Decisions at 18 2027 Entry
Key Staff
Applying to University
Timeline of the university application process
Step-by-step approach
Predicted grades and Tariff points
Calculating UCAS points
Interpreting League Tables
Degree Apprenticeships
Foundation Art Course
Study in the USA
Study in Europe and in non-EU countries
Loans, fees and grants
Bursaries and scholarships
Key dates 2026-2027
2026
27 April UNIFROG search tool for courses offered for 2026 entry
22 May Working predicted grades confirmed to all students via UNIFROG
1 June Begin UCAS application and Personal Statement first draft
25 September Predicted grades finalised by Heads of Department
28 September KGS internal deadline for urgent applications to Oxford
and Cambridge, medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry
15 October UCAS external deadline for urgent applications.
9 November KGS internal deadline for submission of all other UCAS applications
2027
13 January Equal consideration UCAS deadline (18 00)
25 February Opportunity for applicants who have used all five of their choices and are not holding any offers to add another choice to their application
End of March Student finance applications go live
5 May For students that receive all university decisions by 31 March 2027, this is the deadline to reply to any offers
2 June For students that receive all university decisions by 12 May 2027, this is the deadline to reply to any offers
30 June Final deadline for UCAS applications following the equal consideration deadline in January
2 July Clearing opens, and vacancies are displayed in the UCAS search tool
12 August A Level results day: information about results day including exam results, clearing and KGS support available will be sent out to students and parents at the end of the summer term
September Mr Fitzgerald contacts any students on a gap year who are applying through KGS and provides them with relevant guidance
Key Staff
Mr A Fitzgerald
Director of Careers & Universities
afitzgerald@kgs org uk
Mr S Morris
Deputy Director of Careers & Universities
smorris@kgs org uk
Mrs A Williams
Head of Sixth Form
awilliams@kgs org uk
Dr A Crampin
Head of Lower Sixth
acrampin@kgs org uk
Mr C Wenham
Head of Upper Sixth
cwenham@kgs org uk
Dr K Kennedy
Oxbridge support
kkennedy@kgs org uk
Mr N Casasanto
Support with US applications
ncasasanto@kgs org uk
Applying to university
The school’s Higher Education and Careers SharePoint pages contain an ‘Applying to University’ section with information about Oxbridge, Art Foundation, Degree Apprenticeships and the KGS UCAS process and timeline
Lower Sixth students will be using UNIFROG (which includes parent access to the resources) Where it says ‘form code’, please use this parent code to gain access: kingstongrammarparent UNIFROG is used to manage university applications, including researching choices and opportunities and drafting personal statements
The UNIFROG resources and this booklet contain almost everything you will need for a successful application Please use it and avoid ‘googling’ information outside of these resources as it may be out of date or inaccurate
The UCAS flat fee of £34 50 per UCAS application submitted will be charged to the summer fee bill If for any reason a student decides not to apply, then this fee can be refunded by the bursary on request
UCAS guide for parents and guardians
Useful online resource produced by UCAS
Timeline of the university application process
Spring Term 2026
Tutors and Sixth Form Team guide students in researching and considering courses and universities
Students are scheduled one-to-one guidance meetings with Mr Fitzgerald from Monday 26 January 2026
Summer Term 2026
Continue to research courses and universities
Predicted grades after Trial exams: this should further help students in choosing suitable courses
Attend taster courses and open days/events
Students directed to register on the UCAS ‘Apply’ system by the end of the term
Draft application completed by early applicants (Oxford, Cambridge, Medics, Vets)
Autumn Term 2026
Early applications (Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science) need to be completed by the internal deadline: Monday 28 September 2026 (Actual UCAS deadline: 15 October at 6pm)
All other applications should aim to be completed between straight after the October Half Term and ideally by the end of November (actual UCAS deadline for all other applications Tuesday 13 January 2027)
Spring Term 2027
Offers continue to be received
UCAS Extra opens in February 2027, for those unhappy with their offers, who wish to apply for an extra choice or who have received no offers.
