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Preparing for interviews at a University

Wed 17 July 2024 - 15:44

By Tabitha Hempshall in Applicant

The prospect of having to do a university interview is nerve-wracking. For many it involves singing your own praises, answering unknown questions on the spot and having your personal statement pulled apart, all of which push people out of their comfort zone. Here is a list of a few key ideas, which I have found helpful in preparing for interview and that have made me feel more confident!

- Research questions based on topic

Just Google “interview questions for [insert course]” and you will find questions that cover key topic areas. I found the best way to use these questions was to sit down with my mum and get her to ask me them. It may sound strange but getting to grips with the questions whilst talking to someone familiar and that you trust is a great way to get your initial ideas together. I then worked on the questions where my answers...

Ticking the Box – How we use the information about care experience at Kingston University.

Tue 10 November 2020 - 08:20

By Beth Taswell in UCAS advice

Ticking the care experience box: what happens next?

Some students are uncertain about ticking the care experience box because they don’t really know what happens to that information once they submit their UCAS application. In this case study from Kingston University, Beth Taswell, Access and Support Advisor, explains how they use this information to connect prospective students to the support and information they may need to help them make a successful transition to higher education – and right through to graduation.

'For many applicants with experience of local authority care, going to university can be a fresh start. They may be moving to a new area as well as a new learning environment where nobody knows them or anything about their past. On the UCAS application form there is an opportunity for applicants to disclose that they have spent time in local authority care, but many choose not to because of the uncertainty of what is done with...

A letter to my younger self

Mon 9 January 2023 - 09:52

By Danielle in UCAS advice

Hi, I’m Danielle. I’m 24, I have a first class degree, 2 children, a job in the department for education and I’m a care leaver.

Currently, around only 6% of care leavers between 19 and 21 enter higher education. This is such a low number for an opportunity that can really improve your life and I think it’s time we start to change this.

So, for any care leavers that are thinking of attending university, I want to share my experience, the challenges I faced in my journey and the things that helped me to succeed.

After years in the care system, my self-worth was destroyed. I thought that nobody wanted me and that I’d amount to nothing. I then became a mother very young. At 16, I had a son, was living alone, and had no one around me to help. I honestly thought that my life was over. However, at 19, I took the leap to enter education again. As a bit of luck, it turned out that the college course I was taking could get me into university. Through a little bit of...

Letter to myself

Mon 9 January 2023 - 09:53

By Laura in UCAS advice

Dear my younger self, 

Where do I start…I can tell you that it won’t always be easy, but I can promise you every opportunity, every friendship, every heartbreak, every decision will be worth it. 

Going into foster care will probably be one of the hardest, turbulent time in your life but once you get past the first few months and your life settles down – it will get easier. Your friends will stay the same and they will be there to guide you through the journey that feels like it’s going nowhere. I can promise you that your friends will become your biggest support network along with your foster carers who are amazing. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and talk about your experiences as much as it might be hard and people won’t understand, be patient and explain to them (if you want to) or not at all that some peoples upbringings are different. 

Be patient with your parents because although you love them it’s ok not to be strong all the...

Letter to my younger self

Mon 26 October 2020 - 10:20

By Gareth Rafferty in Support

Hi 2017 Gareth, it’s Gareth from 2020 here.

The next few years are going to test you. You’re going to have up’s and downs, highs and lows, and an all round rollercoaster of a time.

But I’m not here for that.

I’m here to give you some advice on the next few years to help you, or me, to be more effective at handling what’s to come.

Let’s break it down into 6 points:

  • Life seems like a box, a perfect square. Remember you may not be a square.
    • You may be a circle, or a triangle, or some other shape. It’s important over the next few years that you focus on who you are. Not, who people want you to be, or who everyone else is, but just who you actually are and what...

Students with care experience: Three reasons to tick the box

Thu 17 November 2022 - 09:03

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Applying to university is a huge step for anyone but if you have been in care, you may have additional questions about applying or studying. Nicola Turner, Senior Fair Access Adviser at UCAS explains how – and why – you can tell universities about your care background.

When it comes to completing your UCAS application, you will notice a question asking if you have been in care. If you have seen this question and don’t understand why we ask for this information, or feel worried about sharing it, you’re not alone.

Some students ask if this will affect the way their application is assessed, and others tell us they don’t want anyone to know about their past because they want a fresh start. These are completely understandable concerns, and I hope that the following information will reassure you that ticking the box is a positive move.

Reason 1: Your chosen universities and colleges use this information to connect you to the support you are...

15 October deadline: applying on time

Mon 22 July 2024 - 11:07

By UCAS in UCAS advice

To begin with, let’s just clarify exactly what this deadline is for. The 15 October deadline is only for applications to most medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine/science courses, as well as all courses at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Meeting the deadline means that your application will receive equal consideration from your chosen universities and colleges. You can still apply after the deadline, if the course has places available, but your application won't be guaranteed to get equal consideration.

So what counts as meeting the deadline? Well it’s pretty straightforward – we must receive your completed application before 18:00 (UK time) on 15 October. That means you must have completed every section, and paid for and sent your application by this time. If you’re applying through your school or college, they must have sent it to us before this time too.

Don't wait until the...

Sharing your needs on a UCAS application

Mon 28 September 2020 - 15:01

By Diversity and Ability in UCAS advice

When you’re filling out any kind of application form, whether it be for a new workplace or your university choices, you may be faced with the challenge of deciding if you should share whether you have any support needs. We understand that it can feel daunting to share this information, but when it comes to your UCAS application we want you to know that disclosure can be the start of your journey to getting some really amazing support throughout your studies.

What’s more, this information will only ever be used to help you access the best support, and it will never affect your chances of getting a place at your chosen universities. This is important because we know that you may have faced barriers to education in the past, and giving you the opportunity to share your support needs is intended to lift these barriers rather than create more of them.

Once you’ve made the first step of disclosure on your application you will be on the path to receiving Disabled Students...

Should I mention my care experience in my personal statement?

Fri 6 January 2023 - 11:28

By UCAS in UCAS advice

In this guest blog, Sam Turner from Become (with help from current and former care-experienced students) talks through the considerations for care leavers writing their personal statements. Become is the national charity for children in care and young care leavers and run the Propel website for care-experienced learners interested in higher education.

Personal statements are exactly what they say on the tin – personal! The decision to mention your experiences in care is ultimately yours, and it’s all about what feels comfortable and what’s most important for you as an individual. Here’s some advice to help you with the decision.

First of all, don’t worry!

We speak with lots of care-experienced applicants each year who are worried about feeling judged or stigmatised, especially if they’ve had negative experiences revealing their care identities before. It’s...

How to deal with homesickness

Thu 3 September 2020 - 10:10

By UCAS in International students

Feeling homesick whilst attending university in the UK is an entirely normal feeling. You are probably moving out of your family home for the first time, living with new people and often living in a country you’ve never visited before. For some, homesickness is just missing your home and family in the first week, but for others it can affect their mental health.

Luckily, for many these feelings will pass and you will soon be too busy with new friends and classes to feel homesick, but here are some tips on how to deal with homesickness.

Find a restaurant that serves food from your country
It may take you some time to adjust to new foods and eating habits and everyone, no matter where they come from , misses their mother’s cooking. Fortunately, the UK is a multicultural country and you should have no trouble finding a restaurant that serves all your favourite dishes. If not, cook something you miss from home and share it with your new friends....

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