Is it really a lot easier for international students to get into top UK unis?
..
(edited 7 years ago)
Scroll to see replies
Hey ConfusedSchubert,
no, its not true. in fact in many cases its harder. Top UK universities tend to have a set number of spaces that they reserve for international students. This is much lower than the number of spaces available for UK students. This is probably to protect against such things as the pull of higher fees.
Also, interviews and entrance exams are the same for international students as they are for local students - plus internationals must obtain certain levels of IELTS/english proficiency to be able to enter the university to study there.
Because of the lower number of spaces, and the extra requirements needed - if anything it is harder for International students to enter universities than international.
Finally, top uni's don't just go off grades. If you got your first choice it is because you have worked hard in many areas, both academic and outside of school and proved to the university that you were the highest calibre of student.
In short - its a load of bull. Be proud. You've earned it.
I currently work at a top international college in the UK which specialises in getting students into oxford and cambridge and I can say with certainty, it is in no way easier or 100% sure.
no, its not true. in fact in many cases its harder. Top UK universities tend to have a set number of spaces that they reserve for international students. This is much lower than the number of spaces available for UK students. This is probably to protect against such things as the pull of higher fees.
Also, interviews and entrance exams are the same for international students as they are for local students - plus internationals must obtain certain levels of IELTS/english proficiency to be able to enter the university to study there.
Because of the lower number of spaces, and the extra requirements needed - if anything it is harder for International students to enter universities than international.
Finally, top uni's don't just go off grades. If you got your first choice it is because you have worked hard in many areas, both academic and outside of school and proved to the university that you were the highest calibre of student.
In short - its a load of bull. Be proud. You've earned it.
I currently work at a top international college in the UK which specialises in getting students into oxford and cambridge and I can say with certainty, it is in no way easier or 100% sure.
Original post by jolloydiff16
plus internationals must obtain certain levels of IELTS/english proficiency to be able to enter the university to study there.
So do UK students. Often students who do not speak English as a first language are given more flexibility in this respect.
Original post by Confusedschubert
Basically, i'm an international and some people told me that the reason why I got into my first choice was because i'm an international and that all internationals have a 100% acceptance rate if they meet their grade requirements because of higher fees and what not...
Is this really true, esp. for unis like Oxbridge, UCL, Imp, LSE, etc. or is it safe to assume its just a pile of bull?
Is this really true, esp. for unis like Oxbridge, UCL, Imp, LSE, etc. or is it safe to assume its just a pile of bull?
They pay higher fees and are therefore very desirable to universities. If you meet the requirements they will be keen to give you a place and snap up your cash.
I actually know of someone from abroad who went to a top UK university with grades someway below what was required.
So yes, there does seem to be plenty of truth in this.
Original post by stefano865
They pay higher fees and are therefore very desirable to universities. If you meet the requirements they will be keen to give you a place and snap up your cash.
I actually know of someone from abroad who went to a top UK university with grades someway below what was required.
So yes, there does seem to be plenty of truth in this.
I actually know of someone from abroad who went to a top UK university with grades someway below what was required.
So yes, there does seem to be plenty of truth in this.
I'm just curious, do the international fees really help a uni that much? I mean for most bigname unis, they have tons of industry and governmental connections who supply them millions and billions in endowments yearly..
Original post by Confusedschubert
I'm just curious, do the international fees really help a uni that much? I mean for most bigname unis, they have tons of industry and governmental connections who supply them millions and billions in endowments yearly..
Yeah good point.
But from what I've heard it does make a difference. International students are favoured to an extent.
yes for sure
Money talks, some foreign students barely grasp english but since they got £££££ who cares.
Original post by Confusedschubert
X
Not that I have any statistics to back this up but all of the international students I know are very good.
agreed the chinese can barelt communicate sometimes yet, low and behold, they are on a ****ing law course
For most universities, no it isn't easier. That said... St Andrews seems to accept a LOT of Americans. I once spoke to a girl on College Confidential (American TSR) who got an unconditional offer even though she hadn't taken any APs and her personal statement was a story she wrote in her creative writing class. 
Original post by Snufkin
For most universities, no it isn't easier. That said... St Andrews seems to accept a LOT of Americans. I once spoke to a girl on College Confidential (American TSR) who got an unconditional offer even though she hadn't taken any APs and her personal statement was a story she wrote in her creative writing class.
