Studying in the UK – The Complete Guide 2026

You’re standing in Parliament Square in London. To your left, Westminster Abbey; to your right, the Houses of Parliament with Big Ben, which has just struck five. A few hundred meters further, across the Thames, rises the King’s College London campus, where students from forty countries are currently leaving the Maughan Library and heading to an evening seminar. On the very same day, 600 kilometers north, a student from Krakow closes their laptop in the National Library of Scotland and goes to dinner with a view of Edinburgh Castle. This isn’t a description from a British Council brochure; it’s a typical Tuesday at British universities, which have attracted the brightest minds from around the world for centuries.

The United Kingdom is the cradle of modern higher education. Four British universities rank in the global top 10 of the QS rankings – no other European country has more than one. The tutorial system at Oxford and Cambridge has remained unchanged since the Middle Ages, yet it produces graduates who shape politics, science, and business on a global scale. But for a Polish high school graduate, studying in the UK in 2026 looks completely different than it did just five years ago: post-Brexit, Poles are treated as international students, which means tuition fees of £20,000–£40,000 annually, the necessity of obtaining a Student visa, and a completely new economic calculation.

In this guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know to apply to British universities: from the UCAS system (5 choices, one personal statement), through Polish Matura requirements and A-levels/IB equivalencies, tuition and living costs, the Student visa system, to a comparison of the best universities; Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, UCL, LSE, Edinburgh, and many others. If you are considering English-taught studies at the highest level, this article will give you a complete picture.

Rankings and reputation – why the UK?

The United Kingdom dominates European university rankings in a way that no other country on the continent can emulate. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, four British universities hold spots in the top 10: Oxford (#3), Cambridge (#5), Imperial College London (#2), and UCL (#9). For comparison – the best German university (TU Munich) ranks 28th, the best French university (PSL Paris) 24th, and the best Polish university (University of Warsaw) around 260th.

In the Times Higher Education 2025 ranking, the picture is similar: Oxford is 1st in the world, Cambridge 5th, Imperial 8th. The Complete University Guide 2025, the most popular in the UK itself, shows the internal hierarchy: Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews, LSE, Imperial, Durham, UCL, Warwick, Bath, Edinburgh form the top tier. In subject rankings, British universities particularly dominate in Law (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE), Medicine (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Edinburgh, KCL), Engineering (Imperial, Cambridge), Economics and Business (LSE, Cambridge, Oxford, Warwick), and Computer Science (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Edinburgh).

What truly distinguishes British universities is not just their ranking positions, but their model of education. The tutorial system at Oxford and Cambridge – regular one-on-one meetings with a world-class expert tutor – does not exist in this form anywhere else in the world. British undergraduate studies last 3 years (4 in Scotland) instead of the standard 4–5 in Poland or the USA, which means faster entry into the job market. The program is intensive and highly specialized; from day one, you study your chosen field, without general subjects. This is a fundamental difference compared to the American liberal arts system or even the Dutch approach. A British graduate leaves university as a specialist after three years – a Polish or American graduate after four or five.

The UCAS System – how to apply to British universities step-by-step

Recruitment for almost all British universities (with the exception of a few Scottish direct entry pathways) takes place through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service); a centralized portal, similar to Poland’s IRK system (Internet Recruitment of Candidates), but with some fundamental differences. Understanding the mechanics of UCAS is crucial, as it is a system where application strategy is of paramount importance.

The basic rule: in UCAS, you can submit a maximum of 5 choices. Each choice is a combination of university + study program – you can apply to 5 different universities for the same course, 5 different courses at one university, or any mix. An important limitation: you cannot apply to Oxford and Cambridge simultaneously; you must choose one of them. You also cannot submit more than 4 applications for Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary Medicine (the fifth choice must be for a different program).

The application fee is £28 (a one-time fee for all 5 choices – UCAS simplified the pricing from the 2025 cycle). This is one of the cheapest applications compared to the USA (where the Common App itself is free, but each university charges $50–$90) or the Netherlands (Studielink is free, but manual fees apply at universities).

