The first thing prospective students should bear in mind when it comes to applying for university is the course itself. However, this is easier said than done, as a course’s name can’t tell you everything – course structure and content can vary quite significantly between one university and the next. Some universities even include work experience or international placements. So, how do you find the right one?
“Higher education is a fantastic opportunity, but it really is about making sure the course choice is right,” says Victoria Azubuine, admissions manager at the University of Bedfordshire. “The search tools on the Ucas website make it a great place to start. Once you’ve made that choice, look at the university, to make sure that is a good fit too.”
For psychology student Obinna Okoro, 19, who planned to study psychology, the key was being accepted on to a psychology course that was accredited by the British Psychology Society (BPS). “If your degree is accredited, then it makes it easier to find a job after you leave university,” he says. “I didn’t want to have to do additional training after university, so this was really important.”
So once you’ve chosen your five options, you have to write your personal statement. Applications are done online through Ucas and you have a maximum of 47 lines to work with. This is where parents can help the most, as Obinna’s mum, Lois, explains: “I told him that he has to make the reader know him without even having met him. So when my son was writing his personal statement, we had conversations about what he’s done as a young person from when he was in primary school, what interests him as a person and the things he’s achieved.”
On results day, Okoro didn’t get the grades he wanted, so he went into clearing. “A few universities called offered me psychology, but they weren’t accredited – I didn’t want to settle for that,” he says. “It was really stressful, but my parents told me not to lose sight of what I wanted, and eventually I was accepted on to an accredited course at the University of Bedfordshire.”
The next step was to attend an open day at his chosen university. “The campus was perfect because I wanted to be far enough away from London, but not so far that if I decided to come home to visit it would be a three- or four-hour journey,” Okoro says.
“I also liked the buildings because they were quite modern, and I liked the facilities, such as the 24/7 library. The accommodation was nice as well. It was really open and the atmosphere was friendly.”
The only thing left to do was to ensure that his finance was in place, as he had begun his application before the results were published. “Don’t forget to do that!” he advises. “Then just be happy because you’ve made it, and there’s nothing that can stop you now.”
This is me: tips for writing your personal statement
- Pretend that there is only one place left on the course – and make yourself stand out from the crowd.
Deborah Green, director of student recruitment, University of Hull - A pet peeve is using quotes from public figures – they’re easy to look up online and don’t show much thought.
Susie King, head of admissions, Middlesex University, London - Before you start drafting your statement, check the entry profiles for the courses you’re interested in at ucas.com – this will enable you to understand what experience and qualifications are required.
June Hughes, registrar and secretary, University of Derby - Check that your statement is written specifically for the course you’ve applied for, not copied from an application for a different course. You might not think it happens, but it does and it’s pretty obvious to admissions officers.
Kayleigh Parsons, admissions team leader, Arden University
