QES_Higher_Education_Guide_2025_entry

Higher Education Guide

Making decisions about your future can be both daunting and exciting – the months ahead are about laying foundations for the next steps in your education, adulthood, and your career.

Whilst deciding to go to university (or not to) is an economic decision; you are making a major financial investment and, indeed, those who participate and succeed in higher education will earn more in years to come. But that should not be your prime motivation in studying at university or on a degree apprenticeship programme; the broadening of your mind, the range of opportunities that will be open to you, the people that you meet and, yes, the great times that you will have are all reasons for not just going, but participating and thriving in the three or four years that you will be there.

Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet 1

The information that is outlined in this guide is intended to give clarity to the university application process, but it is a process that relies upon careful thought and preparation on your part. You must organise yourself, take advice, use it appropriately and aim high. Applying is not without its stresses and disappointments in some cases; you must accept that this is part of the process, and respond in the appropriate way if you don’t get exactly what you want.

Our role is to assist and advise, but we cannot make decisions for you. The UCAS application that you submit and the personal statement that you write must be your work, and it is right that this is the case; as talented individuals who are seeking entry to the best of institutions, you would not expect it to be any other way. What is essential is that you make decisions which are appropriate to you as an individual; decisions which reflect your academic achievement thus far, your extra-curricular involvement, the courses that you want to study and the places that you want to study at.

My hope is that in preparing you for the process, we assist you to find your path to a successful future.

Mr J Kane Assistant Head (Pupil Destinations)

A Glossary of Useful Terms

Below are words and terms that should prove useful:

Admissions tutor/officer

These individuals are best contacted if you need help or advice about admission to a particular university. You will only really need to contact them if and when you have been offered a place at the university that they represent.

Apprenticeship degrees

Degree apprenticeships are a new type of programme offered by some universities. Students can achieve a full bachelor’s or master’s degree as part of their apprenticeship. These programmes are being developed by employers, universities, and professional bodies working in partnership.

Degree apprenticeships combine working with studying part-time at a university. Apprentices are employed throughout the programme and

spend part of their time at university and the rest with their employer. The qualification can take between three and six years to complete, depending on the course level. Degree apprenticeships are still quite new, so there are a limited number of vacancies. It’s anticipated that the number of vacancies will grow over the next year or two.

Campus

A campus is a site on which a university is located. It tends to describe a university that has buildings clustered in one place rather than scattered throughout a city or town.

Clearing

The process (run by UCAS) begins as soon as A-Level results are released in August. It is there to assist students who have missed required grades, or who hold no offers, to find university courses which still have places available.

Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet 3

Collegiate system

A university made up of separate colleges, which together comprise the university, is called ‘collegiate’. In such universities the college plays a crucial part in the lives of students. The only true collegiate universities in the UK are Oxford, Cambridge and Durham.

Combined / joint honours degrees

These are degrees where usually two subjects are taken, e.g. History & French or Politics & Economics.

Conditional offer

An offer made to a student with certain academic criteria attached.

Deferred entry

This occurs if you decide to take a gap year and it simply means that you have applied for a course and decided to delay taking your place at university, usually for a year.

Degree grades

Most UK undergraduates will emerge after three or four years with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. These can be classified in descending order:

• First

• Upper Second - 2:1

• Lower Second - 2:2

• Third

Extra

If you have applied for all five of your choices and not received an offer, then you can apply through (UCAS) Extra, one course at a time.

Firm offer (CF)

This is your first-choice university offer that you accept through UCAS.

Freshers

A term deriving from the American name for a student in his/her first year at university, a ‘Freshman’.

Insurance offer (CI)

This is your second-choice university offer that you accept through UCAS.

Matriculation

This is the process of officially enrolling and starting at university, usually marked by a photograph and/or dinner.

Modular courses

Most university students used to be faced with a set of ‘finals’ whereby all three years’ work was assessed in final exams. A modular approach is where students are assessed on a more regular basis in modules.

Open days

These are organised by universities to help prospective students gain an insight into their courses, campuses and facilities. They usually take place in June / July and September/October, and information on specific open days can be sought at www.opendays.com and on the UCAS website.

Russell Group of universities

This group includes the some of the most prestigious universities in the UK. There are 24 universities in the Russell Group. There are also a variety of other university groups. Some prestigious universities, such as St Andrews and Bath, are not members of the Russell Group.

Sandwich courses

These courses integrate academic studies with industrial, commercial or professional training. For example, it could involve two years of study, followed by a year in work and then a further year on the course.

UCAS

The Universities and Colleges

Admissions Service is the central body (based in Cheltenham) through which all students must apply to gain access to a UK university.

UCAS hub

The UCAS online system for applying to university, and for tracking the progress of your application.

Unconditional offer

A guaranteed offer of a university place, with no conditions attached. These are most commonly made to applicants applying post-results who have already satisfied the entry requirements.

Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet 5

QE Futures

Throughout your time at QE you will have been supported to consider your future pathway in life – through PDT, assemblies, in lessons, in ‘bespokes’, and through countless co- and extracurricular opportunities. At QE we call this collective package of university and careers support the QE Futures programme.

As you progress into Sixth Form, the level of Futures support naturally intensifies to give you the best advice and guidance to make a successful application to a competitive degree or apprenticeship course of your choice.

