Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate (QE) offers some advice for young people undertaking the challenging process of applying to university.
Navigating the university application process can feel overwhelming for many students. Whether you are aiming for a top university like Oxford, Cambridge, or looking to pursue vocational qualifications, the journey requires thoughtful preparation and the right support. Many schools have an on-site Careers Team dedicated to helping students make informed decisions about their futures and who assist with UCAS applications, personal statements, and interviews.
UCAS support and mentorship
Applying to university involves multiple steps, from completing the UCAS application form to writing a compelling personal statement. It can be difficult to know where to begin, but with the help of mentors and advisors, this process becomes far more manageable. At Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, our Careers Team works closely with students from Key Stages Two to Five to prepare them for the future. Whether it’s applying to university or choosing a career pathway, our QE Futures support programme begins early, and it is never too late for students to begin their research.
At QE, we offer an Early Applicant Programme for students interested in Oxbridge or in pursuing courses like Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, and Maths. This programme starts in Year 12, allowing students to undergo work experience, attend specialist seminars, work with advisors on interview preparation (especially for MMI interviews) and study and practice for entrance examinations such as UCAT, BMAT and STEP. Our students begin researching exams and subscribing to online testing platforms like ‘Medify’ from the summer of Year 11 and also seek useful placements for the holidays which supplement the work experience they can do through the school. It is never too early to begin any preparation for the more competitive courses and universities.
For those who are unsure of what career path to take, there are plenty of free online resources to help students narrow their options. These include ideal job vision boards, worksheets on ‘Career Exploration’ and ‘Career Planning’, and mini assessments and self-reflection tasks on skill sets, interests, natural strengths, preferences, and career ‘deal breakers’.
Make your application stand out
Ensure you have a well-rounded application. If you have a member of clubs, have a job, volunteer, are training or undertaking any extra learning – these are invaluable experiences
to discuss in your personal statements and interviews. Many students will have the grades and portfolio so make sure you stand out with other qualities. It doesn’t always have to be sports, music, dance and drama. You could learn a language, become a scout leader, become a lifeguard, start an Etsy shop, host a charitable event – the options are endless!
Networking is fantastic for applications. Tap into contacts you have or be proactive in making new ones in order to experience, learn, and seek advice from school alumni, family friends, and local businesses. At QE, we have alumni who are studying courses come in and do talks on the application process, what they did to make their application stand out, and how they are finding the course. We would recommend building relationships with students in the years above to facilitate support later on.
BTECs vs. A Levels: debunking the myths
One myth that often circulates in university applications is the belief that BTECs are less favourable than A Levels when it comes to securing a place at university. This is far from the truth. In fact, BTECs are designed to offer students practical, work-related learning that can be directly applied in the real world. At QE, we offer vocational qualifications in a variety of subjects, including Music, Performing Arts, Criminology, Art and Design, Fashion, Science, Business Studies, Computing, and Physical Education. Many of these courses are offered as Diplomas or Extended Diplomas, which are equivalent to two or three A Levels. BTECs provide in-depth, project-based learning that fosters skills like teamwork, creative thinking, research, and evaluation, which are highly valued by both universities and employers. These qualifications not only prepare students for university but also help them develop a strong work ethic and organisational skills
and allow students who prefer coursework to examinations to thrive in their learning.
For more ideas and inspiration, visit Qe.org/careers
