of how suited you are to each university.

Most unis often have application deadlines of around mid to late-January. But keep in mind that places like Oxford and Cambridge often require you to apply a little earlier.

3. Register with UCAS.

UCAS is the University and College Admissions Service. It’s essentially the middleman between you (the applicant) and the universities. All UK university submissions go through UCAS, and they pass all your details onto your chosen uni.

To get started, you’ll need to sign up to UCAS, select your 5 chosen universities, and then set about filling in all the required details and adding your CV details. Your college or sixth form will usually help you sort this out, though UCAS itself has plenty of helpful guides.

4. Write your personal statement.

Writing a good personal statement is key to showing prospective admission officers who you are, what you can do, and why they should offer you a place at their university. It’s also great practice for when you start applying for jobs, as it’s essentially a slightly different type of cover letter.

Some key elements to include are:

• An interesting introduction – a chance to illustrate your personality in a professional way.
• Why you’re applying and why you’re interested in this specific uni or course.
• Why you’re a good candidate.
• What you’re doing now and how your experience relates to the course.
• Personal information like hobbies and achievements.

5. Submit your application.

After you’ve submitted your application:

• You’ll receive an email from your chosen universities confirming they’ve received it.
• Your application will be reviewed. Some universities may also require an interview at this stage, which they’ll update you on accordingly.
• You can track your application through UCAS, including any invitations to interview.
• You’ll receive a decision. Response times will differ – this may take a few weeks or months depending on when you submit and the specific university requirements.
• Time to respond to your offers. Even if you didn’t get in or you’re choosing another uni, it’s always polite to reply to every response.

How do university offers work?

When you receive a university offer, it’s likely that it’ll be one of the following four types:

• Conditional. They want you, but your acceptance has a few conditions. For example, you might be required to gain a qualification or achieve certain A-Level grades.
• Unconditional. An unconditional offer guarantees your place on your chosen course, without any extra conditions.
• Unsuccessful. An unsuccessful application is as it sounds – you didn’t get into your chosen university or course. They’ll usually provide a reason why and feedback, where relevant.
• Withdrawn. This is when a university might take back an offer they’ve previously made. This could be for a number of reasons, for example, you weren’t responsive enough, missed an interview or the course you applied for is no longer running.

How can Adobe Express help with your university application?

When looking at how to apply for a university, it’s important to have everything in place beforehand. Adobe Express can help get you ready to start applying, with hundreds of creative tools and templates that can make you stand out as an applicant.

With Adobe Express, you can:

1. Use free CV templates to shape your academic CV.

Write a top-notch academic CV and use our library of free templates. Not only will this ensure you tick all the boxes, but it’ll look great too.

2. Get inspired with personal statement and application letter examples.

It can be tricky to know where to start when writing a personal statement. Our collection of templates and examples can help you get things off the ground.

3. Make yourself stand out on social media.

Universities and future employers could take a look at your social media to get an idea of you as an applicant. So, it doesn’t hurt to make sure this looks great too, especially if you use sites like LinkedIn to promote yourself professionally.

4. Craft bespoke presentations for a university interview.

Some universities may ask you to come down for an interview so they can meet you in person and ensure you’re a good fit. If you really want to impress, you could try your hand at creating a presentation about yourself as a candidate, or for any tasks they might send to you.

Editable application letter templates for university.

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Good to know.

How to apply for university in the UK for international students?

If you’re an international student, you’ll still need to apply to your chosen UK universities through UCAS. You’ll be able to use the platform and apply to universities like everyone else, though you’ll be asked to provide a few more details.

Can I apply directly to a UK university?

Yes, it is possible to apply directly to some UK universities, though not many organisations allow this. 99% of the time, you’ll need to apply to the university through UCAS.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 5 GB of storage. See our pricing page for details and to compare plans.