How to apply to university

How to apply to university: essential guide to university applications

Expert advice and support for all stages of the university application process and studying abroad

Carly Minsky

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Applying to university can seem very daunting. There’s so much to do! But really, getting your application in is just a series of stages: do the research, narrow down your university choices, write the applications, and then play the waiting game. Then come the final decisions.

Nobody else can help with the waiting game (start a new box set?), but as for the other steps, there’s plenty of support available for choosing universities and writing applications, whether from your teachers, expert advisers or a multitude of online resources.

For those looking to study abroad and students happy to stay closer to home, the following guide includes many of the tools and resources you need to make informed decisions and applications that show off your true potential.

Choosing your university

Researching the options available to you is an essential start to your university application process. This depends on many factors, including entry requirements, funding and financial factors, subjects and courses available and many more.

Common advice includes visiting universities in which you are interested, or at least making contact with someone – student or otherwise – at the university so you can understand more about whether it is the right fit for you.

But such factors often have to come second to important considerations about visa requirements and funding opportunities. And when it comes to entry requirements, it is generally worth applying to a range of institutions so you have at least one back-up choice, just in case.

This is What Happens When You Apply To University

How do you apply to university, and what exactly happens along the way? From writing your personal statement to when to start packing your suitcase, discover the ins and outs of the university application process with our handy 10-step guide to university.

You might have talked to parents, teachers, or friends who’ve been to university, but as how to apply to university changes over the years, it’s not always easy to know what actually happens.

We’ve put together this university application timeline so you can plot and plan your way from researching how to choose the university course that’s right for you to packing your bags ready for your first day on campus.

1. Step One: Research

How do I research universities?

This is the time for talking to staff and students at UCAS Fairs, experiencing virtual and on-campus Open Days, and generally researching how to choose the university course that’s right for you.

Picking the right university will depend on a lot of factors, from modules on the course that you want to study to city life, so make a note of how each part of the university experience measures up. Browse university websites, request a prospectus or university guide, and sign up to email newsletters to find out more about the hidden side of university life.

2. Step Two: Your Application

How do I apply to university?

To apply to university you need to register with UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) where you’ll be guided to create your own UCAS Hub – your personal space to prepare and submit their application. The Hub is also where you’ll track your university application and any offers you receive.

If you’re at school or college, you’ll need to add your buzzword when you register (ask your teacher for this). Polish up your application and scrub up that personal statement – this is the moment when you show a university what you’re made of.

You can choose up to five courses but only four can be for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine/science.

3. Step Three: Waiting

How long does it take for universities to reply?

It can feel like a while until you hear back from your university choices (we have a reputation for sending out responses quite quickly!) so use this time to do a bit more research.

Most universities have online and on-campus Post Application Visit Days. Visiting campus and getting a ‘feel’ for life in the city or town can really help you decide which of your choices might be the one for you.

As you’re continuing your own research, university admissions tutors are reviewing your personal statement, reference, aptitude, skillset, and any special circumstances that affect your application.

4. Step Four: Hearing Back

What are conditional and unconditional offers?

Hearing back from universities is a nerve-wracking time.

When the university admissions tutors have made their decision, they’ll let you know by adding the decision to UCAS. This can happen quite quickly, from a couple of weeks after the admissions deadline to the following April.

There are three possible outcomes:

5. Step Five: Applying for Finance

How and when do I apply for student finance?

It’s at this point, between February and April, when you can start applying for student finance to cover tuition costs and living costs. You won’t need to start paying back this loan until you’ve finished university and are earning over a certain amount.

Soon-to-be-students from England can apply here, and students from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland can apply through their own government funding bodies.

Some universities offer bursaries and scholarships for future undergraduates, too. Delve deep into their websites to find out what they offer and what you might be eligible for. For more information on student finance, read our guide on how to apply for student finance.

6. Step Six: Responding

How do I reply to a university offer?

You can only start responding to offers once you’ve received a result from all of your chosen universities.

You need to choose one university as your first ‘firm’ choice and one as your second ‘insurance’ choice. Most often, the insurance choice will require lower entrance grades, so if you miss the grades needed for your first choice you might still be able to attend your insurance choice.

