RGS CAREERS HIGHER EDUCATION
This guide is designed to provide an introduction for both students and parents to the process of applying to university at Reigate Grammar School. Advice on some of the choices available and links to websites for further information are also provided.
No guide can be comprehensive, and this one certainly is not. It can only skim the surface of this vast topic, however it will help students and parents to go on and complete their own research. The guide is intended to be read in conjunction with the talk at the Higher Education evening.
This guide covers higher education institutions that can be accessed via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). It does not include specialist colleges (e.g. Art College, Drama School or Music Conservatoires). For information on any of these, please contact the Careers department or the heads of the relevant subject at school.
Welcome to Reigate Grammar School’s Higher Education evening. A Reigatian education is for life, for a happy and successful adult life. The careers programme is part of that journey.
Throughout the year the RGS Careers department runs a comprehensive programme to support students in exploring their future academic and career paths. This begins in Second Form, where students are introduced to resources that help them identify their areas of interest for further study. The programme continues with lunchtime talks, career clinics, and evening events such as the Higher Education Evening, Careers Convention and subject specific sessions. These events ultimately lead to targeted support for UCAS applications, apprenticeships, and opportunities abroad. Reigatians are becoming increasingly adventurous in exploring the wide range of options open to them.
In our 350th anniversary year - in which RGS was named The Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year - and in our Decade of Difference we are pledging to make our careers support to our students better than ever. This does not end upon leaving school - through the work of the RGS Foundation we will ensure Reigatians feel connected and supported throughout their lives.
I would like to say a huge thank you to Mr Buzzacott and the Careers team for their outstanding work behind the scenes, ensuring that a diverse range of opportunities is available for our students and those from other local schools. Their efforts play a crucial role in helping students make informed decisions about their future education and careers.
Shaun Fenton Headmaster
headmaster@reigategrammar.org
rgsheadmaster From the HEADMASTER
APPLICATION TIMETABLE
2025
SEPTEMBER
Students begin their Henry Smith Diploma. This brings together what we believe constitutes an excellent all round Sixth Form education and helps to support a student’s next steps. It is hoped that RGS Sixth Form students will not only leave RGS with outstanding A Level results but will also be enriched and fulfilled by various extra and co-curricular opportunities which develop personal characteristics setting them on a path for a happy and successful life.
At the heart is our ethos of developing adventurous minds, where students seek a love of subject and learning, going beyond the curriculum to explore their passions and interests. Finding out what they love and enjoy often manifests in a student wanting to carry this learning forward beyond school whether it be at university or following a different path. The Super Curriculum is one way that supports this: a programme of optional enrichment and extension activities is available to stretch, challenge and inspire a student’s learning. Attending a free lecture in London or entering an essay competition are examples of this and will support university applications, as going above and beyond is something asked of all students, if they want to stand out from the crowd. A Henry Smith Diploma, completed to a high standard, will also give a student an excellent digest to reflect upon when they come to write their personal statement.
2026
JANUARY
Higher Education/Apprenticeship Convention
We hope that this event helped to clarify some of the thoughts that students were having about apprenticeships and degree options. There were also Engineering and Accountancy and Finance Evenings last term to add to the Law, Apprenticeship and Art and Design Evenings that ran last year. Students have had form time lessons on Unifrog , an online platform which connects students to every university course and apprenticeship in the UK. Parents can also use Unifrog, using the code: REIGparents.
MARCH
MyUniChoice
This profiling service will be available shortly to help students be more clear about what they want to study and where. Amongst other things this service will give details of relevant university open days. The Careers department is happy to go through this report at any time.
MARCH – SEPTEMBER
It is important for students to visit universities to which they are considering applying. You will need to go to individual university websites to book well in advance. It is just as valuable to make visits to universities at weekends or in the holidays, as this allows students to see the universities when they are not putting on a show. Many universities offer guided tours on a regular basis and students are allowed to miss two days of school for open days. It is important that students engage with taster courses , online open days and webinars that are put on by individual universities too. UCAS hosts virtual university tours via ucas.com/undergraduate/what-and-where-study/ open-days-and-events/virtual-tours
Students should be researching courses and universities. One of the Careers team is in the Careers office every lunchtime from 1:30-2:10pm to assist. We are also available to help them during two periods per day: we are very keen to help - students just need to ask. Parents may also call or email at any time. Careers and university preparation lessons will take place in May as part of Henry Smith Studies.