Wow lol
Original post by Confusedschubert
Basically, i'm an international and some people told me that the reason why I got into my first choice was because i'm an international and that all internationals have a 100% acceptance rate if they meet their grade requirements because of higher fees and what not...
Is this really true, esp. for unis like Oxbridge, UCL, Imp, LSE, etc. or is it safe to assume its just a pile of bull?
Is this really true, esp. for unis like Oxbridge, UCL, Imp, LSE, etc. or is it safe to assume its just a pile of bull?
Yup... just look at LSE - 70% of its students are non-UK. Since it's a social science institution, it isn't able to get a lot of funding through research grants/contracts therefore it relies on tuition fees (specifically international tuition fees) to increase its income. LSE is weird in that its research income makes up less than 10% of its total income when most other [good] universities have their research income constitute approx. 20% of their total income. International students pay almost double the amount of fees that UK students pay, at £17,040 compared to £9000, so it's understandable why they're more favourable to universities.
Other than Oxbridge, a lot of the top unis also have a really high percentage of international students.
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by Snufkin
For most universities, no it isn't easier. That said... St Andrews seems to accept a LOT of Americans. I once spoke to a girl on College Confidential (American TSR) who got an unconditional offer even though she hadn't taken any APs and her personal statement was a story she wrote in her creative writing class.
This doesn't mean anything.
You act as if APs are the only qualifications in which Americans do, when most British universities accept students based on SAT and ACT scores. For example, St Andrews' minimum entry requirements are 1950 for SATs and 28 for the ACT whereas Edinburgh's entry requirements are 1800 for the SAT and 27 for the ACT.
Original post by Capricancer
This doesn't mean anything.
You act as if APs are the only qualifications in which Americans do, when most British universities accept students based on SAT and ACT scores. For example, St Andrews' minimum entry requirements are 1950 for SATs and 28 for the ACT whereas Edinburgh's entry requirements are 1800 for the SAT and 27 for the ACT.
You act as if APs are the only qualifications in which Americans do, when most British universities accept students based on SAT and ACT scores. For example, St Andrews' minimum entry requirements are 1950 for SATs and 28 for the ACT whereas Edinburgh's entry requirements are 1800 for the SAT and 27 for the ACT.
Actually most British universities do not accept Americans with just SATs/ACTs.
Original post by Capricancer
This doesn't mean anything.
You act as if APs are the only qualifications in which Americans do, when most British universities accept students based on SAT and ACT scores. For example, St Andrews' minimum entry requirements are 1950 for SATs and 28 for the ACT whereas Edinburgh's entry requirements are 1800 for the SAT and 27 for the ACT.
You act as if APs are the only qualifications in which Americans do, when most British universities accept students based on SAT and ACT scores. For example, St Andrews' minimum entry requirements are 1950 for SATs and 28 for the ACT whereas Edinburgh's entry requirements are 1800 for the SAT and 27 for the ACT.
From St Andrews' website
•
Candidates are expected to have taken a college preparatory curriculum, including honours and AP classes where available, and should demonstrate an A-/B+ average in academic subjects. Applications which include strong grades in relevant subject exams will be more competitive; AP candidates are expected to obtain scores of 4 or 5, with 5 in any prerequisite subjects and SAT Subject Test candidates are expected to score 650 or higher, with 700+ in any prerequisite subjects.
Original post by Snufkin
Actually most British universities do not accept Americans with just SATs/ACTs.
Quite a few do take SAT/ACT as one of the components of their entry requirements for US students:
KCL: 1850-1950 on the SAT and 27-29 on the ACT
UCL: 1950 on the SAT and 29 on the ACT
Bristol: 1890 on the SAT and 24+ on the ACT
Glasgow: 1800 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT
Warwick: 1900 on the SAT and 28 on the ACT
Other than the SAT/ACT, other requirements may be GPA scores, APs or SAT subject scores.