Personal statement – one essay, five chances

Your personal statement is the most important element of your UCAS application (alongside your Matura results). It’s an essay of up to 4,000 characters (not words; characters with spaces, which translates to about 600–700 words), in which you must convince universities that you are a suitable candidate. From the 2025/2026 application cycle, UCAS has changed the format – instead of one continuous essay, there are now three structured questions: why you want to study this course, what experiences and skills you have, and what makes you a good candidate.

The key complication: you write one personal statement for all 5 choices. This means that if you apply for Law at Oxford, LSE, UCL, KCL, and Bristol, your essay must be general enough to suit all five universities, but at the same time specific enough to demonstrate a deep interest in the subject. This is why it is common in the UK to apply for the same or very similar courses at all 5 universities. Do not try to apply for Economics at one university and Engineering at another – your personal statement will not be able to cover both effectively.

Reference and predicted grades

In addition to your personal statement, you need a reference from a teacher or school counselor. In the Polish system, we don’t have a tradition of letters of recommendation in this style, so this requires preparation. Choose a teacher who knows you well and can write specifically about your academic achievements, not just that you are a “well-behaved student.”

For Polish candidates, the topic of predicted grades is important. The British system relies on conditional offers: the university says “we will admit you if you achieve X in your Matura exams.” But to issue this offer, they need predicted results – predicted grades. In the Polish system, teachers do not predict Matura grades, so you must ask your school to issue a certificate with your current grades (average grades from extended subjects) and possibly a forecast. UCAS accepts the Polish Matura as a qualification, but the school must clearly present your current results and expected grades.

Polish Matura in the UK – score conversion and equivalencies

British universities officially recognize the Polish Matura (Matura Certificate) as an entry qualification for undergraduate studies. The organization ENIC-NARIC UK (now UK ENIC) confirms that the new Polish Matura with extended subjects is equivalent to A-levels; provided you pass 3–4 subjects at extended level with results corresponding to the requirements of the given university.

How does the conversion work? The British A-levels system uses letters: A* (highest), A, B, C, D, E (pass). The Polish Matura uses percentages. The approximate conversion is as follows: 90–100% in an extended Polish Matura subject ≈ A*, 80–89% ≈ A, 70–79% ≈ B, 60–69% ≈ C. So, if a university requires A*AA in A-levels, you need roughly 90%+ in one extended subject and 80%+ in the other two. These are approximate equivalencies – each university sets its own conversion rates, so always check the “international qualifications” section of the specific university’s website. We have described the detailed conversion of Polish Matura results in a separate guide.

For the International Baccalaureate (IB), the situation is simpler; British universities have long operated on IB points and state their requirements directly (e.g., 38 points, with 6,6,6 at Higher Level). If you are taking the IB Matura in a Polish high school, your results are directly comparable without conversion.

What about the SAT exam? Unlike universities in continental Europe (where the SAT is sometimes accepted as a standalone qualification), British universities treat the SAT only as a supplement – within the American system, requiring the SAT plus 3–5 AP (Advanced Placement) exams with scores of 4–5. The SAT score alone without APs is not sufficient for most UK universities. However, if you are preparing for the SAT for other reasons (e.g., you also plan to apply to the USA), you can practice on okiro.io. More information about the SAT in the European context can be found in our guide to SAT scores for studies in Europe.

Language requirements – IELTS and TOEFL

As a Pole whose native language is not English, you must prove your English proficiency. Standard requirements:

• IELTS Academic: 6.0–7.5 overall (typically 6.5 for STEM, 7.0 for Law and Humanities, 7.5 for Oxbridge)
• TOEFL iBT: 80–110 (typically 92 for STEM, 100 for Humanities)
• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE): 176–185+ (depends on the university)
• Duolingo English Test: 110–130 (accepted by a growing number of universities, but not by Oxbridge)

Prepare for language tests with prepclass.io – the platform offers full IELTS and TOEFL practice tests with AI feedback. A comparison of both tests can be found in our TOEFL vs IELTS guide.