Summer Term 2027
Applicants must have replied with their firm and insurance choices by May 2027 but this date is to be confirmed
A Level Exams in June 2027
August 2027: students receive results, the majority taking up their Firm or Insurance place at university Otherwise, the Sixth Form team will be around to help with Clearing Students may also reapply through KGS for 2027 entry and guidance on how this works in a gap year in September 2027
Early applicants
Oxford and Cambridge applicants, Medicine, Vet Medicine, Dentistry
Above applicants should be on track to complete their draft application by the end of the Summer Term
Useful resources
UCAS website
Gap Year advice and opportunities
Open Days
Step-by-step approach
Step 1 – January onwards
Research study interests, search on UNIFROG, explore library and SharePoint resources
Book taster courses and open days
Use UNIFROG resources to begin researching courses and career interests
Talk to tutors, friends and family about careers and degrees
Request guidance from Mr Fitzgerald at any time
Step 2 – February onwards
Think of your choice in terms of: A levels, how well do they link into a particular degree? Course structure: Single? Joint? Combined?
Sandwich? Exchange programmes? Type of institution: location, size, campus, traditional, modern
Scheduled L6 guidance interviews with Mr Fitzgerald from January 2026
Step 3 – After trial exams
Working predicted grades confirmed by start of May half-term
Be realistic in your choices - take on board course entry requirements, consult prospectuses (detailed online course information on University website is most up-to-date)
Check carefully entry requirements against actual grades achieved by students accepted on the course (on UNIFROG)
Step 4 – June onwards
Begin to fill in your UCAS form
Ask advisers or tutors about acceptable mixes of course choices, particularly for competitive courses for UCAS application
Plan insurance options around predicted grades - have you aimed too high, or too low?
Research sponsorship and bursary opportunities
Begin drafting your UCAS Personal Statement
Step 5 – September to October
Do your choices look wise? Have your predicted grades changed, how does this affect your choices? Go back over steps 1-5 making sure everything has been considered
Predicted grades
Students will be predicted a ‘working predicted grade’ by Heads of Department in the summer term of Lower Sixth and a working predicted grade will appear on each student’s UNIFROG account for each subject they are taking to A Level.
The predicted grades may be revised up in many instances and students will be given time in the Summer and early Autumn Term of the Upper Sixth to improve (a) predicted grade(s), if they produce work of the necessary level
There are a number of factors that go into deciding the predicted grades The trial examination result is a key component of the prediction The higher the trial examination grade, the better the chances of achieving a higher predicted grade in a particular subject
However, in addition, the school will take into account work throughout the Lower Sixth as well as achievement in tests, homework tasks and overall work ethic The policy will be sent to parents and students in the lead-up to working predicted grades being finalised
Calculating UCAS Points
UCAS tariff points are used by some universities (around a third) when making conditional offers Instead of asking for grades (e g BBC), a university may express the offer as 112 points However, most Russell Group universities do not use tariff points when they make offers, just grades They are more likely to make an offer stipulating grades rather than points
More universities now include the EPQ in alternative offers for some courses either as a grade A*, A or B requirement or as part of the points requirements AS Further Mathematics is also included for a reduced offer at several universities such as Bath instead of the EPQ
Entry requirements and offers that state tariff points may also require a minimum level of achievement in a specified subject, for example '128 points from a minimum of three A levels to include grade A in A Level Chemistry', i e , an A in Chemistry (48) and B grades in two other A levels (40+40)
Although tariff points can be accumulated in different ways, not all points will necessarily be acceptable for entry to a particular course. The achievement of points, therefore, does not give an automatic entitlement to entry and many other factors are considered in the admissions process Using the table below, you can calculate how to convert A level, AS and EPQ
Calculating UCAS points
Example (A Level): a student with AAB at A level will have a tariff score of 136
Other qualifications, such as practical music or speech and drama exams like LAMDA and ESB, also have a tariff value but it is unlikely that these tariff points will count towards your offer unless you are applying for a specialist practical music or drama course, in which case it will be the qualifications themselves and not their tariff points which will be valued:
You can use the tariff calculator on the UCAS website to work out what other qualifications are worth and there is also a helpful video which explains the tariff system in more detail
Interpreting league tables
League tables, remain high profile for Higher Education applicants Here is some guidance when attempting to use league tables:
Universities submit their own data While they are accountable, it is possible for Universities to ‘play the game ’ to cause themselves to appear higher up their tables, with absolutely no benefit in terms of teaching
There are many different factors that go into compiling a league table Different league tables are weighted differently (taking into account such factors as % of mature students, ‘diversity’, gender balance, etc ) The order in which Universities appear on any given league table is a function of the weights attached by the compiler to each factor
Subject specific league tables (Times and Guardian) are perhaps more useful than the overall ranking but should not be taken on face value
