A GUIDE TO UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS
January 2024
To all L6 and their parents Welcome to the St Swithun’s guide to university applications. Some of you may have already seen one or more of your offspring go through the UCAS process, so I apologise if I am only telling you what you already know. However, I am conscious that for others, it is their first encounter with the universities admissions system as it currently operates, and in such circumstances, I hope the information and timescale of events contained in this guide will be helpful. UCAS publishes its own Parents' Guide which can be downloaded from http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/parents-and-guardians. Please feel free to contact your daughter’s student guidance tutor at any stage if you have a query.
Mr T Dixon Head of student guidance
Contents An introduction to university applications .....................................................................1 Spring term of L6 .......................................................................................................1 Easter and summer term.............................................................................................2 Additional Admissions tests.......................................................................................5 September of U6 ........................................................................................................6 UCAS decisions .........................................................................................................8 Fees and Loans ...........................................................................................................9 A level results .......................................................................................................... 10 Post A level application ........................................................................................... 10 Oxford and Cambridge Applications: .......................................................................... 11 Oxford and Cambridge entrance .............................................................................. 11 Oxbridge application pre-A level (all based on conditional offers) ......................... 11 Oxbridge applications post-A level .......................................................................... 13 Oxbridge submission dates ...................................................................................... 14 Alternatives to UCAS .................................................................................................. 15 Gap years ................................................................................................................. 15 Art Foundation applications ..................................................................................... 17 Applying to American universities .......................................................................... 18 Applying to universities in the Republic of Ireland ................................................. 18 Applying to European universities ........................................................................... 19 Degree apprenticeships ............................................................................................ 19 Appendix...................................................................................................................... 21 UCAT Universities .................................................................................................. 21 Useful contacts / links .............................................................................................. 21 For information about applying universities outside the UK: .................................. 22
An introduction to university applications
Spring term of L6 An introduction to UCAS takes place in an open session in the spring term, which includes input from an experienced admissions officer. We cover points such as how the girls might choose institutions or courses, and the structure of the applications procedure as they will experience it. This will be followed up with a question and answer sessions with admissions officers during form time in March. Each member of the L6 is then to meet with Mr Dixon to discuss whatever ideas she might have and begin to formulate appropriate application strategies. Mr Dixon will follow up with individuals in due course, but we hope that the girls will seize the initiative and approach us in the first instance when they feel ready to discuss their ideas. The students have access to various web-based search engines [e.g. www.ucas.com and www.morrisby.com], of which we hope the girls will make full use. The most reliable source of up to date information is usually a university’s own website, which often gives details of precisely what the university is looking for from applicants, as well as the latest information about the entry grades required. Some universities produce their own videos, which are available online. Those girls who have done the Morrisby study interests questionnaire might find the suggestions generated by this a good place to begin their research. The Morrisby Higher section has the vast amount of information and students can easily search based on a range of criteria as well as shortlist courses and apprenticeships. If a girl is interested in pursuing a school-related subject at degree level, her subject teachers often have valuable information about the courses
1
and status of various university departments and should certainly be consulted.
