Is it possible to apply to UK universities through UCAS and Common App?
I won’t be applying to universities in UCAS that I’m already applying to through Common App, is that possible?
Only a very small handful of UK schools use the Common App.
If even one of the schools you’re targeting does not use the Common App,
you’ll need to complete and submit the UCAS.
If you’re only targeting those UK schools that do use the Common App, then you can indeed bypass UCAS.
If you submit via the UCAS, keep in mind that their personal statement requirement is different from the Common App essays. Be sure to read up about those differences in the personal statement tips on the UCAS web site.
Can I apply to different universities through both?
Yes.
If I remember correctly, the UCAS allows you to apply to up to 5 schools/programs on their single application, while the Common App allows up to 20.
Be careful though- some schools (I think St As is one, but haven’t double checked) are explicit that if you apply to the UK through one you can’t also apply to other unis through the other. And really, there is no point doing the US thing of applying to a lot of universities- with a very few exceptions you can have a pretty good idea of where you will be accepted.
@collegemom3717: How would any UK uni know, though?
Don’t know, @PurpleTitan- just know that I have seen it 
If you are applying to a mix of US and UK schools and the UK schools all take the common app I would use that.
If some of your UK schools don’t take the common app I would use UCAS for all of them. We found it much easier to use than any of the US apps. And when you choose your school at the end, they automatically notify the schools you are declining.
@VickiSoCal: Who’s “they”? UCAS? Pretty certain Common App doesn’t. So how would any school find out that someone applied to UK Unis through both Common App and UCAS?
I know that UCAS has a maximum universities of 5. What happens if I get rejected by all 5 or not get an offer that I wanted? Can I apply to more or can I re-apply to those schools again?
Yes UCAS notifies all UCAS schools when you make a decision.
Not schools you applied to via other means.
@klocheckmaflo if you read the entry requirements it is practically impossible to get rejected from all 5. You can see the requirements and apply to ones you will meet.
@klocheckmaflo You should get an idea of what you need in terms of grades to matriculate by reading the websites of the universities concerned. The UK system is nothing like the US system, so concentrate your efforts on those universities whose requirements you meet along with a good PS and you should get at least 2 or 3 offers. Good luck.
My kid got offers at 4 of the 5 and we still can’t figure out why the fifth rejected her! But it’s not hard to figure out who will make you an offer. It’s very straightforward.
I echo what others have said here. Stick with UCAS unless all of your UK choices accept the common app. Also, be aware that the submission dates for Oxford and Cambridge are earlier than others. October 15, I believe. So if you’re applying to one of them (and it has to be one or the other) you’ll need to prepare early and list all 5 of your choices at that time.
Be judicious with your choices, I don’t know what your scores are, but there is no point applying to Oxbridge unless you can handle the academics. No one just slips into Oxbridge there are aptitude tests and interviews to get through. Don’t forget you are applying for a course in a University, not applying to a University and then choose a major. Take PPE at Oxford there are 200 spots on the course, let say 25% are for internationals, you will competing with the rest of the globe for 50 spots, it is that hard. Economics at the LSE, by reading their website unless you are top 1-2% at mathematics chances are you will not be offered a place. If you are realistic with your choices you will be offered a place at suitable institutions then it will be down to course content, large/small, rural/urban etc. Good luck.
ps. Your question on applying both UCAS and Common App is really irrelevant. You are looking at it from an American point of view where holistic admissions means kids apply to 20 schools in the hope they hit the bullseye with 1 app. The UK you don’t need more than 5 if you meet the entrance requirements and write a lucid PS on why you want to study a particular subject, there should be no reason you wont receive an offer. My kid applied to 3 and got offers from all 3, VickiSoCals kid 4 out of 5, so it’s not difficult, and at the end of the day you can only go to one school.
@elguapo1: I can see how someone may want to apply through both UCAS and the Common App because of the restrictive nature of UCAS, where you have one PS for all apps.
For instance, I can see how someone could be interested in Business@Edinburgh, Land Economy@Cambridge, CS+Business through the NatSci program@Durham, Economics& Economic History@LSE, and War Studies at KCL.
How would you go about writing a convincing personal statement?
I can too, @PurpleTitan - though I would suggest that somebody equally interested in such disparate fields might not be especially well suited to the narrow focus of most of those courses.
It surprises me how many US applicants applying to the UK don’t trawl the websites for details of the courses they want to apply to.
@collegemom3717: Fair point.
English unis aren’t terribly well-suited for people with disparate interests. Though I would suggest that all the fields I listed have social science to some degree, so someone interested in social science may be interested in all those courses and instead of having to decide early their senior year of HS, this way, they would have another half-year to discover their true interests.
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It surprises me how many US applicants applying to the UK don't trawl the websites for details of the courses they want to apply to.<<<<<<
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I assume they never become actual applicants though, people do sometimes have a little fantasy for five minutes. Like someone told them UK unis were a huge bargain until you know, you do the the maths.
@PurpleTitan No British kid is going to be applying for Business/Economics/CS/Economic History and War Studies on the same application as you say you cannot write a Personal Statement broad enough to cover all the bases. British kids apply to those schools where their grades are likely to get them an offer for the subject they are interested in studying. All UK schools post the minimum grades by subject which are required to be considered for admission. The message to US applicants should be, if you dont really have an idea what you want to study, a UK university is probably not the route you should be following.