UCAS Days
On Thursday 10 June at 7pm online, there will be a presentation on Personal Statements for students and parents from an admissions expert. In June there will also be several UCAS days in which we will offer guidance on applying to university and completing the UCAS form. There will be an opportunity to question recent RGS
leavers about their time at university. In addition, we will run a day to help students to prepare for Oxbridge entrance examinations and those for Medicine and Dentistry, and we will provide a session on Assessment Centres, particularly for those considering the Apprenticeships route. There will also be an apprenticeships presentation. Before the end of the summer term, all students should have accessed the UCAS website: ucas.com, and registered on UCAS Hub. Draft personal statements should have been completed. Ideally, each student will have prepared a shortlist of courses from which the final five choices will be made. Students should aim to return after the summer break with their UCAS forms and personal statements ready.
During the summer holiday those who wish to study Medicine or Dentistry at university may well have to sit the UCAT test, details of which are provided later in this guide.
SEPTEMBER
UCAS forms to be completed by all Oxbridge applicants. Applicants for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science must complete their forms by the end of September. All other applicants should aim to complete them by early October (date to be finalised).
OCTOBER
Evidence from previous years suggests that the earlier the application, the greater the likelihood of an offer. A large proportion of universities make offers as the applications come in, so a student who sends the UCAS form late reduces his/her chance of getting a place.
It is critical that students check the UCAS website or individual university websites to find out what grades universities are likely to demand if they make an offer. They must ensure that they pick several courses (out of their five choices) where they should still meet the grade requirements if their A Levels do not go quite as well as they hope. Students are likely to miss out on going to their university of choice if they miss the grades. Consequently, they would be wise to be prudent.
NOVEMBER
Interview practice will take place to help pupils to prepare for university interviews, including an MMI practice.
2027
JANUARY
Students should hear from universities direct, starting about three or four weeks after the UCAS form has been submitted. Some universities may not reply until the end of March however.
FEBRUARY - MARCH
Many interviews take place. Students who have interviews should come to the Careers department beforehand. We will offer guidance and we are happy to give practice interviews. Ask subject contacts for guidance too.
Student support application forms are available online via gov.uk/apply-online-for-student-finance from the end of February. These should be completed as soon as possible by all students who are starting their course in 2027. Those taking a gap year should apply for financial support in 2028.
UCAS Extra
Opens at the end of February. This is a facility on the UCAS website which allows students who have not received an offer or who have declined all of their offers to choose another course.
APRIL – MAY
Students send final decisions to UCAS via UCAS Hub. One offer may be held firmly. One other may be held as an insurance offer. The insurance offer should be one that the student can still meet if their A Levels do not go as well as planned. All others must be declined.
AUGUST
A Level results
These are normally received by schools on the second or third Thursday in August. Students must be available to receive their results and deal with any issues that may arise. Careers staff will be in school to help, but nothing can be done if a student is away on holiday. Where contact with a university is necessary at this stage, it is essential that the student (NOT a parent or a teacher) telephones the relevant admissions tutor. Any student who is unsuccessful at this stage is automatically entered into the clearing process and will be sent full details by UCAS.
Any student wishing to take a gap year would normally be advised to follow all of the above procedure exactly, but to indicate on the UCAS form that the application is for deferred entry in 2028. Students who are considering a gap year, but are not sure, should apply for 2027 and request to defer their place as soon as they decide to take one. However, pupils may apply after they leave the school and we will still help them. Indeed, we will run a UCAS day on a Saturday in September specifically for former students.
UNIVERSITY AND COURSE SELECTION
The most difficult decision for most students is the choice of university and course. There is a bewildering array of options –campus universities, collegiate universities, English, Scottish, overseas, sandwich courses, combined honours, degree apprenticeships and so on – and students need to spend quite a lot of time and energy in narrowing down their choices. This section is intended to help students and parents to navigate through this tricky area.
CHOOSING YOUR SUBJECT(S)
Firstly, the subject or subjects. For some students, this is fairly straightforward, because they have known for a long time what they want to do or be – a doctor, a vet, an engineer, or whatever. But for many, it is quite hard. The over-riding criterion should be that students enjoy the subject they are going to study. Despite the common perception, undergraduates do spend more time in the lab and the library than the bar, they do get out of bed in the mornings, and they do have to write essays. None of this is going to be easy if they don’t enjoy the subject matter.
Choosing a subject because they think it’s trendy, or will get them into a lucrative career is not recommended. The few of our former students who drop out of their first year at university usually do so because they chose the wrong course, not the wrong university. Students need to make sure they really understand what the course is about, by talking to undergraduates already on the course, so that they avoid a nasty shock on arrival. Students can make contact with Reigatians, who are currently at university, by visiting The RGS Foundation office. RGS parents can also contact former RGS students by signing into the Foundation Hub: foundation.reigategrammar.org. Students can use the UCAS Hub to put questions to current university students.
The choice of subjects is vast to say the least. Some students are tempted by Dual Honours, in which they study two subjects such as History and English, or Music and Chinese. These can be a really good idea. Be aware that e.g. History AND Italian should be a fairly even split between the two, whereas History WITH Italian is likely to be mainly History with some Italian modules. Do make use of Unifrog UK Universities App to help you to narrow down your subject choice and course type.
