GUIDE TO HIGHER EDUCATION
UK admissions process, including Degree Apprenticeships US and Canada applications
EU and other international Applications
HEAD AND DEPUTY HEAD’S WELCOME
This significant step in your daughter's academic journey is an exciting time as she begins to choose her future pathway and starts to carve her place in the world.
Here at North London Collegiate School, we are very proud of the excellent university outcomes that we enjoy, with cohorts consistently being offered places to read a diverse range of subjects that reflect their unique talents and aspirations at top universities across the UK as well as by elite universities abroad.
We understand that university application processes are new to some of you and might feel confusing, which is why we provide tailored, one-on-one support to guide your daughter through each stage. From choosing the right courses and universities, to crafting her personal statement, our dedicated Futures team and our Higher Education Mentors are committed to helping her make informed decisions every step of the way.
We hope that this Higher Education Guide proves useful and we would like to take the opportunity to wish every Year 12 good luck in their applications. We look forward to seeing them achieve great things in the next chapter of their academic journey!
Mrs V Bingham
Mr S Etienne Headmistress Deputy Head, Academic
WELCOME
University Guidance at NLCS is of the highest quality and centres around each pupil as an individual. For our pupils, applying for a form of Higher Education is the culmination of their journey through North London Collegiate School and we ensure that they have everything in place to make ambitious and successful applications. Nearly all our pupils go on to study at university, be it in the UK, the United States, Canada or elsewhere in the world. Most sixth formers choose the traditional route to university, directly after completing their A Levels or IB, with some electing to take a gap year or Art Foundation course first, whilst others decide to follow the Degree Apprenticeship or Conservatoire route.
For those pupils electing to apply to the US, preparation starts early and all pupils who are not new to the Sixth Form will have already met with our Head of US Applications at various points to ensure that they are building as strong a profile as possible. Over the last ten years, NLCS has enjoyed considerable success building relationships with an array of elite US universities, with pupils attaining offers from Yale, Columbia, Johns-Hopkins, Harvard, Duke and Brown, to name but a few. NLCS enjoys hosting many of these US colleges annually when they come to speak to pupils. SATs preparation is offered via UES and takes place during Enrichment in the Autumn Term of Year 12. After this, the Head of US Applications meets regularly with all applicants, advising them as they select early round universities and supporting them with their letters of application.
With pupils taking up offers to study in Heidelberg, Thessaloniki and Valencia in recent years, applications to the EU are growing in popularity. The Futures Team has a dedicated European Universities Lead who oversees all EU applications and meets with pupils regularly to support and advise them. NLCS enjoys regular visits from a variety of EU universities throughout the year to provide students with further opportunities to discover more about the courses they offer.
A relatively new alternative to a purely academic degree, but one that is both popular and highly competitive is the Degree Apprenticeship, in which study and work are split and students avoid starting their working life encumbered with student loan debt. Previous candidates have applied to a wide range of different degree apprenticeships in the fields of computing, law and finance, and met with success. Our Degree Apprenticeship Lead regularly meets with those applicants following this route, which is usually done alongside UCAS applications, and also advises the whole cohort of upcoming opportunities. Recently, pupils have received offers from Amazon, UBS and JP Morgan, all with degrees offered from Russell Group universities.
We also continue to provide support beyond the Sixth Form as those pupils deciding to apply post-qualification have a dedicated member of the Futures Team who liaises with them regularly about their UCAS application. They are also allocated a mentor and provided with the same opportunities to have mock interviews as those applying prequalification.
Thanks to our bespoke provision, every pupil receives a wide range of support tailored to her as an individual at every step on the road to Higher Education.
Ms D Mardell
Assistant
Head : University Guidance and Careers
TIMELINE
Towards the end of the Autumn Term in Year 12, sixth formers are offered a series of introductory lectures to help them better understand future paths open to them. Our Enrichment programme, which encourages and engenders a sense of unparalleled responsibility amongst the students, works alongside our preparation for university entrance. In the Spring Term of Year 12, pupils spend their Enrichment periods exploring either one or two possible degree choices in more depth, allowing them to gain valuable insight into what the study of these subjects would be like at undergraduate level.
In the Summer Term of Year 12, pupils select one Enrichment session to attend weekly which supports their proposed degree. Where subjects, such as Law or Medicine, are not taught in school, Enrichment sessions are offered that support pupils’ applications. Every pupil whose course has an admissions test is offered tailored sessions and mock admissions tests take place either towards the end of the Summer Term in Year 12 or in the Autumn Term of Year 13, depending upon the course.