Easter and summer term In April, we encourage the students to attend a UCAS Discovery Exhibitions hosted at the University of Winchester (19th April) or Farnborough International Exhibition Centre (20th April). At these events, the girls are able to speak with representatives from most of the main universities in the UK and collect prospectuses and other relevant pieces of literature. Many higher education institutions hold open days both virtually and on campus for prospective applicants in their L6 year between Easter and July. Booking is required for open days at many institutions and arrangements need to be thought about at an early stage, rather than left until late May or June, when the majority are already fully booked. Bookings are usually made online, via each institution’s own website, where further information about open days is also available. We are more than happy for girls to visit as many different institutions as they wish during weekends, the Easter break and at half terms, but feel that it is not appropriate to routinely sanction more than two absences from school to attend week-day open days during the L6, as teaching continues throughout the summer term. We maintain a database of leavers’ destinations and can often offer contacts at the majority of universities which will enable the girls to find out first-hand what a given university/course is really like, which can be far more helpful than a formal, structured open day. It is our experience that the majority of our former pupils are only too willing to enthuse about their university to prospective students. We encourage the girls to make their own approach to any university department in the case of questions: it is not that we are unwilling to 2
do so on their behalf, but admissions tutors themselves far prefer to deal directly with their future students in such cases, and tend not to be impressed if a student lacks the confidence to make her own enquiries. This is especially true in the post-results phase in August, when admissions tutors ask specifically for the candidate, rather than her parent, friend or teacher, to telephone in person to discuss possible course options; data protection policies frequently preclude the admissions personnel from discussing the situation with anyone other than the applicant herself. By the second half of the summer term, we hope that the girls will be in a position to begin narrowing their list of possible options towards the five choices which they can ultimately specify on their UCAS form. Those applying for dentistry, medicine or veterinary medicine are only able to specify four dental/medical/veterinary schools, although the fifth choice can be used for a different option if so wished: these applicants also have to meet the October 15th deadline whether applying to Oxbridge or not. There is no obligation on an applicant to apply for five courses/institutions: any number is acceptable it will cost £27.50. Each institution is only able to see the application(s) which relate to itself (referred to as ‘blind’ applications) until all institutions the applicant has applied to have reached a decision, so there is no indication of his or her preferences. It is important to choose courses at institutions where the stipulated conditional offers are in line with an applicant’s A level results, otherwise applications are unlikely to meet with great success. Likewise, UCAS grades need to be in line with results achieved in the lower sixth unless there are clear extenuating circumstances to explain a dip, or universities will find them unconvincing. Please read prospectuses and websites very carefully for small print, e.g. Edinburgh says very clearly that for ‘high demand’ subjects, they look for a ‘strong set’ of A* grades at GCSE and although a conditional offer can very 3
occasionally be as low as ABB, in reality applicants will often need predictions of at least AAA at A level in order to be considered for an offer. During the summer term we explain to the girls how to complete the online UCAS form, encouraging them to start thinking about their applications. The personal statement is the section where the applicant can demonstrate her interest and motivation and draw an admissions tutor's attention to any relevant work experience or extended reading and the particular skills/qualities which she would bring to the department. It is also the place to explain any gap year plans / request for deferred entry and future career aspirations, if known or relevant. It is wise to check the policy of individual institutions and departments about their attitude to gap years, as some universities will not necessarily make offers for deferred places, even when the prospectus might indicate the contrary to be the case. The personal statement, which must be the applicant’s own work, cannot be rushed: staff are prepared to spend considerable time with individuals, to present their case in the best possible light, but it does help enormously if the girls have talked over their plans at home and have a draft of their personal statement before returning to school in the autumn of U6 if it has not been completed before the holiday. The UCAS web-based application system (The Hub) means that the form is completed and submitted on-line. It has several advantages: the program prevents the applicant from making basic errors and the application is processed within hours at UCAS. The UCAS website can be accessed from home, allowing applicants to work on their forms during the summer holiday, at their convenience, which helps them to be ready to submit the application as soon as the autumn term begins.
4
Additional Admissions tests These have proliferated over the past few years and depending on choice of institution and course, a girl might well have to sit one (or more) of these. Currently the situation is as follows: UCAT (www.ucat.ac.uk ) Most other UK medical and dental schools have opted in to UCAT which needs to be taken at an external centre by early October 2020. The medical and dental schools which currently require UCAT for entry at undergraduate admissions level are shown in Appendix A at the end of the booklet. BMAT Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing announced that they were not producing the BMAT. Leeds and Cambridge have updated their admissions policy and will be using the UCAT. In January 2024, Brighton and Sussex, Imperial, Lancaster and Oxford have not confirmed their entry requirements. LNAT (www.lnat.ac.uk ) Applicants to some law faculties (currently Cambridge, Oxford, LSE, Glasgow, Durham, King’s, UCL, Bristol and SOAS) have to sit LNAT, also taken at an external centre, at the beginning of U6. STEP Girls intending to study mathematics or mathematically-related courses at Cambridge, Imperial or Warwick might well be asked to take STEP examinations in mathematics (in the same session as the A level examinations). ESAT will be used by Cambridge for Engineering, Natural Sciences, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, and Veterinary Medicine courses. The Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) will be used by Cambridge for Economics and Computer Science courses. 5
Oxford and Cambridge both use subject-specific written assessments prior to or at interview for many of their courses to supplement the data provided by examination results and application forms. The preinterview tests are taken in school in early November. UCL is now using the TSA for European Social and Political Studies at interview and Imperial requires MAT for mathematics and computer science applicants. Durham, LSE and Lancaster may ask applicants to mathsrelated courses to take the test of mathematics for university admissions. Further details about the admissions tests can be found via http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/. As is probably apparent, the situation regarding admissions tests remains fluid; it is possible that further tests will be introduced in the near future, and it would be sensible to check the situation on a regular basis. NB admissions tests apply to both pre and post A level applicants and in many cases carry considerable weight in terms of whether an applicant is invited for interview. Students should carefully check the university website to check the admission requirements including admissions tests. They should also discuss with Mrs Taylor and Mr Dixon about the support that is available at St Swithun’s.
