Ucas points

Hi all. I'm 16 and have a lot of free time and want to do something this summer to help with university applications. I'm searching for helpful courses or even anything to help me stand out and get UCAS points. I'm interested in a science field around biology and chemistry.
Anyone have anything helpful???

Reply 1

archie.smith23

5

might be worth googling for competitions that you can put on a personal statement. ill be honest im not sure how many things you can do outside of school to bag free UCAS points. there's some really good competitions going on for science at the moment but they are often quite essay based. volunteering will be rewarding as well especially if its related to your desired course. hope this helps (not sure it does)

Reply 2

McGinger

20

You only get UCAS points for formal qualifications - not random short online courses you could do during a summer holiday.

What A level subjects are you doing, and do you have any idea of a Uni subject?

Reply 3

yat_ii

11

Original post by honeymoonxx

Hi all. I'm 16 and have a lot of free time and want to do something this summer to help with university applications. I'm searching for helpful courses or even anything to help me stand out and get UCAS points. I'm interested in a science field around biology and chemistry.
Anyone have anything helpful???

ABRSM Grade 6-8 exams give UCAS points, grade 8 especially gives a lot

Reply 4

McGinger

20

Original post by yat_ii

ABRSM Grade 6-8 exams give UCAS points, grade 8 especially gives a lot

ONLY if you are applying for a Performing Arts course or another subject where that Uni accept ABRSM for additional UCAS points. Check carefully with each Uni - and never just assume.

Reply 5

Muttley79

20

Original post by honeymoonxx

Hi all. I'm 16 and have a lot of free time and want to do something this summer to help with university applications. I'm searching for helpful courses or even anything to help me stand out and get UCAS points. I'm interested in a science field around biology and chemistry.
Anyone have anything helpful???

Few unis make offers on UCAS points. You would be better doing prep work for your A levels or some volunteering.

Download the specifications of the A levels you will be studying and, on induction day, ask for prep work.

Reply 6

KitCat13

16

Original post by honeymoonxx

Hi all. I'm 16 and have a lot of free time and want to do something this summer to help with university applications. I'm searching for helpful courses or even anything to help me stand out and get UCAS points. I'm interested in a science field around biology and chemistry.
Anyone have anything helpful???

Hi! I'm currently where you'll be at in a year's time, going into a very similar field as well! I really benefitted from taking an NPLQ course, which is basically lifeguarding at pools. It doesn't give many UCAS points (Last time I checked I think it was 8), but it gives you the chance to get paid work and a first aid certificate! It's definitely going to be something I talk about in my personal statement and I even made a few friends on the course! It's a week long of basically 1/2 theory and 1/2 physical in the pool

Hope this helps!

Reply 7

McGinger

20

UCAS points for random stuff like this do not count towards your UCAS application unless that Uni accepts it for the specific course you are applying for. Just because 'its awarded UCAS points' does mean it will be counted. The majority of points offers are phrased as something like 'xxx UCAS points from 3 A levels' etc - ie. you cannot just add in 'other stuff' to make up the points.

Reply 8

honeymoonxx

OP

3

Original post by archie.smith23

might be worth googling for competitions that you can put on a personal statement. ill be honest im not sure how many things you can do outside of school to bag free UCAS points. there's some really good competitions going on for science at the moment but they are often quite essay based. volunteering will be rewarding as well especially if its related to your desired course. hope this helps (not sure it does)

Yes it does, thank you so much! Do you know anywhere I can search specifically for science competitions I can enter?? Like any websites etc. would be helpful xx

Reply 9

honeymoonxx

OP

3

Original post by KitCat13

Hi! I'm currently where you'll be at in a year's time, going into a very similar field as well! I really benefitted from taking an NPLQ course, which is basically lifeguarding at pools. It doesn't give many UCAS points (Last time I checked I think it was 8), but it gives you the chance to get paid work and a first aid certificate! It's definitely going to be something I talk about in my personal statement and I even made a few friends on the course! It's a week long of basically 1/2 theory and 1/2 physical in the pool
Hope this helps!

Thank you for this!! Do you have any links etc. I can use to find out more??

Reply 10

honeymoonxx

OP

3

Original post by McGinger

You only get UCAS points for formal qualifications - not random short online courses you could do during a summer holiday.
What A level subjects are you doing, and do you have any idea of a Uni subject?

I'm thinking of doing biology and chemistry for sure but am still deciding between maths or economics as my 3rd a level, do you know anything relevant/helpful to these subjects?? Also thank you so much for your insight, it's helped me avoid wasting valuable time :smile:

Reply 11

McGinger

20

Just be aware that if you decide you want to do a degree in Economics, you will probably need/benefit from taking A level Maths alongside Economics. If you intend to do a science degree subject, then Maths would be useful, but not essential, assuming you have a reasonable Maths GCSE grade.

Reply 12

gremlin-

10

Original post by honeymoonxx

Hi all. I'm 16 and have a lot of free time and want to do something this summer to help with university applications. I'm searching for helpful courses or even anything to help me stand out and get UCAS points. I'm interested in a science field around biology and chemistry.
Anyone have anything helpful???

Dukes Plus Essay Competition 2024 (storage.googleapis.com)

This might be worth looking at.

Reply 13

fhfvhhvbvwrhvbo

7

Original post by honeymoonxx

Hi all. I'm 16 and have a lot of free time and want to do something this summer to help with university applications. I'm searching for helpful courses or even anything to help me stand out and get UCAS points. I'm interested in a science field around biology and chemistry.
Anyone have anything helpful???

Even though you maybe a bit old for this- LAMDA can give u ucas points but only from grade 6 onwards. Its not sciency at all but it shows that you have got a strong character and shows confidence and what not. I have also heard music exams can give u ucas points too. About the LAMDA, you might still be able to try but I have done it since Yr8 so im not sure how it would work for someone like yourself who is older.

Reply 14

archie.smith23

5

Original post by honeymoonxx

Yes it does, thank you so much! Do you know anywhere I can search specifically for science competitions I can enter?? Like any websites etc. would be helpful xx

This website has a pretty comprehensive list of science competitions. https://community.stem.org.uk/browse/stem-competitions. but theres so many so just pick one that takes your fancy xx

Reply 15

chrissyh1234

1

Original post by McGinger

You only get UCAS points for formal qualifications - not random short online courses you could do during a summer holiday.
What A level subjects are you doing, and do you have any idea of a Uni subject?

Some summer school providers do offer UCAS points as part of a programme completion: check https://dukesplus.com or https://investin.org

Ucas points

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