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
g
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