Every year, more American students want to move from the US to UK.
Compared to March 2024, interest in UK degrees from the US has grown by 25%, according to Studyportals, a global student search platform that tracks the page views of its users to gauge course preferences.
This academic year recorded 6,680 US applications for UK courses with a main deadline at the end of January – the highest it’s ever been since comparable records started in 2006, reports UCAS, the premier UK universities and colleges admissions service.
Thinking of a US to UK university transfer too? We’ve got the essential guide you’ll need.
The UK’s got great universities, so why wouldn’t you want to transfer over? Source: AFP
US universities vs UK universities: Which is better?
There are many great reasons to study in both countries. But the UK does have an edge in certain areas:
Shorter duration
A bachelor’s degree in the US takes four years to complete, whereas the same degree in the UK only takes three. This goes for master’s degrees too – in the US, you’ll need two years to pursue your postgraduate degree, but in the UK, you’ll only need to commit a year.
More focused curriculum
The US higher education system leans on the flexible side. There, you’ll have plenty of chances to take electives that expose you to a broader understanding of the subject.
Over in the UK, learning is more streamlined and specialised – perhaps an equivalent of equipping you with a scalpel from the get-go instead of having you try out multiple other instruments and figuring out what works best for you.
You’ll stand out to employers
A quarter (25%) of employers surveyed stated that international experience was a top priority for hiring (QS Employer Insights Report 2020) and more than 50% of graduates believe their overseas experience led to a job offer (2017 IIE study).
A 4-step guide on how to transfer universities from the US to UK
1. Find the right university
There’s something for everyone, from the best-ranked universities in the country to the most affordable ones. But beware – the top-ranking universities might not be for you, and not for the reason you think. We’ve covered that all here, so give it a (very necessary) read.
Once you’ve an idea of the university you’d like to join, look at their entry requirements, as this differs across institutions.
The most important thing to note is that not all universities accept transfers, or they don’t allow for transfers into the third year of your studies.
For example, Brunel University London allows you to transfer into Year 2 or Year 3 of your degree if you meet the necessary requirements. This often means that, in Brunel’s case, admissions tutors will review your module specification to check the content of your degree and ensure that you’ve completed relevant classes related to your chosen programme.
Other universities that allow you to transfer into Year 3 include the:
Meanwhile, places like the University of Edinburgh, Goldsmiths, University of London and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) only allow for transfer into Year 2, and a handful of programmes don’t even have such an option.
Regardless, most universities strongly advise you to email their admissions office to discuss your eligibility for the programme.
Disclaimer: Most UK undergraduate programmes start in September or October. This means that applications begin from January to June, so make sure you’re well aware of your timelines and deadlines.
One of the most stressful parts of figuring out how to transfer universities from the US to UK is all the applications you have to deal with. Source: AFP
2. Making your application
Once you’ve decided on a university, the next big step – and perhaps the most important one of all when we talk about how to transfer universities from the US to UK – is applying.
Like how you’d use the Common App in the US, UK universities use UCAS. You’ll need to create an account and pay a flat rate of 28.50 pounds (US$38.14) for up to five choices for 2025 entry.
From there, you’ll need to indicate which year you are applying to join when filling out the “Choices” section of your application by entering the appropriate point of entry: 1 (first year), 2 (second year), or 3 (third year).
You’ll then need your university’s specific institution code and the UCAS code for your chosen programme – all of which you can find on the university’s programme site.
Other things you’ll want to include are:
- All your most recent transcripts and qualifications in the qualifications section of the form;
- An entry for each of the modules that you will have completed by the time you hope to begin your studies at the university you’re transferring to;
- An explanation for applying for a transfer in your personal statement.
Your required grades will depend on the university and programme.
For instance, UCL’s Information Management for Business will require 5,5,5,5 in four distinctive AP subjects, taken in the final three years of high school, and its Psychology BSc calls for a 5,5,5,5,4 in five distinctive AP subjects.
On the other hand, the University of Greenwich has a Business with Finance (Year 2 & 3 Direct Entry), BA Hons programme, and you’ll need a High School Diploma with a minimum GPA 3.2 or GED with a minimum grade of 175. The Psychology BSc programme requires the same.
Some UK universities — like Oxford Brookes University and the London Metropolitan University — have credit transfer systems that help ensure your past studies don’t go down the drain. Most frequently, transfer credits are evaluated individually based on academic transcripts and course descriptions to ensure appropriate placement.