During the Summer Term of Year 12, pupils also have a dedicated Higher Education Day which they spend building their UCAS profile, meeting their Higher Education Mentor and attending our Universities Fair which is run by recent ONLs.
Applicants are asked to have a draft Personal Statement completed for their mentor to check by the end of the Summer term in Year 12. They meet with their mentor again in September once they have completed it. Whether pupils are applying Early Entry (medics, dentists, vets and Oxbridge applicants) or not, all pupils are strongly encouraged to complete their application early in the Autumn Term of Year 13 so that they can return to focusing on their academic studies. Every pupil meets one-to-one with the Assistant Head: University Guidance and Careers, who advises them of any final amendments to their Personal Statement, checks their qualifications (form tutors will have already checked these as well) and guides applicants concerning the range of universities on their application. Applicants will liaise with her again before choosing which two universities to ‘firm’ and ‘insure’.
For those pupils electing to apply to the US, preparation starts early in Year 12 and all pupils who are not new to the Sixth Form will have already met with our Head of US Applications at various points in Years 10 and 11 to ensure that they are building as strong a profile as possible.
Over the last ten years, NLCS has enjoyed considerable success building relationships with an array of elite US universities, with pupils attaining offers from Yale, Columbia, Johns-Hopkins, Harvard, Duke and Brown, to name but a few. NLCS enjoys hosting many of these US colleges annually when they come to speak to pupils.
SATs preparation is offered via UES and takes place during Enrichment in the Autumn Term of Year 12. After this, the Head of US Applications meets regularly with all applicants, advising them as they select early round universities and supporting them with their letters of application.
MEET THE TEAM
• Ms D Mardell, Assistant Head, University Guidance and Careers (oversees UK and the rest of the World except US, Canada and EU)
• Dr P Aherne, Head of US and Canadian University Applications
• Mr T Rodrigues, Degree Apprenticeship Lead
• Mrs M Muirhead, EU Applications Lead
A HISTORY OF SUCCESS
94% of our leavers in 2025 are studying at a Russell Group University*
*5% are studying in the US and Canada
85% of our leavers in 2025 are studying at universities ranked in the top 100 worldwide*
*QS Rankings
44% of leavers in 2025 are studying at a QS Top 10 university
“My enrichment teacher really helped me by giving very simple yet profound questions, much like in the real interview, where I was invited to reflect on preconceived ideas, and these sessions undoubtedly had the biggest impact on my admissions process. ”
Successful Oxford applicant for Ancient History and Classical Archaeology
“Externalchallenges likeChemistry and Biology Olympiads and poster/essay competitions have really helped me develop my skills of "thinking outside the box” when faced with unfamiliar scenarios. ”
89% of pupils made their Firm offer (93% made their Firm or Insurance)
Successful Oxford applicant for Medicine
A HISTORY OF SUCCESS
100% of those who applied received offers from Durham, Nottingham, Birmingham, York, QMUL, Newcastle and Loughborough
38% of those who applied to Oxbridge received an offer with 26/27 meeting their offers.
83% of our Edinburgh applicants received offers (25 in total)
“The support I received from the school during the admissions process was incredible, from help when discussing courses and colleges, to the continued encouragement to explore my chosen subject further, with Physics Olympiads and other reading. Our weekly enrichment sessions were invaluable and by the end of the sessions, I noticed a significant increase in my confidence and fluency when approaching more complex challenges. ”
Successful Cambridge applicant for Engineering
44 pupils received offers from UCL and 13 received offers from Imperial
THE ACADEMIC MENTOR
Every applicant has an Academic Mentor who meets with them regularly to discuss application. Mentors advise on further reading, relevant podcasts and lectures, discuss work experience, where relevant, in Year 12.
In Year 13, Mentors help applicants to mould pupils’ answers to the three questions form the new style Personal Statement:
• Why do you want to study this course or subject?
• How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this subject?
• What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why experiences useful?
They also advise on the range of universities that their mentee may wish to Where required, Mentors also provide mock interviews in the latter half of the term.
