Three Days to Go Deeper Into UK University Admissions
Learn how the UK admissions system works, hear directly from UCAS and UK university representatives, explore admissions by academic subject, and work through the questions that come up when advising American students.
Counselors Trained
Felt Fully Equipped After Completing the Academy
What Counselors Said About the Academy
I learned much more at this event than other professional development opportunities I have had this year.
Alison Murray
College Counselor
It was really well organized and pretty much ran like clockwork. I felt I could get my questions answered and I learned so much.
Martha Garfield
College Counselor
More US Students Are Considering UK Universities
And Their Questions Go Beyond How to Fill Out UCAS
Interest in UK universities among US students continues to grow.
US applicants through UCAS increased 14% year over year by June 2025. At the January 2026 equal-consideration point, UCAS reported 6,920 US applicants, another 3.5% increase year over year.
For counselors, that can bring a very different set of conversations into your office.
Which US qualifications does a particular UK university accept?
How do you evaluate whether a student is a strong candidate for Oxford, Cambridge, or another selective university?
What should families understand about tuition, visas, financial aid, student life, and post-study options before putting the UK on the list?
How do Medicine, Law, Engineering, Creative Arts, and other subjects differ in what they expect from applicants?
And how do you help a student determine whether the UK education model is a good fit in the first place?
These aren’t questions most US counselor training programs spend much time covering.
UK Admissions Academy gives you three dedicated days to study them with people who work within UK higher education and admissions.
Learn With UK Admissions Experts
Hear Directly From the People Working Inside UK Higher Education
UK Admissions Academy brings US college counselors into the same virtual room with the people working across UK admissions and higher education.
Rather than relying only on published requirements, you’ll hear university perspectives, learn how admissions can differ by institution and subject, and have opportunities to ask questions directly.
Presenting at UK Admissions Academy 2027
UCAS
Understand the System, the Universities, and the Decisions Behind a UK Application
- Sessions with UCAS and UK university representatives
- Concurrent subject-specific and university breakout tracks, so you can choose what's most relevant to your students
- A panel with US students currently studying in the UK
- Live counselor case discussions
- Recorded sessions available during your replay period
Who the Academy Is For
Whether the UK Is New to You or Already Part of Your Advising
You may only advise a handful of UK-bound students each year, but you want enough knowledge of the system to give them accurate guidance when those students come through your office.
You may only advise a handful of UK-bound students each year, but you want enough knowledge of the system to give them accurate guidance when those students come through your office.
Students are asking about UCAS, Oxford, Imperial, LSE, King’s, and other UK universities, but you haven’t had formal training in how British admissions differs from the US process.
You don’t need to specialize in UK admissions to attend.
The Academy is designed to help you become a more informed resource when students and families ask about studying in the UK.
See What's Planned for the 2027 Academy
Day 1: Understanding UK Admissions
Tuesday, January 19, 2027
11:00
Welcome to UK Admissions Academy 2027
11:20
UK vs. US Admissions: Critical Differences Decoded
Break
Day 2: Explore Universities, Subjects and Pathways
Wednesday, January 20, 2027
11:00
Break
2:00
Break
Day 3: Apply What You've Learned
11:00
Closing Remarks, Certificates & Next Steps
Program and speakers are subject to change as final 2027 university partners are confirmed.
Meet Your Academy Experts
Learn From People Working Across UK Admissions
Jackie Christopher
Founder, The UK Study Expert
Jackie has spent more than a decade working in UK admissions, helping hundreds of US students apply to British universities and training college counselors across the United States.
She earned her own degrees in the UK at Aberystwyth University and the University of Roehampton and has built her career around helping US students and the counselors supporting them understand British higher education.
Jackie leads the Academy across all three days.
Becka Horsley
Becka works closely with international schools, college counselors, and education advisers supporting students applying to UK universities, bringing counselors direct perspective from UCAS.
Harry Webster
Harry Webster, BA History, Worcester College, University of Oxford, is the founder of A Step Ahead Mentors, a London-based educational consultancy specializing in UK and European university admissions.
His work includes supporting students applying to Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Imperial College London, and other selective UK and European universities.
Your Registration Includes UK Pro Circle
Every Academy registration includes UK Pro Circle, The UK Study Expert’s free professional community for US college counselors, so the resources, connections, and conversations don’t end when the Academy does. You’ll leave with a stronger foundation for advising on UK admissions, and somewhere to keep growing it.
What Counselors Say About UK Admissions Academy
Thank you so much for the incredible organization and coordination of bringing together so many speakers and topics. I really enjoyed the experience.
Lori Jones
CollegeWise
This was truly helpful and totally worth the time and money.