Students at QE begin to plan for university admissions through UCAS in Year 12. This stands for the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service and all relevant details can be found on their website:

www.ucas.com

University Support Programme (USP) lessons

This is a taught element of the Futures programme, offered to pupils in the Sixth Form. USP is a bespoke course that aims to equip students with the skills needed to make a successful university application, including those needed for admissions tests and university interviews. Pupils following this programme will have one double lesson a week.

Subject support & extension

Each department at QE has a comprehensive programme of support in place to assist those who may need to prepare for university admissions tests and interviews. Details can be obtained from the relevant department.

Universities Convention at QE

This takes place in late March/early April of Year 12, involving most of the previous year’s leavers returning to offer boys an insight into their university/gap year experiences and to offer advice. Boys should come to the convention prepared with questions that they may wish to ask.

Introduction to UCAS and university applications –Year 12 student presentation

Takes place in June of Year 12, delivered by Mr Kane and the Head of Year.

Futures Evening – Year 11 parent/student presentation

Year 11 boys and their parents are invited to an information evening in the Summer Term to find out more about an Oxford and Cambridge/US university education, and the processes involved in applying. An admissions tutor from an Oxford/Cambridge college is invited to speak at the event.

Mock University Interviews

During October and into November, Old Elizabethans kindly provide Year 13 students with mock university interviews across a wide range of disciplines. Separately, departments make their own bespoke arrangements in providing pupils with mock interviews where they are applying to read their subject.

Below are just some of the ways in which boys at QE are helped to navigate the process.

Mentoring from Old Elizabethans

The School regularly welcomes back Old Elizabethans, providing a hugely varied programme of support for our boys including frequent talks, mentoring sessions, and workshops. Students are encouraged to access OEs through QE Connect to broaden their professional networks and access guidance and advice from those at university or beginning their careers.

Bespoke meetings with tutors

All tutors will have regular bespoke meetings with their tutees, at least once per half-term, that provide an opportunity to discuss potential career and university options. Tutors will assist their tutees with the UCAS application process.

University cluster groups with Year 13s

A number of Year 13 students will visit Year 12 tutor groups over three weeks in the Spring Term to share their experiences of the UCAS process and to offer advice.

Oxford and Cambridge Programme

Preliminary Oxford and Cambridge information will be given to the entire year group over three special lectures held in February/March each year. Each department will then follow this up with their own bespoke programme of support for applicants, including admissions test preparation in the Summer Term of Year 12.

Open days/university visits

We recommend that students start to attend open days at universities during the Summer Term of Year 12. Permission will be given for a maximum of two days of absence for these visits, as we are conscious of the need to protect valuable teaching time. Many universities now run open days at the weekend, and online. See www. opendays.com and individual university websites for more information.

US university workshops

Every year, QE welcomes two or three interns from the University of Connecticut to undertake training at the School. Whilst here, the interns provide a weekly programme of workshops throughout the Autumn Term, guiding boys thinking of making a US university application.

The Application Timetable

Year 12

September to June

• Researching into different universities and courses, whilst independently exploring your A-level subjects beyond the confines of the core curriculum

June

• UCAS student briefing takes place

• Opening of online UCAS account

• Personal statement drafting begins

• Cluster groups focussed on preparing for university admissions tests

July

• Final shortlist of university courses decided

• Draft personal statements to tutors

• Teachers predict A-level grades and provide academic profiles to inform UCAS references

• Registration opens for the UCAT test (required by many medical schools)

Year 13

September & October

• Shortlist of university courses, amended if necessary

• Registration opens for the LNAT test (required by many law schools)

• Personal statement finalised

• Application form completed via UCAS Hub

• Oxford and Cambridge/Medical candidates to submit their UCAS applications early in September

• All others submitted by mid-October

• Mock university interview evening

November

• University admissions tests take place (at QE) – except UCAT and LNAT

• Individual mock interviews, advice and training for university applicants

December

• Oxford and Cambridge Interviews

January

• Oxford and Cambridge outcomes communicated

March

• Students to make arrangements to apply for student finance

April

• Final interviews and offers made through UCAS

May

• “Firm” and “Insurance” offers – final responses required from students to UCAS

• If all applications are declined or rejected, students may apply for place(s) through “Extra”

June

• A-level examinations

August

• A-level results and university confirmation

Choosing Your Course

There is often, at this stage, the temptation to think of universities before considering courses. This is understandable as Sixth Form students hear about how wonderful university X is or how good the social life is at university Y.

Avoid that temptation and think ‘course first’.

Furthermore, it may be the case that students have a misguided understanding of the degree course requirements to enter particular career pathways.

Whilst it is true that some careers will require a student to have undertaken a certain degree course (e.g. Medicine for those wishing to be a doctor), the vast majority of careers require no particular degree subject specialism – you don’t need a degree in Economics to work in finance, or a degree in Law to be a solicitor. Indeed, university admissions tutors are looking for students with a genuine interest in the academic study of the subject – they will be put off if it appears that the only reason a student is applying for Economics is because they want to be a banker.

Remember, you are going to spend the next three, four or even six years studying this subject or subjects, so choose wisely. There are nearly 45,000 courses on offer, so it may not be easy.