“I regularly met with my mentor to look over my personal statement. Through discussions with her, I was able to ensure my personal statement truly reflected my love and passion for the course I chose to study. ”
Successful Warwick applicant for PPE
“Having mentors was useful as it gave me an opportunity to discuss and build upon the ideas in my personal statement. My mentor also helped me select an essay for my written work submission,making theexperience more enjoyable. ”
Successful Oxford applicant for History
MOCK INTERVIEWS
“In the run-up to the interview, I had lots of mock interview sessions with my mentor where we would practise differenttypes ofquestions thatmight come up, fromdiscussing material that he hadgiven me to read to talking aboutmy submitted written work. ”
Successful Cambridge applicant for HSPS
External mock interviews are provided for every applicant requires them, in order to provide pupils with the experience being interviewed by someone unknown to them. External interviewers are always subject specialists with Oxbridge experience.
Internal interview are also conducted by a member of relevant department at NLCS and feedback is given to pupils both their internal and external mock interviews prior to real ones.
Where it is felt that an applicant would benefit from additional interview practice, this is offered. However, we do not multiple mock interviews as a rule, as we do not want applicants to sound ‘over-rehearsed’.
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT
Weekly Enrichment sessions in the Summer term of Year 12 and the Autumn term of Year 13 afford all pupils the opportunity to explore their subject in greater depth as well as preparing them for any admissions tests relevant to their course.
Where pupils are applying for Joint Honours or need to attend various Enrichment sessions due to admissions test preparation, a bespoke programme is created, based on each individual pupil’s application. A Computer Science applicant would attend Enrichment sessions in both Mathematics and Computer Science, for example, in order to ensure they are prepared for the TMUA whilst also extending their subject knowledge beyond the curriculum.
“By tackling a range of different angles of my subject [in Enrichment lessons], I was able to find topics outside the syllabus to mention in my personal statement, and later in my interview. ”
Successful Oxford applicant for History
“Duringweeklyenrichmentsessions,myteacherschallengedme withunfamiliarquestionsandencouragedmetoarticulatemy reasoningaloud,mirroringthestyleoftheinterviewitself.This approachhelpedmeengagewithnewbiochemicalideas,think criticallyonthespot,andremainconfidentevenwhenIwasn’t immediatelycertainoftheanswer.”
Successful Oxford applicant for Biochemistry
APPLYING TO THE UK
What to consider:
• University and course type
• 5 choices
• Oxbridge
• Costs
• Accommodation
• Location
UNIVERSITY TYPE
Universities in the UK fall into one of the following types :
TRADITIONAL OR ANCIENT UNIVERSITIES
Some of the Russell Group (24 research-intensive universities) and other long-standing universities. They usually have the highest entry requirements and long-standing reputations for academic research.
REDBRICK AND PLATE-GLASS UNIVERSITIES
These institutions became universities before the First World War or in the 1960s and are named for the architecture commonplace during those periods. Lots of Russell Group universities are also Redbrick or Plate-glass universities. Most also have high entry requirements.
METROPOLITAN OR NEW UNIVERSITIES
These date from the 1990s and often offer a more diverse range of courses. They may offer lower entry requirements than the aforementioned universities.
SPECIALIST UNIVERSITIES
They focus on one particular area and are sometimes referred to as conservatoires or academies.
PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES
These include BPP and the University of Law as well as others.
COURSE TYPE
Pupils have only one Personal Statement but may apply for slightly different courses at each of their 5 chosen universities, such as joint honours at one and single honours at another. Each university cannot see where else applicants have applied to, except where an applicant applies to the same university for multiple courses. To do this is not necessarily detrimental as many have similar courses that might appeal and the university in question may infer that the applicant is eager to attend their institution.
Applicants may choose to apply for :
Single Honours : modules are taken in one subject area
e.g. Economics
Joint Honours : modules are taken in two subjects of approximately equal weight
E.g. Economics and Spanish
Major/minor honours : at least half of the modules are in the major subject and a quarter in the supporting subject
E.g. Economics with Spanish
Straight to Master’s : a small number of degrees will take applicants through to Master’s from undergraduate.
E.g. MEng
CHOICES
All applicants are advised to select 2 aspirational, 2 solid and 1 safe university based on their Predicted Grades. Applicants will find that some undergraduate courses have lower entry requirements than others. This does not necessarily reflect the quality of the course but instead signifies that this is likely to be a shortage subject if it is at a Russell Group or other top university, and so the university is encouraging applicants to apply by reducing their requirements.
Those applying to study Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine can only select four universities and may choose an additional nonmedical, dental or veterinary degree as a fifth option. They should ensure that the course has a lower grade requirement than their main degree so that it can act as an insurance choice if required. Applicants have previously applied for Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology and Immunology and Pharmacology etc. *
Applicants are reminded that they cannot apply to both Oxford and Cambridge and must choose between them.
