Sixth Form resources

Many of you will already have some idea of what you want to study at university and perhaps even know where you want to apply. Others will just be pleased to have found a programme of three or four A levels which you enjoy; either way you should familiarise yourself with the website  www.ucas.com  which is the central location for all applications to UK universities. The UCAS website contains details of all courses which can be studied at UK universities as well as information on which universities offer those courses. We also subscribe to Unifrog which unlocks a wealth of information, advice and guidance to help make the all-important university and careers-related decisions.

The key word which comes up again and again when universities are asked about the qualities they look for in a potential student is passion. One of the easiest (and most crucial) ways of demonstrating this passion is to read around your chosen subject in Year 12 so that you can include details of this outside reading when you come to write your personal statement in Year 13. Speak to your Head of Department or to the librarian for suggested reading. You should aim to read at least two books about your subject which expand your knowledge beyond the content of your A level syllabus. 

A simple internet search will alert you to the vast array of essay competitions, Olympiads and other national and international events specifically targeted at secondary school students. If you were to enter (or even better win) such a competition, it would again amply demonstrate your passion and commitment to your chosen subject.

These are just some examples:

Languages

• Stephen Spender – poetry in translation competition

Maths

• British Mathematical Olympiad
• Physics/Engineering
• F1 in Schools

Biology

• British Biology Olympiad

Chemistry

• UK Chemistry Olympiad

Geography

• Young Geographer of the Year (run by the Royal Geographical Society)

History

• The Robert Robson History Essay Prize (run by Trinity College, Cambridge)

English

• Thomas Campion English Prize (run by Peterhouse College, Cambridge)

Drama

• Arthur Cotterell Theatre Playwriting Competition (run by Kingston College)

Take to your Head of Department about the opportunity to enter these and other such competitions within school.

For those of you considering careers in Law, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Engineering and other such vocational degrees the quality and quantity of your work experience really does matter. To be able to include details of this in your personal statement in September next year, you will need to have completed this in Year 12. 

Please come to the Sixth Form office at any stage during the course of the year to discuss your plans. Equally use tracking time with your tutor to discuss your options. There will be a Higher Education evening in November during which we will be going into the finer details of the application process to UK universities (including Oxbridge), US universities (including Ivy League) as well as European universities such as Maastricht and Copenhagen, many of which achieve higher rankings than the Top 10 UK universities and are much, much cheaper.