What Does It Take to Get Into a UK University as an American

Student Lounge International Students
1

Hi, so I really want to go to Europe for my education. I’ve been looking a lot at the University of Manchester, but I don’t really know how good my chances are. I graduated high school this past year and my plan is to major in political science and then law school after that. I have a few questions. Could I go straight to the law program instead of first doing the undergrad program in Political Science? Because my goal is to be a lawyer. Also, could I get in with these scores? SAT: 1700. Reading : 630 Math : 530 Writing : 540. Thanks!

2

I don’t think your scores would be strong enough for Manchester - here are their minimum requirements for US applicants:

http://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/study-with-us/how-to-apply/undergraduate/international-entry-requirements/americas/

Did you take any AP exams or SAT subject tests in high school? You’ll find that most British schools want you to have good scores in those specifically, or to have studied for a year in a US college.

Incidentally, Manchester doesn’t offer a straight politics degree, only joint with other subjects. They do have a law undergraduate degree, as do many UK universities, but it wouldn’t turn you into a fully fledged lawyer either in the UK or elsewhere.

3

ps: The requirements for law are higher: http://www.law.manchester.ac.uk/apply/international-applicants/requirements-by-country/usa/

4

You need AP and/or SAT II scores for Britain. Based on your SATs, you may be marginal for law school period. If you get a UK law degree without an undergraduate degree, you can only maybe practice in a few states, and you would need to study extra for the bar exam. It might be best to follow in with a US LLM if you want to practice in the US. Not sure if you could practice in the UK not being a British subject.

5

“a UK law degree without an undergraduate degree”

The UK law degree would be an undergrad degree. But yes, additional study would be required to pass the bar in the US, and also to qualify as a lawyer in the UK, plus OP would need a work visa, which is by no means easy.

6

In the US, most states will not allow you to practice with a foreign law degree. Also, most states require an undergraduate degree in addition to a law degree. You probably could practice in New York and a few other states though.