The basic steps for applying are: -
1. Choosing your required programme
2. Identifying universities/Colleges
3. Taking various required tests like IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, etc.
4. Arranging and preparing essays and recommendation letters
5. Completing and sending application forms along with required documents
6. Applying for VISA after obtaining unconditional offer from the universities

Post Graduate Admissions

In case of postgraduate programmes, applications can be made directly to the respective universities and colleges. There is no cut-off date to receive applications, but students are advised to apply in advance as some of the popular courses will get filled up fast.

Master's Degree:-
A Master's Degree is conferred after one or two years' study following the Bachelor's Degree. Study is in a specialized field. In some cases, the degree is awarded solely after a written examination but candidates must usually submit a dissertation. At Oxford and Cambridge, the Master of Arts is conferred automatically after a certain period of time on all holders of Bachelor's Degrees. In other fields, it is awarded under the same conditions as in other universities.

Master of Philosophy, Doctor of Philosophy:-
The third stage is that of pure research. At a university, it leads, after two years of additional study and the successful presentation of a thesis, to the Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) Degree. After usually three years' further study beyond the Master's Degree, the candidate may present a thesis for the Doctorate of Philosophy (D.Phil. or Ph.D.).

Higher Doctorate:-
A further stage leads to Higher Doctorates which may be awarded by a university in Law, Humanities, Science, Medical Sciences, Music and Theology after a candidate, usually a senior university teacher, has submitted a number of learned, usually published, works.

Undergraduate Admissions
Students wishing to apply for an undergraduate programme should apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Its functions are to organize and regulate the process of entry to full-time and sandwich bachelor's degree courses in all the UK universities (except the Open University) and most other colleges.

The UCAS application allows the students to indicate a maximum of 6 institutions of their choice. The deadline to receive applications at UCAS is 15th January for the following academic year. However, late applications received between 15 January and 30th June will also be considered. If Cambridge or Oxford University is included, the deadline will be 15th October of the previous year and they should apply simultaneously to these universities.

Bachelor's Degree:-
This stage lasts for three or four years and leads to the award of a Bachelor's Degree in Arts, Science or other fields (Technology, Law, Engineering, etc.). In some Scottish universities the first degree is a Master's Degree. The Bachelor's Degree is conferred as a Pass Degree or an Honours Degree where studies are more specialized. The Bachelor's Honours Degree is classified as a First Class Honours, a Second Class Honours or a Third Class Honours.

Studying for your first degree can take three years for an honor degree. Some degree courses take four years to complete and some even longer than that. A course that includes study overseas (e.g. a language course) is likely to take more than three years. A course that includes a significant amount of work experience is likely to take more than three years.