Higher EducationGetting into competitive Universities and courses

Angela MillnAcademic Registrar

Preparing Students for the Most Competitive Universities and Subjects

• What do we mean by competitive universities and subjects?

• Sizing up the competition• Application tactics• Questions

Most Popular Universities 2009 Entry

LS

E

Bri

sto

l

UC

L

Wa

rwic

k

Ed

inb

urg

h

City

KC

L

St A

nd

rew

s

So

uth

am

pto

n

Oxf

ord

Ca

mb

rid

ge

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

11.7

4.9

4.6

Degree Applica-tions

per place

Most Popular Subjects 2009 Entry

Cla

ssic

al .

..

De

ntis

try

Me

dic

ine

Ve

t S

ci

Bu

sin

ess

Nu

rsin

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Te

ach

ing

Dra

ma

So

cia

l Wo

rk

Jap

an

ese

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

applicants per place

Eco

nom

ics

Ital

ian

Eng

lish

Soc

ial P

olic

y

Dra

ma

Eng

inee

ring

mat

hs

Phi

loso

phy

Aud

iolo

gy

Mat

hs

Cel

lula

r/m

olec

ular

sci

Geo

grap

hy

Che

mis

try

Med

icin

e

Chi

ldho

od s

tuds

Cla

ssic

s

Arc

haeo

logy

Pol

itics

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Applications per place

Admissions at Bristol – subject variations

Imagine…you’re an admissions tutor• Male, aged 18 on

entry.• Good profile of

GCSEs.• Predicted 3 As at A-

level & Extended project.

• Head Boy at School• Duke of Edinburgh’s

Gold award• Work experience in

local GP surgery

• Female, aged 19 on entry.

• Good profile of GCSEs.

• Predicted 36 points in IB

• Young Leader with Brownies

• Gap year through Operation Raleigh

• Work experience in local hospital

What about…• Female, aged 21 on entry.• Lives within 3 miles of the

University, with childcare needs.• Good profile of GCSEs.• Recently completed access

course with glowing reference from college.

• Personal statement full of life experience.

Selecting for High demand courses - Taken as read!

• Submit a legible UCAS form • Apply by the specified closing date• Have an appropriate subject background • Have predicted grades matching the stated

requirements• Provide evidence of appropriate skills &/or

relevant work experience • Demonstrate a range of extra-curricular

interests & responsibilities

• That you will

Applying for High Demand courses - Going the extra mile…

• Qualifications• Can you add value e.g through the extended project?

• Research• The market• The course• The selection criteria(not just the standard grades• Actual grades of successful applicants

Applying for High Demand courses - Going the extra mile…

• Read around the subject• Tailor your application• EVIDENCE of close fit with

selection criteria• Motivation and commitment

NOT “I am an avid reader”

BUT “I have recently been reading (give examples….. which interested me greatly because (give reasons)”

NOT “I am really, really enthusiastic about...”

BUT “In May, I attended a conference on....

Supporting applications to High

Demand courses • Personal Statements

• ARE important• Should be the student’s own work!• Originality can – but may not – help!

• References• Make sure you are aware of any

potential conflicts with the rest of your application!

Supporting applications to High Demand

courses

• Is your application a non-starter?• Do you have a back-up plan in place?• Be prepared for disappointment

Have a go!

• Be realistic

• And finally…

Higher EducationGetting into competitive Universities and courses

Angela MillnAcademic Registrar