INTRODUCTION
The majority of Clifton High School students choose to pursue higher education at university although we also support and encourage students who elect to pursue other routes such as applying for degreelevel apprenticeships. The School recognises the intensity of preparing for university while studying for A level qualifications. Therefore, we provide robust guidance and support throughout the process. We hope you find the guidance in this booklet helpful. If you have further questions, please contact the Sixth Form team.
WHAT IS UCAS?
UCAS is the University and Colleges Admissions Service, an independent charity that plays a crucial role in connecting people to higher education. It is the central application platform for UK universities and colleges. It manages undergraduate applications and students will submit their applications to universities through UCAS.
UCAS APPLICATION OVERVIEW
• Students will set up a UCAS account online and will apply for universities through their UCAS hub account.
• Students will set up their accounts in School and will be supported through the whole process by their tutor and the Head of Higher Education and Careers.
• All information including qualifications, personal statements, predicated grades and university choices will be inputted on one application through UCAS. It is a relatively simple and straightforward online process for students.
• It is a relatively simple process for students and is all completed online.
UNIVERISTY CHOICES
• Students are allowed to make a maximum of five choices. Students may apply for more than one course at a specific university, or for a range of subjects at different institutions. Most apply for similar courses at five different institutions.
• It is advised that they apply for the same or similar university courses.
• If students are applying to study Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science they are restricted to four choices within this field but can apply for a fifth course in a linked or allied field.
• Choices do not need to be added in any preference order, and universities cannot see the other institutions to which they have applied.
• When students are making their choices, it is advised that they maintain a balance between options that are aspirational, secure and safe. They will be given support by the Head of Higher Education and Careers when making these choices.
UNIFROG
• All students at Clifton High School have a Unifrog account.
• Unifrog is an online platform that allows students to explore a vast array of career paths, higher education options and apprenticeships.
• Unifrog simplifies the university research and application process. It allows students to easily find and compare university courses and use the personal statement builder. Students will be given time and support through the futures programme and tutorial time to use Unifrog.
HOW STUDENTS ARE SUPPORTED AT CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL
Clifton High School Sixth Form students are offered unprecedented support and guidance as they transition from School life into the next chapter of their exciting journeys. Examples of some of the support given to students when applying to university include:
• The Futures and Skills programme focuses on UCAS applications, linking university courses to careers, student finance and writing an outstanding personal statement.
• Every student will have one-to-one guidance sessions with the Head Higher Education and of Careers, guiding them through their UCAS application.
• Students have multi-layered support with their personal statement. They will each be allocated a subject specialist to act as their personal statement supervisor, as well as receiving support from their tutor, and the Sixth Form leadership team.
• Every student meets with the Head of Higher Education and Careers to check and send their UCAS application.
• Opportunities are provided to hear about careers and university courses through our Employer Talks programme and Alumni Breakfasts.
• We offer Oxbridge and Medical Society groups to provide additional support and guidance to those pursuing these options.
• All Year 12s will be taken to a UCAS convention in April where they can speak with different universities’ representatives and will visit Cardiff University in June to gain a taste of university life.
• Every student is supported in using Unifrog and UCAS so they are able to conduct effective research on university courses.
WHAT CAN PARENTS DO TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILD?
The most important thing to note is that your child will be given excellent support at Clifton High School. However below are some things you might consider:
• Discussions: Encourage your child to research universities and courses well in advance. Discuss their interests, career aspirations and potential paths.
• Research Together: Explore university websites, attend open days, and discuss the merits and drawbacks of different institutions. Help your child make informed choices.
• Open days: Visiting universities is an excellent way for students to make informed choices.
• Work Experience: Encourage your child to undertake meaningful work experience.
• Financial Considerations: Talk about tuition fees, accommodation costs and available financial support. Be realistic about budgeting.
• Personal Statement planning: Speak to your child about their personal statement and offer to proof-read their personal statement.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
A UCAS personal statement is a crucial part of the university application process. It is an opportunity for students to showcase their skills, experiences and motivations to Admissions Officers. While parents can provide support and guidance, it is important to remember that the personal statement must be the student’s own work and should follow the guidelines offered by the staff at Clifton High School.
