1. Your future success and going to university

2. What is a degree? A bachelor of Arts (BA), Science (BSC), engineering (BEng) 3 or 4 year qualification You will need to show academic ability no matter which uni or course you choose. Look for ‘undergraduate’ on university websites There are other qualifications between A level and degree like HND There are higher qualifications like a masters, PhD or PGCE. Called ‘Postgraduate’. You normally need a degree to do them!

3. Step 1 Choose a course or subject to study before choosing a university! If you are talented at multiple areas but actually want to be a fashion designer then St Martins (University of the Arts London) would suit you better than Oxford or Cambridge! Not all courses are offered at these universities Just because a uni is high on the overall league table does not mean it is best for your course or you as an individual! http://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2015/may/25/university-league-tables-2016

4. How GCSE grades might affect you GCSEs With the exception of the pre-medical requirements for Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, there are no GCSE requirements for entry to Cambridge. It is generally expected that the applicant will have achieved high grades in subjects relevant to their chosen course; most students who apply do have at least four or five As or A*s at GCSE or all A/A*. However, there are always exceptions: for example, a brilliant mathematician whose only A* at GCSE is in Mathematics. One of the strengths of the Cambridge admissions system is its ability to assess all applicants individually. You need English, Maths and science at C or above. For UCL you will also need a language

5. General entrance requirements Universities may ask for a specific number of GCSEs (or their equivalent). For example, a number of medical courses ask for five (sometimes more) A* grades. GCSE English or another standard level equivalent is very often required at grade C at least. At many universities, this is a universal entry requirement for any course. Mathematics is also often required at grade C at least. Currently University College London (UCL) is the only Russell Group institution to require a Modern Foreign Language GCSE at grade C or above for all of its programmes. However if you did not take a Modern Foreign Language GCSE, or if you got a D grade or below, you can still apply to any UCL degree programme, and it won’t negatively affect your application. You will not be rejected just because you don’t have it but you will need to complete a short course in a Modern Foreign Language, either on a summer school or in the first year of your degree, to catch up. Please see http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate- study/application-and-entry/ug- requirements for more details. For many courses a B grade at least in GCSE English is needed with science and engineering courses in particular often specifying this. Equally, courses such as Business and Psychology, which may attract applicants who aren’t necessarily strong mathematicians, commonly ask for a B grade in Mathematics and, in some cases, sciences. A number of institutions ask that grades and number of subjects are achieved at one sitting. Some do not accept ‘re-sits’ at GCSE or standard level qualifications. If you think this might affect you and a university’s published admissions policy is not clear, it is sensible to check with Admissions staff before applying.

7. Core Maths qualifications ‘Core Maths’ refers to a new group of mathematics qualifications in England designed for students who have achieved a grade A*-C in GCSE, who are not taking the subject to AS- or A-level, but who wish to continue studying maths beyond GCSE. Russell Group universities value mathematics skills for many different degree courses and many have GCSE or equivalent requirements. Many degree courses require Maths A-level or AS-level, and sometimes Further Maths. It is important to be aware that where a university requires AS- or A-level Maths or Further Maths, a Core Maths qualification is not a suitable substitute. In certain circumstances, for example if a student has not met a minimum GCSE maths requirement, some universities may consider achievement in a Core Maths qualification instead.

8. How to choose? What are you interested in? What job do you want to do? What are you really good at? What are you likely to do well in? Will the subject allow you to continue along the highest path to your goal? Does the course /uni suit you? Where do you want to live? Cost of living / travel

9. Although choosing the right subjects to study in the sixth form or at college is an important first step towards university, it doesn’t guarantee you a place on your chosen course. Entry to Russell Group universities, in particular, can be highly competitive. Your exam results are vitally important, but they are only one of several things universities will take into account when they consider your application.

10. Check you have the correct A levels for the university you want to got to and the course

11. University league tables http://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2015/may/25/university-league-tables-2016 https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university- rankings/2016/world-ranking#!/page/0/length/25

14. Oxford and Cambridge Roughly 1 in 4 or 5 chance each year It is not possible for students to apply to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same year. The deadline for applying for most students is 15 October At Oxford the final degree classification result is based on the examinations taken at the end of the final year. Cambridge students, in contrast, are assessed through examinations in more than one year of their course. Oxford conditional offers are made on the basis of final grades alone and not UMS scores. These offers for students studying A-levels will range between A*A*A and AAA depending on subject. Each course page will detail requirements necessary. Cambridge is typically also looking for A*A*A to A*AA

15. The Hard facts Cambridge: 15,700 applications for 3,400 places. Oxford: 17,200 for 3,500 places. In 2011 97.6 % that were accepted had A*AA or better! Oxford: 98% AAA or better. However 4,858 applicants with A*AA were Unsuccessful!

16. The courses or ‘Triposes’

17. Some popular degrees will normally be open to you without any specific subject background. Examples include: Accountancy, Anthropology, Archaeology, Business Studies, History of Art, Law, Management Studies, Media Studies, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies/Theology, Sociology, Surveying.

18. Subjects that can be viewed as facilitating subjects are: Mathematics and Further Mathematics English Literature Physics Biology Chemistry Geography History Languages (Classical and Modern)

20. Colleges Q. What is a College? A. A College is where you live when studying at the University of Cambridge, but it is much more than a hall of residence ; it's also where you'll do a lot of your studying and socialising Colleges are responsible for admitting students, and they also provide ‘supervisions’ (small group teaching sessions that support the lectures and practicals that you attend). Not all colleges run all courses! Check which colleges offer the course you want to take.

