Document Preparation for Applications

Why Preparing Your Documents in Advance Matters

Applying to a UK university is far more than submitting a form and taking an exam. It is a multi-stage admissions process, where every document matters — academic transcripts, personal statements, CVs, portfolios — all of which must meet the standards and expectations of British institutions.

Applicants often underestimate the complexity of this stage. For example, a personal statement written without reference to the specific requirements of a given department can significantly reduce the chances of admission. Likewise, an inaccurate translation of a diploma or missing certification can delay the entire process.

That’s why at Lebed Educational Consulting Centre (Swan Russia), we ensure everything is prepared well in advance — from the initial profile analysis to communication with the university admissions office.
Our role is not simply to help you submit your paperwork, but to build a targeted admissions strategy that delivers real results.

We provide comprehensive assistance for applicants across all levels — undergraduate, postgraduate, foundation, and creative programmes — always taking into account the unique requirements of each university and country. We are especially experienced in the UK higher education system, including both UCAS-based applications and direct admissions.

Important: When applying to multiple universities, your personal statement should be tailored to each one. We help adapt your application to reflect the expectations of each faculty — avoiding generic or unconvincing submissions.

Most applicants to undergraduate programmes in the UK submit applications via UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) — a centralised system allowing up to five course choices through a single application portal. You complete one form, submit a personal statement and references, pay a fee (approx. £27), and track university decisions via the UCAS system.

However, many postgraduate, foundation, pre-master’s, and creative courses are not listed on UCAS and require direct application via the university website. In these cases, you must prepare a distinct personal statement for each application, complete individual forms, and upload documents directly. Responses come straight from the admissions office.

Both methods have their advantages:

■ UCAS provides a structured, standardised process, but limits you to five choices and one personal statement.
■ Direct applications allow for greater flexibility, with unlimited submissions and customisation of documents for each institution.


In practice, we often recommend a hybrid approach — some applications through UCAS, others submitted directly — especially if the student is considering universities in multiple countries (e.g. the UK, Switzerland, the UAE, or Ireland).

Example from our practice:
A student who completed Year 1 of the IB Diploma in Switzerland successfully transferred into Year 2 of a UK college with our support. We assisted with adapting the portfolio, translating documentation, and managing the cross-system transition.