Admissions processes and funding
Empowering students to understand the practicalities and processes when connecting with potential universities.
Applying to university in the US
Applying to university in the UK
Applying to university in Canada
Applying to university in Europe
Applying to university in Oceania
Applying to university in Asia
Applying to university in Africa
Applying to university in the Middle East
Applying to university in Latin America
General university applications
Standardised tests: some FAQs
Is there a table of standardised-test requirements? Should my students take the …
‘Test blind’, ‘test optional’ or ‘test preferred’ – what do all these categories mean?
There seems to be almost as many approaches to standardised testing as there are US…
Financial aid in the US and Europe
Understanding different financial aid options across the US and Europe will help students…
Counsellor resource: Understanding the role of character in US college applications
Many US universities value “positive character traits” in applicants. This activity helps …
Does the US college essay still have value?
Now that it has moved so far from its original purpose – and is often written by AI or a…
What should final-year students be doing in January? A guide for US admissions
In schools where the vast majority of students applying to US universities submit early …
Applying to US universities: An introduction
If students are thinking about applying to university in the US, they will need to make …
Applying to US universities: resources for counsellors
Sharing insights, resources and best practice with other counsellors is good for the …
Applying to US universities: Submitting your application via app or platform
Submitting an application to a US university requires students to navigate a baffling array …
Applying to US universities: A quick guide to financial aid
What types of financial aid are available to students at US universities? Augusto Neto…
Applying to US universities: The application process
What does applying to a US university involve? Augusto Neto offers a comprehensive guide to…
Applying to US universities: Are admissions rates important?
University admission rates represent the percentage of applicants accepted into an…
Supporting international students to study in the UK: three considerations
Help your students get ahead with their UK university applications …
How to make sense of UK entry requirements
Typical offers, contextual offers, predicted grades – it can be hard…
How to help your students prepare for an Oxbridge interview
If students are invited for interview at the University of Oxford or…
UK universities: what do all the different groups and categories mean?
Russell Group or MillionPlus? Redbrick or plate glass? It can be…
How to support students through the Ucas clearing process
When a student does not receive the grades they need for …
Applying to study physiotherapy in the UK: how to prepare your students
Physiotherapy is a competitive course in the UK – so …
UCAS: waiting for exam results
Supporting students while they wait for exam results can be hard to…
What is clearing? A guide to advising international students
Some students applying to university in the UK may find…
UCAS: preparing for what comes next
Your students have sent off their UCAS applications, but what’s …
What is the University of London?
What is the University of London? Sarah Mullen, from UCL, explains…
What happens after your students submit their UCAS forms?
The UCAS equal-consideration deadline has passed. Applicants’…
Writing a personal statement for UK universities: the 80-20 technique
UK universities want students to emphasise their academic…
The differences between a UK personal statement and a US admissions essay
What is the Ucas personal statement to apply for a UK…
How to prepare prospective medical students for interview at UK universities
The prospect of interviewing to study medicine at a UK university…
What should final-year students be doing in January? A guide for UK admissions
Students wanting to go to university in the UK must submit their Ucas…
Making the personal statement stand out
Tips for high school counsellors on how to help students write …
Studying in the UK: finding finance and scholarship options
There are many financial support options available for international…
Studying in the UK: how to choose a university and course
Choosing a UK university isn’t as simple as opting for big names or…
Applying to Oxbridge: writing a personal statement
Writing an Oxbridge-quality personal statement can be…
Applying to Oxbridge: a guide for international students
Most international students will have heard of the Universities of…
English proficiency tests: IELTS vs TOEFL
How to choose between these two English language proficiency tests
Studying in the UK: filling in a UCAS form
Filling in the UCAS application form for UK universities can seem…
What is the BTEC? An essential guide for counsellors
The British Technical Education Council (BTEC) programme is a…
Applying for home fee status at UK universities while living in Dubai/UAE
Guidance on how to advise students who have lived in the …
US vs UK universities: what are the differences?
Explore the differences between the US and UK university systems
Understanding updates to the Ucas reference
The Ucas reference has changed for 2024 entry, so we thought it…
Canadian study permits: what counsellors need to know
This guide to Canadian study permits will help school counsellors understand the costs,…
Studying in Canada: what does it offer your students?
Diverse, welcoming and not as cold as many people anticipate, Canada makes an excellent…
Studying in Canada: how to choose a university
There are nearly 100 universities in Canada, all offering a high quality of education. So how do…
Will my students need to take an exam to apply to university in Spain?
Campaigners are pushing for a law requiring international students …
Applying to study in Finland: a comprehensive guide
With stunning landscapes and a strong university focus on…
Applying to university in Italy: a comprehensive guide
Home to the oldest university in the world, Italy has recently …
How to apply to university in Norway
Students burning the midnight oil can do so by the light of the…
Studying in Finland: an introduction
Finland’s strong focus on education, innovation and design makes it …
Studying in Portugal: everything your students need to know
A recent increase in the number of English-language courses …
Studying in Spain: how to negotiate the entry requirements
Determining whether a student fulfils the entry requirements for…
Studying in Sweden: everything you need to know
Sweden has more than 1,000 English-taught programmes in a…
Applying to university in Switzerland: everything you need to know
Applying to a Swiss university can take 20 minutes in total – but…
Will my students be accepted by a German university?