The Unifrog website has a UK university course search function which helps applicants narrow down their shortlist and we strongly advise pupils to use it as part of their decision-making process.
The EPQ can lower entry requirements for some courses at some universities by one grade if applicants attain an A, or sometimes a B grade, in their EPQ.
*In addition to their London campus, QMUL has another campus on the island of Malta – please see EU section for more information.
OXBRIDGE
Many courses are similar at Oxford and Cambridge but some, such as Science and are quite different. Pupils are advised to look carefully at the modules of the courses considering before deciding whether to apply to Oxford or Cambridge. Pupils whose are similar across both universities are strongly encouraged to attend Open Days that they can see which feels like a better fit. Pupils should also take into account competitive their course is and whether or not an admissions test and/or submitted required.
When selecting their college, applicants should not become overly attached to college as there is a chance that they could be ‘pooled’ and offered a place by another Where more than one applicant selects the same Oxbridge college for the same pupil who selected the college first is given preference, unless they are happy to college with another applicant; however, Oxford and Cambridge have stated that admit two applicants to the same college for the same course (and have done so previously NLCS applicants)
In addition, it is prudent for applicants to check:
• whether a college has a history of favouring state school applicants
• facilities colleges have or their proximity to facilities that align with applicants’ curricular interests
• location, price and quality of accommodation in all three years
• if the library is open 24/7
• proximity to their faculty
• If there are teaching professors in their subject at that college
• quality of catering Candidates are dissuaded from relying on statistics such as ratios concerning the number of applicants to places at particular colleges, as these vary year on year and do not reflect what a particular trend might be in the current cycle.
OXBRIDGE
“I have benefitted from the guidance which we received all the Year 12 when we were preparing for the UCAT (Medicine admissions when we were making decisions on what universities to apply to, the mock interviews arranged by the school from both external interviewers and teachers. There was even an Oxbridge Medicine interview preparation session which I attended and found incredibly useful, and the thinking that I practised in that session was very similar to interviews themselves. ”
Successful Oxford applicant for Medicine
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS IN 2026 HAVE BEEN OFFERED PLACES TO READ
Oxford
Medicine
Biochemistry x3 (1 ONL)
Spanish and Arabic
History x3
Cambridge
Medicine (ONL)
Engineering x4
Natural Sciences (Biological)
Natural Sciences (Physical) (ONL)
Economics and Management Computer Science
PPE x3 Mathematics
French Law
Theology and Religion
Italian and Linguistics
Law
COLLEGIATE UNIVERSITIES
All applicants considering Durham should also give thought to the same elements as those applying to Oxbridge.
More detailed information about Oxbridge and Durham college selection is made available to pupils on their UCAS Team. Please note that colleges are selected post-offer by Durham, unlike Oxbridge.
At the universities of York and Lancaster, the colleges are linked to residential, social and sporting facilities only.
“While researching accommodation, I tried to find a range of opinions. I messaged some connections, including ONLs, asking for advice and their experience. I think it's important to gather impressions from as many people as possible, especially speaking to them personally and mentioning preferences. This will also hopefully allow for friendly networking and some familiarity once at theuniversity!”
Successful Durham applicant for Natural Sciences
COSTS
UK university fees are going up to £9,790 for 2026/27 for all UK applicants. This does not include the price of accommodation nor living costs. Student loans are applied for separately to the UCAS application, via the government website, and can include a Tuition Fee Loan as well as a Maintenance Loan to help with living costs. These loans should be applied for prior to starting university.
In the Summer Term of Year 12, all parents receive an email from the Assistant Head: University Guidance and Careers inviting those parents who believe their daughter is eligible to apply to the Contextual Data Service to complete a submission to them. Those assessed as eligible will not have to pay the cost of applying through UCAS (£34.50) and may receive lower, contextual offers from some universities. If your child is planning an early application, you will need to apply for consideration by 30th June.
The cost of applying to a UK university if you are an international student is about £22,000 per year but can vary from £11,400 to £38,000. Some universities, in particular some Oxbridge colleges, may charge significantly more. There are a number of scholarship programmes available to international applicants, such as the Jardines Scholarship, and we strongly encourage international applicants to research what is available to them.