September of U6 UCAS will begin to accept applications for the 2023/24 admissions cycle in September 2023, and although the official closing date (with the exception of a few art courses which close on 24th March) is in January 2024, this should not be seen as a reason for delaying application once a girl is certain of her plans. Universities often begin selecting candidates as the applications arrive, and therefore for popular courses, 6
where there might be forty or more applicants per place, it makes sense to maximise one's chances and submit the application early. The goahead to submit the application form will be given to the girls once their student guidance tutor is satisfied with the draft version. Candidates applying for Oxford or Cambridge and for medical, dentistry and veterinary courses at any institution have to submit their applications to UCAS (and Oxford/Cambridge) by 15th October. Once the student sections are completed by the applicant, the reference will be added. Information for the reference is compiled from the input of all staff who are involved with the girls in the sixth form; the list includes the form tutor, housemistress, subject staff, PE staff and staff in charge of societies, essentially all those who can offer a positive contribution. The reference draws all the threads together, taking into account the girl’s personal statement, choice of courses and any other factors which the school knows to be important. In order to ensure that there is no misunderstanding about UCAS grades for the UCAS application, before each reference is processed, the girls have the opportunity to speak with their subject staff at a parents’ meeting about the UCAS grades. These are based partly on the girl’s performance in the lower sixth and also on the experience of the staff and their professional judgment of what each girl is likely to be capable of achieving the following summer. Applicants may ask to see the reference if they so wish: this right of access is restricted to the individual applicant and no copies can be made or released to other parties. The production of each reference takes time, and with a fairly large number of applicants, we need to ensure a sufficient period for this to be done. Please note that school cannot produce a reference during the summer holiday if a member of U6 who has not previously made an application via UCAS suddenly decides to apply to university via Clearing in August. 7
All student sections of UCAS applications for vets, medics, and Oxbridge applicants must be completed by Monday 16th September. Your help in reinforcing this deadline would be invaluable. We try to ensure that all application forms for girls applying for UK universities in their U6 year are completed well before the October half term, for reasons outlined above. The girls will therefore be told that October 7th should be the deadline by which student sections of the application are completed, although if a girl is really unsure about her plans, it is better to delay a few weeks than make a hasty decision to be repented of at leisure, when it cannot be undone very easily. Comparatively few institutions interview before making a decision: many will make an offer on the basis of the UCAS form alone. However, we feel that it is important to offer a mock interview to all U6 on an optin basis: for some applicants, the interview is a very important part of the selection process. There is no set rate at which universities will make their decisions known to applicants: some girls will hear from all their choices within a couple of months, and others will be left wondering until late March 2025. No final response is required by UCAS from the applicant until all the universities have made their decisions.
UCAS decisions Early May:
Applicants should have heard from all universities by this time: it is the usual UCAS cut-off point, by which they need to have responded with decisions about a firm and insurance offer.
