Advice for overseas UK applicants to UK universities

[JesusWeptLady]

So my kids have had all their schooling in the USA and want to apply to UK universities for 2025 entry. Both DH and I went to UK universities in the 90s and we can see a lot has changed. There's still UCAS but there's also now the Russell Group.

We have a sense of the AP exams they need to take as A level equivalents and the range of expectations among different universities including Bath, York, Nottingham, Bristol, etc

What I don't know and I'm hoping some people can chip in here, is this - are some universities more inclined towards the international applications than others? I did see in this year's clearing that many spots were for "international applicants only" but I don't know if that's a greater reflection on those academic depts. or just something to do with clearing.

Sorry this is sounding a bit vague as a question. I don't know if anyone has experience of a similar situation or knows people who have done this. I suspect any info would be great. Thanks.

@JesusWeptLady We are also English but my DS was educated entirely in the US, he has just started at a UK university this year so I'm happy to help where possible.
I think the international places you could see in clearing were released before UK students had their a-level results so at that point only international students would have had their exam results and therefore eligible to apply.

If you've not lived in the UK for 3 years you can't get student finance?

International fees are a different income stream so unis seek a certain proportion of overseas students. I think stats on these are published each year so you can see which unis and which courses attract relatively more.

@JesusWeptLady Another thought! - as you have 2 years to prepare, it would be wise to make sure your DC have taken AP's in the relevant subjects for their application.
DS was able to get 5 unconditional offers as he'd already taken Calculus BC in his Junior year otherwise it would have been conditional on getting a 5 in that particular subject for him.
A high SAT or ACT score will also take the place of a 5 in an AP exam. (For example Oxford wanted 4 grade 5's and a 34 or 1560 OR 5 grade 5's) so try to have all this ready by the end of Junior year.

Thank you everyone, particularly@BackToWhereItAllBegan
They are both in Junior year now, DS has a 5 in one AP exam and DD has a 4 in a different one. They are each taking 3 more this year with a further 4 expected next year (senior year). I am really hoping they can start their applications with at least 3 @ level 5 to ease the process. Wishful thinking perhaps.

@eggsbenedict23 No we can't get the sort of funding UK applicants get, as they will be overseas or international applicants, but there are some scholarship opportunities for overseas students available at some of the universities we're looking at.

@LIZS Thanks I will look into that!

Hi, OP -

Former admissions tutor here. (Large Russell Group University, STEM field).

In my university, each School is set Home and Overseas admissions targets each year. The cynics amongst readers will rightly understand that this is largely to do with income streams, ad Overseas fees are much higher than Home fees.

If your DC are classed as International students for fees purposes but their first language is English, congratulations! They are the most prized of applicants. (Of course I know there are a few situations where DC may qualify for Home fees despite being educated overseas so I will hope that yours do so - each university makes its own good faith assessments and I can’t speak to this, but the rules are generally quite strict and clear cut.)

The Fulbright Foundation promotes bilateral US-UK educational exchange. In addition to the good advice from PPs, you should be able to find lots of helpful information on their website. Best wishes

Cross post. It sounds like they will be in great shape.

@JesusWeptLady I'm sure your DC's college counselors will be on top of everything but if any of the courses your DC's are thinking of applying for require an entrance test then you'll need to make sure either your school is an accredited test center or you book them into one close by.
I know of more than one Senior who've had to fly out of State to take the tests as nobody around them was really aware of the process!

@BackToWhereItAllBegan The guidance and college counselors at their public HS are massively over worked unfortunately, and don't really have a sense of anyone individually as such, it's a bit of a scrabble to get them to write recommendation letters and both kids think focusing on an academic teacher who can write one might work better - more interaction and direct sense of them academically, etc. Note taken re: testing. I think DD might want to take the Oxford entry exam. Thank you, I will start researching this now!

Thanks @poetryandwine that is really good to know. I did an MA as a US resident and was given special dispensation to pay UK fees on the basis that I was a "trailing spouse" who would otherwise be living in the UK.

@JesusWeptLady What Oxford entry exam? You must look at the course into. There’s no 7th term entry exam now. It’s A levels (or alternative) plus whatever test they ask for but this depends on subject. There might be essay submission too. So look up all the details. Oxford are early closing too - mid October. Registration for tests is usually earlier. They give very detailed info on the web site about applying with non A level qualifications and what’s needed for certain courses.

Bath is not RG but that’s irrelevant. It’s a fine uni.

@TizerorFizz yes, thanks - I have seen those details on the Oxford website. This is for 2025 entry so she'd be taking it next year in 2024.

