Explore Courses

UCAS vs. Common App: A Must-Know for International Students

Updated on 24 May, 2023

Neha Uppal

Neha Uppal

Sr. Content editor

If you are thinking of pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom or the United States, then you are probably no stranger to the UCAS (University Colleges Admissions Service) vs. Common App debate. Before jumping the gun, it is essential to understand that both are centralized systems for applying to universities in respective countries. The UCAS is a centralized application system for all UK-based universities, while the Common App is a similar system for universities in the USA. 

The Common App platform enables applications to multiple universities without any issues regarding costs. However, UCAS allows applications to up to five institutions for a reasonable fee. Let us learn more about the key differences between the two systems below. 

UCAS vs. Common App 

Here are some crucial differences between these two systems that you should know more about: 

Parameter

UCAS

Common App

Fees/Costs

Affordable application charges, ranging around $36 for any five universities applied for by the student. 

 

It is a fully free platform without any cost limits. However, individual institutions may charge specific application fees as per their prevailing guidelines. 

Application Deadlines

The deadline is usually the end of January each year for most UK-based universities. However, many institutions have flexible and varying deadlines. 

Every institution can flexibly choose its application deadlines. Some choices include regular decision, early action, or rolling admission in this case. Students should apply with all documents by 11:59 PM (based on the local time zone) on a particular day on the platform. 

 

Personal Statement/Essay

The UCAS personal statement should stick to 4,000 characters. It mainly focuses on the reasons behind students choosing specific courses in the UK. 

The Common App personal statement is approximately 6,000 characters. It focuses more on questions of a personal nature. 

UCAS and Common App- Purpose

The biggest differentiator between the platforms is linked to their actual usage needs. For example, a student in the USA can apply to UK universities through the UCAS portal while applying to colleges in their home country through the Common App platform. Some universities outside the USA also take applications through Common App. 

Common App is a well-known application platform, although it is still not used by several colleges and institutions in the country. The UCAS platform, on the other hand, is used by close to 350+ universities in the United Kingdom. Almost all universities in the country accept undergraduate course applications through the platform. Common App is used worldwide by students across more than 200 countries. 

Here is a look at the application processes across both platforms. 

UCAS- How to Apply?

  1. Start by registering yourself at the UCAS Hub, completing the registration questions, and confirming the year along with the level of study. 
  2. Complete all details, including residency status, information on personal circumstances, plans to fund your education, and more. 
  3. Add your education history and qualifications. You may have to send proof through transcripts and certificates to your chosen universities. 
  4. Complete your employment history, entering details for up to five part-time or full-time jobs. You should not include any voluntary or unpaid work in this section. 
  5. Choose up to five courses. 
  6. Write your personal statement between 1,00-4,000 characters, and 
  7. Submit your application after reviewing it and agreeing to the declaration. 
  8. Get a reference (your referee has to complete and add your reference to the application) and pay the application fee before completing your application. 

Common App- How to Apply?

  1. Get your materials in place. These include a high school transcript copy, a list of work, activities, and family responsibilities, test scores and dates from college entrance examinations like SAT/ACT, the parent or legal guardian details, and academic honors and achievements. 
  2. Create your account and choose your student type while entering login credentials accordingly. Complete the registration information like your date of birth, name, home address, phone number, and so on. Choose your communication preferences and accept the privacy policy to finish the process. 
  3. Search for colleges based on your chosen criteria and add them to your list with the add button. This will be visible on your Dashboard thereafter and you can adjust the list anytime. You can add up to a maximum of 20 colleges. 
  4. Get your recommendations sorted. Complete the FERPA Release Authorization. Invite recommenders using invite button. Select the invitation type and manage the recommendations likewise. Teachers, parents, counselors, and non-academic recommenders can be chosen depending on the type of application or requirements of the college. You will have to assign your recommenders to specific colleges. 
  5. Get the lowdown on requirements, including application fees, deadlines, personal essays, test policies, grades, courses, writing supplements, portfolios, and recommendations. 
  6. Organize the writing prompts, depending on the college requirements, and complete your essays likewise. 
  7. Review your application and pay the application fees (if required by the college) before completing your submission. 

Conclusion

As you can see, the differences between UCAS and Common App remain mostly to do with their usage and location-centric aspects. If you wish to apply to universities in both the USA and the UK, then you will have to bolster your understanding and knowledge of how both these platforms work. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is UCAS only for UK students?

UCAS is the common application platform for studying undergraduate degree courses at universities in the UK. It is not only for UK students but also for international applicants. 

What is the advantage of using UCAS?

The core benefit of using the UCAS platform is that you can swiftly apply to all your chosen universities in the UK without any hassles. At the same time, you will find the list of undergraduate courses with all their details, fees, and other crucial information. You can also reach out to students at your chosen universities to resolve your queries.

Do all UK Universities use UCAS?

All universities in the UK take applications submitted through the UCAS (University Colleges Admissions Service) platform. Reports estimate that more than 350 universities take applications through the UCAS portal. 

Did you find this article helpful?

Neha Uppal

Sr. Content editor

Neha Uppal is a passionate content creator and editor. She carries 7.5+ years of experience working with leading edutech companies where she worked as a Faculty, Community Manager, and Content Marketeer. At upGrad, she is helping out people keep informed about the scopes and opportunities of studying abroad via informational articles/blogs.

See More

Exams to Study Abroad

IELTS ExamGRE ExamGMAT ExamTOEFL ExamSAT Exam

Top Study Abroad Destinations

USAGermanyUKCanadaAustralia

Important Resources

Statement of PurposeWhat is SGPABest Education System in the WorldBest Flying School in the WorldVidya Lakshmi PortalCanada vs IndiaStem Courses in USAMBA from AbroadErasmus Mundus ScholarshipGuide to Settle in EuropeCanada Free Courses

Free Study Abroad Counselling

Verify Your Number for a Free Session with Experts !

+91

Refer Your Friend & Earn upto ₹40000

Help your friend upgrade to a Global Career and earn rewards together.