CHOOSING YOUR UNIVERSITY
Having decided what subject(s) you wish to study, the next decision is – where?
Last year, the most popular destinations for RGS students were (their Complete University Guide ranking in brackets)
Nottingham (26), Durham (5), Exeter (11), Bristol (15), Manchester (28), Leeds (21), Bath (8), Warwick (9), Southampton (17), Cambridge (1), Imperial (6), QMUL (41), York (12).
These kinds of highly competitive universities are those that our students are most drawn to. For most students, choosing the right course should be the priority, and some may decide to choose a university which is less popular, but which has an excellent reputation in a particular area, or a particularly attractive course. Reading, for example, is particularly well known for Real Estate.
Needless to say, students must be realistic in their choices. There really is nothing to be gained from applying for a course where the average offer is three As when they know they are working at B grades. We can and will, of course, advise them on this.
PLAYING THE NUMBERS GAME
A traditionally high demand course at university is Psychology. Using Unifrog it is easy to discover the required grades as well as the typical A Level grades of successful applicants. This is helpful in ensuring that you choose a good range of universities.
In 2025:
Durham required grades AAA; typical A Level grades of successful candidates: *AA
Bath required grades *AA; typical A Level grades of successful candidates: *AA
Bristol required grades *AA; typical A Level grades of successful candidates: **A
Cardiff required grades AAA; typical A Level grades of successful candidates: AAA
UEA required grades ABB; typical A Level grades of successful candidates: ***
(NB: This does not mean that students need to achieve better than ABB to get to UEA; it means that if they do not achieve ABB, there is likely to be a large number of candidates who will make the required grades and can take their place.)
Note that the level of competitiveness will vary at the same university, depending on whether you choose e.g. the MA, the BA, the BA with year abroad or the BA with work placement. Often you can switch between these once at university.
You can also Google UCAS Course Search, then select a course and university, then entry requirements. If you scroll down you can see the most common grades held by students currently on the course.
The message here is that students need to do their research carefully and be realistic in their approach. Students should be ambitious and apply for very popular courses or universities, but balance these with some less competitive choices. Some extra research into slight variances in the area of study may pay dividends. For example, Imperial College requires **A for Chemical Engineering but for both Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering the grades required are AAA. That said, it is crucial that students study the subject(s) that they actually want to study!
Finally, it goes without saying that students can give themselves the best chances of success by working hard and obtaining the highest grades of which they are capable. We will do our utmost to help them, both in this and in making their applications to university.
WHO DOES WHAT?
THE CAREERS DEPARTMENT
The Careers department ( Mr Buzzacott, Mrs Ellwood, Mrs Anderson and Mr Ward ) is responsible for providing advice to students on courses and universities, and on the applications process.
A member of the Careers team or Sixth Form team will check each student’s UCAS form, including their personal statement, and suggest changes that might be advisable. They will also ensure students have entered information correctly e.g. GCSE grades.
SUBJECT CONTACT
This is a member of the teaching staff, who has a particular expertise in a degree course subject. He or she will be the first port of call for students for advice on applying for their subject and for drafting their personal statement.
MEDICAL APPLICATIONS
Dr Gompels (Chemistry) provides advice to students on medical, vet science and dental applications.
SIXTH FORM TUTORS, HEAD AND DEPUTY HEADS OF SIXTH FORM
Each student’s reference is drafted by their Form Tutor, then passed to a Head or Deputy Head of Sixth Form who will check it through.
OXBRIDGE CO-ORDINATOR
Mr Chevalier is in charge of Oxbridge applications and will advise students on this. See page 10.
APPLICATIONS FOR LAW
Mr Chevalier provides advice to students on applications to read Law.
APPRENTICESHIPS
Mrs Anderson supports students for apprenticeships.
U.S. UNIVERSITIES
Mr Ward supports students in applications to U.S. universities.
AND FINALLY...
When the application, personal statement and reference are complete, it will be checked one more time by Mr Buzzacott , UCAS referee, prior to being submitted..
ADMISSIONS TEST
Universities find it difficult to distinguish between students with similar GCSE grades and predicted A Level grades, therefore, for better or for worse, a number of admissions tests have been introduced.
1. UCAT ( University Clinical Aptitude Test)
This has to be taken by applicants for Medicine and Dentistry at most of the top universities. Cost: £70.00). NB: You can only sit this test once each application cycle.
