Applying to universities abroad step by step

This guide puts the whole process in order. It assumes you are in the last two years of secondary school and have not yet decided where to apply.

Step 1: decide what you want to study, roughly

You do not need a final answer, but you need a direction. UK universities ask you to choose a course before you apply. US colleges let you decide later. Australia, Canada and most of Europe fall closer to the UK model. If you are torn between two very different fields, the US system or a broad liberal arts degree keeps more doors open.

Step 2: choose countries

Think about cost, the length of the degree, language of teaching, work rights after graduation and how far from home you want to be. A bachelor's degree in England usually takes three years and in Scotland four. In the US, four years is the norm. Tuition for international students varies widely between countries and between universities, so get figures from each university's fees page rather than relying on averages.

Step 3: build a shortlist

Aim for six to ten universities across a range of selectivity. A comparison tool helps at this stage. UniversitiesDB lists universities by country with programmes, fees and entry information, and its comparison page lets you set several institutions side by side. Use it to narrow the field, then check each university's own course page for entry requirements.

Read each course description in full. Two courses with the same name can differ a lot in content, assessment and options for a year abroad or in industry.

Step 4: check the entry requirements

For each course note:

• the grades required in your school system (A levels, IB points or US-style GPA and courses)
• any required subjects, such as maths for economics or chemistry for medicine
• the English test and score needed, if you are not exempt
• admissions tests or interviews, which some selective courses use

Our guides to English language tests and the SAT and ACT explain the main tests.

Step 5: plan the tests

Book tests early enough to retake once. For most students that means sitting an English test by the summer before the final year, and the SAT or ACT (if needed) by the autumn of that year.

Step 6: write and submit applications

The UK and US differ here. UCAS takes one application with up to five choices and a single personal statement. The Common App takes one main essay plus college-specific supplements. See UCAS explained, the Common App and personal statements and essays.

Your school counsellor or a teacher will usually write the reference and send your predicted or current grades. Give them plenty of notice.

Step 7: offers and decisions

UK offers are often conditional on final exam results. US decisions are usually final, apart from Early Decision, which binds you to attend if admitted. Compare offers on total cost, not tuition alone: housing, insurance and living costs can exceed fees in some cities.

Step 8: visas and arrival

Once you accept an offer, the university issues the document you need for a student visa: a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) in the UK, a Form I-20 in the US, a Confirmation of Enrolment in Australia. Apply for the visa as soon as you can, since processing times vary by country and season.

A sample year

CEC Education editorial team. Last reviewed October 2026. Rules and dates change; check each school or university's own admissions page before you apply.