If you’ve used all five choices and you’re not holding any offers by the end of this period, you could still find a place through UCAS Extra.

7. Step Seven: Choosing Accommodation

How do I apply for university accommodation?

You might have already been on one or two in-person or online accommodation tours when you attended Virtual Open Days, on-campus Open Days and Post Application Visit Days. If you couldn’t make these events, some universities have virtual tours hosted all year round and you can read all about your options on their websites.

Every university’s process will be different, but at Newcastle, when you’re offered a place we also send an email inviting you to apply for accommodation. Our residences range from traditional halls to ultra-modern city-centre apartments, so there are lots of options to choose from.

Single students choose three residences, and we get back in touch with you once everyone has submitted their choices and we’ve allocated places. As long as you apply by the deadline in your email invite, you can take your time choosing which one is right for you. We’ll make every effort to offer you a place in your chosen accommodation, but we can’t guarantee it.

8. Step Eight: Exam Time

How do I make sure I get into university?

Now all you need are the grades!

Use our guide on how to revise for exams. Plan out your revision timetable with our free downloadable template, give yourself plenty of breaks, and practise self-care.

You can do this. Good luck!

9. Step Nine: Results Day

What do I have to do on Results Day?

It’s Results Day:

For more information on Results Day, we encourage you to read our blog on what to do on Results Day.

10. Step 10: Packing

When and what should I pack for university?

You’ve secured your place at university – and you’re all ready to go!

You’ve gone from wondering how to apply to university (doesn’t it seem so long ago?) to deciding which duvet cover to buy. To find out what you should pack for university, read our blog collated by current Newcastle University students on the packing essentials!

You’ve come a long way since you set out on the university application process, and now your journey is really about to begin…

Published By Caroline Hardaker on 25/11/2019 | Last Updated 10/05/2022

6 steps you need to take to apply to university

By Tamsyn McLennan
(Writer, The Uni Guide) | 04 January 2022 | 5 min read

Make sure you’re fully prepared for making your uni application with these six key steps

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1. Choose where you want to go and what you want to study

University is a big investment, so you’ll want to make sure you choose the right place and course.

When you’re deciding which course to take, there are a few things you can consider to make your decision a bit easier.

These include: the type of subject you want to study; how the course will be taught; how the course will be assessed; and whether the course has any particular grade requirements.

Charlie Ball, head of higher education intelligence for graduate careers experts Prospects at Jisc advises that «there’s no national syllabus for university courses. This means it’s important to check that the modules you are interested in are covered.»

It’s also worth looking for «courses that include work experience as you’ll really appreciate that when you graduate. Also look at whether you can do the extracurricular activities that interest you as this is a hugely important part of your personal development,» Charlie adds.

When you’re settling on a university, you might want to consider factors such as its location, how much it costs to live there and what kind of environment it has – a campus university or a city one, for example.

It’s also really useful to go to open days – or virtual open days – to get more of a feel for what a university is really like.

Charlie suggests that applicants «look at how good the student support services are as you never know when you might need them – and if you need them, you might really need them.»

And it’s worth speaking to current students to get their honest opinions on everything from the course content to the accommodation. Take a look at The Student Room forum for your chosen university to see what current students have to say, and to ask them any burning questions.

Expert advice: In this video from our sister site The Student Room, uni admissions experts give their advice on applying to uni, including how to choose a course and a university.

2. Make sure you know all the deadlines and key dates

Get those key dates down in your diary, so you can make sure you’re not missing any deadlines.

For most undergraduate courses starting in 2022, you’ll need to get your application in by 6pm GMT on 26 January 2022.

Everyone who applies by this date will be considered equally, whether they send their application in early or wait until the last minute.

If you miss this deadline you can still apply – the only difference will be that universities and colleges don’t have to consider your application if, for example, they’ve already got plenty of great applicants for their course.

3. Check the entry requirements

Entry requirements are the criteria set by the individual universities that students need to meet to be considered for a place on the course. These will vary depending on the university and course you’re applying to, with some having much tougher entry requirements than others.

You should be able to easily find each course’s entry requirements on the university’s website.

Entry requirements could include: certain qualifications such as GCSEs, A-levels, Highers and Btecs; portfolios of work; admissions tests; and Ucas points.