21. Age Size Location

22. http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/colleges/how_do_i_choose_a_college/index.html There are 38 independent, self-governing colleges at Oxford University. Thirty colleges and all six halls admit students for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. (Six other colleges are for graduates only. ) In addition, All Souls College has Fellows only and Kellogg College supports the lifelong learning work of the University for adult, part-time, and professional development students. There are 29 colleges at Cambridge

23. The tutorial is at the core of undergraduate teaching and learning at Oxbridge. It offers students a unique learning experience in which they meet regularly with their tutor, either on a one-to-one basis or with one or two other students. Undergraduates attend, on average, one hour-long tutorial every week and undertake a considerable number of hours’ preparatory work for each tutorial, including background reading, essay-writing and problem-solving. Tutorial based learning or Supervisions Oxford refers to these sessions as ‘tutorials’ while Cambridge calls them ‘supervisions’.

24. The Russell Group The Russell Group represents 24 leading UK universities which are committed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience and unrivalled links with business and the public sector. University of Birmingham University of Bristol University of Cambridge Cardiff University Durham University University of Edinburgh University of Exeter University of Glasgow Imperial College London King's College London University of Leeds University of Liverpool London School of Economics & Political Science University of Manchester Newcastle University University of Nottingham University of Oxford Queen Mary University of London Queen's University Belfast University of Sheffield University of Southampton University College London University of Warwick University of York This publication was first released on 4 February 2011 and was revised in March 2012. Since the last update four universities have joined the Russell Group: Durham, Exeter, Queen Mary University of London and York.

25. Movement from 1994 group to Russell group

26. UCL GCSE and equivalent qualifications All programmes require GCSE or equivalent passes in English Language and Mathematics at grade C or higher. Some programmes require grades higher than C or additional GCSE passes in specified subjects, as outlined in the departmental pages in this Prospectus. From 2012 entry, UCL will require a GCSE Modern Language at grade C or above for all of its programmes.

27. UCL also publishes preferred A level choices http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate-study/application-and-entry/alevel- qualifications

28. Some useful videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbK0jaolptE

29. Tests you might need to sit! From UCAS Apply Undergraduate How to apply ‘Step 1: Getting Started’ Look for the link on the side for ‘entry requirements’ Then the sub menu ‘admissions tests’ https://www.uca s.com/ucas/unde rgraduate/gettin g-started/entry- requirements/ad missions-tests

30. Overview of tests Well-known tests Most admissions tests happen at the start of the academic cycle, so if you do need to take one you'll need to register for it early – possibly before you've sent your application off. Plus many of the courses that use admissions tests are also the courses that have the 15 October application deadline – so it's worth checking these details in advance.

31. SAQ: Cambridge also asks all applicants to complete an online Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ) or Cambridge Online Preliminary Application (COPA )…Nothing extra for Oxford!Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ) Topics covered during your course UMS – how high is your A?! Retakes You will be asked about this information at interview Any extra information for personal statement specific to Cambridge courses Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ)

32. AS UMS marks and Cambridge Now less courses offer AS exams: Greater reliance on interviews Aptitude testing Stiffer offers More weight on GCSE Mock exams

33. Given that the new A Levels are supposed to be more stretching than the current ones, will that be reflected in the offer when compared to old A Levels? Our admissions decisions are based on research which seeks to understand the level of achievement at A Level necessary to thrive at Cambridge. We have a clear understanding of how UMS scores correlate to success on our courses. However, it will be 2018 before we have data which will begin to allow us to understand how performance in the new A Levels relates to performance at Cambridge. We will monitor as closely as possible the relationship between achievement in the new A Levels and undergraduate performance. http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/qualification-reform Cambridge..The future of entry requirements?

34. Oxford and 4 subjects? A fourth subject to AS-level has never been a requirement at Oxford. Our courses require students to have not less than three A-levels, or other equivalent qualifications. Some candidates do take additional AS-levels, A-levels, or other qualifications such as the EPQ. Additional qualifications can be one way of demonstrating the academic abilities that will be required for the intense studying of an Oxford degree but they are not essential. Students can also demonstrate their abilities by exploring their subject beyond what is expected by their exam syllabus. Oxford tutors may prefer a candidate who has read around their subject beyond school and college work, and who shows a great passion for, and engagement with, their subject, over a candidate who may have taken more qualifications or more subjects, but who is unable to discuss their interests with any enthusiasm or in any depth.

35. Oxford Would it be better not to take an AS-level, and focus instead on three A-levels? We do advise candidates not to spread themselves too thinly. Our offers are made on the basis of letter grades at A-level (or other equivalent qualifications) rather than on UCAS Tariff points. Grades between AAA and A*A*A would be sufficient to meet most conditional offers (depending on the course), but AAA at AS-level and AAB at A- level would not. We would advise students and teachers to think carefully about whether additional subjects or additional qualifications might damage the student’s chances of achieving the grades required in any offer. http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/entrance- requirements/faqs-level-reform

36. What are they looking for?! Ability and potential – in addition to their academic record, selectors are assessing applicants’ potential for study here (how well they can discuss their ideas and opinions, whether they’re capable of logical and independent thought, and whether they show intellectual flexibility and willingness to engage with new ideas). Motivation and suitability for the chosen course – applicants should show enthusiasm for their chosen course, and the desire and potential to go beyond what’s required in their studies. This could be demonstrated, for example, by the exploration of their subject beyond the school curriculum and by wider reading (their ‘super-curricular’ activities). Commitment and self- discipline – successful applicants are self-motivated, self- disciplined and academically committed. This could be shown, for instance, by good time management in the balance of their various academic and personal commitments.

37. Open days Colleges have separate open days! You have to book in advance when in year 12 – see website Thursday 30 June and Friday 1 July 2016. Wednesday 29 June, Thursday 30 June and Friday 16 September. 2016

38. Cambridge: Therefore, applicants should recognise the importance of being able to cope with the pressures associated with taking exams and use them as an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and progress by achieving as highly as possible first time in any form of assessment.