A new UCAS service is the UCAS Hub – a platform to help you with selection of course and university: www.ucas.com/what-are-my-options/create-your-ucashub-today.

The School has also bought in to the Unifrog platform to help you with course and university choices (www.unifrog.org). It will also be the place where your personal statement and references are generated.

Advice

• If at this stage you (like many others) have no clear idea about a career path, then opt for a degree and course that you are likely to enjoy

• Be aware that many employers simply want to employ graduates, irrespective of the particular subject of their degree. For example, most accountants did NOT study Accounting and Finance at university.

• Check carefully the course requirements. Do not make the mistake, for example, of applying to do a degree in Physiotherapy when you did not opt for Biology. All good Physiotherapy courses now insist on Biology.

• Remember that some degree courses take not three, but four years to complete. This is usually the case for Scottish universities and for language degrees. Remember also that some degree courses have a ‘year out’ in the middle of the course (often abroad) extending the degree to four years. This is the case with language degrees and increasingly for subjects like Politics where some courses offer a year in Washington DC or Brussels.

• Research carefully the content and expectations of new courses like Psychology, Sociology and Law.

• Ensure that you consider joint honours degrees if you really enjoy two particular subjects. Many joint degrees are excellent and can give you more scope long term. For example, Physics & Philosophy or History with French can be just right for some students.

• Be realistic about your courses and destinations. There is no point in applying to universities whose entry grade requirements do not match your predicted grades. For example, Medical courses usually require A*AA–AAB. You will not get offers unless you are likely to achieve those grades. It may be worth making one of your five applications to a university requiring just slightly higher grades than your predicted grades; for example, you hold predicted grades of AAB and you apply for a course asking for AAA.

• Don’t wait for a teacher to approach you; take the initiative. Make a point of discussing options with relevant staff (teachers, form tutors, Mr Kane, Mr Ryan).

• Consult relevant publications and websites. You may find the following sources of information helpful:

‘UCAS The Big Guide’ or www.ucas.com

University prospectuses

Unifrog (www.unifrog.org)

The Times Good University Guide

www.guardian.co.uk/education/universityguide

University websites

And finally, a word on UCAS-predicted grades

UCAS-predicted grades are an important aspect of the application process. Predicted grades are submitted by Heads of Department and are mainly, although not exclusively, based on performance in AS/ end-of-Year 12 examinations.

Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet 15

Choosing Your University

Most of you will apply to five universities. Before doing so, there are a number of factors to be considered. Most are outlined below.

Geographic area

Where in the UK would you like to be? Does Scotland or Wales appeal? Would you rather stay in and around London or move to elsewhere?

Campus or city

Would you prefer the bright lights of Manchester, Birmingham or Leeds, or would you rather opt for the more self-contained, easily accessible Warwick, Exeter, or York?

Big or small

Is big or small more suited to you? Does the fact that Manchester has the biggest concentration of students in Western Europe appeal? Would you rather apply to a smaller university in a smaller town where you feel less anonymous, for example St Andrews?

Old or new

Are you seduced by the thought of studying in the shadow of ancient buildings, majestic museums and stunning churches? Would you rather be surrounded by more functional structures, modern amenities and state-of-the-art lecture theatres?

Non-academic factors

Are sports facilities critical? Is it important for the university to have a good reputation in music and drama? Will the quality of the local ‘club’ scene be decisive? Is it desirable to be near a national park so that you can keep up your interest in outdoor pursuits?

Financial considerations

It is worth stressing that some towns and cities are more expensive than others in terms of cost of living. London, Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Cambridge and Edinburgh tend to be on the expensive side, whilst Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield would be cheaper than the average.

Accommodation

If this is an important consideration, then make sure you check that the university offers suitable accommodation to all first-year students.

Reputation and academic excellence

There is a wealth of information published that gives detailed information on universities; see www.guardian.co.uk/education/universityguide or www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings

Remember

It is important that you talk to your form tutor/Head of Year about your university choices before you apply!

Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet

1. Friends, family, past students Speak with as many people as you can about university destinations. Clearly, if you are considering Warwick, it is well worth chatting with someone who has studied there. QE Connect offers you a perfect platform to reach out to Old Elizabethans.

2. Websites Search all possible universities on the web (Unifrog is a good starting point). Some universities have ‘virtual tours’ on their websites; these are well worth exploring.

3. Prospectuses Consider as many prospectuses as you can – they are normally available online, while you can generally a find a hard copy in the School’s careers library or request one from the university. It is also worth requesting copies of alternative prospectuses produced by students, as these tend to give an even better insight into university life.

4. Visits/open days Make sure that you visit at least two or three universities, in particular your final few choices.

Advice

• Remember to be realistic with your chosen universities. Not everyone will have the grades to apply to Oxford, Imperial or Warwick, in some subjects. Balance ambition and realism.

• It is worth including a spread of universities in your final list of five. This means two top, two middle-ranking universities and one university requiring lower grades. In so doing, you may get offers from the best, but equally you will have a couple of insurance choices as back-up.

• Dentistry, Medical and Veterinary applicants are restricted to a maximum of four choices, but you can use the remaining choice to apply for another course. This should be consistent with the other choices; for example, a student may apply for Biomedical Sciences if they are a medical applicant.