You register online at ucat.ac.uk after 14 May but before 21 September. It is advisable to register early because test centres get booked up quickly and obviously you don’t want to have to travel hundreds of miles to sit it! It is a computer-based test and the website gives information about where your closest test centre is. The test can be taken any time between 8 July and 26 September. It is an aptitude test and is not science based. UCAT claim it cannot be revised for. Students should, however, familiarise themselves with the format of the test. It is very time pressured and needs to be practised against the clock. There are books in the Careers library to help with this, and there are practice papers on the UCAT website.
The best time to take the test is in the summer holidays. This allows you the time to prepare for it. Don’t leave it until September, as A Level work will take over and it is also useful to know your result early to help you to decide where to apply. You receive your results immediately and they are passed direct to the universities you apply to in early November.
2. LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law)
This test is for those looking to study law at Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Glasgow, KCL, LSE, Oxford, SOAS or UCL. Details are yet to appear for this year, so this information is based on last year’s information. Please, therefore, check the LNAT website carefully.
Students need to register for it online at lnat.ac.uk from 1 August. Testing starts from 1 September. If you are applying to Oxford or Cambridge, you must sit it by 15 October. For KCL, LSE or UCL you must sit LNAT by 31 December. For other universities you must sit LNAT before 25 January.
The test is in two parts. Part A is a computer-based multiple choice test with 42 questions based upon your ability to interpret the content of 12 argumentative passages. You have 95 minutes to complete Part A. Part B is an essay. They are not particularly interested in the opinions that the student expresses in the essay, but are looking for his/her ability to argue effectively, coherently and succintly. Students have 40 minutes to complete this section of the paper.
A book of practice papers is available in the Careers department and there are also some on the LNAT website. It is also a good idea to read a quality newspaper every day and try
to analyse what you read. Consider and try to defend different points of view for each story. Students who are interested in studying law at university should contact Mr Chevalier. The school will provide support prior to the test dates.
While admissions tests remain mainly a feature of Oxbridge admissions, a few more are creeping in. It is very important that you check whether your course does require an admission test. Notable examples are UCL which requires a test for those applying for European Social and Political Studies; some universities may require STEP papers for Mathematics. Those applying to study Mathematics at Durham, Warwick or Sheffield also have the option to take the Test of Mathematics for University Admissions. Strong performance in this could lead to a lower offer or removal of a STEP requirement. Imperial requires the MAT for Maths. There may be others. You must look closely at admissions requirements for any university to which you apply.
3. ENTRANCE TESTS AT OXFORD, CAMBRIDGE AND IMPERIAL
Many of the courses at Oxford and Cambridge require you to take some form of standardised admission test. Imperial College, London, uses a range of these tests too including the MAT, TMUA, STEP papers, and the new ESAT (Engineering and Science Test). The LNAT (for Law) and the new Science Cambridge assessments will be taken at test centres, as are the Oxford assessments. The tests can be challenging papers based on subject-specific A Level material, general assessments designed to test how you think, or a combination of both. The school provides preparation sessions for all of the tests, including a mock test sat under exam conditions. Details about the test required for each course are available from the university websites:
Cambridge assessment information for 2025-6: www. undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/admissiontests
Oxford assessment information will be updated in the Spring: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-tooxford/guide/admissions-tests
Imperial College, London: www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/ undergraduate/process/admissions-tests
The new ESAT test will be used by Cambridge with applications for Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Natural Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine; the TMUA will be used for Computer Science and Economics. At Oxford, the TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment) is currently still intended to be used for Experimental Psychology, Human Science, PPE, and PPL, whilst only part 1 of the test will be used for Economic Management, and History and Economics.
APPLICATIONS TO OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE
HOW DO OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE DIFFER FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES?
There are two key differences that make these universities distinctive. Firstly teaching is based on the tutorial or supervision system - you will have weekly (or twice-weekly) academic tutorials in very small groups or individually. This level of personal, bespoke attention from a highly qualified, world-leading expert in your chosen field is unique to Oxbridge. The second difference is that the universities are based on a college system. When you join the university you become a member of a college which not only provides accommodation, food, sports and social events but also is responsible for your learning - although lectures and labs are provided by the university, your tutorials will be provided by the college. That said, the universities work very hard to ensure that your chance of getting in, and your experience once you are in, does not vary significantly depending on your college.
HOW IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS DIFFERENT?
Entry to Oxford and Cambridge is highly competitive and so the application process is slightly more complex than for most courses at other universities to allow them to select the best candidates:
• The UCAS application form must be submitted earlier (by 15 October);
• Examples of written work have to be submitted for many subjects;
• Written assessments are during October or at interview for most subjects;
• Interviews form a key part of the selection process. The most important decision for students thinking of applying is their choice of course and this should be fundamental to deciding to which of the two universities (if either) a student applies. The main university open days take place at the beginning of July and the departmental websites provide detailed information about course content. The Oxbridge subject contacts at RGS will also provide advice about the courses, support in preparing for the written assessments, and interview practice.