League tables may help students to divide the Universities into ‘Most desirable’, ‘desirable’ and ‘least desirable’, but not too much should be read into small differences It is categorically not the case that, for example, Coventry is a ‘better’ place to study Maths than Warwick, simply because it appears one place ahead in the Guardian league table
There are College league tables for Oxford and Cambridge These are less helpful than other league tables, and very little notice should be taken of them College choice is a personal matter and best to consult with school staff to discuss possible choices
UNIFROG course search draws on league table information from many areas when providing search results which ensures students have a lot of useful information without needing to carry out additional research
Guardian League Table
Times League Table
Links to league tables
Degree Apprenticeships
A Degree Apprenticeship brings together the best of higher education and vocational training This option enables university study and the invaluable on-the-job training typical of an Apprenticeship, without having to cover the cost of tuition It combines full-time paid work with free part-time university study The range of degree apprenticeships is likely to continue to grow
Things to consider
Degree Apprenticeships are highly competitive and not a soft option
Unlike degrees there is not a level playing field of opportunities: finance & IT are the key recruiters
There is not one deadline, opportunities arise throughout the year
Students should apply for a number in view of the competition
Application process offers invaluable recruitment process experience
Typical stages: online application, online tests, telephone interview, assessment centre
Top tips from successful applicants: “show potential to learn new skills, “have real passion or drive”, “confident but not pushy”, “know the company and particularly the sector”, “ you need to be resilient and organised to get through the recruitment process ”
Useful links to degree apprenticeships
PROSPECTS
MONEY SAVING EXPERT
Foundation Art course
Some university art and design degree courses prefer applicants to have taken a one-year Art Foundation course first, although there is a trend now for students to do their foundation integrated into their degree Foundation courses last one year and offer students the opportunity to explore a wide range of design areas (diagnostics) – including painting, sculpture, graphic design, fashion & textile design, 3D design and computer-aided design
The course helps students to put together an appropriate portfolio for their chosen design area They have become much more competitive in recent years as some universities such as UCA have integrated the foundation into their main courses and charge fees for the foundation year You will need to research your choices carefully
Applications for Foundation courses are made directly to the institutions, whether universities or colleges, and not through UCAS Students can apply for as many Foundation courses as they like, although many finally choose to attend one near home for financial reasons
An Art Foundation course may be referred to as "Foundation Studies in Art and Design" or as a "Foundation Diploma" Don’t confuse it with a Foundation Degree, which is something different
Please speak to Mr Dyson to discuss options jdyson@kgs org uk
How
to research Art Foundation courses on UNIFROG
UNIFROG shows art foundation courses on both the UK university tool and the UK college / sixth form tool For the UK uni tool, if a uni offers a course with a foundation year as part of it (very common with art) then these will be on the UK uni tool as 4 year courses Alternatively the one-year or two- year foundation years are on there as well There are lots of ways to find either of these from the longlist of the tool Click on the filter for "foundation" or click on the filter for "art foundation" or type "foundation" into the keyword search box at the top of the longlist page to see all the relevant options
What finance is available?
No tuition fees are charged to Home and EU students who are under 19 years of age at the start of their course However, Art Foundation courses are classified as further education and students are not able to apply for a student loan to cover their living expenses Students need to think carefully about how they will fund their living costs before applying to a college away from their home area
What are the courses like?
The best way to find out is to visit Check individual college websites (several are listed overleaf) for details of their open days These are often oversubscribed and you will need to book a place
When do students apply for Art Foundation courses?
The application deadline for many Art Colleges will be the end of January 2027, but CHECK CAREFULLY as they vary and some may be as early as December 2026
Study in the USA
There has been a 20-30% increase in applications to American universities from the UK America has some of the best universities in the world, and offers a different style of degree course from universities in the UK – a ‘Liberal Arts’ degree There is also more tutorial and discussion-based learning, rather than the predominantly lecture-based learning of UK universities The other benefits are broadening your experiences, internationalising your CV and providing yourself with a valuable experience
Mr Fitzgerald & Mr Casasanto support students applying to US universities American universities normally offer a ‘liberal arts’ programme in general arts and sciences before students choose which area of study they will concentrate on The main benefits are breadth and flexibility
Once a student has completed a specific number of courses, they are then awarded their degree This usually takes four years (Much like in US high schools, at US universities students earn a grade in each course based not solely on terminal exams, but also on coursework and tests, and the final grades in each course contribute to an overall “grade point average ” or GPA so your first year counts just as much as your final year!)