Original post by Student403
Minimum requirements aren't something that should really be looked at for top universities, in my opinion. Getting the minimum doesn't make you competitive. Surpassing the minimum does
Minimum requirements aren't something that should really be looked at for top universities, in my opinion. Getting the minimum doesn't make you competitive. Surpassing the minimum does
Yes and I know people studying here at St Andrews who easily surpass the entry requirements with 2200+ on the SAT and full marks on the ACT (36). I dont think that every US student here has just scraped the entry requirements.
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by Capricancer
Quite a few do take SAT/ACT as one of the components of their entry requirements for US students:
KCL: 1850-1950 on the SAT and 27-29 on the ACT
UCL: 1950 on the SAT and 29 on the ACT
Bristol: 1890 on the SAT and 24+ on the ACT
Glasgow: 1800 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT
Warwick: 1900 on the SAT and 28 on the ACT
Other than the SAT/ACT, other requirements may be GPA scores, APs or SAT subject scores.
Yes and I know people studying here at St Andrews who surpass the entry requirements with 2200+ on the SAT and full marks on the ACT (36). Just as when
KCL: 1850-1950 on the SAT and 27-29 on the ACT
UCL: 1950 on the SAT and 29 on the ACT
Bristol: 1890 on the SAT and 24+ on the ACT
Glasgow: 1800 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT
Warwick: 1900 on the SAT and 28 on the ACT
Other than the SAT/ACT, other requirements may be GPA scores, APs or SAT subject scores.
Yes and I know people studying here at St Andrews who surpass the entry requirements with 2200+ on the SAT and full marks on the ACT (36). Just as when
Isn't that what I said?
Original post by Capricancer
Quite a few do take SAT/ACT as one of the components of their entry requirements for US students:
KCL: 1850-1950 on the SAT and 27-29 on the ACT
UCL: 1950 on the SAT and 29 on the ACT
Bristol: 1890 on the SAT and 24+ on the ACT
Glasgow: 1800 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT
Warwick: 1900 on the SAT and 28 on the ACT
Other than the SAT/ACT, other requirements may be GPA scores, APs or SAT subject scores.
Yes and I know people studying here at St Andrews who easily surpass the entry requirements with 2200+ on the SAT and full marks on the ACT (36). I dont think that every US student here has just scraped the entry requirements.
KCL: 1850-1950 on the SAT and 27-29 on the ACT
UCL: 1950 on the SAT and 29 on the ACT
Bristol: 1890 on the SAT and 24+ on the ACT
Glasgow: 1800 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT
Warwick: 1900 on the SAT and 28 on the ACT
Other than the SAT/ACT, other requirements may be GPA scores, APs or SAT subject scores.
Yes and I know people studying here at St Andrews who easily surpass the entry requirements with 2200+ on the SAT and full marks on the ACT (36). I dont think that every US student here has just scraped the entry requirements.
"High School Graduation Diploma plus SAT I with a minimum score of 1950/2400 or an ACT of 29 in the Composite Score and 29 in the Combined English/Writing Score. In addition the successful completion of one year of study at a recognised US university, Community or Junior College is required, with an overall CGPA of 3.3/4.0 (equivalent to a 2.1)."
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Is UK Edexcel easier than international Edexcel, for Alevels maths?
- How good/elite is the University of St. Andrews?
- LLB Law at UCL or BA Anthropology and Law at LSE?
- Is studying in the UK worth it?
- Top universities ‘will turn away more UK students’
- What is it like studying medicine in Ireland?
- Durham or Lincoln for Chemistry
- Are 7A*s and 3A*s good enough for Ivy League?
- Harvard from the UK?
- Please Help!! Glasgow vs Sheffield
- Any singaporeans studying in leeds?
- Need advice - Specific US vs UK unis for son
- Applying with A Levels to Spain
- Durham university went downhill
- Loughborough vs. Southampton for Mechanical Engineering
- Is UCL the best after Oxbridge?
- Best unis to apply to for scholarships
- which university should I firm, Lancaster or Southampton?
- is north american high school studies easier than uk's?
- Masters in Economics
Latest
Trending
Last reply 4 days ago
If you could instantly become fluent in any foreign language which one would it be?Last reply 3 months ago
About the NCUK IFY Program for university Studies in the UKTrending
Last reply 4 days ago
If you could instantly become fluent in any foreign language which one would it be?Last reply 3 months ago
About the NCUK IFY Program for university Studies in the UK