In order to narrow your choice further, remember to consult the following:

Oxford and Cambridge

The application process for Oxford and Cambridge is different in a number of key respects from most other universities:

• Students may apply to either Oxford or Cambridge – but not both.

• Applicants are assessed and admitted by the Oxford and Cambridge colleges, rather than by departments or faculties.

• Students apply directly to a particular college, rather than to the university. Alternatively, an Open application may be made – this is where the applicant does not express a preference for any particular college and is allocated to one by the university.

• The deadline for Oxford and Cambridge applications is earlier than for other universities – applications must be received by UCAS no later than 15th October. Given the number of students at QE who apply to Oxford and Cambridge, we ask that you submit your application in early September. This deadline also applies to Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary applicants (at all universities).

• Cambridge applicants must complete a supplementary application form (MyCambridge), which must be returned to Cambridge by the deadline set in order for your application to be valid. You will receive an email directly from Cambridge upon submitting your UCAS application inviting you to complete the MyCambridge. Further information can be found at www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/ MyCambridge

• Oxford and Cambridge colleges conduct interviews as part of the application process, which are usually held in early December. Please see the Interviews section of this guide for more information.

• The vast majority of Oxford and Cambridge courses will require an admissions test to be taken as part of the application process, typically (but not always) prior to interview. Please note that it is your responsibility to research what admissions test(s) may be required, and to ensure that you are registered for these. Please see the Admissions Tests section of this guide for more information.

For an Oxford and Cambridge application to stand a realistic chance of consideration, the following profile should be met:

A very strong GCSE profile – all 9-7 (A*/A), with ideally a minimum six 9/8 (A*).

Strong AS exam results (straight A grades in most cases).

A passionate commitment to the chosen subject. Additional and broad reading around the subject will be assumed and tested.

It is important to consider course choice very carefully: state school applicants fall down by applying for the most oversubscribed courses.

For example:

• At Oxford, a third of state-school applications are for five of the most oversubscribed subjects (Economics & Management, Medicine, PPE, Law, and Mathematics), compared with 31% of independent applications. Similar outcomes are seen at Cambridge.

• In contrast, 20% of independent applications were for five of the least oversubscribed subjects (Classics, Music, Modern Languages, Chemistry, and English), compared with 13% of state applications.

You should think carefully about where exactly your interest lies – the chances of success can be significantly increased by applying for more diverse subjects, including Earth Sciences, Modern Languages, PPL (Psychology, Philosophy & Linguistics), Human Sciences, Geography, Veterinary Medicine, and HSPS (Human, Social & Political Sciences).

College choice should also be considered very carefully. Whilst there is no definitive answer of ‘which college should I apply to’, students with predominantly grade 8s at GCSE will need to think more strategically and carefully about their college choice than those with predominantly grade 9s.

You may find the following undergraduate admissions statistics helpful:

Oxford:

https://www.ox.ac.uk/about/facts-and-figures/admissions-statistics /undergraduate-students?wssl=1

Cambridge:

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/statistics

Admissions Tests

The number of admissions tests has increased hugely in recent years –most Oxford and Cambridge courses now require an admissions test to be taken, together with a number of courses elsewhere. Some tests are sat prior to an offer of an interview in school and some are sat at interview. Note that some tests, for example UCAT and LNAT, require the student to register independently and sit the test in an approved test centre externally to the school.

For test requirements at Oxford, see: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-tooxford/guide/admissions-tests

For requirements at Cambridge, see: www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/admission-assessments

UCAS provides a comprehensive list for all universities: www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/admissions-tests

American Universities use the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test www.collegeboard.org/) and the ACT test (American College Testing www.act.org/content/act/en/studentsand-parents.html). Please see Mr Kane, who will explain the difference.

Please note

More information on admissions tests, including support materials, is available via eQE: https://eqe.fireflycloud.net/sixth-form/progressionto-university/interviews-1. Admissions test requirements may change from one year to the next. It is up to you to find out what tests may be required, and to ensure that you are registered for these.

Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet 25

The UCAS Form

The only way you can apply to a UK university is through UCAS, so you need to ensure that you do it properly.

It is therefore essential that you read the following carefully and that you seek advice accordingly. Speak with your tutor, Head of Year, older brothers and sisters, members of Year 13 and Old Elizabethans – there is much good advice out there; you must track it down.

See www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/filling-your-ucasundergraduate-application for the official guide to completing the form.

All UCAS applications must be submitted by:

Early September

For all Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary applicants

Mid-October

All others

Some may have good reason to delay the submission of the UCAS form until after October – this should, however, only be the case for a very small number of students and should be discussed first with your Head of Year. It is worth remembering that universities will begin to consider applications as soon as they are received, and so the sooner you submit the better.

Filling in the Form

All UCAS applications at QE are made through the online UCAS portal. Your Head of Year will provide a briefing assembly in June with full details of how to go about this process.

The following advice is worth noting.

Your personal details

• Avoid nicknames.

• Avoid strange email addresses.

• Don’t forget your postcode.

• Be clear about your ‘residential category’; this is important for the purposes of tuition fees.