Ucas points are points assigned to different grades for post-16 qualifications. For example, an A* at A-level is worth 56 Ucas points, and an A is worth 48.

You can find everything you need to know about the Ucas tariff here, including the points assigned to all grades for A-levels, Highers, Btec Nationals, International Baccalaureate and Welsh Baccalaureate.

Here’s a bit more information about university entry requirements, including your options if you don’t have post-16 qualifications and what you can expect from admissions tests.

4. Get your application started

Once you’ve chosen your dream course and university, it’s time to get started on your application.

First of all, you’ll need to register with Ucas here. You’ll be able to choose up to five universities to apply to, and you’ll be asked to fill in your personal details, including your education history and all your qualifications.

You’ll also need to include a reference in your application. If your referee is someone at your school or college, they’ll enter their reference into your application once it’s all filled out – including your personal statement, but more on that below – and then send the whole thing off to Ucas.

5. Write your personal statement

Your personal statement is a really important part of your application – it’s your opportunity to show what makes you a great applicant and could end up being the deciding factor between you and someone else with similar qualifications.

Courteney Sheppard, senior customer experience manager at Ucas, says your personal statement «is the only part of the application that you have direct control over. Do lots of research to demonstrate your passion, curiosity and drive to pursue your chosen subject.»

It should include things like why you want to take that particular course, any extra-curricular activities you’ve been involved in that are relevant to your application and the skills or qualities you have that would make you good at the subject.

Expert advice: Uni admissions experts give their tips for writing your personal statement in this video from our sister site The Student Room.

6. Wait to start getting your offers!

There’s no set date that you’ll hear back from the universities by, although if you submit your application by the 26 January deadline for 2022 entry, it will be by 19 May 2022 at the latest.

Courteney from Ucas suggests that you «do further research about accommodation, student life and maybe even managing money whilst you wait for your offers to come through. Prepare and practice for interviews in case you get invited for one too!»

How to enter a foreign university

It is believed that entering the leading universities around the world is difficult and expensive. However, this is not always the case. With proper planning of time, finances, and personal resources, admission to a foreign university is possible. In this article, we will debunk the most common myths about studying abroad, as well as reveal the main subtleties of admission in a step-by-step instruction based on the experience of our employees.

In this article you will learn:

Spoiler alert: You need to start your preparation at least a year before admission, but it’s better to decide on educational institutions and assess your abilities even earlier.

If you think about it, the requirements for entering foreign universities are not very different from those in your country. Absolutely everywhere, they depend on the rating of a particular university, and the country’s policies regarding foreign students. Here you need to pay attention to three important factors.

Firstly, you should not chase only the top universities, solely based on their reputation. The quality of education and career prospects are determined not by the big name of the university, but by the knowledge and skills acquired during the training period. With a careful study of the programs, you can notice that universities that do not occupy very high positions in the ratings can suit you much better, and it will be much easier to enter.

Secondly, many countries are actively developing international academic mobility programs and are striving to simplify the application procedure for foreigners. This is facilitated by language courses and preparatory programs (Foundation / Pathway programs), allowing you to achieve the required language or academic level directly on the spot, sometimes even with guaranteed admission to the university upon completion.

Finally, it all depends on your motivation and determination. There are many examples when just by setting a goal and taking the time to prepare, students entered Harvard or Cambridge.

Ask yourself the question: «If everyone can do it, why can’t I?»

Fear of the unknown often limits the student in realizing their full potential. The perception of foreign education in society as something special gives reason to believe that studying abroad is difficult, and even impossible. The truth is that on the grand scheme of things, the essence of learning is the same everywhere, but each person has a different understanding of the optimal workload. To some, this or that element of the educational process in the country may seem insurmountably difficult, but to someone else, it is surprisingly simple. The only way to dispel your doubts is to study the peculiarities of countries, get to know different points of view, determine what education system is suitable for you, manage your expectations, but at the same time be willing to leave your comfort zone.

Also do not forget: foreign universities put great importance to independent work, including the search and study of information, writing essays, and research papers. Therefore, self-discipline and time management are the skills that each student will have to develop in order to successfully master the program. Having learned how to properly manage your time, you can deal with anything.

