Embarking on the journey of applying to universities in the UK can be both exciting and challenging. A common question that often arises is whether your extracurricular activities need to align with your intended area of study? In this blog post, we will explore the unique aspects of the UK university application process, shedding light on the significance of involvement, alignment with your academic field, and providing valuable insights to guide you through this critical phase.

Co-curriculars in UK University Applications

Unlike the U.S., where involvement both in and out of school play a role in an application, UK universities place slightly less emphasis on extracurricular activities. However, this does not diminish their importance entirely – the key lies in ensuring that the involvement highlighted in your application is linked, or at least somewhat linked, to your intended academic field.

Field Alignment in Activities

For UK university applications, demonstrating a connection between your activities and your intended field of study is crucial. For example, if you aspire to study economics, consider showcasing relevant experiences such as an economics-related extended essay (EE) in the International Baccalaureate (IB), completion of independent online economics courses, participation in a school-based investment or micro-finance club, or internships/volunteering at businesses related to economics.

Strategic Application Focus

Unlike the U.S. Common Application (commonapp.org), there isn’t a separate section for activities on the UK UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) application. Therefore, it’s essential to strategically select relevant activities to talk about within your personal statement, making every word count within the limited space of roughly 4000 characters or 47 lines.

Using Activities as a Measure of Genuine Interest

In the UK, universities view your extracurricular activities as a measure of your genuine interest in the chosen field. They want to see a complete focus on your chosen field, as the degree programs are often more specialized and occur within a 3 year time frame (vs 4 in North America), allowing you to delve deeply into your area of study. Therefore, carefully selecting and presenting activities that align with your academic pursuits can enhance your application.

Is It Too Late?!

If you find yourself in the final years of high school/secondary school, wondering if it’s too late to acquire relevant activities, fear not. UK universities are more interested in the quality and alignment of your activities, and don’t ask you to disclose the length of your involvement. Consider joining existing clubs, creating your own, exploring opportunities outside your school, or taking individual courses online to bolster your application.