@TizerorFizz For some subjects they might need a specialist test like BMAT for several unis or for Oxbridge many will take a specific admissions test before the interview stage www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/admissions-tests

@LIZS Yes. That’s what I was getting at. Subject specific tests. LNAT, etc. So I’m not sure what test @JesusWeptLady means.

TSA - Thinking Skills

Yes. That’s subject specific.

OP,

Just a word - in the last few years Bath and Lancaster have rightly become the + in what is now known as the Russell Group +, together with a third uni that will vary depending on whom you speak with. Within the RG, the other hidden gem, certainly in some STEM areas but also beyond, is Glasgow.

Of course the UK has loads of excellent unis and excellent programmes at good unis. These three have really come on strong in recent years, as objectively measured in both research assessments and Teaching and Learning. Also happy students! Your DC may well have other plans but I thought it worth knowing as you’ve been away. One wouldn’t necessarily guess. (I have never been formally associated with any if them)

@poetryandwine Thanks. Yes, thanks for these details. I have been charting some of the progress / changes in popular & respected universities and these came up in conversations with people back in the UK (relatives mostly).

What do you make of UEA? When I was applying to universities they offered me a place but I went elsewhere. At the time they felt like a very decent 2nd choice if I'd had to make one. But I have read about halls closing and funding issues which makes me wonder if they're on a downward trajectory?

I think historically UEA was a good insurance choice for a strong student and a fine choice for many students. My field has never been one of their strengths, but no uni can be all things to all students, so I wouldn’t put much weight on that.

However I’ve heard the same rumblings and also I know they are prompting some staff onto the job market. Not great. The main problem is that we have precedent in the UK now for whole degree programmes being abruptly shut down as cost cutting measures. It’s not likely in eg Computer Science but MFL is certainly vulnerable and even one good Pure Maths group was summarily closed. Hard times.

@poetryandwine Thanks. I think I'll keep an eye on it over the next 12 months and see what shakes out.

@BackToWhereItAllBegan I have just found our nearest testing centre is about 2-3 hours drive. I meant to ask, how is your DS finding it? I suspect my two will have a huge culture shock. They think they're English and one even speaks determinedly with an English accent, but they aren't really, they've grown up here since they were babies.

@JesusWeptLady If they start the process now, your school may be able to become an accredited test center if you know which subjects your DC will be applying for. I think it's always preferable to sit such important exams in familiar surroundings if possible so definitely worth speaking with your college counselor or even the Head of School if necessary.
DS is having a great time so far, he's playing sports which helps with making friends and is definitely enjoying the drinking age being 18 rather than 21!
I think the American education system has increased his confidence over the years, He's had to make so many presentations, play so many sports and take part in so many academic competitions that he's used to throwing himself into every available opportunity which is really helping him now.

@BackToWhereItAllBegan Oh that's all good to hear. I do remember thinking when they were about 10 that they had more confidence than I remember having at the same age - They were not afraid to ask questions and get right up to the front of presentations to have a good look at things. I do think culturally that's one of the biggest benefits of living here in the US.

If there's any bias it's towards international applicants - they (well, we as I was one too less than a decade ago) subsidise the home students as unis can charge them the sky. Is money no object? The same course costs almost £20K a year at LSE and half at, say the University of Portsmouth.

Your other main problem will be accommodation. Many places like London & Manchester where accommodation is expensive & in short supply sees lots of students living at home and commuting.

You can tell how diverse a university is by their clubs and societies, also they usually publish the percentage of international applicants per course. Most RG universities and those with a good international rep /overseas campuses (like Bath and Lancaster) should be ok. It looks like you are considering those anyway. Not sure about UEA (they did offer me a 50% off scholarship years ago, taking me to less than the home fee... but then I got one from LSE so went there instead).

DH went to Edge Hill and it was mostly British people. Similar experience as a friend that went to Salford.

@kopitiamgal Thanks. It's not at all that money is no object, but the reality is, sending two kids to the UK for 3 years is a vast, vast saving on sending them to most colleges in the US for 4 yrs. The exception would be if they get into the better in-state colleges where we live, which would cost about the same as going to the UK.

Also we recently discovered that some of the London colleges (not all of them) are now able to guarantee all 3 years accommodation for overseas students, which is helpful too.

Most people in the USA save for the fees or borrow though don’t they? Or there wouldn’t be anyone going to uni in the USA! I’m interested in which unis guarantee 3 years of Halls for international students as many hells are shared between unis. Many have 30% international students in London so unless you are talking about private unis, I doubt many offer all 3 years of halls.