To begin your research on studying in the USA, you can start by visiting the U.S. Department of Education College Navigator website, where you can search for associate’s, bachelor’s, and advanced degrees such as master’s and doctorates. Other helpful websites include College Board’s Big Future, which allows you to search for undergraduate US colleges and universities based on different programs, features, or characteristics.

Graduate or postgraduate programs include a master’s degree, which takes two years to complete, and a doctorate or Ph.D., which requires three or more years of study. These programs focus on specific academic subjects, unlike associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, which are typically more general.

When deciding where to study in the US for your bachelor’s degree, consider the type of university experience you want by asking yourself questions such as:

• • Do I prefer a large university or a small college?
  • Should I attend a public college or a private college?
  • Would I be happier in the countryside, a small town, or a city?
  • What do I want to study?
  • Which campus activities and student organizations do I want to join?
  • When can I begin my graduate degree program?
  • Are standardized tests required for the application, such as the GRE or GMAT?
  • Is the graduate student or married student housing available on campus?
  • Can I pursue an internship or co-op during the program?
  • Are international student services offered?

All applications for Bachelor’s degrees in the UK are submitted using the UCAS application website (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). The majority of universities will only accept your application through the UCAS system.

Follow these easy steps to apply through UCAS:

• Register and create your application on the UCAS website 
• Apply for up to five programmes, at the same or different universities in the UK 
• Complete personal information 
• Include previous educational qualifications 
• Add financial information 
• Write a personal statement 
• Some universities may require additional tests such as the UCAT or BMAT for Medicine, or the LNAT for Law degrees 

You can save your application and return to it as many times as you like before submitting the final version.

1. Future Master’s and PhD students can apply directly to their chosen university. Most universities allow you to send your application throughout the year, but some degree courses have specific deadlines. It’s best to contact your chosen university to find out specific details about their graduate application process.

2. Apply via the UKPASS system. You can fill in all your details online and scan and upload any required documents such as a copy of your passport and previous Bachelor’s degree certificates.

3. For PhD programmes, applicants are usually expected to also choose a suitable supervisor from the university.

Once you have made the all-important decision of where to study in the US, the next step is getting your visa. There are three main types of visas to choose from, each with their own student visa requirements:

• F-1: This student visa permits you to study at US universities or colleges with funding from friends, family, or yourself. You are also permitted to work part-time on campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week when your academic term is in session.

• J-1: With this student visa, you can participate in study- and work-related exchange programs at US colleges or universities approved by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Your program must be funded by an educational or nonprofit sponsor. On a J-1 visa, you have the same work restrictions as F-1 students, but cannot work off campus.

• J-1: With this student visa, you can participate in study- and work-related exchange programs at US colleges or universities approved by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Your program must be funded by an educational or nonprofit sponsor. On a J-1 visa, you have the same work restrictions as F-1 students, but cannot work off campus.

• M-1: If you want to pursue vocational studies, you can apply for a M-1 visa which permits you to study at institutes certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Program funding may come from friends, family, or yourself. On a M-1 student visa, you will have the same work restrictions as F-1 and J-1 visas, but can only work on campus for a maximum of six months.

• Transcript
• Standardized test scores
• SAT or ACT
• English proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, iTEP, PTE Academic)
• Essay
• Recommendations
• Copy of your valid passport

• ​​Academic transcripts from your bachelor’s degree studies

• ​​Test scores

  • GRE/GMAT

  • TOEFL, IELTS, iTEP, or PTE Academic

• Statement of purpose

• Research proposal

• Recommendations from professors

• Copy of your valid passport

• Proof of finances