• The ‘fee code’ should be listed as ‘02’ in the majority of cases – this means that you are eligible to access student finance from the Student Loans Company. Those not wishing to access any form of student finance (as they are financing their studies and living costs privately) should enter ‘01’. Please see the ‘Student Finance’ section of this guide for more information.

The rest is fairly self-explanatory.

Your choice of courses

• You can apply to a maximum of five universities (fewer if you wish) or four for Medicine, Veterinary Science and Dentistry.

• It is vital that you include accurate details of course, campus and university codes.

• You should think very carefully about the courses that you apply to, in light of your predicted grades and AS-level outcomes. It is strongly advised that at least one of your five choices should be for a course that requires grades lower than your predictions.

Your education

• There is no need to include your primary or nursery schools.

Your qualifications

• All of your GCSE and AS results must be included. You must also list the A-levels that you will be sitting in the future, with the results left as pending.

• GCSE Double Science (Trilogy) should have two GCSE grades displayed. Any short-course GCSEs taken should clearly specify this.

• Any public speaking, drama or music qualifications should also be included if significant – grade 3 on the clarinet, though commendable, does not need to be included.

Your employment history

• Stress any relevant work experience here as well as any ‘worthwhile’ jobs that you have undertaken.

• Think twice before including ‘car washing’, ‘babysitting’, ‘dog walking’ etc.

Your personal statement

• See next section.

Your declaration

• Remember, by signing the declaration you are saying that the information you have provided is accurate and complete, and that you agree to abide by the rules of UCAS.

Your reference

• Your form tutor will write your reference, with input from your subject teachers.

• It will include reference to your attitude, motivation, organisation and suitability for the course. It will also include your predicted grades.

Check,

and then ask someone else to do the same.

double check, proof-read…

The Personal Statement

This section is crucial because it is the only part of the application where you have a chance to sell yourself. Clearly your academic potential and grades are the key factors, BUT your wider experiences are also important.

Please note that you can only produce one personal statement, which is sent to all universities to which you apply.

More information on personal statements is available via eQE: https://eqe.fireflycloud.net/sixth-form/progression-touniversity/ucas/personal-statements

How do admissions tutors use the personal statement?

• To help them select candidates.

• To help then decide which candidates to interview.

• To give interviewers options for questions.

• To test whether the candidate understands the nature of the course.

• To ascertain the level of interest that the candidate has in the course.

• To help decide between borderline candidates.

• To help make a decision on your admission if you narrowly miss the entry grades in August.

What information should be included in the personal statement?

• Reasons you wish to undertake the course – it may link to your career aspirations.

• Your academic suitability for the course and reference to relevant academic assignments undertaken.

• The reasons for your chosen A-levels and how they may contribute towards preparing you for university study.

• The level of interest you have in the course, i.e. what wider reading you have undertaken.

• Your wider interests and extra-curricular activities including: sports, drama, music, CCF, Duke of Edinburgh, debating etc.

• Details of relevant work experience; particularly when the course is vocational.

• Your personal qualities and skills, i.e. teamwork, leadership, IT, communication.

• Your positions of responsibility, i.e. sports captain, prefect, peer mentor etc.

• Examples demonstrating your willingness to work hard and persevere with tasks.

What should you avoid in your personal statement?

• Waffling.

• Referring to your qualities and skills without giving examples.

• Starting every paragraph with ‘I’.

• Making mistakes – proof-read carefully and re-draft several times.

• Referring to work experience without explaining the insights gained from it.

• Making out that you are Superman; be humble as well as making it clear that you are very able!

Universities are also very keen to see accurate, well-structured, well-planned statements displaying a good use of English.

What should you include in your personal statement?

Skills

• Look at university department websites, specifically the skills that they require of their students. Your personal statement must match up with their requirements. For example, many science courses will mention that some assessment is carried out in group course work, therefore you must mention your ability to work in a group (with examples).

Your reasons for choosing the course / subject

• Your enthusiasm for the course – reasons.

• You are interested in certain components – why? You need to show that you understand what the course involves and that you have looked at the department website.

• Explain why certain elements of your A-levels (content and/or learning approach) are relevant to the course you intend to study and appeal to you. You must give reasons for your choice of course beyond simply enjoying it.

• Have you had any experience that has prompted your choice? What was it about this experience that has helped you come to this decision?

• Have you undertaken any work experience that demonstrates your enthusiasm for your chosen discipline? For example, if you are applying for Medicine you must have spent time in a hospital or GP’s clinic or related institution.

• You possess the skills required to complete the course successfully. You need to identify the skill set required by the university and then, with examples, show that you are the sort of student they want. Skills to consider: independent study / research, teamwork, evaluative / analytic skills, creativity, leadership, communication, tenacity etc.

Reading that is relevant to the course that is beyond/outside of A-level specification

• What did you think of your reading, the central ideas etc? This is an ideal opportunity to demonstrate your analytical/evaluative skills.

• What thoughts did you have? Did this prompt you to read further? How has it fired your interest in the subject?

Extra-curricular activities relevant to the course

• School clubs, e.g. Model UN, Debating, Mock Trial.

School leadership

• Prefect, peer mentoring, Sixth Form conference representative.

Part-time job Awards, competitions

• e.g. Maths Challenge, essay prizes.