WHAT ARE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE LOOKING FOR?
Oxford and Cambridge select students on the basis of academic potential. Whilst many successful applicants excel in other areas such as sport or music, extra-curricular activities that are not related to the course are not considered. Each course has its own specific entry criteria, but in general the universities are looking for:
• Enthusiasm
• Spirit of enquiry
• Intellectual curiosity and flexibility
• Willingness to explore ideas outside the confines of syllabuses
• Independent work and thought
• Self discipline
• Ability to learn fast and absorb information
• Analytical ability and logical reasoning
• Clear expression of ideas
Competition for places at Oxford and Cambridge is increasingly strong each year. Globally about 17% of applications are successful. So it is essential that those who apply are aware of the odds and can cope with the possibility of rejection. Also, an application to Oxford or Cambridge requires students to be organised and capable of handling a substantial additional volume of work on top of their normal A Level activities, and can be a distraction from A Level study. We may therefore advise students whose academic records mean that they do not have a realistic prospect of success against applying to Oxford or Cambridge, or to apply after receiving their A Level results.
PREPARING TO APPLY
The Oxbridge Co-ordinator, Mr Chevalier, oversees the Oxbridge application process and coordinates the preparation of applicants for all subjects. Each department has one or two Oxbridge subject contacts who will provide specific guidance but generally you should:
Read widely
Your personal statement needs to show that you have an interest in your subject that extends beyond the school curriculum, and you must be able to demonstrate this at interview.
Attend scholarship tutorials
Attend subject-specific enrichment and extension activities
such as clubs, discussion groups, subject societies and lecture series that are organised or advertised by subject departments, or that you attend independently, and that develop your interest and understanding beyond the syllabus. These sessions are usually not aimed solely at Oxbridge applicants but successful applicants are likely to have taken full advantage of them during the Lower Sixth Form.
Enter essay, poetry and science competitions
These are a great way to focus further reading and provide evidence of interest and ability. Mr Chevalier and your subject teachers can provide further information and there is a spreadsheet of available competitions that can be accessed.
Take part in activities
such as Model United Nations, TSI Friday or Law Society which develop skills of oral presentation and argument and so help significantly with the interview aspect of an application in particular.
Attend Oxbridge-specific preparation sessions
hese sessions are run by departments and begin in the autumn term, continuing in the spring term. These include preparation for the assessments, for example the TMUA.
Talk to current undergraduates
Former RGS students return to talk to current students about their courses and about their interview experiences. In addition, the RGS Foundation provides a means for students to contact RGS alumni studying particular subjects at Oxford and Cambridge or at particular colleges.
Visit the universities
The school advertises Oxbridge Masterclass events (online and in person) that take place throughout the year, and would encourage students to sign up to learn more about the universities and the courses they are most passionate about.
Attend interview preparation sessions
Interview preparation sessions, including practice interviews with external experts, are provided in the Upper Sixth Form.
Aspiring Oxford and Cambridge applicants are expected to read with depth and breadth; to keep up-to-date with current thinking in their subject area; to visit relevant exhibitions and galleries; and to gather appropriate work experience. Tens of thousands of very academically able students will be applying for a limited number of places. Students need to do all they can to prove that they are not merely an excellent student but an exceptional and outstanding one, with a genuine intellectual curiosity.
An Oxbridge Programme document is available from the Oxbridge Co-ordinator which gives more details of the preparation programme and lists the important events and deadlines. cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate
APPLYING FOR COMPETITIVE COURSES
You must undertake thorough research into courses which interest you
Consult university websites but look beyond the online prospectus at departmental information on the content of the course and details of applications and acceptances if available. Unifrog will tell you the success rate for last year and the average grades at A Level of last year’s successful applicants. UCAS course search also provides useful information on grade profiles of last year’s successful candidates. Use this information. It would be foolhardy to apply for the five most competitive/popular courses in your subject based solely on league tables. You may receive fewer offers than you deserve and the offers you do receive are likely to be identical, thus leaving you with little choice.
You should visit the universities which interest you before applying
This is essential when choosing a college at Oxford, Cambridge or Durham. Vital information is often provided on open days and many universities arrange them on Saturdays and out of term time. It is also usually possible to arrange visits and tours on days other than open days, especially if there is a group of you. Just ring. Also, contact former students via the RGS Foundation office to ask for information. If visiting a university is difficult then check if a virtual tour is available via the internet. Remember, you are going to be spending a minimum of three years at university so time well spent in preparation will help to prevent disappointment later. Visit with a purpose. There is a document with suggested questions to consider in this booklet.
