The Hazeley Academy HEI Competitive Entry 2017 University is not for everyone and need to consider all routes, apprenticeships can lead to the same outcome without the price tag, but the fact you are here shows you have a degree of trust in the university/degree system

How will Hazeley help me get into a top University?

15-10 Group Identified as students with predominantly A/A*s at GCSE Baseline for Oxbridge applicants is 6 A/A*s at GCSE Expect applications to Oxbridge, Russell Group, Medicine, Veterinary & specialist competitive courses (i.e Aeronautical Engineering, Marine Biology)

The Application AS and predicted grades The student’s Personal Statement The Tutor reference

OXBRIDGE The College system Widening participation programme Oxford & Cambridge AAA / A*A*A The College system Widening participation programme It is accessible (but they want the very best) How to apply –http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford The University is divided up in to more than 30 different colleges and halls. Each one has rooms where students live, as well as clubs and societies to join, and facilities like a dining room, bar and common room.  Colleges are much more than just accommodation though, as students have some of their teaching in their college, and spend time studying in the college library. f you study here you will be a member of a college, and probably have your tutorials in that college. You will also be a member of the wider University, with access to University and department facilities like laboratories and libraries, as well as hundreds of University groups and societies.  Widening participation- work with schools in oxford/Milton Keynes/ Buckinghamshire-to inspire and engage students in attending top universities- various outreach programmes and information for students and parents

Oxbridge Entry– the reality 97.7% of successful applicants to Cambridge achieved A*AA for 2015 cycle 62.3% of places at Cambridge went to state school students 2015 cycle 55.6% of places at Oxford went to state school students 2015 cycle

Interview Questions… “ARE THERE TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD?” “DOES A GIRL SCOUT HAVE A POLITICAL AGENDA?” “HOW MANY GRAINS OF SAND ARE THERE IN THE WORLD?” “WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I’M HAVING THOUGHTS?” “WHAT BOOKS ARE BAD FOR YOU?” “HERES A CACTUS TELL ME ABOUT IT” “WHY DO MANY ANIMALS HAVE STRIPES?” “do bankers deserve the pay they receive? And should government do something to limit how much they get?”

Extra-curricular activities – the reality They can provide evidence of spare capacity Time management skills Interest in/enthusiasm for the subject applied for They can show something about an ‘approach to life’ Excellence in an extra-curricular activity will never ‘compensate’ for lower academic potential

The rejected – the reality More A Levels ≠ better applicant. For Arts and Social Sciences courses three A Levels are sufficient. For broad-based Science courses, there is some benefit in four subjects. For Maths, Computer Science, Engineering, Physical Natural Sciences there is clear benefit in Further Maths + three other subjects. Very high performance in three A Levels will impress CEU’s more than quite high performance in four.

WARNINGS! Do not set your sights on Oxbridge and nothing else. Make sure to apply for the special access scheme if you come from a family and school where few people go into further education. If you are not prepared to work to get A's in your A levels then you will not be able to survive at a top university. Most people don't get in even if they are clever enough. The work load is triple if not more what you do at A level.

Is it all about Oxford or Cambridge?

Russell Group Universities Oxbridge + Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Imperial, Kings, Leeds, Liverpool, LSE, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Queen Mary (UoL), Queens Belfast, Sheffield, Southampton, UCL, Warwick, York http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/informed-choices/ Quite a prestigious list here,. For those of you who aren’t aware and haven’t been through the process before, Russell group universities outside of oxbridge make up the remainder of the crem-de-la-crem of British universities. The website link below and their guide named ‘informed choices’ will give you a good run down of the benefits of applying to Russell Group universities in terms of employment & education. They’ll also detail the facilitating subjects they recommend for courses of study. We would be hoping the majority of Hazeley students considering university would be looking at these universities as a starting point. Unifrog, an excellent tool introduced to students on the DDD in October includes all universities & courses and is an excellent starting point so parents - feel free to pester them to show you how it works.

What do CEU’s look for in applicants? Very strong exam record Excellent school reference Appropriate choice of subject and course Good test performance (ie BMAT/LNAT) and high-quality submitted written work (Arts subjects) Academic potential, meaning: knowledge and skill; logic and clarity of thought; intellectual flexibility; imagination

Next Steps First and foremost – academic record Non directed study & reading / extension activities – essay competitions / Young Enterprise etc. A good sense of the world in which we live EPQ Research http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings

Opportunities Summer schools – Sutton Trust Open days University Mentoring & access schemes 15-10 Group Overseas universities.

Work experience Relevant to study area Voluntary, not paid Non school directed Range & time

UCAS TRENDING AT HAZELEY How many Hazeley students apply each year? 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Student Numbers 47 78 111 133 101 Applications through UCAS 27 63 89 110 Percentage applications 57.4% 80.7% 80.2% 83.5% 88% Acceptance to university 23 54 76 100 86 Percentage acceptance 85.2% 85.7% 85.4% 91% 96.6% 89 Hazeley Academy students applied to University 78 of these 89 went onto university, many of them to their first choices Universities. 19 students went to a Russell Group University.

4 ways to get into a top university Be confident & assertive Unleash the Geek Be passionate Put in the hours