Hobbies

• This will be brief, as the focus of your personal statement must be your academic aptitude and interests. If you are applying for a very competitive course/institution the vast majority of your personal statement will focus on the academic.

Sports

• In and outside school – teams.

In all the above, try to give specific examples rather than broad statements. This lends credibility to your writing.

Sections of the Statement

Introduction

• Why are you enthusiastic about your subject?

• Don’t use ‘passion/passionate’.

• Try to make your first idea interesting. The admissions tutor should want to read on rather than to put your statement aside.

• Only use a quote if it encapsulates your first idea and you are able to expand on it.

• Don’t start your statement with ‘ever since I was a child…’ or ‘since I was at primary school, I have always been interested in…’

• Can you identify an experience that has had a profound influence on you? Try to avoid ‘I have always enjoyed Geography…’

Main body

• Demonstrate that you are the sort of student they want.

• Show you are a good match for their skills requirements. Remember to look on the department website for their skills requirements. You can often do this simply by talking about your reading, studies and achievements. The reader will be able to identify your skillset, e.g. that you are good at independent study or analysis. This would be better than following the more obvious formula: ‘I am a good independent studier. This is shown by my reading …’ Rather, by writing / reflecting on your reading around the subject, you demonstrate your strength in independent study etc.

• You have indicated your enthusiasm for the course – what things evidence this? University subject taster days? Reading? Lectures? Work experience? MOOCs? School clubs? What have you learnt about yourself and the subject you are hoping to study from these?

Extra-curricular achievements and interests

• This is a brief section of a few lines where you include any major hobbies/interests. Significant extra-curricular activities / achievements would be included. Prefect duties, peer mentoring, charity work/volunteering, D of E etc.

Final sentence

• A single sentence encapsulating what you have to offer and why you want to study this course.

Open Days

The best way to judge whether or not you are suited to a university is to visit during an official open day. These are opportunities not only to visit the university facilities but also to explore your chosen department and meet current university staff and students.

As fewer universities interview candidates, open days (particularly department open days) are important events and enable prospective students to find answers to questions not included in the prospectus.

The sorts of questions you should ask are outlined opposite.

For information on open days either consult www.opendays.com or see the website of the relevant university.

The open day checklist

Subject-specific

1. Are my examination subjects acceptable for entry to the course?

2. What grades are usually required?

3. Is the course modular or not?

4. Are candidates interviewed before being offered a place?

5. What is the average intake of students each year onto the course?

6. What is the staff/student ratio or male/female ratio?

7. Will I be at a disadvantage if I apply for deferred entry?

8. Is a gap year encouraged?

9. How is the course taught?

10. Will there be opportunities for study trips or visits abroad?

11. How good are the IT facilities?

12. How good is the careers service?

13. What do current students think of the course?

14. What is the reputation of the department locally, nationally, internationally?

General issues

1. What are the university facilities like?

2. Are all first-year students guaranteed accommodation?

3. What is the accommodation like?

4. What student welfare services are available?

5. Can I keep a car safely?

6. How good are the catering facilities?

7. How good is security on campus/in the town?

8. What clubs and societies are available?

9. How active is the student union?

10. How easily do students find work once they have graduated?

Please note the following regarding attending open days:

• You should look to attend open days held at weekends/in the holidays if at all possible. Permission will be granted for up to two days of absence across Years 12 and 13 to attend university open days.

• You do not necessarily need to attend open days for all five of your choices – that becomes costly both in time and money.

• Try to team up with others to attend open days, so you can share transport and your impressions.

• You can visit London universities in the afternoon and evenings – thereby avoiding missing a whole day of school.

• Don’t go to an unrealistic open day – for example, if you are likely to gain BCC at A-level, there is no point in attending an open day at Warwick (even if all your friends are going).

• If your attendance at an open day requires a day’s absence from School, please remember to complete an occasional absence form in advance, giving at least 24 hours’ notice.

Oxford and Cambridge open days

Attendance at these open days is by pre-arrangement only. They are either college or department days and can be booked via the relevant websites ( www.ox.ac.uk or www.cam.ac.uk ).

Some colleges offer accommodation, and all offer a free lunch and refreshments.

Interviews

In the past, all prospective university students were interviewed as part of the application process. Today, an interview is relatively rare, although this does vary greatly, depending on the course/university.

Essentially, all Oxford and Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary candidates will be interviewed, along with a small number of others. The following section therefore is of concern to these groups.

If you are by chance invited for interview, then consult these pages and follow the advice given.

More advice on interviews is available on eQE: https://eqe.fireflycloud.net/sixth-form/progression-to-university/ interviews-1

Before the interview

Organise your transport so that you get there in good time; there is nothing worse than rushing or arriving late.

Dress appropriately; you don’t need to wear a suit, but smart casual is fine.

Read the university prospectus and information about the department and course very carefully.

Re-read your personal statement and UCAS form; many interview questions are based on this.

Prepare answers for obvious questions, e.g. why you have chosen this course, what has attracted you to this university etc.

Be prepared to discuss specific interests you have, books you’ve read or places you’ve visited connected to your chosen course.

If you are applying for a course that you have not studied before, e.g. Law, make sure that you have a decent grasp of the subject before the interview.