When it comes to education, there is no appropriate age, and the desire to learn is encouraged at any point in life. Receiving an education is a conscious choice that a person can make at the age of 17, and 45. In modern foreign universities, no one is surprised by adults studying hand in hand with high school graduates.

Guidance in the admission process

Our staff will walk you through the entire admission process: from choosing a university and preparing documents to enrollment and obtaining a visa. We are always in touch and ready to answer any questions. UniPage experts will always objectively assess your situation and suggest the most suitable university options.

Step by step instruction for admission to a foreign university

Further, we describe in detail all the steps taken by every applicant who wishes to study abroad.

Competition in good foreign universities is usually quite high, so before you enter you need to allocate some time to do things that will strengthen your profile and increase the chances of enrollment.

Here are some of them:

At the same time, it is important to consciously approach various kinds of activities — choose only those that will correspond to the future specialty. Obviously, it makes no sense to write reports or articles on the topic of economics if you are applying for medicine.

If you devise a plan a couple of years before admission, you will manage to distribute the load and not burn yourself out right before applying, when you will need to simultaneously prepare for the graduation exams, TOEFL, SAT, write an essay, prepare for an interview plus additional activities.

Note: the requirements for the profile of the future student vary depending on the cycle of education — for master’s and doctoral programs much more significant achievements will be needed compared to a high school graduate entering a bachelor’s program.

Step 1. Choosing a country

First, you need to choose a country and a city of study, specialization and a university. So, what factors do you need to pay attention to?

Tuition and living costs

The first thing you should consider is your budget, especially if it is limited. On the one hand, this will significantly narrow the choices available, on the other hand, it will simplify the search — you will not waste any time on considering options that are beyond your reach. Remember: the total cost is not only the tuition fees that are set by the university. A significant and sometimes even larger cost comes from living abroad. For example, in Germany, tuition fees may be around 154-308 USD per year, but at the same time, for rent and other personal expenses, the student will need to spend about 11,293 USD /year. Generally, the necessary amount of funds to cover the tuition and living costs per year (programs in English) is:

For accommodation, you need to have at least the amount that is required when applying for a student visa (bank statement). In practice, students spend even more depending on the city in which the university is located and how they spend their free time.

Often, the parents of future students jump to conclusions when it comes to the cost of living abroad, assuming that a dorm will cost them no more than 10-50 USD a month and at the same time it is guaranteed to all non-native students. However, booking a hostel abroad is completely different.

As for Europe, many universities do not provide dorms to foreign citizens at all. Basically they are designed for local students, in extreme cases — for master’s and doctoral students. As an alternative, universities offer accommodation options in partner residences, which are usually located near the school and very comfortable, but also not cheap.

«What should I do if I dream of entering a top university, but most likely won’t be able to afford it?»” — you ask. It is possible and even necessary to submit documents to the «dream university». With an excellent profile, you have a chance to get a scholarship, but at the same time, you should send applications to other universities just in case. Backup universities need to be selected on the basis of:

Often, applicants are sure that enrolling in a paid university is an easy task: it is enough to pay the required amount to get a guaranteed enrollment.

Unfortunately or fortunately, this is a big mistake. It is not enough to have a certificate with satisfactory grades and the necessary amount of money for admission. More than 50% of universities abroad are paid, but this does not mean the absence of competition.

In general, foreign universities can be divided into the following categories:

Language of instruction

With a limited budget, the language of instruction plays an important role. Most of the students want to study in the most widespread and, in their understanding, the most promising English language, but few people can afford English-speaking countries such as the USA, Great Britain or Australia. In this case, they are replaced by cheaper English-language programs in the cheaper countries of the Baltic States and Eastern Europe.

An even more affordable option is to study in the national language, for example, in Greece, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and some other countries. The student can start learning the language in advance, at high school and enroll in the 1st year of bachelor’s immediately after graduation, or go through the preparatory year with language courses directly in the country of study, and then continue to study at one of the state universities for free and with a low cost of living.

Of course, Czech, Polish, and other national languages are often not the first choices of applicants and parents due to their low popularity. But at the same time, they provide a number of advantages: after graduating from a university, students can get a residence permit or even citizenship in any country of the Schengen area much easier.