Some universities offer bursary programmes to applicants from certain backgrounds, such as the University College, Oxford Beacon Programme which is open to British students with Black African, Black Caribbean, Bangladeshi or Pakistani heritage, members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, care-experienced students, asylum-seekers, and refugees.
ACCOMMODATION AND LOCATION
The vast majority of UK universities provide accommodation in halls first year of undergraduate study only. It is worth having some knowledge the rental market in the towns or cities of those universities to which daughter is applying so that you have a good idea of the future costs of in a particular place.
In addition to accommodation, all applicants should consider if they wish apply to campus or city universities. Both types have benefits and drawbacks, and it will depend upon each applicant’s preferences as to which they select if they are happy to choose a mixture of both.
DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS
How does it differ from a traditional degree?
Applying
WHAT IS A DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP?
A degree apprenticeship (level 6) allows you to graduate with a Bachelor’s or Master’s whilst also working with prestigious companies such as HSBC, Deloitte or KPMG, for example. It usually takes four years in total and successful applicants can earn up to £30,000 per annum.
PROS:
You gain valuable, paid work experience
Your degree is fully paid for, so you don’t need a student loan
You will have a head start on graduates entering the workplace
CONS:
You spend around 80% of your time working and the remaining 20% at university.
Please note that Scottish degree apprenticeships are called ‘Graduate Apprenticeships,’ whilst in Northern Ireland, they are referred to as Higher Level Apprenticeships or HLAs.
You have to balance work and study
You probably won’t get the traditional university experience
It is incredibly competitive to get one and you should be looking to apply to around 20 DAs.
In 2025, two leavers began their Degree Apprenticeships with JP Morgan/Exeter (Finance) and UBS/Exeter (Business).
APPLYING
Vacancies open in September of Year 13 (usually in Finance) and continue into the Spring term.
Each DA is different, but most require specific grades, like a traditional degree, although they are often lower.
UCAS offers a ‘search apprenticeships’ tool that we advise applicants to make the most of as well as other platforms such as Shortlistme which gives further video interview practice.
Applicants apply in the same way that they would for a job. The exact format of the application will vary from firm to firm. Our Degree Apprenticeships Lead checks through all applications and advises on how many to apply to and which firms look like the best match for the student.
If applicants are applying through UCAS and selecting the DA route, we advise completing UCAS early in September so that they are better able to balance their DA applications and their academic studies.
We also offer all our DA applicants mock interviews in the style of each sector being applied to, so that they feel fully prepared.
THE DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAY
Prisha was successful in her Degree Apprenticeship application to JP Morgan/Exeter last year and describes applying and how she is finding the experience ,
Through this process, I've learnt that treating the interviews as conversations and therefore not being as nervous has helped me quite a bit.
Confidence is also key in selling yourself and I also found thatexperiences such as explaining school events I've helped to organise and talks I've delivered in Economics and Finance society were valuable to talk about especially alongside any work experience, to build up depth.
Research on the bank was essential, so I learnt the ins and outs of the bank very well, including the founder, the values and key facts and figures. I found that imbedding figures and statistics as well as past projects that JP Morgan had engaged in, into my answers showed them that I not only wanted the degree apprenticeship but also was just as excited to work for their specific company.
Knowing how you want to present yourself through dress, speech, confidence and communication is really important too.
So far, I am loving the first 6 months of my DA. Whilst it has been a steep learning curve and I have had to adapt to balance university studies, work and my professional qualifications at the same time, it has helped me to understand so much more about Finance and what my future career could look like.
It has been wonderful connecting with professionals and my fellow DA’s and I am looking forward to the coming 4 years on the program. Through building upon these, I have made some lifelong friends and doors have been opened, exposing me to various pathways and opportunities to get involved in.
I would definitely recommend a DA and feel like mine thus far has solidified my career interests and prospects. I already feel like I have been exposed to countless new opportunities and I cannot wait for what is to come!
APPLYING TO EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES
What to consider:
• Curriculum structures, types and sizes of institutions
• Dual degree programmes and US universities in EU countries
• Academic Fit
• Applying
• Finances
CURRICULUM STRUCTURES
Across the different countries in the EU there exists a broader range of curriculum structures than in the UK:
1. Single/Joint Honours
(like the UK where you apply for one or two subjects)
3. Liberal Arts and Sciences (you apply to the university for many subjects)
2. Double Degree
(you apply to the course but the subjects vary)
4. Interdisciplinary (you apply to the course and it’s taught thematically)
Universities abroad are not so easily ‘ranked’ as in the UK as many universities across Europe vary due to the difference in approach to teaching in that particular country (see above), so it is best to check a number of factors to see if a certain university is the one for you.