During the interview

On the day, try to look calm, cheerful and reasonably relaxed. A firm handshake, eye contact and a smile always go down well.

Don’t try to bluff in the interview; they will see through you in seconds. If you don’t know an answer, say so.

Be engaging and enthusiastic; they like candidates who show a genuine interest in their subject.

The interview is unlikely to come in the form of a ‘grilling’. Rather, interviewers aim to put the candidate at ease and want to discuss your thoughts and ideas with you.

You will often be asked at the end of the interview whether or not you have any questions; have one or two ready to ask BUT do not ask questions on topics covered in the material already sent to you by the university.

How can I get more help and support on preparing for an interview?

Each October, the School arranges a University Mock Interview evening whereby a number of volunteers from the Old Elizabethan community return to QE to provide mock interviews to those in Year 13 who have signed up. This is an invaluable opportunity for you to be interviewed by a subject specialist who is unfamiliar to you.

Your subject teachers will also be able to arrange a mock interview for you within the department. It is important that you give them as much advance notification of your interview as possible, though, as they may not be able to arrange an interview at short notice.

Feedback from Old Elizabethans who have recently been through the interview process is one of the most effective ways to prepare for interview – many can be contacted directly via QE Connect. Feedback from past university interviews can also be found on eQE: https://eqe.fireflycloud.net/sixth-form/progression-to-university/ interviews-1

Offers

All applications submitted to UCAS by 31 January 2025 will be considered, although those applying for Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary Science courses must apply no later than 16 October 2024.

NOTE: QE insist on earlier internal deadlines being met to ensure your applications are thoroughly checked before being sent off.

UCAS will acknowledge your application and will ask you to check that it has interpreted your application correctly. Your acknowledgement will include your application number as well as your password to enable you to log on to UCAS to follow the progress of your application on UCAS Hub.

Keep a careful note of your application number and quote it if and when you need to contact UCAS.

Decisions

Decisions will then come from the universities in random order. They may start to arrive within a week or two after you apply (but this is very much subject-dependent) and are transmitted to you via UCAS Hub.

If you have a long wait, it might mean that you are a borderline candidate BUT don’t read too much into it. Some popular universities give late offers (e.g. Imperial), as do many medical schools.

Before they make final decisions, universities may invite you to interview or they may offer you a place and invite you to an open day.

You will receive one of three decisions:

U = unconditional offer

Your place at the university is confirmed – no further qualifications are required.

C = conditional offer

Your place at the university is conditional upon meeting the criteria specified by the university. If you accept the offer (say BBB or AAB) and you achieve the grades, then you are in.

REJ = unsuccessful

You have not been awarded a place at the university.

Replies

You have to reply to any offer you receive, but not until you have ALL your decisions. You will make your firm and insurance choices online.

The UCAS Points Tariff

Most offers from universities will come in terms of grades (e.g. BBB or AAB), but some may be given in terms of points.

e.g. you may get an offer of BBB or 120 points

Accept or decline

Many students get three, four or even five offers. You must reduce these down to two. You may find yourself in a situation such as the one below where you have four offers:

University 1: Conditional AAA

University 2: Conditional A*AA

University 3: Conditional A*AA

University 4: Unsuccessful

University 5: Conditional AAB

You now need to make one FIRM and one INSURANCE choice and to decline the rest.

Firm choice:

If you firmly accept an offer this means that it is your first preference – if you meet the terms of the offer, you will be given a place (at which point your insurance place will automatically be declined). You can accept only ONCE; you will not be able to change or cancel your reply.

Insurance choice:

You may also hold one additional offer as an insurance acceptance. Usually, your insurance offer will be lower than your firm offer. Remember: an insurance choice should be the university that you would like to go to if you don’t meet the terms of your firm choice – this may not necessarily be your ‘second preference’ university. For example, using the universities above, a student may have University 2 as their firm choice but then see University 3 as their ‘second preference’ university. There would be little value in selecting University 3 as the insurance choice in this case, as the required grades are the same; University 1 or University 5 would seem a more appropriate option.

Decline:

If you decline an offer, you are indicating that you definitely do not wish to accept it. Be quite sure before you decide.

Discuss your final decisions with your form tutor before finalising on UCAS.

What do universities look for when they give offers?

• Intellectually able applicants.

• Motivated applicants.

• Competitive applicants.

• Applicants who are likely to accept.

• Applicants who are likely to make a valuable contribution.

• Applicants who are likely to get the grades.

What will determine the nature of the offers?

• If there is a high demand for a course, offers tend to be demanding.

• If you apply to universities found towards the top of university league tables, offers tend to be demanding.

What if I don’t get any offers?

This is very rare, but alas it happens. You can, however, minimise the risk of this happening by applying to a diverse range of universities that look for grades in line with your past performance e.g. at GCSE/AS level.

• You can apply for ‘UCAS Extra’, which means you can re-apply for other courses or universities, and your deadline is the end of June. UCAS will publish listings of courses that will still consider applicants.

• You can go through ‘clearing’. This system operates as of mid-August once results have been released. There is still a chance that you can get into your chosen course if places are still available.

• You can apply for an alternative course.

• You may decide to take a gap year and re-apply.

• You may decide to go into employment and delay going to university.

