The A level conundrum

A level results have arrived with another record pass rate, but is it good or bad news for the students receiving them? Has the new A* grade done what it was supposed to or simply made the ever-improving results even more difficult to evaluate? Thousands of students across the country are celebrating this week as A level results reached an all-time high, with a record pass rate of 97.6%, and one in twelve results achieving the.....

Top 10 UK Universities

It is clear from the popularity of the Times university guide and the annual furore and debate surrounding this and many similar UK university ranking articles that this is a topic of high importance and interest across the nation. We have carried out research across a range of varied criteria and spoken directly to students from universities across the country to bring you a UK university league table with a difference.

UCAS Personal Statement Success: how to write the perfect personal statement (Part 1)

The perfect personal statement is absolutely crucial to a successful university application. With the rising numbers of students applying for places and ever improving A level results, it has never been more important to grab this key opportunity to make yourself stand out from the crowd. As universities are bombarded with applications from students with excellent results, myriad extra-curricular activities and high UCAS points, the personal statement has become the crucial barrier between success and rejection.

UCAS Personal Statement Success: how to write the perfect personal statement (Part 2)

Having completed your introduction you are ready to move on to what is arguably the most important part of your university personal statement – the academic section. This is where you prove your suitability and qualification to study the subject you have chosen at university level.

To plan this section, you might want to start with a brainstorm to help you think of all the possible ideas you could include. Really think back over your past year of studying – what have you enjoyed the most, found frustrating, felt passionate about?

UCAS Personal Statement Success: how to write the perfect personal statement (Part 3)

It is time to move on to the final phase of your UCAS personal statement, the section where you will list your personal and extra-curricular achievements, your cultural interests and social activities. Many students find this one of the most difficult sections to write, as it can seem the most ambiguous in terms of both content and tone. Should you list every single cello exam you have taken since the age of 5? Should you mention your passion for Italian cinema or focus on your sporting success and charity work?