If UCAS has not heard from applicants by the date notified to the applicant, it is at liberty to cancel all offers: the moral is, once an applicant has heard from all the universities and made up her mind, she should let UCAS know. Applicants who applied later within the cycle or 8
where universities have been slow to respond will have later decision dates. Anyone who has already used all five choices on the form who is not holding any offers at this stage will be eligible for UCAS Extra and will be able to apply to an additional institution which has vacancies (advertised via the UCAS website). Anyone holding no offers by the summer will automatically become eligible for Clearing and be sent further information at that stage. NB In reaching decisions, bear in mind that the applicant is entering into a contract, effectively committing herself to go to the institution held as first choice as long as the entry requirements are met. Anyone who does not reach the grades set by their first choice, but achieves the requirements for their insurance offer is likewise committed to taking up the place at this second institution or withdrawing from the cycle and reapplying the next year. It is extremely unwise to accept an offer with no intention of ever going there.
Fees and Loans Undergraduate tuition fees at English universities now vary between institutions, although the majority currently charge £9,250 p.a. Tuition fees can be paid up front or the student can take out a tuition fee loan, repayable after graduation. All loan applications (both for tuition fee loans and maintenance loans) are made online via www.gov.uk/studentfinance. Applications from new undergraduates are accepted from January / February onwards of the year of entry and the submission deadline is usually the end of May in order to ensure funding is in place for the start of the academic year. Anyone deferring entry will need to organise any loan application/s in the spring of the year she will be starting her course. The fee level for English students at Scottish and Welsh universities varies slightly but most are currently charging £9,250 p.a. 9
Students attending health related courses will might be eligible for training grants of £5000 per year through the NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF) as well as a student loan. Students beginning an art foundation course when under the age of 19 may be charged a nominal fee (£100) for the year-long course, whilst other art colleges may not charge; if the course is viewed as an integral part of a degree course different regulations apply and fees can be payable.
A level results The A level results are issued in mid-August: the exact date will be notified to you well in advance. It is important that your daughter is not away on holiday at this stage, as if there are unexpected problems, decisions may need to be taken very quickly. There will be members of the student guidance department available for consultation on the day the results are published, in case any advice is needed.
Post A level application There is, of course, no reason why a member of the U6 should apply during her U6 year if she would rather wait until she has her A level results. In many ways, a post A level application can be the most helpful for anyone who is not sure about which course to apply for at the start of U6. It does mean, of course, that anyone who opts to wait until after A levels will have the possible difficulty of watching friends obtain offers and organise the next stage in their education without having a definite goal to aim for herself, which some girls find hard to cope with. Mock interviews are offered to girls in their U6 year, regardless of whether they opt for pre or post A level application, and we would strongly recommend that post A level applicants take advantage of this whilst still at school. We are, of course, happy to continue to provide advice and help with completing the UCAS form to our former students.
10
Oxford and Cambridge Applications:
Oxford and Cambridge entrance The entry grades required are extremely high (as they are for the majority of highly competitive courses at other universities) and girls contemplating an application to Oxford or Cambridge should discuss the matter carefully with Mrs Taylor, Mr Dixon and relevant subject teachers, to ensure that their ambitions are realistic. As with all university applications, there are two possible paths: Pre- A level
- application in first term of U6 seeking a conditional offer - for immediate entry the following October - for deferred entry [taking a GAP year]
Post- A level - application seeking an unconditional offer [by which time A level grades are known]
Oxbridge application pre-A level (all based on conditional offers) All applicants for Oxford and Cambridge have to submit a UCAS form. In addition, Cambridge applicants have to complete a Supplementary Application Questionnaire [SAQ] (online). Applications are made to a college within the university, rather than to the university itself, although candidates can make what is termed an 'open' application, in which case they will be allocated a college. Generally, if a candidate has strong feelings about any of the colleges, either positively or negatively, it is sensible to express a preference: one possible outcome if no preference is expressed is that our applicants may end up being allocated to the all-female colleges [Newnham and Murray Edwards at Cambridge]. Any offer made will be conditional upon A level grades. In general, successful applicants for Oxford and Cambridge have a portfolio with 11