REMEMBER – all is NOT lost if you

offers.

don’t receive any

Much can be done in August to secure you a place at university, if that is really what you want, but you may need to be prepared to adjust your university ambitions.

Results and Beyond

Results will be issued in August.

On results day it is highly advisable to come into School. If you are going to be away during results, make sure you have a way of contacting the School to help you with your final decision-making.

Before results day, you need to have thought of the following:

• Will I definitely accept my offer?

• Am I, even at this late stage, thinking of a gap year?

• Do I have a ‘Plan B’ in case I don’t achieve the required grades?

• Do I understand ‘clearing’?

• Will I do better than expected?

• Have I accumulated all the relevant information for my chosen university?

Having a parent or supporter and a (charged!) mobile phone with you on the day is very handy.

If your exams go well and you meet your offers

• You need to confirm your place.

• Before the end of August, UCAS will send you an official notification of the result of your application. If your place is confirmed, you will be asked to reply to the institution within seven days.

• You need to deal with your university registration, accommodation and induction procedures.

• You need to sort out your finances and loans.

Some universities will still offer you a place even if you have missed the conditional offer. The chances of this happening, however, vary greatly from course to course.

If your grades are better than expected

If your results have exceeded the conditions of your conditional offer (CF), you might want to consider using consider using clearing to look for a different course. You need to ‘release yourself’ from your firm choice by declining their offer. However, you must speak to your university before doing this and ensure you have a suitable course lined up that is willing to accept you.

If your grades are disappointing and fall short of your offers

In the event that you don’t qualify for your chosen university, you will need to take advice from your Head of Year/Mr Kane/Mr Ryan, urgently. It is important that you make yourself available on results day in August.

Then you will need to find out about vacancies through the ‘clearing’ system.

Vacancies will be published on the UCAS website. Official helplines are also available.

Clearing

Clearing is a service that operates between mid-July and September. You can take part in clearing if you have already applied through UCAS and you are in one of the following categories:

• You have not received any offers.

• You have declined all your offers or not responded by the due date.

• Your offers have not been confirmed because you have not met the conditions (e.g. you have not achieved the required grades).

Make sure that you're available to speak to universities and colleges

Treat your clearing application like a job application – deal with it yourself! Don't leave it to your parents or friends to sort out; in fact, universities may only deal with the applicant. During clearing, you need to be available in person to deal with admissions tutors and to make decisions. It is important to plan your summer holidays so that you are at home when your exam results come out.

If you are eligible for clearing, an 'Add Clearing choice' button will appear on your UCAS Hub 'choices' screen, which you can use to apply for a course.

Student Finance

The system for university funding has changed dramatically over the past 20 years; every student now has to pay tuition fees.

You may find the following website helpful: www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/university-tuition-fees/

If you are planning to go to university, the system is as follows:

• Universities are able to charge up to £9,250 per year for tuition fees. There is a student loan available for this, which will be paid directly to the university in the November of each academic year.

• Your living costs (i.e. accommodation, food, entertainment, travel etc.) will average about £7,000 in addition to tuition costs (this figure will have to be increased by 25 - 30% if you are considering studying in London). A maintenance loan, separate to the tuition fee loan, is available to all higher education students; the Student Loan Company will make an assessment of how much you can borrow on the basis of your course, location, and family financial background.

• All student loans taken out will need to be repaid after graduation and once the student is earning over £27,295. However, one key difference between a student loan and any other loan is that your monthly repayments are based on your earnings – not how much you borrowed/the interest rate (which simply determines how long it takes you to repay the loan amount). You will repay 9% of your income over the repayment threshold. For example:

— A graduate earning £25,000 would pay nothing, as this is below the repayment threshold. A graduate earning £30,000 would repay 9% of £2,705 i.e. £243 per year (or £20 per month)..

— A graduate earning £40,000 would repay 9% of £12,705 i.e. £1,143 per year (or £95 per month).

Any money borrowed that has not yet been repaid 30 years after graduation will be written off. A useful repayment calculator is on this page: www.student-loan-calculator.co.uk/

• Higher education is an expensive business and needs to be treated seriously. However, please recognise that the earning profile of a university graduate is significantly higher than that of a non-graduate throughout his/her working life, on average.

• Please note that in the March preceding your entry to university you will need to make contact with Student Finance England to secure the relevant application forms and documentation. The completed UCAS form will ‘trigger’ the student loan documentation too.

Given all the above, you should plan to finance your university years by taking the following steps at the identified time:

• In the March preceding your university start date, contact SFE and complete the Higher Education forms. Alternatively apply online at www.gov.uk/student-finance

• Make sure that the Student Loan Company has your application for assessment. Confirmation of the acceptance and level of the loan should be with you by June at the latest.

• Discuss and agree with your family the level of family support and the arrangements for that financial support e.g. bank account etc.

• Once you have made your firm and insurance choices, you will need to complete accommodation forms.

When completing the UCAS form please note that you will have to enter a fee code that reflects the fact that either you have private finance e.g. family (code 01) or that you will require student finance (code 02), in which case if you are a UK national, you will need to specify your LEA.

You can always go the Student Loans Company website to assess the position at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/student-loans-company.

You can also contact your LEA, which is, of course, your local authority, i.e. the authority that the family pay the council tax to.