Guide
to gaining entry to an
Elite University or a highly selective course
2015 Entry
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WHICH ARE THE ELITE UNIVERSITIES? The Russell Group (RG) represents 24 leading universi es which are commi ed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience and unrivalled links with business and the public sector. RG universi es are to be found across the UK. They are: Birmingham Bristol Cambridge Cardiff Durham Edinburgh Exeter Glasgow Imperial, King’s College London Leeds Liverpool LSE Manchester Newcastle No ngham Queen Mary Queen’s Belfast Oxford Sheffield Southampton UCL Warwick York For further information on the Russell Group please see: http://russellgroup.ac.uk/home/ The following universi es are not members of the Russell Group but are nonetheless generally considered to be top universi es: St Andrews Bath Leicester Reading Loughborough Lancaster Entry requirements tend to be high for all these universi es.
WHAT ARE THE HIGHLY SELECTIVE VOCATIONAL COURSES AT UNIVERSITY?
Most people are aware that courses such as Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Den stry are highly selec ve. However, all courses related to the various medical professions (such as Physiotherapy, Radiography, Occupa onal Therapy, Nursing, Speech Therapy and Midwifery) are highly selec ve irrespec ve of where they are taught. Many of these courses are taught in non‐elite universi es. This is also true for courses such as Social Work and Primary Teaching. As well as the academic entry grades, universi es will expect relevant work experience and knowledge of the chosen profession.
WHAT ARE THE HIGHLY ACADEMIC SELECTIVE COURSES AT UNIVERSITY? All courses at Oxford and Cambridge will be highly selec ve. Most courses at universi es such as Imperial, UCL, Durham and Edinburgh are very compe ve. It is also important to stress the compe on for places can vary significantly depending on the course. For example, at all elite universi es English and Maths will be more selec ve than Sociology.
APPLYING TO OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE Poten al Oxford and Cambridge applicants are offered support through the College’s Oxbridge programme. This includes visits to conferences and universi es as well as support with applica ons and prepara on for interviews.
WHAT DO STUDENTS NEED TO DO BEFORE APPLYING? 1)
Gain good AS/A level results ‐ O en students see A level results as a means of gaining access to university. However, A level results are increasingly playing a part in selec on for graduate jobs. As more students are now achieving a first or upper second degree at university, many employers recrui ng graduates also look back at A level grades. Students with high A level grades are more likely to be asked for interview.
2)
Work experience ‐ Students have the opportunity to go on placement at the end of Year 12. Work experience is almost always essen al for some voca onal courses such as primary teaching, all health‐ related courses, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Den stry.
3)
A end Open Days ‐ Universi es hold Open Days in June/July and again in September/October. This is probably the best way to find out about individual universi es.
4)
Research‐ Students need to research their university choices carefully. They need to consider the following:
Entry requirements (GCSE & A Level) Course content How the course is taught (e.g. exam‐based/assessment) Loca on/Accommoda on
Lots of informa on is available on university websites, as well as on other websites such as UCAS and Unistats. Links to these can be found on NEW College’s comprehensive careers and higher educa on website: h p://www.ncpontefract.ac.uk/higher‐educa on 5)
Produce a good Personal Statement
For all highly selec ve universi es and courses, the Personal Statement is important. For compe ve voca onal courses, students must evidence relevant experience and reflect clearly and ar culately showing an understanding of their chosen profession. For academic courses, students will need to evidence interest, enthusiasm and knowledge of their chosen subject. For Oxbridge they may need to evidence further study beyond the curriculum.
6)
Seek advice
NEW College employs three fully qualified Careers Advisers to offer advice to students. They have considerable experience suppor ng applicants to highly compe ve universi es and courses. They also run a programme of university talks, visits to university open days and offer support with applica ons and prepara on for interviews. Individual advice is available every day of the academic year. Students can make appointments in the LRC near the Careers Office. Parents are welcome to a end.
7)
Register for and take appropriate selec on tests:
For some of the most compe ve courses, applicants are increasingly being asked to take addi onal selec on tests. Medicine, Den stry and Veterinary Medicine these can be: UKCAT h p://www.ukcat.ac.uk/ BMAT h p://www.admissionstes ngservice.org/our‐ services/medicine‐and‐healthcare/bmat/about‐bmat/ Law LNAT ‐ Eight leading universi es for Law require students to take the LNAT h p://www.lnat.ac.uk/ Oxford and Cambridge Tests vary according to subject. Please see their university websites. Primary Teaching Students are now required to pass QTS tests in numeracy and literacy before star ng their undergraduate studies for a Primary Teaching degree. h p://www.educa on.gov.uk/get‐into‐teaching/faqs/ becoming‐a‐teacher/qualified‐teacher‐status Nursing/Midwifery It is becoming increasingly common for universi es to set literacy and numeracy tests at interview.
APPLICATION DEADLINES AND KEY DATES June/ July 2014
University Open Days
Summer 2014
Ap tude tes ng registra on opens
September/ October 2014
University Open Days
1 October 2014
CUKAS Deadline (Music)
15 October 2014
Deadline for applica ons to Medicine, Vet Medicine and Oxford/ Cambridge
November 2014
NEW College internal deadline for all other UCAS applica ons
15 January 2015
All applica ons to have reached UCAS
BENEFITS OF GOING TO AN ELITE UNIVERSITY In the first couple of years a er gradua on your CV will be short. Many companies will have certain criteria to draw up a shortlist and there is no doubt a good degree from a top university will enhance your chances. Research in late 2012 provided evidence that many leading graduate employers visit only a limited number of universi es to meet students. Research from the Su on Trust showed that students gradua ng from an elite university went on to earn £90,000 more during their career than those who gained an iden cal degree elsewhere.
Further informa on and advice is available from the Careers Team: Graham Crossley
Careers Manager
Emma Chappell‐Davies
Careers Adviser/Progress Tutor
Karen Smi en
Senior Progress Tutor (Careers/Oxbridge)