Hi all,
I am currently researching some British universities I want to apply to: St Andrews (top choice), UCL, Durham definitely and I am considering Glasgow, Exeter, Bath, Warwick and Manchester.
I want to study History or Social Anthropology at these universities and want to know how competitive they are. I know that it is less competitive for international students since we pay tuition, but what are their overall acceptance rates?
Tuition and board costs will not be an issue and I am currently studying the International Baccalaureate.
Here’s a list of acceptance rates of some of the unis you mentioned:
- St Andrews - 39%
- UCL - 44%
- Manchester - 62%
- Warwick - 63%
- Bath - 69%
- Exeter - 80%
- Durham and Glasgow - N/A
This is the acceptance rate for ALL students so international students may have higher acceptance rates.
source: http://www.ibo.org/contentassets/5895a05412144fe890312bad52b17044/recognition—international-student-guide-uk–march2016—eng.pdf.pdf
I’m not sure those figures are correct.
Anyway, St Andrew’s has a reputation for being pretty easy for US students to get into.
What are your stats?
Up to you to trust the figures or not, but they’re from the International Baccalaureate Exam Board based on statistics from UCAS - the platform UK universities use for admissions.
Predicted 38 points for the IB with History (7), English (6), Economics (6) in HL and Maths Studies (5), Spanish (6), Biology (6) at SL + 2 bonus points. Reckon I can get 40 if I work really hard on Spanish and get that extra bonus point - ranked top 10 in year of 120.
Those figures above will vary drastically by subject.
Keep in mind that in most cases only students that have required predicted or actual grades apply.
@Conformist1688 if you Have 3 AP’s 5,5,4 in relevant subjects, or depending on subject an IB score between 35-38, and a minimum ACT of 28, then yes St Andrews is ‘easy’ to get in. The reason Scottish universities are popular in the US is because the course structures most resemble US schools and they care only about academics, not whether you can put a ball in a net, your grandfathers name is on the library or you play saxaphone and come from North Dakota. As Jupiter pointed out UK schools are self selecting UK kids dont apply if they have no chance getting in, acceptance rates at Oxbridge are in the mid 20’s % percentage wise, which would not be considered in the most competitive bracket in the US. What is true in Universities anywhere in the world, money talks, so if you are paying international fees it can only enhance your application.
I think the figures by @Capricancer1 are basically “Offer” rates. Basically, they are the students made an offer, not necessarily those that eventually attend (enrol).
As @elguapo1 stated, “UK schools are self selecting UK kids dont apply if they have no chance getting in”, so don’t start comparing to US selectivity as it is a completely different system.
Students select a maximum of 5 university choices and pay only one standard fee. Lets assume a particular student gets an “Offer” from all 5 universities, he would have to reject 3 outright and pick a favourite (firm) and second choice (insurance).
For example, only about 15/16% of ALL those that applied to Durham or Warwick will end up enrolling in the university, despite over 60% getting “accepted/an offer”.
Some would have taken other offers (i.e. not firmed or insured Durham/Warwick), others would have failed to make the predicted grades and some would have other reasons for not taking up the offer.
It’s the same for us here 
We have acceptance rates (offer rates as you call them) and enrollment rates (those who actually enroll at the college - acceptance rates as you call them), the percentage of those who enroll out of the accepted is called the yield rate.
Big difference being that we can apply to as many colleges as we like in the States. We have reach schools, but given that we have to pay for every application we send, we don’t (well… those of who don’t like wasting money!) go applying to schools we have no chance of getting into.
It’s reassuring to know that British unis have such high acceptance rates though - a lot of pressure off my shoulders now!
The acceptance rates are really not that useful, relevant or necessary for an international student trying to ‘chance’ themselves. At the schools you list, if you are paying international fees, have a decent LoR, a solid PS, and - this is the key- meet the specific requirements posted on the website for the course you are interested in- you will almost certainly get an offer. That’s it.
Note that you apply to A COURSE at A UNI, so if you apply to History at Durham and Anthro at Durham, that is 2 of your 5 applications. Read the course details carefully when you are selecting courses and unis. Also, one application means one Personal Statement, so your essay describing why you are a good candidate for History at Durham and Anthro at St As is the same essay.
And the personal statement for a UK university is a very, very different document than a US university admissions essay. Keep in mind that you are applying to a specific course, and will be unlikely to take many if any classes outside of that course. So if you apply to read (for example) mathematics at at UK university, you will be unlikely to take a class outside of the mathematics department for 3 years. That is VERY different to most US universities, which demand more breadth and add on a 4th year in order to get it. So a personal statement for a student applying to study (say) economics, needs to be a paean to the glories of economics and why that student is drawn to the wonders of economics (or maths, archaeology, French literature, whatever). The personal statement really needs to be about the subject you are applying for. That would be a horrible admissions essay for most US universities, and indeed, most great US university admissions essays would make horrible UCAS personal statements.