Jess Harris, Director of Quintessentially Education, gives an introductory guide to developing a university application that stands out from the crowd
Applying to a UK university is a highly competitive process that requires careful planning and a compelling university profile. Your application should highlight your academic achievements, relevant extracurricular activities and experience, and include strong answers to the newly introduced personal statement questions.
First and foremost, your academic performance is the most critical component of your university application. It goes without saying that you need to achieve the minimum entry grade requirements for your desired course. And you need to be sure you have studied the right subject combination, too. For example, if you are applying for engineering, having Mathematics and Physics in your qualifications is crucial, but you should also check the criteria on a per university and per course basis as some programmes might require a specific third subject. But assuming you will achieve the right grades for the course, what extracurricular opportunities make you stand out?
The general rule is that extracurriculars you include must enhance your application, so view them as complementary to your academics for your chosen course of study and another means of demonstrating interest, skills and aptitude. As you develop your ideas of what you want to study at university, seek out extracurricular activities that demonstrate relevance to the subject or course you are interested in.
As admirable as it is that you’ve been juggling your studies while completing your Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), also consider the relevance of broader achievements to the specific application. Were there learnings from an expedition that you can call upon when writing an application for Geography? Or if you’re applying for PPE International Relations and Politics, are there other community or volunteer activities that could be relevant?
As an example, highly competitive PPE courses look for candidates who have engaged with the subject beyond class, so in this instance this might include joining the Debate Club or the Model UN (MUN). In fact, the Model UN is a fantastic in-school opportunity for anyone looking to demonstrate teamwork and strategic decision-making aptitudes. Students can role play as diplomats and political leaders and debate global issues by participating in simulations of international diplomatic forums such as the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly. MUN is also an opportunity to demonstrate a range of deeper skills, from consensus building to cultural empathy.
Alternatively, if you want to study in the business field, join Young Enterprise Club. Many schools now deliver entrepreneurial courses, Charterhouse is the first UK school to offer an accredited entrepreneurship diploma, Godolphin and Latymer has an extracurricular Futures Programme that is all about developing workplace and life skills. And more independent schools are offering Mini MBAs – Oxford High School offers students an MBA in sixth form, for example.
It goes without saying that if you see yourself in the creative or expressive arts fields, get involved with drama, art or music clubs, while budding scientists and engineers should participate in clubs and science and technology challenges. Exploring interests beyond the classroom develops a broader and deeper understanding of the subject areas you are considering. This is not only valuable for applications but also provides useful material to talk about in any subsequent interview – and, of course, supports your future university-level study.
“Exploring interests beyond the classroom develops a broader and deeper understanding of the subject areas you are considering”
Another great way to build your profile and get a taste for the sector you think you want to work in is to seek out a pre-university programme. University of the Arts London, for example, has courses covering creative subjects such as art and design, fine art, fashion and textile design and illustration. Not only do these courses provide fantastic knowledge and experience but the programme also guides participants in creating a portfolio of work that can be used in the application process. Similarly, University of Edinburgh delivers summer school course across areas such as science, humanities and the social sciences, while King’s College London has summer courses for students in pathways such as engineering, medicine, psychology and law.
Work experience can prove hugely useful when demonstrating interest, so try to do as much as you can, and don’t be shy in applying to companies in the fields you want to work in. Even if your work experience is not naturally related to your subject choice, consider if there are interdisciplinary skills you have gained. Traditional leadership and volunteering roles both in an and out of school remain a valuable element. Universities still want to see applicants who shone on the sports field, held head prefect positions or were a society president. The DofE Award also matters – it’s just no longer enough on its own to support an application in highly competitive fields. Other extracurriculars involving community service can be incorporated to demonstrate social responsibility, the ability to work in a team and commitment to completing tasks.
Perhaps the best advice is to start adding those extracurricular strings early and participate in things you enjoy and that benefit your proposed future pathway. Get outside inspiration – there are useful tips on the UCAS website, while advisors and teachers offer insider information and sound advice. Also remember to give yourself time for the application process itself. As with any application or CV, compelling writing, presentation and accuracy are essential if you want to stand out from the crowd.
Quintessentially Education quintessentially.com/education
Further reading: Four really useful skills for life and work
You may also like...
