Keep reading to find more about our top tips to improve your chances of getting into a top university!
When submitting your GCSE options, you should already have a rough idea of the direction you would like to take with further study. Knowing this will help you decide which subjects to study, such as History, Geography, Art, Design, Computer Science, Drama and French, among others.
GCSE grades are important. Your results will determine which A-levels you can study and are also assessed when deciding your eligibility for a university course. In some cases, if you score lower than 7 out of 9 in a subject at GCSE, you may not be able to continue studying it at A-level.
Working with experienced tutors can significantly increase your chances of achieving high marks in exams. In order to make the most of your sessions, you should be thinking in Year 10 and Year 12 about whom you need to contact to help you achieve top grades at both GCSE and A-level. UK Study Centre can help you find the most effective GCSE and A-level specialists, however, we always recommend that students start at least a few months if not longer before examinations to ensure that you have enough time to understand the material and develop your study skills.
You should spend time reading around your subject, for example researching material from recommended reading lists, participating in online courses and lectures, attending summer programs, work experience and spending time in industry if you can.
All of these experiences will strengthen your application and help you stand out to the person reading it. Remember, your school is able to provide you with guidance and advice, however, you should be the one in charge of contacting universities and finding out more about each of your choices. Often, schools will base their recommendations for A-level subjects on your predicted grades which may potentially not align with your course choices. For example, if your school is encouraging you to take Politics instead of History, because it will be easier to achieve a top grade, contact the universities you are interested in to see if this decision will affect your chances.
Do not be afraid to explore other courses that are in the same or similar field as their requirements may be more manageable and the course better suited to your interests. For example, at The London School of Economics, the BSc Economics course is one of the most competitive, with 1 in 6 applicants receiving an offer in 2020. On top of that, your chances are significantly reduced if you have not studied Further Maths at A-level. On the other hand, the requirements for BSc Management at LSE are much more flexible, while the course structure includes many elements of finance and economics related modules. What’s more, 1 in 5 applicants received an offer in 2020. You will be able to find similar trends with other universities and courses.
Many students are reluctant to seek help with their personal statement outside of school, and this often reduces their chances of being offered a place at their preferred university. At school, teachers are responsible for working with up to 15 students with their personal statements every year, which in most cases means that they do not have time to work with each student individually. For this reason, we always recommend seeking help from tutors who are specialists in their field and know exactly what admissions tutors are looking for.
UK Study Centre tutors are experienced in a variety of fields and are available to work with you on your personal statement, from draft to submission. In a few hours, you will be able to create a personal statement that presents you in the best light and improves your chances of getting into a top university.
Contact UK Study Centre with any questions about school and university admissions, as well as summer programmes and tuition.
