[#LINKEDUpresents: UK University Application and Subject Selection Strategies]

LINKEDUx University Application
UK universities are renowned for their academic research quality and have always been popular among students considering studying abroad. When applying to UK universities, parents and students are generally familiar with the application process and required documents of the UK Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), and they can gather information about different UK universities from the online world. However, in the past five years, UK university applications have shown a trend towards specialisation, and the competition for certain specialised subjects has not decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, while some popular subject applications have become highly competitive, the admission requirements for some subjects have relatively decreased compared to previous years, allowing some students to enter highly ranked UK universities by applying to these subjects.

Although UK university applications have become more challenging, the entire application process is based on the key principle of "subject selection before choosing the institution." We generally advise students to think about what subjects they want to study before starting the UCAS application. Placing "subject" before "institution" is because when students are deciding which institution to apply to, we recommend prioritising subject rankings and selecting universities that excel in teaching desired subjects. Of course, UCAS does not set a limit on the number of subjects to apply for, but since students can only submit one personal statement through the UCAS system, selecting a subject is crucial.

Once the subject is determined, the next step is to choose the institution. Many students refer to various ranking tables when making their choices and select their preferred universities accordingly. When considering institutions, we suggest everyone consider the "four principles of institution selection":

Priority on Subject Rankings: Under the premise of "subject selection before choosing the institution," subject rankings relatively indicate a university's teaching experience and academic strength in related subjects. If an institution's overall ranking is lower but its subject ranking is relatively higher, it demonstrates that the university has teaching experience and expertise in the relevant subjects, making it worth considering for an application.

Balancing Institution Rankings: Institution rankings are also important when assessing an institution, as they indicate the institution's academic quality and performance across various subjects.

Teaching Tradition: Some universities with lower rankings have a long history and experience in certain subjects. They are also worth considering for applications. These subjects are often technical in nature, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, measurement, fine arts, and design.

Living Environment: Students will reside in an institution's location for at least three years, so factors such as lifestyle, environment, and safety are important considerations. Different environments can impact students' daily learning and living experiences.

As a side note, UCAS has multiple deadlines each year, so students need to be careful and ensure that all required documents are complete when submitting their applications. The UCAS application fee must be paid with a credit card to successfully submit it online.

Using the example of admission in September 2023:
For those interested in applying to the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, or medical, dental, or veterinary programmes: Applications must be submitted by October 15, 2022.
UCAS First Application Deadline: January 25, 2023.
Final Application Deadline for International Students: June 30, 2023.
UCAS Application Fee: £27 (for up to five universities).