You should apply early
You must check whether you meet the specification for the course
Most universities publish entry profiles, which outline requirements in detail. Do not ignore information which could be crucial e.g. GCSE requirements in addition to the A Level entry grades. This is particularly true of Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine but can also apply to oversubscribed courses, e.g. Computer Science, Psychology, Economics and Physiotherapy. Admissions Tutors often look for reasons to reject applicants so you must be sure that you do not fail to get through the first admissions sift through ignorance of the requirements. This information can be found on digital.ucas.com/search
You should check any additional tests which may be required for your subject
The UCAT and LNAT tests have been introduced to help some universities (including Oxford and Cambridge) in selecting students for Medicine, Dentistry and Law respectively. Make sure that you download the practice tests and make yourself fully aware of the requirements. You MUST register to take LNAT and UCAT so make sure that you meet any deadlines they impose. You will find further information on pages 12-13 of this guide. There are also a plethora of tests for Oxbridge and Imperial in particular. You should prepare for this for at least two hours per day over the summer break.
If you are applying to Oxford or Cambridge or for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine, the UCAS deadline for receipt of your application is 15 October. If you are not applying for any of these it is still essential that you apply early if you want to receive an offer from a competitive university for an oversubscribed course. You should aim to be ready with your application by the start of the autumn term.
Consider applying for a joint or combined honours course which may be less competitive
For example, Economics and Econometrics at Bristol is likely to be less competitive than Economics at Bristol but it is as good a qualification. It may also make only a very small difference to the content of your course.
You can write to admissions tutors with additional information if necessary
This is particularly important if you want to apply for different courses. You may choose to apply for four Geography courses and your fifth choice could be Avionics and Pilot Studies. You should target your personal statement at the Geography courses and write a separate letter to the admissions tutor for your fifth course outlining and emphasising your suitability. You should probably check that the admissions tutor welcomes this first.
Make yourself aware of what your referee is saying about you
Your reference should complement, not duplicate your personal statement.
Your personal statement should hook the reader from the start. It is particularly important to grab the attention of the admissions tutor from the first paragraph of the statement. If you feel you have a unique selling point then this is where it should be mentioned. BUT best to avoid jokes! Your sense of humour may be very different to that of the admissions tutor!
Specific University Choice
If you are particularly keen to go to a specific university, e.g. you want to read History at Durham, then you may find that you increase your chance of success by applying for History and Archaeology for example. Be very careful about this though! You really need to ask yourself why going to that particular university is so important. The biggest single reason for students dropping out of university is getting the subject wrong.
If the course requires evidence of work experience, ensure you complete it before applying Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Professions allied to Medicine (e.g. Physiotherapy, Radiography) and Initial Teacher Training all require applicants to have evidence of work experience. You should keep a daily record of what you have observed and participated in so that you can reflect upon it in your personal statement. You should also ask for references from the placement provider so that you can send copies to the admissions tutors if they want them.
APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprenticeships are paid work opportunities with on-the-job training while studying to gain qualifications. They have grown in popularity in recent years with the introduction of the government’s apprenticeship levy and are available in a broad range of disciplines.
What qualifications can I gain?
The level of qualifications you gain will vary. We recommend students consider Level 4 or above According to UCAS.
Level 4 - Higher Apprenticeships are equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Level 5 - Higher Apprenticeships are roughly equivalent to a Foundation degree
Level 6 - Degree Apprenticeships are Bachelor’s degree level and are jointly run by an employing company with a university.
Level 7 - Degree Apprenticeships are Master’s degree level and are jointly run by an employing company with a university.
What careers are covered by Apprenticeships/ Degree Apprenticeships?
Degree Apprenticeships are available in areas such as Finance, Business Management, Cyber Security, Engineering, Law , Allied Health careers and Surveying. In particular, there are many opportunities in IT and Tech solutions. The areas are growing though.
Apprenticeships in more traditional trades such as plumbing, carpentry and welding are also available.
From April 2026, new foundation apprenticeships and short, flexible training courses called ‘apprenticeship units’ will be available in areas of high demand such as AI, engineering and digital skill.
Where can I find out more?
Unfortunately, there is no single website that encompasses all opportunities and start dates vary throughout the year. The UCAS website does now have a very good apprenticeships page, but it is not fully comprehensive. The Careers Team can provide help with choices, application processes and interview skills.
1. The Careers Team has presentations on a general introduction to apprenticeships or more company specific presentations from e.g. BDO school leaver schemes. To find them, click on ‘these presentations’.
2. Unifrog has an apprenticeships App, which is a good place to discover apprenticeships in a range of industries:
3. www.amazingapprenticeships.com
4. https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/
5 https://www.ucas.com/understandingapprenticeships has a quiz to help you to discover the areas that you might be interested in studying in for an apprenticeship, as well as guidance about what apprenticeships entail and where to find them.
6 ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk gathers feedback from current apprentices about the quality of their experience.