TYPES AND SIZES OF INSTITUTIONS
Research Universities
Liberal Arts Universities
Art and Design Universities
Science and Technology Universities
Business Universities
Hospitality Universities
Applied Science Universities
Engineering, for example, will be offered at Freie Universität Berlin, Technical University of Munich and HTW, but taught discretely at each. At Applied Sciences universities, you are taught a professional education. The course helps you acquire competencies, often training for a particular job, and normally includes work placements. Most lecturers offer work experience and are practitioners. By contrast, Research universities offer academic, theoretical higher education. You learn to be analytical, critical and present both spoken and written arguments; as in the UK, the course is not necessarily linked to a particular job, but gives you the transferable skills employers desire. With these, most lecturers have PhDs and are conducting research into their area of teaching.
The sizes of institutions vary more than in the UK, with private universities usually being considerably smaller than public ones; for example, Sapienza in Rome has some 115,000 students, whilst Twente in the Netherlands has only 9,000. Some campuses may provide accommodation (halls), but others may be the faculty buildings alone.
DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMMES
Dual degrees offer you the chance to become a degree holder from two universities. The University of Columbia in the USA runs dual degree programmes with the universities of Tel Aviv in Israel, Sciences Po in France and Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. UCL also runs a programme with Sciences Po.
Tara started her Columbia dual degree in 2024 and has highlighted aspects that she is particularly enjoying about her experience so far:
1. Beingexposed to and immersed in a completely different culture
2. The amazing community that has welcomed me […] and getting to know people with very different stories andexperiences
4. The diversity within my subjects - as a liberal arts student, I have continued studying calculus but at a university level, whilst also studying modern philosophy, such as the development of knowledge from Pythagoras to Google etc. as well as the fact that my classes changedrastically betweensemesters, so this semester I am able to take a Business class
5. Learning fromexperienced academics inmy favouritesubject,Philosophy
6. Being surroundedby suchentrepreneurialpeople
US AND UK UNIVERSITIES IN THE EU
A number of US and UK universities, such as the ones featured above, have campuses in Europe. The US campuses usually have higher admittance rates than their equivalent in the US and you can often transfer to the US to study there for part of your degree.
QMUL’s Malta campus is a possible non-UCAS fifth choice for Medicine, with a UCAT threshold that is considerably lower than that of the UK campus. Please note, however, that QMUL will not accept applicants who are re-sitting any or all of their A Levels.
ACADEMIC AND GENERAL ‘FIT’
If you are dual tracking (applying to an EU country and the UK), be alert to clashes between the two systems as for the UK, you will need the required grades, but for the some universities in Europe you may need to complete the course, even if you attain a C, in order to meet your offer.
In addition to this, many public universities in Europe will require Maths A Level or minimum Standard Level in the IB.
It is also important to check how many international students are attending the university and how many courses across how many faculties are taught in English, especially if you do not have an A Level or IB Level in the language of that country, as otherwise you might find it harder to integrate.
Finally, it is also worth considering demographics and the socioeconomic profile of the town or city in which the university is based.
APPLYING
Websites such as www.astarfuture.co.uk are extremely useful, but always check the individual university’s website for up-to-date information such as course costs and application deadlines.
Lower grades might be offered by some EU universities, but is not a reflection of their academic standing. It should be noted that some universities in the EU are less lenient than UK institutions if you fail to make sufficient progress.
Some universities will have admissions tests e.g. EPFL, IE Madrid, Bocconi and the University of Navarra. You will need to check when and where these take place for each university.
Some universities, such as Bard, Berlin, may ask for a marked piece of work.
Motivational Statement:
The MS required by the majority of EU universities differs from the Personal Statement. It should reflect that you know what the international programmes are and the pupils attending. It should be specific to the course e.g. ‘In this class I’ve read that I can take…’ They want to know that you have done your research on them.
If you have a particular SEND or medical issue, check that universities can accommodate your needs, as this will not necessarily be the case.
FEES
Please note that these figures are a rough guide and may change slightly year on year .
It is also important to emphasise that when you are applying to the EU, residency can be very important. In the Netherlands, for example, universities will charge EU fees to EU nationals who are residents the UK; however, in Ireland, you must be resident for three to five years prior to applying in order to be granted EU rather than international fee status.