almost exclusively 9s (A*) grades at GCSE and will obtain very high grades for A level (mainly A*). Students that have not completed GCSEs will be required to provide a transcript from their previous school. Although Oxford currently uses the A* less extensively than Cambridge in its conditional offers, the admissions data also indicates that the vast majority of students who are admitted have at least two A* grades at A level, and sometimes several. This has been borne out by most of our recent successful Oxbridge applicants. Conditional offers at many of the other leading universities now also routinely require an A* grade in one or more subjects: several universities are also using the A* to help in decision-making when the results are published if an applicant has narrowly missed their conditional offer grades. Achieving very high grades is only the first hurdle of many to be crossed in the selection process and is no guarantee of a successful outcome to the application. Candidates for Oxford and Cambridge will usually be asked to submit pieces of work which they have done during the sixth form for tutors to look at and discuss in interview. Some departments or colleges will set tests while applicants are there for the interview - details of tests and written work requirements can be found on the Oxford and Cambridge admissions pages. Details of additional admissions tests (UCAT, LNAT, TSA etc.) have already been covered elsewhere in this booklet. The interviews usually take place in December. They could be conducted online or in person depending on the college and course. The Oxford interviews can last up to three days, and applicants might be interviewed by two or three Colleges during the course of their time there. The outcomes for both universities will be released in January. Cambridge operates a ‘pool’ system: if the chosen college cannot make an offer, good candidates can be placed in the 'pool' for consideration 12
by colleges with places to fill, in which case they might be invited for a further interview, in early or mid-January, or made an offer without a further interview. There needs to be careful research into attitudes towards a gap year of the different colleges and girls should check with the college or department involved (it can vary, even within the same college, depending on the subject). Applying for deferred entry can be advantageous in some instances, but girls need to ensure that any gap year plans have a sense of cohesion and are relevant to future studies if appropriate (e.g. language students spending time abroad). Do bear in mind, though, that only a very small number of deferred entry places are on offer in any given year and if someone is a 'borderline' candidate, a college is unlikely to make an offer for a year hence, when they might receive several even more outstanding applications. We would strongly advise that post A level application is a safer strategy in the majority of cases when a girl has her heart set on a gap year.
Oxbridge applications post-A level If a girl in the U6 is not sure whether to apply for Oxbridge, it can be beneficial to wait until after she has her A level grades, which should give a better idea of potential in this respect. Obviously, the system is slightly different; there is no question of conditional offers, but examples of written work and admissions tests such as TSA, BMAT etc. are still required. If an applicant is invited for interview, a decision will be made on the basis of performance there, school reference and results to date. It is less stressful in that respect, but if a girl is planning to spend part of her gap year abroad, she would need to ensure she could be available for interview in December and perhaps also early January.
13
Oxbridge submission dates Applications for all Oxbridge candidates (pre or post A level) have to be in to school by 16th September at the latest (earlier if possible), to give time for references to be collated and the forms sent off - the final date UCAS will accept Oxbridge applications by is 15th October. This means that decisions about college/course etc. really need to be made before the girls go home for the summer holidays at the end of the L6 year, although obviously last-minute changes can be made if necessary. Many departments will set holiday work or extra reading to give a head start for the autumn term, so it is helpful if decisions can be made in good time. If intending to apply for an organ or choral award, an additional application form has to be received at Oxford by 1st September: this has therefore to be completed in the L6. Cambridge makes its choral awards in February, after the academic offers have been made: anyone who is offered a place to study there can then apply to be considered for a choral award. Organ trials take place in September, as at Oxford, prior to the UCAS application deadline. You may not apply to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same year.