Moira McKinnon
College Counselor
I was really happy I got to do this. I feel a little better about my knowledge now for something that was very daunting before. I really appreciate all of the sessions being available afterward.
Kris Chilbert
College Counselor
Three Days of Live UK Admissions Professional Development
September 9 through November 26
Early Bird
Registration is nonrefundable. Pricing, bonuses, and replay access may vary by registration period. Promotional pricing cannot be applied retroactively.
Your Early Bird registration includes:
- All three live days of UK Admissions Academy 2027
- UCAS sessions and university panels
- Subject-specific and thematic breakout tracks
- US student panel and UK Admissions Clinic
- 72-hour replay access
- Academy Prep Pack
- UK Pro Circle access
- Certificate of participation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The UK Admission Academy?
The UK Admissions Academy is an annual three-day virtual conference run by The UK Study Expert, designed specifically for US college counselors. Each January, counselors join live sessions covering UK admissions foundations, university spotlights, academic breakout rooms, and a dedicated Q&A day. It is the only training event of its kind focused entirely on UK admissions for US-based counselors.
How is 2027 different from 2026?
The 2027 Academy expands to three days, giving counselors more opportunities to learn directly from UK admissions experts, university representatives, academics, and students.
Day 1 focuses on the technical foundations of UK admissions. Day 2 offers concurrent university, academic, regional, and topic-specific sessions so you can choose what is most relevant to the students you advise. Day 3 brings the learning together through application strategy, US student perspectives, and the UK Admissions Clinic with live counselor cases and questions.
The expanded format was designed in response to 2026 attendee feedback, including requests for more opportunities to ask questions and go deeper into specific universities, subjects, and student situations.
Do I need previous UK admissions experience?
No. The Academy is designed for counselors who are relatively new to UK admissions as well as those who already advise UK-bound students.
Day 1 establishes and strengthens the technical foundation. Days 2 and 3 provide opportunities to go deeper into academic subjects, universities, student experiences, and more complex questions.
Which universities are participating in 2027?
The 2027 university lineup is currently being confirmed, and participating institutions will be added to this page as they are announced.
The 2026 Academy included representatives from universities such as King’s College London, Imperial College London, University of Glasgow, Queen Mary University of London, University of Strathclyde, Royal Holloway University of London, University of Kent, Aberystwyth University, Falmouth University, University of Dundee, and others.
Will the sessions be recorded?
Yes. Academy sessions will be recorded, which is especially helpful on Day 2 when multiple breakout sessions run concurrently. Early Bird registration includes 72-hour replay access, giving you an opportunity to watch sessions you couldn’t attend live. Replay access varies by registration offer, so please review the inclusions available when you register.
What technology do I need to participate?
What is the UK Pro Circle?
UK Pro Circle is The UK Study Expert’s free professional community for college counselors interested in UK university admissions.
Academy registration includes access to the community, where attendees can connect with one another and continue conversations from the event.
How is the Academy different from UK Admissions Advantage?
The Academy is an annual three-day immersive professional development experience bringing counselors together with UK admissions experts, university representatives, academics, and students for concentrated training, breakout sessions, panels, and shared case discussions.
UK Admissions Advantage is a separate ongoing membership for counselors who want continued professional development and hands-on expert support with specific student cases throughout the year.
The Day 3 UK Admissions Clinic gives Academy attendees an opportunity to learn through selected counselor questions and student scenarios. Admissions Advantage continues that type of support throughout the year as new student situations arise.
Neither is required to participate in the other.
Can I ask about a specific student during the Academy?
Yes. Counselors will have opportunities to submit questions and student scenarios throughout the Academy. Selected cases may be discussed during the Day 3 UK Admissions Clinic when they can be addressed in a way that benefits the wider group.
Because the Academy is designed for shared professional development, not every individual case can be addressed live. If you need ongoing expert input on specific student situations throughout the year, that is the role of the Case Desk inside UK Admissions Advantage.
Will I receive a certificate?
Is registration refundable?
Registration is nonrefundable.
Pricing, bonuses, and replay access may vary by registration period and promotional offer. Promotional pricing cannot be applied retroactively to previous registrations, and refunds or price adjustments are not provided if a lower-priced promotion becomes available after you register. Please review the pricing and inclusions available at the time of your registration before purchasing.
Spend Three Days Going Deeper Into UK Admissions
Your next UK-bound student may ask about UCAS, Oxford or Cambridge, or a qualification you’ve never researched. You don’t need to know every answer from memory, but understanding how the UK system works can help you give students more informed guidance.
Join us January 19–21 for three dedicated days of UK admissions professional development.
Early Bird · $397