7. https://ucas.com/apprenticeships/search-apply
PROS AND CONS TO CONSIDER
What are the benefits?
• No tuition fees
• Earn a salary while gaining a valuable qualification (be it a degree or industry qualification)
• Build a work portfolio within your chosen industry
• Sometimes it can be easier to get into a company at 18 than at 21/22. Certainly, statistically, it seems to be easier to get into the big accountancy firms straight from school than as a graduate
• Industry qualifications and accreditation are often included in the training
Things to consider :
You are at work for a long time. You might feel that you want to have three or four years at university first.
Are you ready at 18 to go from school holidays to getting four to five weeks off per year?
You might want to spend three to four more years studying a subject for which you have a genuine passion, and this may not be a vocational subject. The large proportion of graduate jobs still do not ask for a specific degree, so students should not be afraid simply to study something that they have a genuine passion for at degree level.
You will have to study for assignments around work commitments which requires a high level of organisation. Employers will usually give you time off to study for exams though.
Are you sure at 18 that you want to be an Accountant for example? I would counter that by saying that you are allowed to make a mistake at 18! It is perfectly possible to realise that this is not the right path for you and start university the next year.
Where are you going to be living? Are you going to need to rent away from home? Are you going to get the same level of support, both pastorally and academically, that a university can offer? These are all questions that you would need to investigate.
Does the apprenticeship offer the same breadth of experience/depth of knowledge as the degree? This might be of particular concern if you are with a small firm.
Advice and support for applications:
Competition is high for places on a degree apprenticeship. For example, for a Law degree apprenticeship, there may be only two to three places available in a company compared to 400 people accepted onto the Law course at University of Exeter. The recruitment process is often long and involves several stages of interviews and aptitude tests. Therefore, the following general advice is recommended:
Students should apply for a degree through the normal UCAS process as a backup.
Students need to accept that this could be a two year process. Priority should be given to achieving best A Level results, so consider limiting the number of applications during Upper Sixth form. Some students choose to take a gap year and apply then.
As opportunities can appear at any time of year, it is important to regularly check back on websites such as https://www. ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk or industry specific websites and also the RGS Careers and Enrichment bulletin which goes out each week with the Headmaster’s bulletin.
If you would like any further guidance, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Buzzacott via mjb@reigategrammar.org or any of the Careers Team.
HIGHER EDUCATION USEFUL WEBSITES
UCAS.com You will need to register for UCAS Hub. This provides huge amounts of useful information and it is where you will make your application.
unifrog.org is great for seeing which courses you can access with your likely A Level grades. You should have a login for this site.
prospects.ac.uk Information on the graduate job market. It also includes information that might help with that taxing question: ‘What am I going to do after studying ‘x’ subject at university?’
thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk Useful for league tables in individual subjects.
thestudentroom.co.uk A forum for university applicants. It includes useful help on tackling admissions tests and advice on student finance.
healthcareers.nhs.uk There are a lot of options apart from studying Medicine! Take a look on this website and the recording of our Health Careers Evening on the Careers website.
For information on taster courses, let Mr Buzzacott know, if you have not already, what courses you are interested in and he will add you to relevant email groups.
To find talks from former RGS students about their university courses and careers, go to: https://sway.cloud.microsoft
ALTERNATIVES TO UNIVERSITY
notgoingtouni.co.uk This is an excellent website, which is constantly updated. It suggests a lot of alternatives to going to university and offers advice on how to go about applying. It also includes information on sponsored degrees and degree apprenticeships.
https://amazingapprenticeships.com/ has some really good, up to date information about apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships including The Degree Apprenticeships Handbook. unifrog.org
ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk is a very good site as it gathers feedback from students about their apprenticeships, so that you can get an idea about the quality of individual apprenticeships.
STUDYING ABROAD
This has not traditionally been a particularly popular option for RGS pupils but it is worth considering the following: Prior to Brexit, it was possible to study in many European countries more cheaply than in the UK. This is no longer likely to be the case in many countries because UK students are treated as international students. It is also now very unlikely that students from the UK who wish to study in Europe will be able to take advantage of the student loan system either in the country they are studying in or from Student Finance England. The exception to the rule is Ireland. An agreement has been reached between the two countries which means that UK students are not treated as international students in Ireland, so fees and access to loans remain as they were. It is not necessarily the case that studying in Europe will be more expensive than in the UK, but, when coupled with the lack of availability of loans, students may find that they need to gain considerable scholarships to make this a viable option. A good website for looking into this is astarfuture.co.uk/financial_info.html
Student fees in Australia tend to be broadly similar to those in UK, but bear in mind the cost of flights and the fact that students are most unlikely to be able to get any student loans. Studying in Canada or US tends to be much more expensive unless students can gain considerable scholarships.