Will your students’ high-school qualification grant them …
How to apply to Czech universities
Culturally rich Czechia is home to universities offering a wide range…
Studying in Germany: everything you need to know
University tuition is free for international students at many…
Applying to university in the Netherlands: everything you need to know
Applying to university in the Netherlands is very different from…
Why the Netherlands can be a high-risk destination for students
Degree courses in the Netherlands have a reputation as “easy to get…
Advising on universities in Europe: what to consider
There are many great European study destinations, but where do…
How to apply to university in Ireland
Flexible, affordable and English-speaking, Ireland is an often…
A guide to applying to university in the Netherlands
Almost 86,000 international students from 170 different…
Applying to university in Australia: a practical guide
Australia is known for its world-class universities – but how do …
Studying in New Zealand: an essential guide
New Zealand is known for its serene landscapes and high …
How to apply to university in South Korea
South Korea’s universities are known for their competitive…
Applying to university in mainland China: a step-by-step guide
Mainland China offers high-quality education, advanced research…
Applying to university in India: everything you need to know
For international students, applying to university in India can be…
How to apply to study in Malaysia
Malaysia offers affordable study at highly ranked universities,…
Studying in Bangladesh: how to navigate the admissions process
All university courses in Bangladesh are taught in English,…
Studying in Singapore: an essential guide
Singapore is positioning itself as a key educational hub – and a…
Applying to study in Thailand: a comprehensive guide
Thailand, known for its rich culture, beautiful landscapes and vibrant…
Studying in Nepal: some key facts
Growing support for international students, as well as an affordable…
An introduction to studying in Singapore
Singapore’s top universities consistently rank among the best …
A guide to applying to university in Turkey
There are 208 universities in Turkey, offering more than 45,…
Applying to university in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is home to diverse cultures, striking landscapes,…
Why your students should consider applying to study in India
Many Indian universities offer a high-quality education, …
Study in Hong Kong: applications, visas and scholarships
If your students are struggling to find reputable universities that…
Study in Japan: how to apply and visa guidance
Japanese universities are becoming increasingly attractive to…
Studying in Japan: an introduction
While not a traditional study-abroad destination, Japan …
Need-to-know tips for applying to Japanese universities
What do Japanese universities look for in a personal essay? What …
How to apply to study in Morocco
Morocco is not a traditional study-abroad destination. But with two…
Studying in South Africa: what do you need to know?
South Africa’s universities are well regarded internationally and they…
Why you need to tell your students about Qatar
Qatar hosts satellite campuses for several US universities, allowing…
A guide to university applications for Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a beautiful country in Central America and could be a…
How to apply to study in Mexico
Mexico has a range of public and private universities, including two…
How to apply to university in Chile
The Chilean university admission system is designed to make …
Studying in Brazil: the key facts
Universities in Brazil are offering more English-taught programmes…
Applying to university in Argentina: an essential guide
Argentina, home to some of the best universities in Latin America,…
What are supercurricular activities – and why do they matter?
Supercurricular activities – academic activities that go beyond the taught curriculum – are…
Pulp fiction – or the art of writing university references
What's in a word? Rather a lot, when it comes to writing university references. James Burnett …
How LCI Education is moving higher education from transaction to transformation
Canadian higher-education provider LCI Education runs 12 institutions in nine countries…
Should students choose extracurricular activities with university applications in mind?
Should students choose extracurricular activities that will look good in their university …
Why thinking about thinking can help with university applications
Teachers already use metacognition in the classroom. But counsellors should study it, too …
How to use university rankings: a guide for counsellors
While it is inevitable that students and their parents will refer to university rankings,…
How to help low-income students find a funded university place
Students from low-income families often lack the documents needed to apply for a…
What are university admissions officers really looking for?
Universities’ admissions decision-making can often seem shrouded in mystery. Here, a …
How can my students add extracurricular value to their applications?
Can recording a podcast, writing a blog or even holding a part-time job help your students’…
How are US and UK university systems different?
The UK and US higher education systems are very different from each other, and it’s…
How to prepare students for the differences between UK and US universities
Counsellors play a pivotal role in preparing students for the academic and cultural…
Student activities: how to frame them in university applications
Your students have a long list of extracurricular activities for their university application – but…
Choosing student activities: some guiding principles
Have students chosen to do an activity because they genuinely want to – or because they feel…
Quiz: Are your students choosing the best activities for their applications?
This simple true-or-false quiz will help students reflect on the activities they choose to support…
‘What activities should I do to get into university?’ Eight strategies to help
Choosing which activities to do to support their university applications is a source of great…
University letters of recommendation: an essential guide
Letters of recommendation can make or break a student’s university application, so it’s …
How to help your students find scholarships or sponsorship
Cost can be a significant barrier for students wanting to pursue higher education. So how …
How to support students applying to multiple countries
More and more students are choosing to apply to universities in multiple countries, so how …
Seven factors for students to consider when choosing a degree course
Students need to research the details of their chosen courses of study carefully, in order to …
THE World University Rankings explained
Learn about how the Times Higher Education World University Rankings are put together …
What are reverse admissions, and why do they matter?
University admissions traditionally involve students researching and then applying to…
Video: how to use university rankings
Here are a few reasons counsellors should be using university rankings when helping their…
How to help students find a university within their budget
Choosing a university is not only about finding the right institution – it’s also about working …
Taking the kitchen-sink approach to university applications
Sometimes students don’t believe that what they do is worthwhile – which is why Daniel Rabbers…
