University Applicants for 2013 Entry

Hi,I'm actually going into year 13 but I'm taking a gap year and am applying for Uni during my gap year Looking at doing History, most likely with joint honours. Not sure where I'm applying yet, not really looking at League tables (slightly worried about this, when it comes to getting jobs. Looked at Lancaster, Cardiff & Keele so far, must say I was pretty impressed with all three. Will probably also look at UEA, Dundee, Leicester, Aberdeen, St Andrews, and a few others which I know I'm forgetting.

Hi,I'm actually going into year 13 but I'm taking a gap year and am applying for Uni during my gap year Looking at doing History, most likely with joint honours. Not sure where I'm applying yet, not really looking at League tables (slightly worried about this, when it comes to getting jobs. Looked at Lancaster, Cardiff & Keele so far, must say I was pretty impressed with all three. Will probably also look at UEA, Dundee, Leicester, Aberdeen, St Andrews, and a few others which I know I'm forgetting.

I know this is really early, but I thought I'd make a thread for people going into their AS year to discuss their options post A-level, etc. What universities/courses are you considering at the moment? What A Levels are you taking/extra-curriculars/work experience are you doing to help you come application time? Or, has the tuition fee rise put you off going to university altogether, and if so, what are your plans instead?

Wahey! MY first ever TSR post!

I'm starting my AS levels on the 5th Sepetmber and will be studying Theatre Studies, History, Politics and English Literature (drop at A2).
At the moment I'm thinking of studying either Law or Drama (really contrasting I know) at York/Cardiff/Manc/Warwick not sure which one I want to go to most!

After getting some average GCSE results hopefully I'll be able to actually work the next to years so I can get into a fab uni )

Im guessing that you are doing A level History? If so, could tell me how the workload, exams and is it enjoyable?

I really love history and find it extremely interesting but sometimes that is not enough...

Gap year applicants are most welcome too! What are you thinking of doing joint honours with?

Starting AS on the 8th September, studying Japanese, Biology, Chemistry and Maths. I've got my eyes on Natural Sciences or maybe Biochemistry at Cambridge or Bath (Haven't researched much yet... should I have?)

Obviously it'll depend on exam boards, what sort of topics you enjoy and teachers. I personally found it very enjoyable, studying Britain 1906-1951 and the New Roman Empire (?), which was basically Mussolini and Fascist Italy. In parts it was very political, particularly with British history, however it is to be expected and even those who aren't that keen on politics still enjoyed the course I know a lot of people who took varying courses, across different exam boards and I get the impression on the whole they found it enjoyable.

Workload it really depends on your teacher and what you make of it, we mainly did essays and notes. I found a good technique with the essays, for me anyway, was not to straight away time them how it would be in the exam because the knowledge generally won't be their as you may need information from other areas you have not yet studied. However as the course goes on definitely start handwriting and timing, although on areas I wasn't so good I would give myself that bit longer and then at a later date time it correctly

Exams as far as I'm aware differ depending on the exam board, however I'm pretty sure all have some sort of source based questions. If you're on AQA just ask and I'll tell you how it works if not ask around someone on TSR will be on your exam board or just look at past papers

History was probably my favorite subject last year, obviously the teachers helped but I honestly believe even with teachers I hadn't liked I still would have really enjoyed it.

Thank that really helps and yes I will be on AQA so tips would be wonderful...

For AS year I will be doing US History 1890-1945 and Civil Rights 1945-1968.
For A2 year I will be doing The British Empire in Africa, 1870-1970 and Britain 1918-1964...

My teacher told me to buy Prosperity, Depression & 'The New Deal' : The USA 1890-1854 by Peter Clements (4th edition)

So for AS I had two papers, I don't know which way round yours will be but:

1) One paper will be made up of two sections, the first section will be sourced based worth 36marks. Made up of a 12mark & 24mark question - you get no choice in regards to this. Part two is none source based and their are two questions you can choose from, both made up of a 12mark and 24mark essay. You can't mix and match, so say you chose the 12mark of question two you would also have to do the 24mark. Usually, but you never know with exam boards, the 12mark question leads up to the 24mark.

2) In the other paper it basically the same as section two but instead you get 3questions, each from different topics, then you choose to do three.

The papers themselves are worth the same, and if you discount reading time in the source based it ultimately works out at around a minute a mark with like 2minutes left.

A2 is 40% CW, 60% exam. You get a choice of three 45mark questions and you choose two of them. Once again it is a minute per mark.

Hope that helps in some way

Thank you so much, this does help. I did not know about the 40% coursework and though it was purely exams, but the coursework part is good.

Good luck with this year!!

I'm starting my AS Levels on the 5th, taking Further Maths, Physics and chemistry. I have a rough idea of what universities I would like to study at in 2013, but whats worrying me is that there hasn't been any indication of how much it will cost by then.