Top UK universities – an overview for Polish applicants

The United Kingdom has over 160 universities, but for a Polish high school graduate seeking the highest quality education, the most important are the universities in the Russell Group – a group of 24 leading research universities, the equivalent of the American Ivy League. Below, we discuss the most important of them.

Oxford and Cambridge – legend and reality

Oxford and Cambridge are universities that need no introduction; but it’s worth understanding what they mean for a Polish applicant. Both require 90–100% in the Polish Matura extended level (3 subjects), additional admissions tests (MAT for Mathematics, ESAT for Sciences and Engineering, LNAT for Law at Oxford), and a compulsory interview (December, possibly online). The acceptance rate at Oxford is around 15%, at Cambridge – 18%, but for the most popular courses (Economics, Law, Computer Science, Medicine), it drops to 5–10%.

The most important rule: you cannot apply to Oxford and Cambridge simultaneously. You must choose one. Oxford is traditionally stronger in humanities, philosophy, and law; Cambridge in sciences, engineering, and mathematics. In practice, both universities are excellent in almost everything.

Imperial, UCL, and LSE – the London triangle

Imperial College London is exclusively a STEM and business university – no humanities, social sciences, or arts. If you want to study engineering, computer science, physics, or medicine at an Oxbridge level, but in the heart of London (campus in South Kensington, between the Natural History Museum and the Royal Albert Hall), Imperial is your choice. It typically requires 85–95% in the Polish Matura extended level.

UCL (University College London) is the largest university in London with over 46,000 students and one of the most diverse course offerings. World-class architecture (Bartlett School – #1 in the world), education (#1 in the world), law, social sciences, medicine. UCL is less selective than Oxbridge and Imperial; typical requirements are 80–95% in the Polish Matura, depending on the program.

LSE (London School of Economics) is a small, highly specialized university focused on social sciences, economics, finance, law, and political science. With 71% international students, it is the most global university in the UK. LSE has a reputation as a “gateway to the City” – graduates flock to Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, McKinsey, and governments worldwide. It typically requires 85–95% in the Polish Matura extended level (extended mathematics is compulsory for most courses).

Edinburgh, St Andrews, Manchester, Warwick – beyond London

Not everything in the UK revolves around London; and for many Polish students, universities outside the capital offer better value for money. The University of Edinburgh (#27 QS) is Scotland’s leading university with exceptional computer science and AI, in a city that is 20–30% cheaper than London. St Andrews – Scotland’s oldest university (1413), #1 in the UK according to Guardian 2025, intimate atmosphere, excellent humanities and IR.

The University of Manchester (#34 QS) has the largest campus in the UK with strong engineering, business, and sciences; and living costs 30–40% lower than London. The University of Warwick (#69 QS) is particularly strong in business (Warwick Business School – top 3 in the UK), economics, and mathematics; it is a target school for London’s City, comparable to LSE in terms of career prospects in finance.

It is also worth mentioning Bristol (aerospace engineering, veterinary medicine, law) and Durham (collegiate system like Oxbridge, humanities, business) – both universities offer world-class education in cities cheaper than London. You can read more about King’s College London, one of the oldest and best medical universities in Europe, in a separate guide.

Costs of studying and living in the UK after Brexit

This is the section where studying in the UK looks least favorable compared to the rest of Europe. Before Brexit (until the 2020/2021 academic year), Polish students paid £9,250 annually, the same as British students – and had access to Student Finance England (a student loan). From the 2021/2022 academic year, EU citizens, including Poles, are treated as international students. This means:

Tuition fees, depending on the university, program, and location:

• Humanities and Social Sciences: £18,000–£28,000/year (e.g., LSE: £24,264, UCL: £26,200, Edinburgh: £22,000)
• Sciences and Engineering: £25,000–£38,000/year (e.g., Imperial: £38,900 for engineering, Cambridge: £33,825)
• Medicine: £35,000–£58,000/year (e.g., Oxford Medicine: £37,510, Imperial Medicine: £48,800)
• Business and Economics: £20,000–£30,000/year (e.g., Warwick BSc Economics: £28,410, Manchester: £25,500)

Compare this with alternatives: Dutch universities charge €2,530/year for EU citizens (e.g., Maastricht University, University of Amsterdam). German universities – €0 (TU Munich). Copenhagen Business School – 0 DKK. Studying in the UK is 10–40 times more expensive than at comparable European universities.