For the 2026 university entry, the personal statement format has undergone changes to better guide students in showcasing their strengths and aspirations. Instead of a single long essay, the new format consists of three distinct sections:
Section 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Section 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
Section 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
The students will need to answer all three questions and there is a minimum character count of 350 characters for each section with an overall limit of 4000 characters including spaces.
In constructing their personal statement, students will be given extensive support at School, however you might want to keep the following in mind:
• Around 80% of the statement should be focused on the subject a student wants to study at university. The personal statement allows the student to stand out by showcasing their unique qualities, experiences and aspirations.
• It should outline what their reasons are for wanting to study their chosen course and what their possible career paths might be thereafter.
• They should outline what experiences they have undertaken that relate to their chosen course, such as work experience, talks attended, online courses etc.
• They should demonstrate what they have done to show interest in their chosen course, such as relevant wider reading, subject competitions, podcasts or documentaries.
• They should mention relevant co-curricular activities; encourage them to relate these back to their chosen course and to consider the core skills gained.
SCHOOL REFERENCE AND PREDICTED GRADES
As part of their application the School will provide a written reference for the student and also a set of predicted grades. The reference will incorporate academic references from their teachers and a personal reference from their tutor.
SENDING YOUR APPLICATION
The student’s application will be rigorously checked by their tutor and the personal statement will also be checked by their personal statement subject supervisor. Students are also encouraged to meet with the Head of Higher Education and of Careers to discuss any finer points of their application.
When the student is ready to send their application, they will have a meeting with the Head of Higher Education and of Careers. In the meeting, the application will be thoroughly reviewed to ensure all sections are completed. University choices will also be discussed and checked to ensure they are the most appropriate choices. The application will then be sent online through UCAS.
REPLYING TO UNIVERSITIES
Universities have until May to reply to students about their decisions, but many universities will reply sooner.
Once students receive all their offers they will have to decide on their firm and insurance choice:
FIRM CHOICE
• The student’s firm choice is their top preference – the university they most want to attend.
• If they accept a conditional offer and meet the specified conditions (usually related to exam results), they will have a confirmed place at this university.
INSURANCE CHOICE
• The insurance choice serves as a back-up option in case the student does not meet the conditions of their firm choice. It is advised to select a university with lower entry requirements for the insurance choice.
If the firm choice falls through, your child will be offered a place at their insurance choice. Therefore, ensure it is a university where they would still be happy to study.
RESULTS DAY
We expect most students will get into their firm choice university place. On results day all students (and parents) will be invited to come into School for a celebration event where all Sixth Form staff and Heads of Department will be available to support students if they require advice on university choices and offerings.
CLEARING
Clearing is a process that allows students who have not secured a place at university to find and apply for courses that still have vacancies. Clearing can be a good option for students who have changed their mind about their course or university, or who have not met the entry requirements for their chosen course. On Results Day, staff will be available to support students if they need to consider clearing.
March
• The Futures and Skills programme concentrates on UCAS applications and careers planning.
• One-to-one guidance sessions with the Head of Higher Education and Careers.
April
• UCAS Convention at UWE- 29th April
May
• Students start planning their personal statements and will be given support through the Futures and Skills programme.
• Year 12 Parents’ Evening and UCAS Information Evening.
• Students will be allocated a subject specialist teacher linked to their chosen university course.
June/July
• We take students to Cardiff University (12th June), to give them an experience of what university is like. They will have talks from the university about personal statements and student finance.
• Students will register for UCAS and start to build their online application.
• The deadline for a first draft of the personal statement will pass. Personal statement drafts will be checked by the student’s tutor.
September
• Personal statements to be finalised and checking completed by the tutor and personal statement supervisor.
October
• 15th October: the deadline for applications to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and for most courses in Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine / Science.
December
• Internal deadline at Clifton High School for all students to send off their UCAS application (3rd December 2025).
January
• 14th January 2025: External UCAS Deadline for applications for most undergraduate courses.