Applications can get competitive, so it’s good to start applying as early as possible. This will give the university plenty of time to review it and reach a decision.
Make sure you get your documents right or else you’ll never to able to get your foot in the door. Source: AFP
3. Immigration and housing
The next step on this list of “how to transfer universities from the US to UK” might be the most troublesome part, but bear with us, for this is the last big chunk of paperwork you’ll need to complete.
Here’s where applying for a UK Student visa comes in.
This happens after you get a confirmation from the university you’re transferring to that they’ve secured your spot, which involves providing you with a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).
From there, the earliest you can apply for a Student visa is six months before you start your programme. The application takes under three weeks to process and approve, and costs 524 pounds (US$701.15) to apply from outside the UK.
On top of that, you’ll also need to pay an immigration health surcharge (IHS) as part of your online immigration application. This costs 776 pounds (US$1,038.35) per year – so if you’re transferring in for your second year and will finish the degree in your third year, it’ll cost a total of 1,552 pounds (US$2,076.70) for a two-year visa.
Somewhere between that, though, is finding where to stay.
Most universities will have some form of student accommodation available, but those can go quickly so you’ll need to apply for them once you get your CAS.
Unsuccessful? Check in with the university’s student support, and they’ll be more than happy to help you with this search. Brits also often use Facebook groups to source anything, and that extends to housemates too. You can also opt for Discord channels or Whatsapp groups to find a buddy too.
With that done, it’s time to get your flight ticket and prepare for takeoff.
As the flag carrier of the UK, British Airways is always a reliable pick. It lands in most of London’s airports, and it’s a pretty solid location to help you get to the rest of the country via the trains and bus systems.
Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines are good picks too, so it’s a matter of which airline is most convenient for you in terms of where it departs.
One thing people don’t tell you when you ask about how to transfer universities is settling into the said university. Source: AFP
4. Settling into your life abroad
A big part of how to transfer universities from the US to UK is the research, paperwork, and just getting there. But once you’ve landed on these shores, there’s quite a bit to do too.
One of the best things to do, especially as the academic year has just started, is to dive headfirst into Fresher’s Week – the UK equivalent of Orientation Week or Welcome Week.
Here, you’ll get a real glimpse of student life at the university, and there will be plenty of people around to share what the school and its community offer.
Bonus tip: the first few weeks of classes are also great times to make a good impression on your professors – drop by their offices or hang back after class to introduce yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask any questions related to the curriculum.
A concern you might have, especially as someone who has already started their studies in the US and is wanting to transfer to the UK, is if your student loans will cover this decision.
There’s no easy answer to it. This ultimately depends on how you apply for the loan and what it entails.
Some loans are specific to a university and the programme, while others may offer more leeway. This simply means that you’ll want to check with your provider before you decide to shift from a university in the US to UK.
That aside, another thing to note is that the grading systems between the US and the UK differ significantly.
While you’ll be familiar with getting a Grade Point Average (GPA) for your performance, UK’s system uses percentages and is categorised into degree classes (First-Class, 2:1, 2:2). This table from The Profs puts it simply:
Source: The Profs
The next thing you might take note of is the difference in your student life.
In the US, most are familiar with collegiate life, that is, the blend of academic challenges, social opportunities, personal growth, and fun experiences you find within the university.
Sports culture and school spirit is a huge thing too. One Redditor puts it simply: “There are 12 stadiums in the world with an official capacity of 100,000 people or more. Nine of the 12 were specifically built for college football.”
However, in the UK, campus life depends on whether the university you’re studying at is campus-based or city-based. Sports culture is less emphasised here but you’ll be sure to find a sports club that meets some of your wants.
Either way, your campus life often means living and studying close to university facilities and how that affects our experiences.
One of the easiest examples to understand is that in the US, you’ll find fraternities and sororities all around, while in the UK, no such system exists. Instead, while student clubs and societies are abundant, there is less emphasis on building your identity around them.
So, what does this mean?
In short, you simply might have to make more effort in making friends and building relationships, as there are no hard “systems” in place for it. Whether that comes from hanging out with those in your department or participating in the university’s student society events, it’s all up to you to embrace the opportunities.
At the end of the day, if you ever find yourself lost and unsure of what to do, student support – no matter which UK university you end up in – is always just one ask away.
Good luck!
