The University Admissions Process Dean Gonsalves Queen Mary, University of London The University Admissions Process Dean Gonsalves Queen Mary, University of London

Competitive Courses Application figures: –10-15 applications per place –QMUL: Medicine = 2,548 applications for 260 places Dentistry = 667applications for 55 places

The consequences… What it means: 1.Higher entry requirements 2.Admissions tutors may use additional tools to help with the filtering process Admissions tests Interview

Applying through UCAS The UCAS form is completed on-line at

The UCAS form –Personal details –University & course choices –All qualifications –Personal statement –Teacher’s reference

University and course choices A maximum of five choices Four choices if the student is applying to study either: –Medicine –Dentistry –Veterinary Science

Qualifications The first hurdle –Minimum GCSE and A-Level requirements –Predicted grades

Admissions tests Increasing in popularity –Only three medical & dental schools are not using UKCAT/ BMAT –10 Law Schools use the LNAT test

UKCAT 90 minute test Four sub-sections: –Verbal reasoning –Quantitative reasoning –Abstract reasoning –Decision analysis

Teacher’s Reference Will support the student’s choice of degree So… –Keep in close contact with your teachers –They are very rarely negative, however….

Personal Statement 47 lines 4000 characters (including spaces) Just over 700 words

What do admissions tutors look for? Motivations –Honest/genuine reasons for subject choice –Evidence that the student has researched their chosen subject –Career aspirations

What do admissions tutors look for? Awareness of current affairs –Students should (where possible) link their studies to the outside world –Evidence of reading around their subjects

What do admissions tutors look for? Academic ability… –Must display enthusiasm for current A-Levels/studies –Discuss links between A-levels –Examples of relevant coursework

What do admissions tutors look for? Relevant work experience –For subjects such as medicine, dentistry and teaching, relevant work experience is essential –Why? To develop a realistic understanding of the career

What do admissions tutors look for? Students should highlight their ‘staying power’: –How? Discuss positions of responsibility Achievements – both academic and non-academic

What do admissions tutors look for? Outside interests –Admissions tutors are searching for well rounded individuals –Mention hobbies, membership of clubs and societies, outside achievements

UCAS deadlines UCAS window –Mid-September to mid-January October deadline: –Oxbridge applications –Medicine –Dentistry –Veterinary Science