UCAS Applications

Dreaming of Oxbridge?

If you are applying to UK universities, you might want to consider the following:

ORGANISATION

1: Oxbridge applications need to be in by October 15th

2: Check your course requirements; do you need to do extra exams e.g. the TSA? If so, your school will need to register you. If you can't get back to school, you can register with the British Council and take the various tests as an external candidate. 

UCAS

1: You can apply for up to five universities (including either Oxford or Cambridge) 

2: You get one personal statement. In theory, you could apply for five different subjects but writing your statement is going to be a challenge!

THE STATEMENT

1: You get 4000 characters to play with.

2: The statement needs to cover a few areas: why you have chosen your course, how you have developed your academic interests (including reading), how your school work or experience has contributed to your interest in your course.

3: You can add in a few lines about your non-academic interests but be brief! 

INTERVIEWS

1: If you get invited for an interview, read your personal statement again. Sounds obvious but you would be amazed how many people forget this simple step. 

2: Make sure you brush up on your reading; if you have mentioned a book in your statement, you may well get asked about it.

3: Interview can be great fun. The interviewer is not trying to trap you, he or she just wants to see how your mind work and assess your interest in the subject.