It’s your next step

UCAS

Navigating the UCAS application process is a significant milestone in your academic journey, and we recognise the importance of providing comprehensive support to our students as they embark on this endeavour. At our Sixth Form, we take pride in offering tailored guidance and assistance to ensure that each student feels empowered and equipped to navigate the complexities of the UCAS process with confidence and ease.

Our UCAS Coordinator will work closely with you to understand your unique strengths, interests, and ambitions, helping you craft a compelling application that showcases your potential and resonates with admissions committees. Moreover, our workshops are designed to provide you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in the UCAS process. From refining your personal statement to understanding the nuances of the application system, these sessions offer valuable insights and strategies to help you navigate each stage of the application process with confidence and precision.

Degree Apprenticeships and Apprenticeships

Exploring degree apprenticeships and apprenticeships? You’re in the right place. Get ready for hands-on workshops designed to equip you with the skills needed to secure your dream apprenticeship. Apprenticeships offer a unique pathway to both learning and earning, providing valuable hands-on experience in a real work environment while also gaining a nationally recognised qualification.

We offer workshops and seminars specifically tailored to apprenticeship preparation. These sessions cover essential topics such as understanding apprenticeship pathways, writing effective applications, and mastering interview techniques. Our goal is to ensure that you feel confident and well-equipped to pursue apprenticeship opportunities that align with your interests and career goals. By choosing to pursue an apprenticeship, you’ll have the opportunity to gain practical skills, earn a wage, and work towards a nationally recognised qualification – all while gaining invaluable industry experience. Whether you’re interested in apprenticeships in sectors like engineering, healthcare, business, or IT, we’re here to support you as you take the next step towards a rewarding career.

Employment

We understand that securing employment requires more than just submitting applications – it’s about standing out from the crowd and showcasing your skills and abilities effectively. That’s why we offer workshops and seminars covering essential topics such as CV writing, interview preparation, networking, and professional etiquette. These sessions are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive job market.

Our students go on to study at some of the best universities in the country. Our Sixth Form team give one-to-one support to help students make the best decisions when applying to higher education.

What do you need to do?

  • Choose which courses you want to apply to at which institutions
  • Complete your personal statement
  • Fill in the online ‘Apply’ form and send it off
  • Apply to local authority for financial support

Where can you get information and support?

  • Unifrog
  • CLC Building Futures (previously named Connexions)
  • Careers office in School
  • UCAS website
  • A variety of other web resources
  • Your tutor

How can I apply?

UCAS

Universities and Colleges Admission Service. www.ucas.com – this is the first place to search for the different types of courses available. You do not need a login or password to search for courses.

Course Choices

When you fill in your UCAS application form you will have five choices of course/university. Use the five choices wisely. By this point, you should know the specific area of which you wish to study. Therefore, your course selections should all be within a similar field of subject matter. Your respective selections should read similar to:

1. English – University of Bath

2. English & Theatre Studies – University of Exeter

3. English with Film – King’s College London

4. Creative Writing – University of Winchester

5. English & History – Royal Holloway

Rather than:

1. Chemistry – University of St Andrews

2. Law – Durham University

3. Fashion Design – Falmouth University

4. Nursing – University of Southampton

5. Drama – Queen Mary University of London

Course research must be carried out thoroughly. Course research is your responsibility as there are so many different courses to choose from.

Look carefully at the subject’s entry requirements. If your grade predictions are 3Cs, you should not go for courses that require 3As, or vice versa. Please see here for more information on the UCAS points system.

It is, however, common to pick at least one ‘insurance’ course/university, that has slightly lower entry requirements – just in case you don’t quite get your predicted grades. For example, if you are predicted CBB, your insurance choice should be asking for something similar to CCC.

The Personal Statement

The personal statement is the most important part of the application process for the student to complete as it’s an opportunity to stand out from the crowd.

Students will be given one-to-one interviews and support to help them start the process. They should have a first draft completed by the time they return in September.

What makes a good application?

Good results and predicted grades

  • Personal statement is well written – well structured, with correct grammar, etc.
  • Courses have been demonstrably well researched.
  • Work experience, hobbies, etc.
  • Wider reading, listening, interest in cinema, museums, art, etc. outside the specification

Application sent – what happens next?

Once we have sent off the application, students will receive either:

  • An unconditional offer
  • A conditional offer
  • Unsuccessful application

Accepting offers

  • Once all offers have been received you will then have to select one firm course and one as an insurance.
  • Insurance – A fall back option in the event that you don’t reach your predicted grades.
  • Clearing – If students do not make it into their first or second choice university, they will automatically go through to clearing. The Independent and other newspapers produce lists of courses that have not been filled. Visit the UCAS site for more information on clearing.

How can parents support their children?

  • Note the deadline and make sure they stick to it.
  • Help them research courses and institutions.
  • Discuss their choices with them and make sure they have thought them through and are choosing courses, institutions, etc. for the ‘right’ reasons.
  • Proof read their supporting statement.
  • Encourage them to have high but realistic expectations.
  • Make sure they keep working hard throughout the year – they will need to get the grades to get in.

We recognise that the decisions our young people make at Sixth Form play a crucial role in their futures. Therefore, we strive to provide access for all to the best support, guidance and advice possible. Through our extensive partnerships, we are able to provide guidance from some of the country’s top business-people, as well as a plethora of workshops, projects and taster sessions to develop skills for work that ensures that Mulberry Academy Shoreditch alumni stand out from the crowd.

Students will have the opportunity to develop job specific skills, build a career relevant network and secure valuable work experience throughout the academic year with a particular focus in the ‘What Sets Me Apart’ programme in June/July of Year 12 (compulsory for all students), which allows students to plan for their future. In addition to whole year programmes that run throughout the academic year, there are opportunities for individuals/groups of students that focus on their particular interests.

Support at the academy

We have visiting speakers on gap years, career opportunities and employers from January onwards. We also have workshops and visiting professionals who will help you to begin writing your personal statement statement.

We organise visits to universities to help you to begin researching courses and provide information about university summer schools and taster days.

We also conduct career interviews to help students ascertain where it is they see their future heading. On top of this, there are individual sessions with form tutors and the head of year.

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