Of course, studying abroad involves the ability to communicate, listen to lectures, and write papers in the appropriate language of instruction. It is important to objectively evaluate your abilities — your academic performance and satisfaction with your studies depend on how well you are adapted to spoken language and what your vocabulary is. However, this does not mean that you are expected to be as proficient in a language as a native speaker. Some universities and colleges accept applicants even with low language scores, but most often the applicant is required to know the language at level B2-C1, which can be achieved in 9-12 months of intensive preparation. If you wish, you can study independently or take a language course/preparatory program directly in the country where you are planning to study. The latter option will provide an opportunity to completely immerse yourself in the linguistic and cultural environment and facilitate the process of adaptation. Remember the main thing: a slight accent or small flaws in speech will not interfere with your studies: modern universities are so international that no one puts special importance to such trifles.

As for non-English speaking countries, in most cases a wide choice of programs in English is available to the applicant. However, knowledge of the national language can provide benefits in the form of additional discounts on tuition, grants, and employment opportunities.

Required education

An important detail that applicants often do not take into consideration is the minimum education requirements. Not all countries accept applicants who completed 11 years of high school. This is due to the difference in secondary education systems: in many countries, school can last for 12-13 years. Because of this, applicants are forced to gain additional qualifications: for example, to study for a year at a university in the home country or undergo a preparatory program directly in the country of study. Remember: this might be different depending on the country — some countries with a 12-year education system will still accept students who studied for 11 years. It is important to study the features of a country’s educational system.

Regarding postgraduate programs, almost always except for medicine bachelor’s/master’s degrees acquired elsewhere are recognized as sufficient (equivalent) for admission to master’s and doctoral programs. But at the same time, universities can set their own requirements, such as having work experience in the specialty or, in rare cases, the minimum age (35+ for some MBA programs).

Step 2. Selecting a program

Having set the initial search criteria — budget, language of instruction, country(ies) — you need to start the actual search for programs. This is the most difficult and crucial step. Programs selected in accordance with your academic profile will provide the maximum chance of admission and, as a result, a quality education, a rich student life, and good employment prospects. Otherwise, the loss of the year until the next study year and going through the admission procedure all over again.

For the initial search, you can use the ratings of universities for the specialty you are interested in. Please note that the general ratings do not reflect the full picture: even in top universities there are weaker areas, and inconspicuous at the first glance universities may be recognized leaders in your field. With this in mind, you should compile a list of 40-50 programs, and then you need to move on to studying the requirements and content of each of them on the websites of universities.

The most convenient resources are aggregator sites (FindAMaster’s, Bachelorsportal and the like). They greatly simplify the task due to the ability to set search criteria. However, note that such sites are only useful in the initial stages of your research. In most cases, the data presented on publicly available (non-specialized) aggregators is irrelevant or very superficial. You can’t count on them if you want to know the exact names or content of programs, requirements, and even more so deadlines and tuition fees — all these must be checked on the official websites of universities.

Important: many students for convenience use the English or their native tongue versions of the sites (if any). But it is clear that universities rarely have time to update data in other languages. The most relevant information, as a rule, can only be found in the national language of the country of study. For example, if you are entering Germany, you should use the German version of the site, even if you intend to study in English. If you have any difficulties, you can always use Google automatic translation (there will be some mistakes and uncertainties, but it is still better than nothing).

Minimum requirements

As a rule, universities’ websites indicate the minimum requirements for admission. However, minimum requirements in this case only represent the possibility of participation in the competition — a kind of guarantee that the refusal will not come automatically without considering the full application package, only due to non-compliance with the requirements.

To assess your chances, you need to focus on the results of students who actually entered last year: GPA, SAT, TOEFL, and other exams. It is highly advisable to not count on the minimum threshold, but to set the bar a little higher — every year the statistics change and not always in favor of the applicant.

Program content

Be sure to read the curriculum. Universities often offer programs of the same name, but in reality, their content varies. This is especially important for master’s and doctoral studies, which are supposed to have a narrower specialization.

If you are applying to master’s programs, pay special attention to the scientific interests of professors — do they coincide with yours? You can track the career or scientific path of graduates — master’s or PhD degree holders, find scientific publications of teachers, ask about the availability of the necessary infrastructure: laboratories, clinics, etc.

