UK's Most Difficult College Admissions

Hello everyone! Thinking about applying abroad, specifically in the UK. Do any of you have knowledge on what are the hardest universities to get into over there? And why so? Do they have more intensive application requirements or is it due to the high volume of applicants?

The two universities that are often named as the most competitive in the UK are the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, collectively known as "Oxbridge". These universities are extremely prestigious, and acceptance rates are low due to the high volume of strong applicants.

For these institutions, the application process differs somewhat from other UK universities. In addition to the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) application, prospective Oxford and Cambridge students have to complete additional tests and interviews. They have an earlier application deadline (October 15) compared to other UK universities (January 15 for most courses).

Oxford and Cambridge have additional requirements which may be seen as more intense due to their holistic approach to admissions. Some courses require aptitude tests such as the LNAT for law or the BMAT for medicine at Oxford and Cambridge. They also conduct in-person interviews which are known for their challenging, thought-provoking questions.

The London School of Economics and Imperial College London are also especially competitive for certain subjects, particularly Economics and Engineering respectively.

Naturally, these universities attract many talented applicants from across the globe, further adding to the competition. Therefore, it isn't just about the intensive application requirements but also the high caliber of applicants that makes these schools difficult to get into. Always remember though, that while these institutions are prestigious, the key is to find a university that is a good fit for your individual interests, academic profile, and career goals. Good luck!