How to Stand Out in the New UCAS Application Process

Applying for university can be daunting for both the student and sometimes the parents. Daunting or not, it is something that is rarely understood well and often applications are not focused on what admissions tutors are looking for. 

There have been some changes to make this more transparent for all concerned. These changes, however, do not fundamentally change what an admissions tutor is looking for in any application. They want to know you will complete the course, nothing more and nothing less. 

On the application, you will be asked three key questions:

1. Why do you want to study this course?
2. How have your qualifications helped you prepare for this course?
3. What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and how are these experiences useful?

What do these questions mean, and what are the admissions tutors actually looking for? How do you choose what to include and what to leave out? What if you haven’t done much outside of school?

A specialist UCAS applications tutor will be able to help give personalised advice, but we will cover the basics on what to include for each question below.

Why Do You Want to Study This Course?

This is where you get to outline your motivation and interest in this subject or course. This is important as it will be this that gets you through the difficult periods you will inevitably face. You must love your subject, or at least have a real interest in it. 

That interest must be yours and not someone else's. This sounds obvious, but many applications refer to the family tradition of a particular profession or a family business. Tread carefully here, for this suggests your choice might not be your own.

So what has sparked your interest or passion for this course? It may be some work experience, or a particular course at school, a part-time job, a competition or perhaps a book. This spark needs to be supported with more, but it is a good starting point. You may be driven by a desire to work in a particular field, or do a particular type of work, and career aspirations can be a real help. Do you have any first-hand experience in that field?

A common idea here is a placement year in industry. Often, this adds to the employability of graduates, but more importantly, it allows them to put their academic studies to practical use. Always avoid discussions of money, even for courses that lead to lucrative careers, it is rarely something valued by admissions tutors.

An example might be:

‘.........I did my work experience in my local hospital, shadowing the physiotherapy team. In this, I witnessed how the team were supporting people recover from serious injuries. My interest in science, sports and training lends itself to the blend of academic and practical teaching and clinical practice on this physiotherapy course…’

How Have Your Qualifications Helped You?

What have been your favourite aspects of your studies so far? Writing essays? Researching ideas? Presenting to audiences? Do you have a love of fine art or literature? Have you been successful with science practicals? Do your studies thus far show that you will enjoy the teaching on that particular course? If not, you might need to consider whether the course you are applying for is the right one.

If you do not know what teaching looks like on a specific course, you probably need to find out. There is a risk with this question that you try to present yourself as the finished article, it is a delicate balance to get right - how accomplished you are versus your need to study.

You should always approach this section in terms of your interest and thirst for knowledge and perhaps training, and not go so far as suggesting you can already do it all.

An example might be:

‘....My PE and biology A-level highlight an interest in sport and physiology and I have achieved strong grades in these subjects. This illustrates both my interest and my ability to use the scientific and practical techniques and principles together…..I also coach our local U13 football team and I have used this knowledge to help with the warm-ups and warm-downs to help prevent injury….’ (This second section may fit better under the next question header.)

What Else Have You Done to Prepare?

This is often where students come unstuck, not really understanding what the point of this question is. It is designed to find out if you have the resilience and character to persevere when you find things difficult.

Unless you are applying to Oxford or Cambridge, this can come in many forms. An ongoing part-time job, irrespective of what it is, a long-term commitment to a sports team, volunteer work, Duke of Edinburgh Award, work experience, and competitions outside of school, all of these will help.

If you are a bit short in this field, now is the time to research some appropriate activities to boost your career and application prospects during the summer.

Choose one or two, maybe three, but no more. Ideally, choose those that have tested your character over a prolonged period and explain how you grew as a person in the role or project. 

An example may be:

‘.....I have been employed in a part-time role with Marks and Spencers at weekends and during my holidays for two years. This highlights my ability to work effectively as part of a team, manage my time effectively and work independently….”

When reviewing an application, the admissions tutors are essentially looking to see that the student is likely to complete their course. If you can show that you are strong enough academically to cope and that you have the character to complete the course, then the admissions tutors will likely make you an offer.

Applying to Oxbridge or Medicine?

A quick note about Oxford and Cambridge. They have different standards, and they will place far less value on the non-academic things that other institutions may value. Oxford and Cambridge are only interested in things that demonstrate a profound love and interest in your chosen subject.

Ask yourself - Have you been on courses or conferences? What have you read and what did you think? Have you entered any essay competitions around your subject? What are the emerging fields in your subject, and how have you engaged with them?

Check out this dedicated blog on preparing for Oxbridge and medical school applications for more information about the strict criteria your application must meet to secure a prestigious place.

Your grades are a requirement, but it is about a lot more than that. Unless you have a raft of top grades at GCSE, you are unlikely to get a look in here, but even then, you need to show a love, a passion and an erudite insight to your subject for Oxford or Cambridge to consider you as a serious applicant.

Consider seeking the help of an Oxbridge applications tutor or Medical School Preparations tutor to gain personalised support from an expert through this process.

Research Your Options

One final point, try to get to as many open days as possible. A university may look great on its website, but it may feel a little different when you visit. 

You are going to have to spend three or four years there, make sure it feels good, ask as many questions as you can, talk to existing students, explore employment statistics, dig a little deeper and do your research. 

The investment you are about to make is likely to be second only to your house. Choose wisely and be informed.

Good luck!

Chris Scorer

FCCT, MA, BA, PGCE, CELTA

Chris is an experienced teacher and school leader, and he has overseen several thousand university applications. These applications have been in the UK and beyond. His students have gone on to study at Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Bocconi, MIT, Harvard and even Yerevan State University in Armenia.