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Extra Curriculars

What sort of extra-curricular activities are best for UCAS applications? Is volunteering a key aspect? If so, how much volunteering is acceptable? Are DOfE and NCS important for UCAS as well? Sorry for the many questions.
Reply 1
Avatar for ruthf
ruthf
15
Original post by VisualUnicorn
What sort of extra-curricular activities are best for UCAS applications? Is volunteering a key aspect? If so, how much volunteering is acceptable? Are DOfE and NCS important for UCAS as well? Sorry for the many questions.


It’s really dependent upon the course that you are applying for more than anything else. Some extra-curricular activities are more general but universities do often look for ones that are more specific to the course.
Reply 2
Avatar for Beth_H
Beth_H
16
For which universities? Unless it's Oxbridge, the activities you've described can benefit your application, as long as you explain what skills you gained from them, and ideally link that to the course you're applying for.
Original post by Beth_H
For which universities? Unless it's Oxbridge, the activities you've described can benefit your application, as long as you explain what skills you gained from them, and ideally link that to the course you're applying for.


I'm thinking of London based universities, like Imperial. Any ideas?
Reply 4
Avatar for JT_888
JT_888
20
Original post by VisualUnicorn
What sort of extra-curricular activities are best for UCAS applications? Is volunteering a key aspect? If so, how much volunteering is acceptable? Are DOfE and NCS important for UCAS as well? Sorry for the many questions.


Once you get round to doing your UCAS Personal Statement in Year 12 you'll be told something similar to this: 70% academic related content, 30% non-academic related content. Essentially a personal statement is about you and why you want to be studying a particular course at uni. Extra-curricular activities are useful to mention but only include it if it's relevant to your course. You'll get a lot of support then and I'm sure other TSRians from Study Help or not can give you some great advice. :smile:
Reply 5
Avatar for Beth_H
Beth_H
16
Original post by VisualUnicorn
I'm thinking of London based universities, like Imperial. Any ideas?

Talk mostly about things directly related to your course, and especially academic activities you've pursued outside of your sixth form/college study, like reading around the subject (even better if you can mention a specific book or article and explain what you learned from it). Include a shortish paragraph at the end talking more generally about qualities you have which make you suited to university study - this is where you can bring in skills that you've gained from DofE, NCS etc.

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