Applying to University: How to Make Your Application Stand Out
Applying to university may seem like a very stressful experience as you navigate what to study, where to study and how the application process works. You want to make sure you’re making the right decisions about your future and getting all your applications in on time. Whether you’re a home or international student applying to study at UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, these five top tips will help you get ahead of the game.
My Experience as an International Student
As an international student and the first in my family to attend university, applying to university was a daunting experience. Before I even received offers, I was overwhelmed with so many aspects of the application process, including where I wanted to study, what course I wanted to take, and how it worked. Fortunately, the Bartlett, UCL provided extensive support - through online resources, prospectuses, and student forums - to help me navigate the process.
#1: Research the courses and university (and find what fits for you)
Take time to consider everything involved in applying to university to make the right decision.
Before you even start your application, it’s important to research the degrees offered at The Bartlett to find the best fit for your interests and career goals.
Before I applied to the Urban Planning, Design and Management BSc, I ensured that I looked at the online prospectus, the modules offered, entry requirements, accreditation and the degree structure. If you have any questions about the course, it’s worth contacting the relevant school (usually on the prospectus pages) to make sure that any of your concerns are addressed before you apply. I recommend taking your time to have an in-depth look through what the Bartlett offers to find the course that fits who you are as a person and your future aspirations.
Ask yourself: would I enjoy studying this course? What do I see myself doing after university? Would choosing this degree affect that?
Before I applied to study the Urban Planning, Design and Management BSc, I also took the chance to look online into the opportunities offered at the Bartlett and at UCL. There is a range of information available, including videos on the Bartlett YouTube channel. I also scrolled through their Instagram page to learn about their multidisciplinary approach towards learning, and chatted to students via the Unibuddy platform to see what previous students shared about their experiences at the Bartlett.
#2: Perfect your personal statement and stand out
One of the most important parts of your application to study will be your personal application - not only a staple to the Bartlett, but to all universities that you decide to apply to. This is why it is essential to nail down your personal statement, as it gives you a chance to express who you are as an individual (including your skills, future ambitions and work experience) to university admissions staff.
Writing a good personal statement takes time - it’s something that you can’t write the night before your application is due, so start early. I did it step-by-step:
- Looking at examples of personal statements.
- Creating a plan/outline of my key points.
- Asked a friend or family member to read over my statement to give constructive feedback
While this process might take some time, it’ll be well worth it at the end - and potentially take you one step further to studying at the Bartlett.
It’s always good to talk about any related subjects to the course that you have previously studied. For my urban planning course, while there weren’t any specific subjects in the admission requirements, I studied Geography and Environmental Systems and Societies as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB). In my personal statement, I linked what I learned from these courses and how these relate to the urban environment.
If you want your statement to stand out, talk about any extra-curricular or service projects that link to the built environment to demonstrate your passion in the subject area. During my IB programme, I was the Vice-President for a service project that built sustainable, portable schools across Jakarta to increase access to education for low-income communities. I was able to use this to connect with how efficient urban planning, design and management can solve problems, deal with change, bring communities together, and address the future.
#3: Submit your application as early as you can
Once you’ve prepared your personal statement and other supporting documentation, it’s time to send your application off. For all undergraduate courses, you will apply through UCAS. Before you start your application, it is recommended to take note of all deadlines, especially if you intend to apply for internal or external scholarships, such as The Bartlett Promise Scholarship.
On the UCAS system, you’ll have the choice to apply to up to five universities with no preference order, and the universities you apply to will not see where else you’ve applied until you’ve replied to any offers. I personally applied to five universities across the UK related to urban planning, with some variation in course content. For example, one course had an emphasis on environmental planning and development, while another course revolved more around real estate and planning.
For some design-based courses in The Bartlett School of Architecture, a comprehensive design/creative portfolio is required; this is something that is only required after the initial application is made, and you should not send any design work unless it is requested. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to start preparing your design portfolio beforehand to ensure that it is ready if it is requested. The best thing to do is, firstly, check if a portfolio is required, and secondly, make sure that your portfolio aligns with The Bartlett’s guidelines to ensure the best chance for your application.
#4: Choosing the Bartlett
Once you receive your offers, the hardest decision waits: which university should I choose?
I chose the Bartlett for several reasons. I appreciated their innovative teaching approach, utilising a multidisciplinary method that allows students to experience a range of modules, and topics and teaching areas that none of the other universities I applied to offered. Their urban planning course was well structured, featuring a mixture of planning, design and management aspects. I’ve also had the chance to work with students from architecture and construction management in one module to explore the built environment in London and create a documentary from it.
Moreover, the Bartlett’s and UCL’s reputation is second-to-none. The Bartlett ranked #1 globally in the 2025 QS World University Subject Rankings for Architecture and the Built Environment and has remained at #1 in the UK for the third consecutive year. This is built upon UCL’s already strong reputation as a university, consistently ranking as a Top 10 university globally and ranked highly for graduate employability for further career progression.
I also chose the Bartlett because of the chance to live in London, one of the world’s best cities. It’s further emphasised by how London acts as a live case study for the built environment, with its wide range of architectural styles, continually transforming landscape, and redevelopment projects. London acts as an inspiration to gather ideas for my work to plan better cities, along with its fascinating fusion of culture and endless things to do.
#5: Attend the UCL Open Day
If you’re still not sure about applying to the Bartlett, it’s worth attending one of UCL’s Open Days. Their open days offer you the opportunity to learn more about UCL, visit the campus and talk to academic staff, current students and admissions tutors. Additionally, you’ll be able to find out about other aspects of your UCL experience, such as student funding, accommodation, and the Students’ Union.
Final thoughts: Your journey starts here
Having the chance to study at a world-renowned built environment faculty such as the Bartlett has given me an opportunity to explore and build a diverse appreciation for the world around me like never before. Applying to university is nerve-racking and involves playing the waiting game, and I hope these five tips will put you at ease and a better position for what is yet to come.
About the author
Hey there! I’m Julian, a final year Urban Planning, Design and Management BSc student at The Bartlett. I originally come from Sri Lanka and the Philippines but consider myself to be a ‘third culture kid’, having lived in Vietnam and Indonesia before moving to the UK for my studies.
