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What do unis look for?

I'm going to the UK and taking A-levels next year and I was wondering what UK universities usually look for in applicants? And what exactly do they look as qualifications?

Reply 1

xkatb15x

each university looks for very different things and it depends on which uni your looking at
all want the grades of course but it depends on each one whether they put extra curricular as a major reason to give someone a place.oxford/cambridge you need to have something extra or have 100% in your a levels
if your looking at scotland eg st andrews they like students that are broad in a sense of extra curricular and subjects b/c you are expected to take modules in a different subject than your degree for the first 2 years :smile:

usually they are looking for somebody who fits in
hope that helps

Reply 2

kellywood_5

17

UK unis aren't really interested in extra-curriculars (unless you're applying for medicine or law, in which case you'll need relevant work experience) so it's mostly about your A-level grades, but you also have to write a personal statement about why you want to study your chosen course and submit a reference from your school/college. Unless you apply to Oxbridge or for certain courses (like again medicine) you probably won't be interviewed.

Reply 3

WokSz

17

Unlike American Universities, the British ones are generally not interested in all the extra stuff you did. They're not really aiming to find the students that have done the most - they're aiming to recruit individuals who are academically strong and have the most potential. Just aim to get the highest grades you can.

Reply 4

-Aimee-

13

I beg to differ.

Surely unis don't just look for bookworms who study all day and have no concept of the outside world? If you had predicted grades, and many other things similar to another dude, but in addition you have work experience at the BBC World Service, then you would stand out more?

Just my 2 cents.

Reply 5

r6mile

2

Of course, if they have to choose between, for example, two candidates who both have AAA then they will consider more the extracurriculars, but if they have to choose between an ABB student with a lot of EC's, and an AAA student with no EC's, they will choose the AAA student, unlike in the US.

Reply 6

kellywood_5

17

-Aimee-

I beg to differ.

Surely unis don't just look for bookworms who study all day and have no concept of the outside world? If you had predicted grades, and many other things similar to another dude, but in addition you have work experience at the BBC World Service, then you would stand out more?

Just my 2 cents.

I think it depends what the extra-curricular activity is. If it's something like work experience related to your course, it's impressive and could give you the edge over someone else with the same grades. But if it's something loads of people do, like Duke of Edinburgh, playing in a sports team or playing a musical instrument, it doesn't make you stand out.

Reply 7

WokSz

17

ECs that are relevant, and show your will to study the subject should be mentioned. Like Kellywood5 said, if it's work experience then by all means do include it. It will show your passion for the subject. But things like sports and drama are common and won't really make you stand out from other candidates. Remember, you are trying to sell yourself to the tutors.

Reply 8

asdfqwerty

In short:
UK unis are more academic than US ones. ECs do help, but those that matter will be better (if you're applying for med, then maybe work experience in a hospital. basketball team will not help much). they also wanna know why you wanna study at that course, and what u plan to do with it in the future generally.

Reply 9

swtbabie181

OP

are gcses just as important as a-levels. since im new to england and havent taken the gcses will they look at my high school gpa in the us or just my a-levels as long i take english lang and maths?

Reply 10

Mathemagician. Funny?

A-levels are way more important than GCSEs. A university is more likely to take someone who is predicted 3As at A-levels and has 5Cs at GCSE than someone who is predicted 3Es at A-level and has 11A*s. actually it is almost certain!

Reply 11

kellywood_5

17

Unless you apply to a top uni for a very competitive course, GCSEs don't matter much as long as you have Cs in English and maths.

Reply 12

Kye_105

I do know that GCSEs do matter in some universities. For example Keele whereby the admission process to any of the courses in the uni requires you to have at least a C for GCSE in English and Maths. But I do think that the grades you garnered in the US can substitute for the GCSEs. So basically, look closely at the full prospectus of the university you intend to apply to and its course specifications to see whether it does require GCSEs or not. But in most cases, A'levels are the one they primarily look at.

Reply 13

WokSz

17

Universities, including LSE and Oxbridge, will take into consideration your situation, e.g. unable to take GCSEs, and hence won't really disadvantage you for it.

Reply 14

--

3

Actually, most universities will use their American grades. American students coming to study in the UK is quite common, so they'll probably take whatever qualifications they may already have done as evidence of their academic ability.

Reply 15

qwerty3

6

As a matter of fact Imperial Maths look at your GCSE's as i know a person who got better predicted A level grades (4 of them) then me all in acedemicly minded subjects and still didnt get in, most likely due to his average gcse grades

but it depends what you want to do.

What do unis look for?

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