Other factors

In addition to everything that we have already discussed, it is important to pay attention to several factors that will ensure comfortable training and living abroad. For example:

Step 3. Deciding on financing

A good opportunity to reduce expenses on education and accommodation is scholarships and grants. Obtaining them is quite difficult: as a rule, it is necessary to have very high scores and achievements that correspond with the training program. But even these are not a guarantee that you will succeed. Some excellent students frivolously choose expensive programs, without having the funds to pay for them and hoping only to get a scholarship. As a result, they risk spending a lot of time and effort on enrolling, but not being able to accept the invitation due to lack of funding.

A more reliable strategy would be:

Achievement-based scholarships can be provided by the government, private foundations, or universities themselves. Many educational institutions also offer financial assistance to all those in need (for example, US universities, including Harvard and MIT).

Of course, the competition for such programs is quite fierce. But do not fret — if you did not manage to win a grant, take a look at countries where education is free (Germany, Czech Republic) or has affordable prices (France, Belgium, Belgium, Korea).

You can learn the specifics on specialized resources (Scholarship Portal and the like). UniPage, in turn, offers document preparation services for submission to a number of scholarship programs that fully or partially cover the cost of studying at the university.

Important: universities and foundations in 99% of cases are ready to give scholarships only upon admission to the master’s and doctoral programs. Bachelor’s students should rely solely on their own financial capabilities.

Step 4. Passing international tests

The next step is to pass the tests and exams required for admission to the selected university. This is the main reason why it is recommended to start your preparation at least a year before admission. There are three types of exams:

Foreign applicants must pass the language test, the rest depends on the requirements of a particular country or program. For example, for admission to bachelor’s studies in the United States, the SAT test is required. Universities in Europe, the USA, and some other countries accept GRE/GMAT as an entrance exam to master’s programs.

Do not take the exams lightly: each of them has specific features that can catch off guard even those who are completely confident in their knowledge. Preparation should begin at least 6 months prior to the test.

All international exams are paid (from 30 USD to 300 USD ) and take place in specialized centers (usually not in all countries and only in large cities). It is necessary to register for them in advance. When choosing the date, it is worth considering the following points:

Sometimes universities additionally have their own tests that require an in-person presence.

Step 5. Collecting and sending documents

When the necessary tests and exams are passed and their results are obtained, it is time to start filling out the application and sending documents. Submission deadlines vary depending on the institution and country. Some universities may accept documents all year round (for example, private universities), but most strictly follow the schedule. Despite the fact that the admission campaign can last several months, it is better to submit the application as early as possible — ideally 3-4 days after the start. There are a number of reasons for this.

A detailed list of required documents can be found on the pages of universities. As a rule, it includes:

All documents must be carefully checked for mistakes. Sometimes a ridiculous typo can cause a denial.

An application is filled using:

Scans of all necessary documents are uploaded simultaneously with the application. At the same time, the university may additionally request printed versions of all or some of the documents. The most suitable way to send them is an expedited international delivery by courier service with mandatory tracking (DHL, Pony Express, etc.).

In general, the entire process of compiling and editing documents is the most time-consuming and takes at least 3-4 months. With the help of the agency, you can reduce this period to 1 month. At the same time, we modify them several times in accordance with your wishes. The more time we have, the better we can prepare your documents.

Step 6. Waiting for a response from the university

This step is one of the most tedious ones. After sending the documents you will have to wait for a response for several weeks. The letter can come by email or regular mail. There are several kinds of answers:

As a rule, the rejection is written according to a specific template and does not contain specifics. To get specific information, you need to request an official letter with the reasons for rejection from the university:

Step 7. Choosing the best university

If you receive positive answers from several universities at once, you need to make a choice and inform the university about your intentions — if you are going to study at it or you have chosen another educational institution. Please note that the letter needs to be sent not only to the chosen university but also to other universities — so another applicant from the waiting list will be able to apply for the now vacant place. To make the right decision, try to recall the criteria that were used when searching for universities and programs in the first place.

At this stage, you also need to:

Step 8. Preparing for departure

The final stage on your journey to study at a foreign university is preparation for departure. This includes searching for airline tickets, obtaining health insurance, and, most importantly, obtaining a visa.