When applying, you can suggest your preferred ‘major’ but this is not necessary at the application stage, and students are free to change their minds later The ‘Liberal Arts’ option is therefore particularly beneficial for students who do not have one preferred subject, or are not yet sure what they would like to focus on
Incidentally, the US system is based on the Scottish system which allows students two years to study a range of courses before choosing the main degree subject
Applying to an American University
There is a notion that Ivy League universities are the only ones for which it is worth applying However, there are hundreds of other very good universities in America In fact, the ‘Ivy League’ was set up purely as a sporting organisation for a few East Coast universities
Choosing university thousands of miles away is difficult You need to narrow your choices first, considering the course, accreditation of the university, cost, size, location etc , and then visit your selected list
Email universities and ask for prospectuses, financial information, and application forms Make sure you keep in contact with both them and Mr Casasanto
Mr Fitzgerald will provide transcripts and school information to applicants’ universities either directly or through the commonapp, we recommend KGS students to UES for support with SATs and ACTs and KGS can provide online resources for practising for the SAT and ACT If you are considering applying to a US university you should already be in touch with Mr Casasanto (advice on where to apply and test preparation) and Mr Fitzgerald (the actual application process) so that they can ascertain the support that you need and provide general guidance
Key aspects of the application process
Many universities offer early deadlines in November or December in the year prior to which you plan to start, which means you will get a decision as early as December or January The normal deadlines are usually in January, with decisions sent out in late March These early deadlines sometimes obligate you to attend the university if accepted whilst others don’t, so research individual universities’ early deadline options carefully
There is no UCAS service covering every university, but the Common Application does cover most universities There is one main ‘ essay ’ of 650 words to submit via the CommonApp that will go to all of your selected universities, but each will require one or more of their own further written responses to prompts ranging from 50-300 words each
As the CommonApp is not available to applicants until the summer before the Upper 6 , in the Lower 6 you should focus on researching university options and identifying and filling gaps in your cocurricular CV US universities value service, leadership, and pursuits of your interests and passions outside of the classroom th th
You may or may not be required to sit SAT or ACT exams many universities went ‘test-optional’ in the wake of COVID, but in recent years many of those universities have reinstated it as a requirement, especially in the Ivy League; be sure to check your selected universities’ expectations carefully However, a good score can bolster your academic evidence, which is otherwise represented by only your GCSEs and A Level predictions; if you sit a test and achieve a high score, it is in your interest to share that score with the university These should be taken as early as possible, preferably during the summer, so preparation should begin after your trial exams end You can check what SAT or ACT results universities require, and retake them as many times as you want, though most students do one or two sittings Each university has different ways they consider multiple sittings, so, again, be sure to check your selected universities’ policies carefully See www collegeboard com for details, and speak to Mr Casasanto
Your co-curricular activities are more important at American universities than they are in the UK. American universities are interested in your academic ability and interest, but also want to see how you will fit into their institution
Make sure you know about the university to which you are applying Each application is individual, so tailor your application letter to that university, and ensure you have done plenty of research
Finance
Tuition fees vary depending on whether you are applying to a state or private university For example, Yale’s tuition basic fees for 202526 were around $72,500 per academic year
Living costs similarly vary depending on what university you choose to attend Big cities are more expensive than more rural universities Universities will usually send you a rough estimate of costs such as room, board, books, medical insurance (required) and personal expenses in the living costs figure they quote
You cannot get a student loan from the UK to study abroad
The main source of financial aid for international students, other than family resources, is the university to which you are applying Most university financial aid is based on academic merit, although some institutions give funding based on need Full scholarships covering total expenses are rare, although do exist
There are also athletic scholarships, arts scholarships and scholarships based on other criteria
The key thing is to research what each individual university is charging, and what they require from you in order to apply for and be awarded a scholarship This will be different for each university
Applying to an American university is time consuming Most of the work is done by the student, and you must be fully committed if you are going to embark on the process
The acceptance rate is very low for the most competitive universities such as in the Ivy League At Yale for 2025, it was 4 6% However, sporting scholarships are worth pursuing if you have strong performance in a relevant sport such as rowing, football, golf, women ’ s field hockey and swimming
Considerations
16 Resources found by going to the school’s firefly pages, choosing the Careers and Universities Section under school life, then choosing applying to uni, then choosing the American, European and other Non-UK Universities
