FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here at Across the Pond, we know the process of studying in the UK can be daunting. We are here to make it as simple and streamlined as possible. All of our expert student advisors have studied in the UK and are personally motivated to help you do it, too. Not only that, most of us used Across the Pond's service! So, we know what we're talking about.
We know you have a million questions. We would like to tackle a few of them:
HOW IS ACROSS THE POND ABLE TO OFFER A FREE GUIDANCE & ADVICE SERVICE?
Across the Pond can offer this unique free service because our funding is provided from the British universities that have appointed us to represent them in the USA. This means we can offer students a choice in terms of programs, institutions and geographical locations in the UK.
DOES ACROSS THE POND GUARANTEE ENTRY INTO THEIR BRITISH PARTNER UNIVERSITIES?
No, we cannot. All final decisions are made by the admissions team at each university and decisions are based on your own academic qualifications, standardized test results, personal statement and reference, and in some cases, a portfolio of work or audition tape. However, we believe that by using our service, you will increase your chances of acceptance because we make sure that you are applying to universities that match your subject preferences and academic ability.
CAN ACROSS THE POND HELP ME WITH MY UCAS APPLICATION?
Yes, we can! We know this application can be complicated and confusing. Over the years, we've refined this process to make it as streamlined and simple as possible for students. You can read more about how we help with the UCAS application here.
Do you fill out my university applications for me?
Sort of. Once you finalize the list of UK universities to which you want to apply, we invite you into your Across the Pond Student Portal where you fill out a simplified version of a UK university application. We take the information you input on our application and fill out your UCAS or direct university applications on your behalf. After we complete your UCAS or university applications, you will have the chance to review the info we have inputted before hitting the submit button. This saves you time and greatly reduces the chance of error.
Why don’t you work with all of the universities in the UK?
Don’t see your favorite university on our partner university list? We know this can be disappointing. The universities that partner with Across the Pond do so because they realize most students find the whole application process overwhelming, if not totally daunting. As such, they invest in Across the Pond to offer YOU the extra support you need. Our partners are dedicated to making your journey to the UK as smooth and streamlined as possible. They hope to attract students like you, wanting to make your university experience one of the best of your life, starting with the application process. University resource is limited and given that they are all in such high demand, our partner universities know that investing in a service such as ours fills the significant gaps in customer service that are inevitable when trying to handle everything in-house. The bottom line is our partner universities really want you to study with them! And that is why they partner with us.
CAN I BRING LOAN MONEY FROM THE US WITH ME WHEN STUDYING IN THE UK?
Most likely, yes. All of Across the Pond’s partner universities accept loan money from the US. You will need to check with your UK university to confirm specifically what financial aid they accept. For more information about costs of studying in the UK, see here.
DO I NEED A VISA TO STUDY IN THE UK?
Yes. As an American student in Britain, you do need a student visa. Our advisors will help guide you on the application process so you can receive your student visa to the UK in time for your studies.
ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS TO STUDY WITH BRITISH UNIVERSITIES THE SAME?
No. All of our partner universities' entry requirements vary, so it is best to check with an Across the Pond advisor for the exact requirements needed. Department entry grades vary within the universities and can be higher than the minimum requirements of a university. You can learn a bit more about qualifications needed to study in the UK here.
CAN I WORK WHILE I STUDY IN THE UK?
You can work for up to twenty hours a week while you study in the UK. A typical wage is between $10 and $12 an hour. For more information, visit the Home Office website. Each of Across the Pond’s partner universities has a Careers Service to help students find an appropriate job either on campus or in the local community.