An important document when applying for a student visa is a cover letter in which you must:

Important: during peak seasons (admission periods), embassies are very busy. Therefore, after submitting the documents, it will take quite a long time to review them with a possible appointment for an interview and a personal visit to the embassy. This should be taken into account so you should apply for a visa no later than two months before the start of training.

Conclusion — you need to start now!

And this is only a small part of what you may encounter when planning admission yourself — most of the subtleties appear only when we begin to consider each individual applicant. With our help, you will avoid mistakes and be able to devote more time to studying a foreign language and preparing for entrance exams. The sooner we start the admission process, the more chances you will have to enroll in your priority university and receive additional financial assistance. We recommend starting the admission process at least one year before the start of training. However, even if you think that you won’t be able to make it in time, we can help you to go through all of the steps in an accelerated fashion.

Admission to the university is an important and crucial step in the life of each person. Allow the professionals to guide you at every step of admission. UniPage specialists can:

Most importantly, we went through the whole process hundreds of times and we will be glad to help you to go through it too.

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UniPage guidance in the admission process

Choosing a university is an important and responsible step. UniPage experts will:

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in applying to Gubkin University! To prepare your application as an international student, read carefully the following step-by-step guide.

Special application procedure is set for prospective students applying through quotas (state scholarships) allocated by the Ministry for Education and Science of the Russian Federation. For additional information visit the official website for foreign nationals enrollment for study in the Russian Federation.

Step 1: Learn Russian and prepare for studies if necessary

The language of instruction at Gubkin University is Russian. Only several Master’s degree programs are instructed in English. Therefore, it is important to learn the Russian language before applying for a degree program. Gubkin University offers the ten-month Preparatory course for prospective international students.

Prospective international students from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS countries), the Baltics (including Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), the Ukraine, and Georgia are allowed to take entrance exam for the Russian language without completing the Preparatory course.

Step 2: Choose the program

Gubkin University has 11 Faculties which offer training in:

Step 3: Check the admission deadlines

The application deadlines for 2021 vary by program (Bachelor’s, Master’s or Postgraduate studies) and should be additionally checked with the International Students Office via email: dis@gubkin.ru.

Individual application and enrollment deadlines are set for prospective students applying through quotas allocated by the Ministry for Education and Science of the Russian Federation.

Step 4: Prepare required documents and submit the application form

The application package contains general and medical components. Note that document requirements vary by program (Bachelor’s, Master’s or Postgraduate studies).

While preparing your application package contact the International Students Office via email: dis@gubkin.ru.

Step 5: Apply for visa and prepare for arrival

To enter the Russian Federation most international students need to have a student visa. The student visa is arranged in the Russian embassy or consulate in your home country. Note that visas cannot be obtained within Russia, because it is an entry document to the country.

At first, applicants have to receive a visa invitation which is prepared by the University.

In case of a received quota place (a state scholarship), the invitation is prepared by the Ministry for Education and Science of the Russian Federation. The applicant can check an invitation status via russia-edu.ru (the service is provided by the Ministry for Education and Science of the Russian Federation).

As soon as the invitation is received or a status notification is provided, the applicant will have to collect a document package and address to the Russian embassy.

Additional information is available in step-by-step guides by program (Bachelor’s, Master’s or Postgraduate studies).

Step 6: Pass entrance exams

To enter Gubkin University prospective international students require to pass a number of entrance examinations. The list of entrance examinations varies by program (Bachelor’s, Master’s or Postgraduate studies).

Step 7: Make payment

Students are responsible for tuition fee, round-trip airfare ticket, dormitory, living expenses, and health insurance.

By agreement with the University, tuition fee can be paid in Russia in a commercial bank or in the applicant’s home country (in this case the applicant should provide a document from the bank confirming payment upon arrival to the University).

Step 8: Join Gubkin University!

The academic year at the University begins September 1.

Step-by-step guides by program

How to apply for Bachelor’s programs

Step-by-step guide for international students applying for Bachelor’s programs.

How to apply for Master’s programs

Step-by-step guide for international students applying for Master’s programs.

How to apply for PhD programs

Step-by-step guide for international students applying for PhD studies.