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University and Careers Advice

The majority of our students will be looking to progress to a top university, either in the UK or abroad.

Our university and careers guidance will open the conversation about their aims and talents soon after their arrival. We also run a series of activities and events that will bring awareness to a wide range of available future pathways. As the students’ time at Earlscliffe progresses, they will be guided towards building an accompanying portfolio of relevant experiences.

If a student is called for an interview by a university, they will first be given a mock interview at Earlscliffe.

With a strong history in university and careers counselling, Earlscliffe works closely with its sister organisations (Oxbridge Applications, A-List Education, The Medic Portal and The Lawyer Portal) to provide each student with the best chance of success.

For detailed university information, please download our prospectus

UCAS (Universities and Schools Admissions Service) Guidance

Students apply to their choice of UK universities in the Michaelmas Term of their final year.

However, the application process begins when students start at Earlscliffe. We use Unifrog, an online platform, to help students research, plan and prepare for their chosen post-Earlscliffe pathway. In the Trinity Term of Year 12, students are taken off timetable for several different events to prepare for university applications. As with everything at Earlscliffe, a personalised approach is provided for university applications.

Students applying to universities in the UK will submit applications to up to five institutions through UCAS and receive comprehensive guidance from their teachers and Senior Tutor in selecting appropriate courses and universities.

Support is also provided from both Earlscliffe and the Dukes family for students who want to apply to universities outside the UK.

UCAS Guidance Steps

From September of their first year at Earlscliffe, students actively start exploring potential university pathways and applications.

Every student is provided with a Unifrog account, an invaluable tool for researching potential future pathways, universities, and courses worldwide. Dedicated time with their Senior Tutor is allocated to guide students through this research and help them make informed decisions about their academic future.

In the final term of Year 12, students are given off-timetable sessions to focus on crafting their personal statements. During this time, they also plan crucial summer activities such as work experience and subject-specific research, which are vital for strengthening their applications. Our Senior Tutors are readily available to provide individual assistance and run smaller, subject-specific personal statement workshops to help students articulate their passions and achievements effectively.

For students aspiring to study outside the UK, this allocated time also allows them to work on their international university applications, with full support and guidance from our experienced staff.

Students applying to Oxford or Cambridge (Oxbridge), or for highly competitive courses such as Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary Science, will submit their applications by the October deadline. All other UCAS applications are typically submitted to universities in November. We understand that some students may join us later in the academic year, and, for these students, we provide individualised support to ensure they are fully prepared and can meet the final UCAS deadline at the end of January.

Once applications have been submitted, we work with students to ensure they choose the most suitable Firm and Insurance choices for their final two UCAS choices. If a student is called for an interview, we are on hand to provide mock interviews and thorough feedback to help them secure an offer from their favoured university.

Personal Statement

The UCAS Personal Statement

This reflective piece of writing is for applicants to explain their reasons for choosing a specific course and why they would be a suitable candidate. Senior Tutors offer personalised coaching to ensure this is tailored to both universities and courses that a student is applying to.

Students will need to show enthusiasm and understanding of the subject they want to study in their personal statement. This will include reference to the following: relevant work experience, wider reading, online courses, subject knowledge and why they want to study that particular subject at university.