Text only  Print this page | E-mail this page| Add to favourites
British Council Sweden
Close up of students' hands writing
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I apply to a higher education institution in the UK?

Undergraduate study: you apply online to the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) www.ucas.com. During registration, you will need to enter some personal details and indicate if you are applying through a school or college, or if you are applying as an individual.

Graduate (postgraduate) study: students apply direct to the institution(s) of their choice. You should contact the individual universities to obtain application forms. Most universities have forms available for download on their websites or through online applications.

WHAT IS UCAS?
UCAS stands for the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, used by all UK institutions to handle their undergraduate applications.
How many universities and colleges can I apply to through UCAS?
The application form enables you to apply to up to five institutions and/or courses. You can only apply to four Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science courses.
How to find application deadlines

Application deadlines differ according to the course you are applying for and the University. All information is contained on the UCAS website. For more information, please contact UCAS or the institutions directly.

What if I submit my application later than the official closing date?

Universities and colleges can accept and consider EU applications until around June each year, although popular courses may not have vacancies at that time. Before applying, you should check direct with your chosen institution(s).

If you submit your UCAS application after June 30, it will automatically be processed through the Clearing Round. The Clearing vacancy service is a process whereby students with no offers can apply to UK university courses that still have vacancies. Listings of universities with vacancies will be advertised between mid August and mid September and you can find more information about this on UCAS website

How do I find out about courses to study?

Lists of all the Universities and Colleges and the 45,000 courses offered are available on the UCAS website at www.ucas.com. You can also search for courses on educationuk’s database www.educationuk.org. In England you first study for an undergraduate degree (equivalent to a Swedish kandidatexamen) and then a postgraduate degree (equivalent to a Swedish magisterexamen).

How do I know if it is a good university?

The quality of undergraduate degrees at UK institutions is checked and followed closely. Assessments into different aspects of quality at institutions in the UK are carried out on a regular basis and are called the Subject Review Reports, (previously the Teaching Quality Assessment exercise (TQA)). You can read reports on QAA’s website.

The national newspapers provide excellent unofficial reviews of institutions in Britain:

The Guardian - University Guide

The Independent - University and Subject Guides

The Times Online - Good University Guide

What are the entry requirements?
There are approximately 170 higher education institutions in the United Kingdom. All universities have their own entry requirements which are specified in prospectuses. Most programmes specify their own entry requirements so you should check your preferred subject. You can access prospectuses online, on the respective universities’ websites. You can also contact the university and ask them to send you one by post.
How much does the UCAS application cost?
If you have only entered one course at one university or college in the courses section, your application fee will be £5. If you have entered more than one choice in the courses section, your application fee will be £15. Paper application forms will no longer be available for 2006 entry. All applicants must submit their application using the UCAS online form, available at the UCAS website www.ucas.com.
How do I apply for courses in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science?

You can only apply for up to 4 courses in these subjects:

•Medicine - course codes A100, A101, A103, A104 or A106

•Dentistry - course codes A200, A203, A204, A205 or A206

•Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science - course codes D100 or D101

You may choose two other courses (not one of those above) to complete the application form. If you apply for more than four courses in the subjects above, your application will not be considered. Please note that the closing date for these courses is 15 October 2007.

Many higher education institutions require that applicants to certain medicine, veterinary medicine and related courses at specific institutions sit a BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) or a UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT). The registration deadlines for these test are earlier than the UCAS application deadline. Visit www.bmat.org.uk  and www.ukcat.ac.uk to find out more.  

How do I apply for courses in art and design?

There are two ways to apply for courses in Art and Design, called Route A and Route B. You must apply to the course as it is listed, e.g. if a course is listed as Route B, you must use Route B for your application.

Route A: your application must have been received by UCAS between 1 September 2007 and 15 January 2008. You can apply for up to five courses in the order they appear in the UCAS handbook.

Route B: your application must be received by UCAS between 1 January 2008 and 24 March 2008, but we recommend that you apply by 7 March 2008 to avoid the last-minute rush. You can list up to three courses in the order that they appear in the UCAS handbook. You must also give your order of preference for the three Route B courses. Your application will be sent to the institutions in your order of preference from 12 February 2008.

You can apply for courses in Art and Design by both routes, but you cannot choose more than three Route B courses. If you apply before 1 January 2008 for Route A courses, the online application system will ask you "Do you want to apply to Route B art & design courses later?". If you select "yes", you can add your Route B choice(s) later, either online via "Track" or by contacting UCAS by phone.

Please note that applications to the Fine Art course at the Ruskin School of Fine Art, Oxford must have been received by 15 October 2007. In addition you must submit an Oxford application form by the same date and a portfolio of artwork by 15 November 2007.

What else do I send to UCAS?
Nothing! The only document to be submitted to UCAS is the application form. Do not send any additional supporting documents to UCAS. They will not process them. It is only once you have been accepted on a programme and you have chosen to study on that particular programme that you substantiate your application with the documents requested by that particular higher education institution.
How do I translate my grades?

When submitting an application online to UCAS, you state the subject studied in English and the grade as it stands in Swedish (i.e. English MVG). Skolverket has translated many subjects into English that are available on their website.

If you are required by the university to submit translated copies of your qualifications in English, you can consult Högskoleverket for accredited translators or enquire with your Högstadie- and Gymnasieskola if they are able to translate your qualifications into English.

How much does it cost to study in the UK?
The tuition fees for undergraduate programmes vary depending on what and where you study and if you study full or part-time. The maximum tuition fee per year is £3000. Postgraduate degrees normally cost more. To find out about costs you have to consult the higher education institution you are interested in.
How do I fund my studies?
Swedish students can apply for study aid from CSN. For studies in England and Wales, EU students can apply for a career development loan from the Department for Education and Skills. For studies in Scotland, EU students can apply for study aid from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). For studies in Northern Ireland, EU students can apply for funding from Department for Employment and Learning. You can also apply for grants and scholarships. To search for grants and scholarships, please consult British Council Sweden education website ‘Funding for EU nationals’.   
What do I do if I have problems filling out my application form?
Consult British Council Sweden’s education webpage. Make sure that you have read all UCAS instructions on how to fill out the applciation from. If you are experiencing technical problems, contact UCAS.
What are the contact details for UCAS?

UCAS
PO Box 28
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 3ZA
UK

Tel: + 44 8701 122211 between 8.30 am and 5:30 pm Monday to Friday
Fax: + 44 1242 544961
Email: enquiries@ucas.ac.uk

www.ucas.com

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland)
Our privacy and copyright statements.
Our commitment to freedom of information. Double-click for pop-up dictionary.
 Positive About Disabled People Download Browsealoud