SO WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?
UK companies tend to like students who can demonstrate that they are keen to be part of a global community. Studying abroad also shows that a student can stand on their own two feet.
It can be possible to get into overseas universities that are very high in the world QS University Rankings with grades that probably would not get them into top UK universities. Certainly, I have heard of students, who missed their grades on A Level results day, who have then applied to Australia and got into universities in the world’s top fifty.
Many European universities, particularly in Holland, run courses in many subjects in English. The website eunicas.ie gives details of university courses in Europe that can be studied in English.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH DOING A DEGREE ABROAD
It is unlikely that students who study abroad will be able to acquire student loans. Contact the university that you are applying to in order to confirm. There are also additional costs to be aware of such as the cost of applying (usually students have to apply to each university individually so the more universities you apply to the greater the cost), the cost of visas and the cost of travel.
Is the qualification worth the same as a UK qualification? Probably, yes. If you are doing a vocational qualification, check very carefully that the degree course is accredited in the UK and that it will allow you to practise in the UK. The transferability of Medicine and Dentistry courses from Europe to the UK post-Brexit is not quite clear. In all probability, the worst outcome is that students will have to do a further test when they return to the UK. Students will have a highly valued degree and, of course, you will certainly be able to practise in 27 EU countries! One very good alternative is to study at a UK university but do a year abroad within that degree.
USA
fulbright.co.uk for advice and for information days/evenings collegeboard.com for booking SAT or ACT tests
GENERAL ADVICE
CANADA univcan.ca
AUSTRALIA AND NZ studyoptions.com for free advice
IRELAND cao.ie
HOLLAND studielink.nl
FRANCE campusfrance.org/en
eunicas.ie for information about courses in European universities that are studied in English
Unifrog also has Apps for US, European, Canadian, Asian, Australasia, African and Irish universities
Please contact Mrs Ellwood on vre@reigategrammar.org or Mr Buzzacott on mjb@reigategrammar.org if you are interested in applying to Europe, Canada or Australia, and Mr Ward on jsw@reigategrammar.org if you are interested in applying to the U.S.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN VISITING A UNIVERSITY
Course
• How is the course structured? How much choice do I have in terms of the modules?
• How is the course assessed?
• What is the division between lectures/tutorials/seminars/lab sessions?
• How does the supervisory system work? e.g. Am I assigned to a tutor?
• Ask them ‘What university do you think has the second best department for e.g. Dentistry?’ They will say they are the best but this will give a great idea of where else to look!
Accommodation
• Is accommodation guaranteed in the first year? Is it guaranteed in your final year?
• What is the cost of accommodation?
• What are the standard of rooms like; e.g. ensuite/single rooms/double rooms/how far from lectures/noisy/what is there in terms of desks, cupboards, furniture?
• How do you go about getting accommodation in your second year?
• What kinds of accommodation is available for students in town?
• How much is the cost of accommodation in the town?
On-campus facilities
• Is there a good student union?
• Are there good sports facilities?
• Is there a lot going on; e.g. clubs and societies? Ask whether whatever you are interested in has a club.
• How good is the elite sport?
• Is there plenty of opportunity for those who love e.g sport/music/drama, but who are not at an elite level, to find their level?
• How big a commitment is elite sport?
• Are there banks/shops/launderettes on campus?
• How near is the campus to town? How good are transport links with the town?
The town/city
• Is it a huge city or small town/village?
• If it is a small town, is it near to a big city?
• How good are transport links between the town and the university?
• Are there theatres/cinemas/sports events/concerts etc in town?
• What is the nightlife like?
• Is it an expensive place to live?
• Are there plenty of opportunities to get student jobs?
THE RGS FOUNDATION
The RGS Foundation was launched in 2005 to help students and Reigatians with their university and career choices while they are at school and in future years.
In the Sixth Form we can offer extra help to students making university choices by passing their questions to former pupils who are currently at university. Most Reigatians have agreed to be contacts for students at the school. This means that they are quite happy to take questions from Lower Sixth Form students about their university course and their university.
This is a very useful opportunity because they can receive an unbiased opinion. Unsurprisingly, there will not be any negative comments about any courses in any university prospectuses; the sun will always be shining and all of the students will be smiling! Through the RGS Foundation we have a very extensive list of contacts, covering a vast selection of courses and universities.
Students interested in finding out more should come to the Careers department. We can arrange for your questions to be put to former students.
RGS parents might consider ‘pinning’ the Reigatian Hub on foundation.reigategrammar.org to access the Reigatian community.
And finally
Students and parents are very welcome to contact the Sixth Form team or the Careers department at the school with any questions.
Reigate Grammar School, Reigate Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0QS 01737 222231 info@reigategrammar.org reigategrammar.org