14
Alternatives to UCAS
Gap years What is a gap year? In a typical year, between 20% and 30% of our U6 choose to take a gap year before going on to university. Some apply for deferred entry via UCAS whilst in their U6; others apply after they have received their results. Although the terminology implies a year out, it is actually a period of some fourteen or fifteen months between completing A levels and starting a university course, and this can be quite a long time to fill. Why take one? There are several possible advantages to taking a gap year. The greatest one in the opinion of many (including staff at universities) is the 'maturation' factor. Students who have spent a period of time in farflung regions of the world (or even the UK) in some form of community project learn a great deal about themselves and their ability to take responsibility, make decisions and act on their own initiative. In many ways they are better prepared for the challenges of higher education, having taken time out to work off any 'wanderlust', reassess their goals and experience something entirely new. There are some drawbacks to be considered. The main one is cost - it could cost in the region of £8000+ for a gap year which includes a project abroad or a large element of foreign travel. Not all gap schemes cost money: some, including a Year in Industry, IBM and Schroders, are salaried. Anyone contemplating an expensive option needs either very generous parents or time to earn the money or raise sponsorship first. As has been suggested, not all university faculties are keen to take students who want a year out (even if the official prospectus states that they welcome such applicants): mathematics is a frequently cited example, as it is often felt that the students will have forgotten valuable skills in the intervening year. If the degree course is particularly long 15
(e.g. medicine, architecture), a gap year prolongs the time yet further until a salary can be earned. There is also a dislike of unstructured gap years by most admissions tutors, who look for a sense of cohesion and relevance in any year out. NB It is possible to have a fulfilling and well-structured "mini-gap" experience in the long summer university vacations with sufficient effort and forward planning.
What can the girls do? A very simplistic answer is almost anything, almost anywhere. Most gap organisations have websites and the student guidance library has reference books, leaflets and details of a vast range of possible options. There is an annual Gap Fair in Winchester each spring with representatives from 40+ organisations expected to be present. Whilst several of the organisations are well-known, tried and tested by many of our former students, we do not have first-hand experience or insider knowledge of all those whose literature we hold, and would ask you to take this into account when deciding on a gap year programme. Gap years vary enormously, according to individuals’ interests. Possibilities include: -
Employment, either via a gap year scheme (e.g. IBM, the leading accountancy firms, the Year in Industry scheme), or locally.
-
Travel, either independently or with a gap year scheme (Latitude Global Volunteering, Project Trust, Changing Worlds, Raleigh…. the list is very extensive).
-
Activities and training to enhance one’s CV (courses in IT, art history, cookery, TEFL, ski instructing etc.).
There are, of course, numerous possible permutations, although it is important that any girl who is applying for university during her gap year 16
should be available for interview at least up until the end of December/early January if possible, as for some courses interviews are still mandatory or a key part of the admissions process, and a candidate who is not able to attend might well be passed over. What about applying? It is wise to begin researching the possibilities during the L6. Applications need to be in at the start of U6 for placements with popular organisations, in order to maximise one's chances of securing the country and type of placement of first choice.
Art Foundation applications Many colleges which offer art foundation courses do not use the UCAS system. The exceptions are the Scottish art schools (such as Glasgow and Edinburgh Schools of Art), which offer a four year course including an integral first year foundation course. It is possible that other art schools will adopt this format in the future. Girls applying for art foundation courses need to obtain application forms directly from the art schools they wish to apply for; forms can often be downloaded from their websites, or online applications submitted. Some art schools have formed consortia, such as the University of the Arts in London (Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon now offer a centralised foundation course: Central Saint Martins has retained its own course), and University College for the Creative Arts (Surrey and Kent Institutes of Art), using a common application form and asking applicants to nominate first and second choice courses. The closing date for art foundation applications is generally 31st January, although some colleges have a December 31st deadline. Applicants are usually asked to write a supporting statement to explain their interest in art for each application and have a portfolio prepared for submission. 17
Applying to American universities Over the past few years, varying numbers of our students have applied to universities in the USA, usually in addition to completing a UCAS form. Unlike the UCAS system, there is no completely standardised application form which goes simultaneously to all institutions and whilst most universities use the Common Application system, others have an entirely individual format for application and references. They can also require the completion of further sets of references in the spring and summer terms. This can entail an enormous amount of paperwork, both for the student and the referees, so it is sensible to limit the number of universities applied for to ten or fewer. In addition to the application form, applicants are often required to write essays as set by each individual institution and prior to beginning the application process, the student needs to have registered for and taken either ACT or SAT examinations, achieving high scores in them (the Ivy League and other similarly competitive universities set very entry high scores for would-be applicants). St Swithun’s is not a centre for either examination and applicants who wish to have the option of applying to US universities need to register for and take the ACT or SATs independently. Details of the test dates, registration processes and other information relating to applications to US universities can be found at www.actstudent.org and www.collegeboard.com and students are advised to begin their research early in the spring of L6, to enable them to have more than one attempt at the tests if they so wish before submitting an application in the autumn of U6.