STUDYING MEDICINE IN GREECE
Sophia speaks about her experience studying Medicine at the University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Studying in the EU gives you the ability to experience an entirely different culture and familiariseyourself with a new way of living. This includes celebrating new holidays, speaking a new language andtrying new, traditional foods.
If you love travelling, you should definitely consider studying abroad as once you’re in mainland Europe, it is so much easier and cheaper to move between countries and spend weekends away in different cities.
You become a lot more confident and a lot more independent in a short amount of time, which will help you considerably in the future, whether it be with moving countries or justtryingsomething new.
Comparing the social life in Greece and in the UK, there are so many more options to choose from and life generally moves at a slower pace so you feel like you’re making the most of each moment.
Usually, on English-speaking courses, you are placed with people who also want to make friends and who form groups to go out and explore the new city and so (contrary to popular belief) there is not much time to feellonely, bored or homesick!
I highly, highly recommend studying abroad in Europe (especially Greece) if you want to have an amazing uni experience!!
US AND CANADA
What to consider:
• Types of institution
• Institutional ‘fit’
• Curriculum structures
• Applying and costs
• Canada
STUDYING HUMANITIES AT YALE
Amber is in her second year studying Humanities at Yale in the USA after completing the IB at NLCS in 2024. “Yale has genuinely been the best choice I’ve ever made. The greatest thing is the people. Anywhere else, I would never have been able to interact this closely with such a sheer scope of people, and it has certainly broadened my world view immeasurably. These relationships will undoubtedly last a lifetime.
There is also always something happening, and to the highest level too. We’re spoiled for choice for clubs, classes, activities, and the level they’re all operating at makes me really sit back andsay, “wow”. ”
STUDYING PRE-MED AT JOHNS HOPKINS
Navya is in her second year studying Pre-Med at Johns Hopkins in the USA after completing the IB at NLCS in 2024
“WhatIenjoythemostatJHUistheabilitytochoosemyclassesforthe semesterwithoutanyrestrictionsfrommyintendedmajor,whichletsme exploredifferentsubjectsIaminterestedin.Theschoolalsohassomany offeringsforpre-medstudents,whetheritislabresearch,internshipsor pre-med student associations.
Ihavealsobeenabletocontinuemyextracurricularpassionforsingingby joiningacompetitiveacapella team, for which I travel around the US to participateincompetitions.”
TYPES OF INSTITUTION
Whilst there are only around 160 HE institutions in the UK, there are around 4,000 providers in the US. Understandably, this means there is a lot more variety in terms of college type:
TECHNICAL SCHOOLS: they specialise in offering engineering, science and research degrees and courses; e.g. Georgia Institute of Technology
PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES: these are state affiliated and often called state universities; e.g. The University of California
PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES: they are not sponsored or supported by the government; e.g. MIT
IVY LEAGUE UNIVERSITIES: this name describes 8 universities that were initially formed as an athletic conference of sports teams based in the North-East of the US (e.g. Yale University).
It is not a group of academically superior schools akin to the Russell Group in the UK.
LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES: they focus on the humanities, sciences and social sciences. They are public or private institutions with high academic standards providing individual attention in smaller classes; e.g. Pomona College ‘College’ simply means that there are no graduates, so the focus is on undergraduate teaching.
INSTITUTIONAL ‘FIT’
All applicants need to dedicate time to researching the institutions in order to find out which ones are a good ‘fit’ for them.
For this reason, applying to multiple Ivy League universities is not a good idea. These universities are quite unique institutions, so someone who is a good ‘fit’ for Yale will probably not be a good ‘fit’ for Cornell or Princeton, for example.
Check the admittance rates for each university. Students with lists where all 10 colleges have admittance rates of under 9% might not get any offers, as a college with an admittance rate of under 25% is deemed ‘highly competitive’.
If possible, tour the colleges to which your daughter plans to apply. We are launching a biennial US university colleges tour which will give potential applicants the chance to visit a range of US universities and meet admissions deans.
CURRICULUM STRUCTURES
Degrees in the US are generally split into thirds: majors, minors, and general education (with breadth requirements). The year itself is generally divided into two semesters, each lasting 18 weeks and courses usually start in August; this varies between institutions.
Some universities, such as Columbia and Chicago, will have a Core Course, whilst others, like Brown, have an Open Curriculum. More commonly, there are General Education/Breadth requirements that are combined with Major/Minor electives.
Please note that both Medicine and Law are studied postgrad.