Living costs – London vs rest of UK

Living costs in the UK vary dramatically depending on location. London is by far the most expensive: accommodation is £800–£1,500/month (a room in a shared apartment), food £250–£400, transport £150+ (Oyster card), totaling £1,300–£2,000 per month (approx. €1,600–€2,500). Outside London, costs drop by 30–40%: in Manchester, Bristol, Durham, or Edinburgh, a realistic budget is £900–£1,300 per month (approx. €1,100–€1,600).

For a 3-year undergraduate program, the total cost (tuition + living) is:

• London (Humanities): £120,000–£150,000 (approx. €149,000–€186,000)
• London (STEM): £140,000–£180,000 (approx. €174,000–€223,000)
• Outside London: £100,000–£130,000 (approx. €123,000–€160,000)
• Scotland (4 years): £130,000–£170,000 (approx. €160,000–€209,000)

These are huge sums. For comparison – a 3-year degree in the Netherlands costs a total of about €50,000 (approx. £40,500), and in Germany, €33,000 (approx. £26,800). The decision to study in the UK must be financially conscious.

Scholarships and financial support

Let’s be honest: scholarship opportunities for Polish undergraduate students in the UK are limited. There is no equivalent of the Dutch or Scandinavian low-tuition system – the British model assumes that international students pay the full amount. But there are options worth knowing about.

University scholarships: many universities offer scholarships for outstanding international students. Examples: UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarships (£4,000/year), Imperial President’s Undergraduate Scholarships (full tuition – very competitive, 20–30 annually), Edinburgh Global Undergraduate Mathematics Scholarship (£4,000/year), Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarship (tuition + living expenses; extremely selective). Most scholarships only partially cover costs and are very competitive.

External scholarships – NAWA (Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange) offers programs supporting Polish students abroad. The Kosciuszko Foundation, Fulbright Commission (more for the USA), local foundations, and associations can also help. Amounts are usually modest (a few thousand PLN), but every bit of help counts.

Part-time work: with a Student visa, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays. At the UK minimum wage of £11.44/hour (for those 21+), this is potentially £900–£1,000 gross per month – which can cover a large part of living costs, but not tuition. Many Polish students in the UK work in cafes, restaurants, shops, as tutors, or in university administration.

Student Finance: unfortunately, Student Finance England (a student loan repaid after graduation when earnings exceed a threshold) is not available to EU citizens after Brexit. This was a key change – before Brexit, Poles could borrow up to £9,250 for tuition (repaid after studies), now they must fund tuition from their own resources.

Student visa and Graduate Route

Since 2021, every Polish student in the UK needs a Student visa (formerly Tier 4). Here’s what you need to know:

1. CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies): after being accepted to a university, you receive a CAS number, which is the basis for your visa application.
2. Visa fee: £490
3. IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge): £1,035/year – a fee for access to the NHS (the British health system).
4. Proof of financial means: you must show £1,334/month (London) or £1,023/month (outside London) for 9 months, approx. £9,200–£12,000 in your account.
5. Online application + visit to a VFS Global visa application center (biometrics) – usually in Warsaw.
6. Processing time: 3–4 weeks (standard), 5–10 working days (priority for an additional fee).

Graduate Route – 2 years of post-study work

After completing your studies, you are eligible for the Graduate Route: a 2-year visa allowing you to work in the UK without restrictions (3 years for PhD graduates). Cost: £822. It does not require a sponsor – you can work in any industry and position. The Graduate Route cannot be extended; after 2 years, you must switch to a Skilled Worker visa (which requires an employer sponsor) or leave the UK.

