Seeking admission into UK Universities

People always ask me about obtaining admission to study in the UK. Finally, here is a breakdown of all you need to know in other to obtain admission to study in the UK.

Firstly, a body called UCAS handles applications for both UK home students and international students for admissions to UK colleges or universities. Students can apply directly to UCAS or through agents as well. However, most international students apply directly to the University of their Choice, instead of applying to UCAS that deals mostly with UK home students.

Secondly, each university or college has different requirements that their students need to meet before they can start a course. In order for the university to assess your suitability to the programme, you will need to submit a completed application, including your full academic transcripts, any English language qualifications and references (and any other additional documentation required for your choice of programme). 

Thirdly, English language proficiency is very important for a student to study in UK. If English is not a student’s first language, they will be required to successfully complete one of the following:

• An English preparatory programme
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
• English language GCSE (grade C or above)

If a student’s first language is not English, most institutions will ask for a qualification in English, or they may ask a student to sit a test.  Each course has minimum entry requirements. Colleges and universities will look at an applicant’s qualifications to see if they meet those standards, but they will also be looking at their overall suitability for the course.

Below is actually the Entry Requirements from the University of Greenwich in the UK, for prospective students in Nigeria.

Bachelor’s degrees - year 1 entry

• 5 x WAEC subjects at B3 or above including Mathematics and a Science

OR

• National Diploma - lower credit

If you do not have the above, you may apply for our International Foundation Programme starting in September or January. You must have:

• 5 x WAEC subjects at grade C6 or above including Mathematics and a Science

Bachelor’s degrees - year 2 or 3 entry

• 5 x WAEC subjects at grade C6 or above

PLUS

• 2.5 CGPA in years 1 and 2 (of 4) relevant bachelor’s degree for year 2 entry

• 2.5 CGPA in year 1,2 and 3 (of 4) relevant bachelor’s degree for year 3 entry (only some programmes available)

OR
•    Lower credit in Higher National Diploma for year 2 entry
•    Upper credit in Higher National Diploma for year 3 entry

Master’s degrees

• 2.5 CGPA in a relevant bachelor’s degree

Some of our master’s degrees will allow you to be considered with a non-specific bachelor’s degree, such as our MA International Business, MBA International Business and some Computing programmes.

English language requirements

For all bachelor’s degrees

•    WAEC English C6 or above

For all master’s degrees

•     WAEC English C5 or above