Applying to universities in the Republic of Ireland Applications are dealt with by the Central Applications Office, similar to UCAS: the application is made online, with a deadline of 1st February and a standard fee of €45 (for 2023). Up to ten courses can be applied 18
for, in order of preference, and no school reference is required. Applicants are awarded places on the basis of a tariff score for their results and decisions are notified to applicants a few days after A level results in August. Courses at Trinity College Dublin in particular are very competitive and the entry grades for some subjects are higher than for Oxbridge. Any potential medics are expected to sit the HPAT-Ireland: please see the CAO website for a link for further information.
Applying to European universities This is potentially an attractive option for some students. Courses are taught in English at some Dutch universities (principally Maastricht, Amsterdam, Utrecht and Groningen). British nationals are now treated no differently from other international (ie. non-EU) students in the Netherlands and will now have to pay full international fees. These range from around €8,000 a year for most degrees in business, arts and humanities, to around €12,000 for science subjects, €14,000 for liberal arts programmes and €32,000 a year for medicine. For most subjects this will be similar to UK tuition fees. Applications are made directly and entry grades are very accessible.
Degree apprenticeships These provide an opportunity for students to study part-time for a degree alongside paid employment. The range of options, originally rather narrow, is now increasing. The areas covered include law, accountancy, digital technology, engineering and management and opportunities are available from many well-known companies, including Nestlé, Deloitte, Marks and Spencer, Rolls Royce, PwC and Vodafone. The potential drawback is that the employer will have a link with a specific university and course, so the student cannot choose the university where they will study: university attendance is usually in the form of block residential study with other degree apprentices. 19
Parents and pupils should be aware that this information is given in good faith and is believed correct at time of publication. However, universities reserve the right to change entry requirements at any time, and may do so even as the applications cycle commences.
20
Appendix
UCAT Universities All applicants should check the entry requirements for each course with the relevant university before booking a test. Details of the 2025 test cycle will be updated in April 2024.
University of Aberdeen Anglia Ruskin University Aston University Bangor University University of Birmingham University of Bristol Brunel University London Cardiff University University of Central Lancashire University of Chester University of Dundee University of East Anglia Edge Hill University University of Edinburgh University of Exeter University of Glasgow Hull York Medical School Keele University Kent and Medway Medical School King's College London University of Leeds University of Leicester University of Liverpool University of Manchester University of Newcastle University of Nottingham
Plymouth University Queen Mary University of London Queen's University Belfast University of Sheffield University of Southampton University of St Andrews St George's, University of London University of Sunderland University of Surrey University of Warwick University of Worcester
21
Useful contacts / links Director of student guidance Mr Dixon - dixont@stwithuns.com Student guidance office: 01962 835738 Head of Academic Enrichment and Oxbridge Mrs V Taylor – taylorv@stswithuns.com Student Finance England:
www.gov.uk/studentfinance
Other potentially useful websites: Taster courses
London.ac.uk/tasters www.ucas.com
UCAS Morrisby Degree apprenticeships David Hawkins
www.morrisby.com
www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk www.theuniversityguys.com/
For information about applying universities outside the UK: France
Canada
www.sciencepo.fr
www.mcgill.ca www.utoronto.ca www.ubc.ca www.studyincanada.com
USA www.ed.gov www.collegeboard.com www.actstudent.org
www.fulbright.co.uk www.studyusa.com www.niche.com
The Netherlands www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/ www.uva.nl/en www.uu.nl/university/international-students/EN/Pages/default.aspx www.rug.nl/prospectivestudents/universityofgroningen/index Republic of Ireland www.cao.ie
22
Useful contacts / links
St Swithun’s School, Alresford Road, Winchester, SO21 1HA 01962 835700 office@stswithuns.com www.stswithuns.com Registered Charity Number 307335
23