The Graduate Route is one of the main arguments for studying in the UK: it gives you 2 years to gain professional experience in one of Europe’s most dynamic job markets, with access to London’s City, the tech sector, consulting, and international corporations. For graduates of Oxbridge, Imperial, LSE, or UCL, finding employment within these 2 years is realistically achievable.

Student life in the UK

Studying in the United Kingdom is not just about lectures and libraries – it’s a cultural experience that changes your way of thinking. The British university system has traditions dating back to the Middle Ages and certain elements that exist nowhere else in the world.

Freshers’ Week: the first week at university is an orientation week (freshers’ week), which is also a week of parties, student organization fairs, integration meetings, and city exploration. This is when you make acquaintances for the next 3 years. Every university organizes a Freshers’ Fair with hundreds of societies (student clubs) – from debating societies, through sports, to Polish student associations.

College life: at Oxford, Cambridge, and Durham, the collegiate system means your daily life revolves around your college: you live there, eat meals in the formal hall (dinner in gowns!), use the library, bar, JCR (Junior Common Room). This creates an intense community within a large university.

Pub culture: the United Kingdom is a country where the pub is a social institution. A Student Union bar exists at every university, and evening trips to the pub are an integral part of student life. In London, students explore Soho, Camden, Shoreditch; in Edinburgh – Grassmarket and the Royal Mile; in Manchester, the Northern Quarter.

Sport – British universities take sport seriously. The Varsity Match (Oxford vs Cambridge in rugby, rowing, and cricket) are events of national importance. Every university has dozens of sports teams, from football to rowing to quidditch (yes, it exists). Intramural sports, inter-departmental and inter-collegiate competitions – engage thousands of students.

Polish student communities exist at most large universities (especially in London: UCL, Imperial, KCL, LSE), in Edinburgh, Manchester, and Glasgow. Polish students organize meetings, Christmas Eve dinners, and help new students acclimatize.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary – who are UK studies for?

The United Kingdom offers something that no other country in Europe can offer on such a scale: top-tier English-taught education, a globally recognized diploma, 3-year intensive programs, and direct access to one of the most dynamic job markets in the world. Four universities in the global top 10, the tutorial system at Oxbridge, the 2-year Graduate Route – these arguments are difficult to refute.

But one must be realistic: studying in the UK after Brexit costs 3–10 times more than at comparable European universities. The total cost of a 3-year program in London is £120,000–£180,000 (approx. €149,000–€223,000) – an amount for which you could study for 3 years in the Netherlands and still have money for accommodation, or in Germany, you could complete your studies virtually without paying tuition fees. The lack of access to Student Finance England for Poles means that you must finance everything from your own pocket, scholarships, or part-time work.

Studying in the UK makes the most sense if: you are targeting specific industries where a British degree provides an advantage (investment banking, law, medicine, global consulting); you have a scholarship or solid financial support; you value speed (3 years instead of 4–5) and specialization from day one. If your priority is value for money, consider the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, or Ireland – English-taught studies in the EU, without visas and at a fraction of the price.

Next steps

1. Choose 5 universities and programs: strategically spread your risk: 1–2 ambition choices, 2–3 realistic choices, 1 safety choice. Check our guides to Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, LSE, Edinburgh, KCL, Manchester, Warwick, and St Andrews.
2. Take IELTS (6.5–7.5) or TOEFL (92–110) – prepare with prepclass.io, which offers full practice tests with AI feedback. More on choosing a test in our TOEFL vs IELTS guide.
3. Write your personal statement – start 3–6 months before the deadline. Show passion for the course, not the university. Be specific.
4. Register with UCAS (ucas.com) and check Polish Matura requirements on the websites of your chosen universities.
5. Plan your finances: calculate the total cost (tuition + living + visa + IHS) and check scholarship options.
6. Remember the deadlines – October 15 (Oxbridge/Medicine), January 29 (rest). Don’t wait until the last day.

Also check out our other guides: studying in the Netherlands, studying in Germany, studying in Ireland, and the complete guide to the SAT exam. Good luck!