Holidays will be different in the US, with ‘Thanksgiving’ and ‘Spring Break’ being two major ones that do not exist in the UK.
COSTS
Tuition fees can cost up to $80,000 per year. Bear in mind that most undergraduate degrees last four years.
On-campus accommodation is typically in dormitories, with two or three people per room. Residents share bathrooms, toilets and showers, unlike in the UK where first year undergraduates can expect to have their own room but may share bathrooms.
It’s important to bear in mind direct and indirect costs. For example, travel is invariably higher for international students as they will be flying to and from their home country. This won’t be included in the declared costs.
Each university will have page on their website which explains their projected 'cost of attendance'
APPLYING
THE APPLICATION:
Our Head of US universities guides all applicants through the entire US admissions process, including the Common App, required essays, personal statement and supplementals etc. He also advises on the range and number of universities, and oversees the academic references provided by the school for each applicant. When candidates apply to the US, they immediately become an ambassador for NLCS. Due to the very personal way that each individual application is processed by admissions deans in the US, failure to meet predicted grades or an unforeseen rejection of any offers made by US institutions not only reflects badly on the applicant, but also on NLCS as a school, and could adversely affect future applicants. For this reason, students who secure an Early Offer are expected to accept this offer and withdraw from any regular round university applications.
CANADA
Hannah is in her first year studying Humanities at McGill in Canada after completing A Levels at NLCS in 2025.
“What I love the most about McGill is its mix of campus and city. The campus is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen, but it’s also located in the heart of downtown Montreal. The sheer number of activities there are to do in the city have meant that I have a great balance between my academics and my life outside university. The endless opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities alongside my degree have been so valuable, and a natural continuation from my time at NLCS. Being in North America, I also have a huge amount of flexibility with my degree. I’mmajoring in Political Science, minoring in Hispanic Studies, and taking electives in other languages, History, and soon, Classics. Unlike other higher education systems, in which the degree you apply for is the one you get, at McGill, my Arts degree is very much built by the exact courses I want to study, and I’m so grateful for that. ”
We have great success with Canadian universities. In 2025, NLCS applicants enjoyed a 100% success rate with four offers from McGill University and one offer from the University of Toronto (with a first year scholarship).
Higher education in Canada is organised by province, which means that there can be significant differences between universities; e.g. Quebec differs to all other provinces.
Most Canadian universities tend to follow the US course structure; however, fees may vary depending upon the province, institution and programme of study.
FURTHER AFIELD
STUDY FURTHER AFIELD
Over the past two years alone, NLCS students have applied to a wide range of universities :
• The University of Hong Kong (Scholarship for Medicine)
• The University of Hong Kong (Asset Management and Private Banking)
• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Finance)
• The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Quantitative Finance and Risk Management)
• Manipal University, India (Biotechnology)
• Madras Institute of Technology, India (Applied Sciences and Humanities)
Australia :
Applicants usually apply directly to Australian universities from the Spring term of Y13 and must submit their application at least five months before courses start. Please note that Australian universities start the academic year in January/February rather than September. More information can be found on Unifrog .
Hong Kong :
Applicants usually apply directly to their chosen university/ies. Applications are generally due in the November of Y13 and are sometimes evaluated on a rolling basis so make sure you get your application in early if that’s the case at your university of choice. More information can be found on Unifrog .
• University of Tokyo, Japan (MFL)
• Tsinghua University, China (Economics)
India:
The admissions window for many courses begins in April and ends the of Y13 but some institutions open their application process as early as October, with entrance exams given as early as December. We recommend that applicants check their preferred university’s website or contact the admissions office to confirm deadlines well in advance.
MULTIPLE COUNTRY DEGREES/CAMPUSES
A very small number of universities offer degrees during which you study in a campus in a different part of the world every year, either moving as an individual or with your entire cohort. Applicants can apply to some of these universities through UCAS or choose to apply to them directly as a sixth choice.
• The European School of Economics is on UCAS and has campuses in Madrid, London, Rome, Milan and Florence. Students have the opportunity to study at a different campus every year.
• The S P Jain London School of Management is also on UCAS and charges UK fees. Students can choose up to two semesters in the School’s sister campuses in Singapore, Dubai or Sydney.
• Minerva University is unique in that it offers students the chance to change campus every term, travelling to a new campus with their entire cohort. Current campuses include San Francisco, Berlin, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Seoul, Hyderabad, London and Taipei.
