Applying to Universities
We are often asked questions about applying to university. Which courses and universities are best for my child and their future career? What’s required of them to get a place? How can they maximise their potential and improve their chances of success?
Applying to Universities
We are often asked questions about applying to university. Which courses and universities are best for my child and their future career? What’s required of them to get a place? How can they maximise their potential and improve their chances of success?
Would you like your child to receive expert advice, guidance and practical support during this intense process?
Our University Advisory Service is designed to help your child choose the right university and equip them with the best possible chance of successfully gaining a place.
We advise on all UK universities, colleges and courses helping students navigate through the complex university application process.
This online service is completely tailored to your child, their chosen degree and to the requirements of each of their chosen universities, and runs flexibly around their school commitments.
Would you like your child to receive expert advice, guidance and practical support during this intense process?
Our University Advisory Service is designed to help your child choose the right university and equip them with the best possible chance of successfully gaining a place.
We advise on all UK universities, colleges and courses helping students navigate through the complex university application process.
This online service is completely tailored to your child, their chosen degree and to the requirements of each of their chosen universities, and runs flexibly around their school commitments.
The service comprises 3 key stages:
We first map out a timeline of admissions milestones. This ensures that everyone knows what to expect, and cuts out any unnecessary stress.
Starting in year 12, we begin by exploring subjects of interest with your child. If your child is unsure what they want to study, we can help identify the subjects best suited to your child’s qualifications, strengths and interests, ensuring that all options are fully considered.
At this stage, we guide students through university shortlisting to discover institutions that meet their academic, pastoral and extra-curricular needs so you can be confident that they are applying to institutions where they will thrive and be happy.
We advise on what makes a competitive application to their chosen course and universities by discussing extra curricular resources, work experience, volunteering and other profile-building activities.
Your child’s personal statement is the gateway to an interview and ultimately offer, which is why we spend significant time on this stage. Universities want students to produce a personal statement that is authentic, relevant, persuasive and engaging.
Crafting an impactful, memorable and articulate account of their achievements, ambition, talent and commitment in 4000 characters, whilst demonstrating they are suitable for the course and university, is a serious undertaking. The intensive work of this crucial stage can really affect the outcome of your child’s application.
We can’t write it for them, but by clarifying what needs to go in at the outset, and feeding back what is irrelevant and what is missing from each iteration, we will ensure that your child’s personal statement delivers.
Not all universities hold interviews, but if your child’s chosen university does, it’s important they feel prepared for the different types of questions they might face: short, long and extended; personal, subject-related, responding to articles, diagrams, text and prose; challenge questions and discussion. The interviewer will also want to discuss and ask questions relating to the personal statement.
Our carefully selected Oxbridge graduates assist with:
- Simulating the interview experience through mock
interviews. - Practicing questions related to the course.
- Providing feedback to improve interview technique.
- Briefing on interview aspects such as timing, etiquette, and professionalism.
- Offering additional resources for independent
preparation.
The service comprises 3 key stages:
We first map out a timeline of admissions milestones. This ensures that everyone knows what to expect, and cuts out any unnecessary stress.
Starting in year 12, we begin by exploring subjects of interest with your child. If your child is unsure what they want to study, we can help identify the subjects best suited to your child’s qualifications, strengths and interests, ensuring that all options are fully considered.
At this stage, we guide students through university shortlisting to discover institutions that meet their academic, pastoral and extra-curricular needs so you can be confident that they are applying to institutions where they will thrive and be happy.
We advise on what makes a competitive application to their chosen course and universities by discussing extra curricular resources, work experience, volunteering and other profile-building activities.
Your child’s personal statement is the gateway to an interview and ultimately offer, which is why we spend significant time on this stage. Universities want students to produce a personal statement that is authentic, relevant, persuasive and engaging.
Crafting an impactful, memorable and articulate account of their achievements, ambition, talent and commitment in 4000 characters, whilst demonstrating they are suitable for the course and university, is a serious undertaking. The intensive work of this crucial stage can really affect the outcome of your child’s application.
We can’t write it for them, but by clarifying what needs to go in at the outset, and feeding back what is irrelevant and what is missing from each iteration, we will ensure that your child’s personal statement delivers.
Not all universities hold interviews, but if your child’s chosen university does, it’s important they feel prepared for the different types of questions they might face: short, long and extended; personal, subject-related, responding to articles, diagrams, text and prose; challenge questions and discussion. The interviewer will also want to discuss and ask questions relating to the personal statement.
Our carefully selected Oxbridge graduates assist with:
- Simulating the interview experience through mock
interviews. - Practicing questions related to the course.
- Providing feedback to improve interview technique.
- Briefing on interview aspects such as timing, etiquette, and professionalism.
- Offering additional resources for independent
preparation.
Who delivers this service?
James Harding has worked extensively in both broadcast media and education. Following a career in TV he became the Director of Admissions at a girls’ boarding school which partly involved evaluating and processing student applications. More recently he has travelled the globe talking to 1000’s of international students about UK universities, helping them navigate the complexities of the application process. He visits numerous UK universities, speaks to admission tutors and twice yearly attends university fairs, gaining precious insights into what universities are seeking from applicants, particularly their personal statement. His unique combination of skills and knowledge position him as a valuable resource for aspiring students seeking advice and support in their educational pursuits.
“Throughout my career I have been challenged and stimulated, but the biggest reward is having the opportunity to pass on my knowledge and insights to young and aspiring teenagers, helping them succeed in their educational journeys.”
- James Harding
Who delivers this service?
James Harding has worked extensively in both broadcast media and education. Following a career in TV he became the Director of Admissions at a girls’ boarding school which partly involved evaluating and processing student applications. More recently he has travelled the globe talking to 1000’s of international students about UK universities, helping them navigate the complexities of the application process. He visits numerous UK universities, speaks to admission tutors and twice yearly attends university fairs, gaining precious insights into what universities are seeking from applicants, particularly their personal statement. His unique combination of skills and knowledge position him as a valuable resource for aspiring students seeking advice and support in their educational pursuits.
“Throughout my career I have been challenged and stimulated, but the biggest reward is having the opportunity to pass on my knowledge and insights to young and aspiring teenagers, helping them succeed in their educational journeys.”
- James Harding
How is this service delivered?
We counsel our students online via a series of video calls and communicate with student and parents via email.
To enrol your son or daughter in this advisory service, please fill out the application form.