Welcome to the Harvard Club of the UK’s website for UK students, parents, and schools!
Please note that this is not the official Harvard Admissions website – you can find that at college.harvard.edu. This site is run by the Harvard Club of the UK, and is designed to provide specific information to applicants from the UK about the US university admissions and financial aid processes.
We want to answer your questions and to give you a flavour of what it is like to go to university in the US, how it might differ from the UK, and whether the US system is right for you. Throughout this site we have highlighted American concepts, words and expressions, to make it easier to navigate US colleges’ websites.
If you already have the background information and are ready to begin the application process, visit the admissions page about applying.
The US university system is different in many respects from the British system, but university education is all about living in a student community and enjoying the experience of learning, especially from one another.
Since the American school system is geared to the state sector, US colleges commonly choose most of their students from an applicant pool that is both diverse and capable. Harvard’s policy has always been to find the most talented students and then offer funding packages according to need, not merit. The available grants at Harvard (known as Financial Aid) are possibly the most generous in the US, so don’t be dismayed by the ‘sticker price’ of a Harvard education – go to the Harvard College Financial Aid page and see for yourself what the grants look like!
International enrolments: where to go for information about Harvard’s disputes with the federal government
On 23 May, Harvard President Alan Garber sent this message to the whole Harvard community:
Dear Members of the Harvard Community,
Yesterday [22 May], the federal government announced that it has revoked Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and stripped the University of its authority to sponsor F- and J- visas for international students and scholars for the 2025-26 academic year. The revocation continues a series of government actions to retaliate against Harvard for our refusal to surrender our academic independence and to submit to the federal government’s illegal assertion of control over our curriculum, our faculty, and our student body.
We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action. It imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams. We have just filed a complaint, and a motion for a temporary restraining order will follow. As we pursue legal remedies, we will do everything in our power to support our students and scholars. The Harvard International Office will provide periodic updates as new information becomes available.
The government has claimed that its destructive action is based on Harvard’s failure to comply with requests for information from the US Department of Homeland Security. In fact, Harvard did respond to the Department’s requests as required by law.
For those international students and scholars affected by yesterday’s action, know that you are vital members of our community. You are our classmates and friends, our colleagues and mentors, our partners in the work of this great institution. Thanks to you, we know more and understand more, and our country and our world are more enlightened and more resilient. We will support you as we do our utmost to ensure that Harvard remains open to the world.
Sincerely,
Alan M. Garber
Key Information Sites
The key website for information while the dispute is ongoing is the Harvard International Office (HIO).
The HIO also provides U.S. immigration FAQs for international students and scholars.
You can also visit the Office of the President website for presidential statements and updates.
If you have been admitted to the Harvard Class of 2029, be sure to check your Harvard inbox regularly, as well as the above websites, to stay abreast of the latest information.
Background information
The following Harvard Gazette articles provide useful background information to the disputes:
6 June 2025 Judge blocks Trump order on international students
23 May 2025 University sues Trump administration over move to bar international students
13 May 2025 Harvard amends lawsuit to push back against new funding cuts
29 April 2025 Harvard releases anti-bias reports
28 April 2025 Pulse Survey finds strong sense of belonging and respect at Harvard
21 April 2025 Harvard files lawsuit against Trump administration
14 April 2025 Harvard won’t comply with demands from Trump administration
Difference between a college and a university in the US
Let us start by looking at something that often confuses UK students: what Americans mean when they talk about a ‘college’ and a ‘university.’
In the US, a ‘college’ refers to any institution that provides undergraduate degrees. If the institution also undertakes research and provides masters degrees and PhDs, then it is called a ‘university’.
For example, Harvard University is composed of Harvard College (the undergraduate school), plus 12 graduate schools in different specialties such as business, law, medicine, government, education, and public health. UK students interested in a course of undergraduate study at Harvard would apply to Harvard College, and if admitted, would become part of Harvard University. Postgraduate students would apply to one of the graduate schools, which have their own admission systems.
This website is aimed at UK students who are interested in undergraduate study at a US college.
Visit
Come visit Harvard and Boston in person if you can. If not, try the virtual tour, read student stories, and follow Harvard Admissions on social media.
Afford
All admitted students are eligible for need-based aid, including international students.
Apply
Find tips for completing the application under “Applying from the UK” or on the Harvard College admissions website.
Are you interested in applying to American universities?
Why Harvard?
Harvard’s liberal arts and sciences philosophy encourages you to ask difficult questions, explore unfamiliar terrain, and indulge your passion for discovery.
Harvard students have access to courses, research institutes, and faculty mentors from all parts of Harvard. With world renowned faculty, state of the art resources, and individualised instruction, it’s the perfect place to pursue your favourite and still-to-be-discovered academic interests.