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 ongoing expert guidance and practical support during this intense process?
It covers all universities and colleges; from the ancient Oxford and Cambridge, to other high-ranking universities such as Imperial, UCL and LSE; from creative Art & Design Schools to leading-edge New Universities. And it covers all elements of university application; from personal statement to entrance exam to interview.
Would you like to feel assured they are receiving bespoke tuition in every area required to get a place?
This advisory service is designed to give your child the best possible chance of achieving a place at their desired university in the UK. Our aim is to put your child in the optimal position to apply to these universities, access the interview stage and, ultimately, receive offers from their chosen universities.
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. If your child is unsure what degree and which universities would suit them, we will help them make good decisions based on their preferences, interests, talents and what they might go on to do afterwards.
Would you like your child to receive ongoing expert guidance and practical support during this intense process?
It covers all universities and colleges; from the ancient Oxford and Cambridge, to other high-ranking universities such as Imperial, UCL and LSE; from creative Art & Design Schools to leading-edge New Universities. And it covers all elements of university application; from personal statement to entrance exam to interview.
Would you like to feel assured they are receiving bespoke tuition in every area required to get a place?
This advisory service is designed to give your child the best possible chance of achieving a place at their desired university in the UK. Our aim is to put your child in the optimal position to apply to these universities, access the interview stage and, ultimately, receive offers from their chosen universities.
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. If your child is unsure what degree and which universities would suit them, we will help them make good decisions based on their preferences, interests, talents and what they might go on to do afterwards.
The service comprises 4 key stages:
Starting in year 12, we begin by exploring subjects of interest with your child. Our diagnostic tools can identify the subjects best suited to your child’s qualifications, strengths and interests, making sure that all options are fully considered. We then provide them with resources that give them a deeper insight into each subject, enabling them to make a confident decision about the subject they wish to apply to. We can then discover and compare specific courses, confirming that the options are in line with your child’s academic profile and aspirations.
From this we map out a timeline of admissions milestones that your child needs to achieve for their chosen courses, such as the application deadline and admissions tests, explaining and demystifying as we go.
At this stage, we’ll guide your child through university shortlisting to discover institutions that meet their academic, pastoral and extra-curricular needs so you can be sure that they are applying to institutions where they will thrive and be happy.
We will advise on what makes a competitive application to their chosen course and universities by discussing extra and supra curricular resources, work experience, volunteering and other profile-building activities.
Your child’s personal statement is the gateway to an interview and offer, which is why we spend significant time on this stage. To construct an excellent, memorable and articulate account of their achievement, ambition, talent and commitment in 4000 characters, whilst demonstrating their fit to the degree and university, is a serious undertaking. The intense work of this crucial stage can really affect outcome.
We can’t write it for them, but by clarifying what needs to go in at the outset, and feeding back what is missing from each iteration, I will ensure that your child’s personal statement delivers. We might help them better articulate their motivation or extra curricular talents; we might recommend they rethink how to demonstrate their self-motivation and showcase the adaptability that comes from studying in a second language.
Entrance tests are required to study Law, Maths and Medicine at University, as well as by many courses at Oxford and Cambridge. During this stage, we will firstly clarify the timeline, registration process and other key information regarding these exams to ensure that your child is clear on what is required for their chosen course. We then provide deeper insight into what to expect from these exams in terms of format and timing, and we’ll also talk through typical questions and model answers. Finally, we’ll provide them with revision materials and practice papers so they can get comfortable with the exam and maximise their chance of success.
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.
Via a mock interview, we will simulate the interview experience by asking your child questions related to their course so they can practice lateral thinking and intellectual flexibility within their specific academic field. This will help them start to feel comfortable thinking on-the spot and articulating their ideas. We can help them navigate moments of ‘mind-blank’ and equip them to deal with unexpected questions.
Along the way, we will give your child critical feedback so they can improve their technique.
We will brief your child on other aspects of the interview such as timing, etiquette and professionalism. We can provide them with additional resources for them to continue their preparation independently.
The service comprises 4 key stages:
This stage is best undertaken in Year 12 as it is designed to highlight what your child needs to do to achieve their goals. If they haven’t yet decided on a path, we will start by guiding them through the decision-making process, demystifying and explaining as we go. This includes providing detailed breakdowns of recommended courses and universities, based on your child’s qualifications and future ambitions.
To be an outstanding candidate your child must balance academic achievements with extra-curricular activities, independent work and work experience. We will ensure they lay the necessary foundations for success. If your child is an outstanding violinist without Grade 5 theory we will recommend they take it to maximise UCAS points; if they’re an aspiring medic, we’ll provide them with a list of contacts at local hospitals and help them organise interesting and relevant work experience. It’s all about putting them in the strongest position to be an outstanding candidate.
Your child’s personal statement is the gateway to an interview and offer, which is why we spend significant time on this stage. To construct an excellent, memorable and articulate account of their achievement, ambition, talent and commitment in 4000 characters, whilst demonstrating their fit to the degree and university, is a serious undertaking. The intense work of this crucial stage can really affect outcome.
We can’t write it for them, but by clarifying what needs to go in at the outset, and feeding back what is missing from each iteration, I will ensure that your child’s personal statement delivers. We might help them better articulate their motivation or extra curricular talents; we might recommend they rethink how to demonstrate their self-motivation and showcase the adaptability that comes from studying in a second language.
Entrance tests are required to study Law, Maths and Medicine at University, as well as by many courses at Oxford and Cambridge. During this stage, we will firstly clarify the timeline, registration process and other key information regarding these exams to ensure that your child is clear on what is required for their chosen course. We then provide deeper insight into what to expect from these exams in terms of format and timing, and we’ll also talk through typical questions and model answers. Finally, we’ll provide them with revision materials and practice papers so they can get comfortable with the exam and maximise their chance of success.
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.
Via a mock interview, we will simulate the interview experience by asking your child questions related to their course so they can practice lateral thinking and intellectual flexibility within their specific academic field. This will help them start to feel comfortable thinking on-the spot and articulating their ideas. We can help them navigate moments of ‘mind-blank’ and equip them to deal with unexpected questions.
Along the way, we will give your child critical feedback so they can improve their technique.
We will brief your child on other aspects of the interview such as timing, etiquette and professionalism. We can provide them with additional resources for them to continue their preparation independently.
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.