Applying to university in the UK

There are all kinds of things secondary school pupils can do to further their chances when it comes to applying to university. While putting in the hard work to get stellar results is important – nothing makes an applicant stand out more than great grades – good candidates are more than just a good set of results.

Choosing the right GCSEs for university

Carefully consider these, as some A levels require specific GCSEs and many universities require certain A levels for some degrees. Potential teachers need GCSEs at at least grade 4 (or C) in English and maths, with science also required for those aiming teach at primary school. Prospective medics need to check the requirements of each medical school but strong science grades are usually expected of applicants.

Work experience after GCSEs

Find work experience. Anything is fine, although for insurance and health and safety reasons, some organisations are not allowed to have anyone aged under 16 on site. Work experience does not need to be in a field that will be relevant to a future career. We often recommend taking on some work experience in an area previously not considered or perhaps one where there is no interest, as sometimes actually being in a workplace may alter any preconceptions.

Any work experience is better than none. The only time that work experience is not worthwhile is when the experience involves too much time sitting doing nothing other than looking at TikTok on a phone. A better cure for boredom is to be proactive, talk to a supervisor and ask for something to do. Remember that if work experience has been a success, it could be worth talking to the company about a longer internship or future employment with them. If that is not viable, asking for a reference is a good plan!

University research and open days in lower sixth

Start talking to students in the year above; find out what they are doing and where they are going. Read up about universities and maybe visit a few to get a feel for the whole idea, although don’t go during the holidays as there is little point in going to one devoid of students. Better still, find out when their open days are so you can see the departments and facilities on offer, meet staff and students and ask questions. Possibly ask an older sibling, cousin or older friend who is at university if they would be happy to provide a bed (floor space) for a night, extending the idea of experiencing how it feels to be an undergrad. UCAS publishes a useful list of university open days.

Research the different colleges, as the college role varies between universities. At Oxford and Cambridge, the colleges are central to accommodation, social life and education. At other collegiate universities (Durham, Lancaster, York, Kent) colleges play varying roles, from providing accommodation and social activities to offering wider student support.

Many universities (or their students’ unions) operate Facebook groups for prospective and incipient students. These can be a good place to ask questions about student life and get a sense of what you need to know before applying. Sign up and create an account with The Student Room. It’s a forum where it is possible to ask real-life students any and every question about what it’s like being a student at their university.

Reading and activities for your university application

Try to unearth some books that might relate to an appealing aspect of the course you’re considering. Read around the subject, over it, under it and find a topic that can be discussed in your UCAS application so that you have more than a fleeting understanding of that subject. This research might also highlight what is exciting about the course or the outcomes it can offer.

Attend public lectures, visit art galleries, mine all networks for ideas and experiences that will help create a three-dimensional person on the application form and give you useful material for your personal statement.

Using the summer holidays to prepare for UCAS

Organise more work experience now and, if possible, make it relevant.

Future medic applicants, take note: you should try to spend some time in the two years before applying to med school working in a medical environment – including working as a first-aider or in a care home. This criterion ensures that students have the particular aptitude and personality required for such a vocational career. Work experience does not have to be in a medical area. The Medical Schools Council state it wants candidates to have experience working with people – retail, hospitality or community volunteering all count. Further details can be found via the Medical Schools Council website.

Those considering more vocational degrees, such as teaching or veterinary science, might also consider related work experience to ensure they comprehend the career options that their chosen degree would lead to. To a certain extent, all careers have vocational aspects, which is one reason why work experience is so valuable to students, enabling them to discover passions as well as some new strengths or weaknesses that can be improved upon. The value placed on work experience varies by course, but reflecting thoughtfully on relevant experiences can strengthen an application.

While putting in the hard work to get stellar results is important – nothing makes an applicant stand out more than great grades – good candidates are more than just a good set of results.

During the holidays, write the first draft of your personal statement. It does not have to be the finished article at this stage, but leave plenty of time to ensure all the information can be carefully crafted in the most intelligent way possible within the three specific questions and overall limit of 4,000 characters. If applying for two or more different degree courses at five universities, creating a ‘one size fits all’ personal statement can present a challenge, but others have been there before and achieved it. The rule of thumb is to write your personal statement to fit your first choice of university, particularly if it is Oxbridge. 

UCAS has excellent advice regarding how to construct a strong personal statement and how to make one statement work when applying for more than one course.

Applying to university in upper sixth

Get ready for a roller coaster ride. Not only will the workload increase but a final decision regarding universities and course options will finally need to be made and personal statements turned from a draft into the finished article. UCAS uses an online system that happily allows you to input information and save it so that the application form does not have to be completed in one sitting.

The equal consideration (meaning all on-time applications must be treated in the same way) deadline for most undergraduate degrees is mid January. Many universities accept applications after this date but do not have to give them equal consideration. Oxbridge, medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses have an earlier application closing date of 15 October the year before students go up to university. No consideration is made for late applications so be ready and don’t leave submission until the last minute.

When do universities make offers?

Universities may send an offer through immediately, but they may also wait until May to send out offers. It could be an agonisingly long wait which just has to be accepted. Revision could be the answer to helping focus the mind elsewhere!

More and more UK school leavers are opting to continue their studies abroad. Click for information relating to studying in Europe or studying in the USA.