Study in Europe and in non-EU countries
Since the new tuition fees rise in the UK, there has been an increase in interest in studying abroad. Europe, in particular, has proven attractive for a number of reasons if you have citizenship of an EU country: Not too far from home
Lots of English-speaking universities to choose among Benefits for future job prospects
Experience another culture and learn another language
Often different style of teaching: not just lectures; more discussionbased
Despite the UK leaving the EU, studying in Europe remains a viable option for students The exception regarding higher fees is where many UK universities continue to operate exchange programmes with EU universities, where UK home fees would normally apply for the placement year UNIFROG has plenty of information about study at European universities
Studying in non-EU countries
The most popular options abroad are Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, all of which have a number of good options of universities It depends on what each individual student is interested in Some universities have also created satellite campuses in other parts of the world For example, New York University has a campus in Abu Dhabi This would give students the chance to travel to other parts of the world and experience other cultures, whilst still studying for a meaningful degree Ireland is a useful option for being nearby and having a number of good universities It follows a different application system to that of the UK, with offers being made after results are released, not before We are not yet aware of the implications for fees on the UKs’ departure from the EU Australia and New Zealand are particularly attractive options because of the similarities between their university systems and those in the UK up until university, making the transition easier They also offer a broader degree, similar to the liberal arts adopted by American universities and becoming increasingly popular at UK universities In particular, studying in these areas is seen as beneficial as it gives students an opportunity to travel
Click Here for help with applying to universities in Australia and New Zealand
Finance
If you choose to study abroad, the loans and grants available in the UK are not available to you
Studying abroad tends to be more expensive than remaining in the UK
(although the gap has slimmed significantly)
There are scholarships available: this requires students to do their own research and question individual universities about what is on offer
Considerations
The application dates and systems for these universities are different from those in the UK It is important that students do their own research and are on top of their own application Again, keep in contact with Mr Fitzgerald who will help
Loans, fees and grants
Please note that you will need to complete a student finance application even if your intention is just to receive a tuition fee loan
Student Support available for those starting Higher Education in 2026 has just been announced and will likely increase slightly for 2026 entry
Academic Year
2026/2027
Tuition Fee Loan up to £9,790
Maintenance Loan for living costs means-tested
Help from universities and colleges
Extra help
Up to £14,135 if studying in London
Up to £10,830 if studying outside of London
Up to £9,118 if living at home and studying
Many colleges and Universities offer nonrepayable bursaries - contact your college or university to see what they are offering
Extra help in available for Medical students, social work students, teacher training students and students with special circumstances
The maintenance loan for living costs is means tested for 35% of the total The loans for fees and living costs are rolled into one (i e one monthly repayment and statement)
The loan is repayable from April the year after you leave your course and start earning more than £25,000 a year
If you have any outstanding student loan debt (including interest) 40 years after you ’ re due to start making repayments, this will be cleared and you will no longer owe anything Deductions are usually made through the PAYE tax system by your employer in the same way as tax and National Insurance contributions
More information about repayment of student loans can be found here: Student Finance England repayment of loans
Students who require additional support for a disability or mental health may be eligible to apply for DSA allowances: https://www ucas com/finance/additional-funding/disabledstudentsallowance-dsa
Bursaries and scholarships
Some Universities, and some courses, will offer bursaries and scholarships, not always means tested, to attract students
A website has been set up: www thescholarshiphub org uk This summarises all the scholarships and bursaries available at UK universities for UK students, so is worth a look In particular, there are a number of sports scholarships available as well as academic scholarships for those who exceed the grade requirements at their chosen university (this is particularly common in Scotland)
Often, universities reward bursaries or scholarships if you exceed their basic entry requirement, often by two grades Therefore, it can be difficult for students to be awarded bursaries or scholarships by the very top universities, asking for AAA entry requirements to start with It is important to check out scholarship and bursaries at an early stage, as they are likely to be highly competitive
Course-search on UCAS or the UNIFROG search tool not only brings up entry requirements, but also details of bursaries and scholarships Student Finance are the first people to contact if you have any questions:
Student Finance England: 0300 100 0607
Student Finance GOV UK
Student finance explained: Student Guides -MoneySavingExpert KGS will advise students in Upper Sixth (March 2027 for this cohort) that it is time to apply for student finance and direct them to the relevant link to pre- register and it will be in the relevant parent bulletin as well for that week
#workwellandbehappy