University Entrance Preparation
We’re often asked by both students and parents about the best ways to prepare for university entrance. The answer varies depending on the stage of the application and the course being applied for, but there are certain general principles which are helpful to any application.
Choosing
The first hurdle is choosing which course to study, and where to study it. The course and the location often go hand in hand in terms of importance. Sometimes there is little choice: only a handful of universities may offer the course you want. In most cases, however, the only thing to do is research both the course and the location (not just the university itself) and ask yourself:
Will this course allow me to pursue the topics in which I am most interested?
What is the quality of the teaching like at this university?
Would I be happy living here for at least three years?
Will this course help me pursue my chosen career?
The first three questions are the most important. Much has been written about the ‘value’ of a degree in the twenty-first century, but I am going to assume you are pursuing university because you believe it has value or because it is a stepping stone to a career which requires a degree. These questions should help narrow your choices.
Reading
Reading is an integral part of any solid academic education. If you are serious about going to university, you should already be doing plenty of it, but applying for a particular course can help give your reading more focus.
Most academic fields have essential works with which students are expected to be familiar. History students, for example, should know figures such as Herodotus, Tacitus, Augustine, Gibbon and Marx. Those planning to study Politics or related subjects should be aware of thinkers including Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Wollstonecraft and Arendt. We publish extensive reading lists for these subjects if you are unsure where to begin.
You should also explore areas that genuinely interest you in greater depth. If, for example, you are fascinated by the Norman Conquest, try to understand how different generations of historians have interpreted it. This also gives you something meaningful to discuss in your personal statement or at interview.
Admissions tutors are not impressed simply by the number of books you have read. They are more interested in your ability to engage with ideas, connect them to other reading, and integrate them into a larger argument. This is what a proper university education is, or should be, all about.
Talking
Talking about ideas is another essential part of an academic education. Universities exist to give students the opportunity to read, think and discuss ideas, so it makes sense to practise before you get there.
Once you have chosen a course and done some reading, start talking about it. Friends, family, neighbours and teachers are all potential audiences. Explaining ideas to someone unfamiliar with the subject forces you to think clearly and often highlights gaps in your understanding.
It is equally valuable to discuss your subject with someone who knows more than you do. They can challenge your thinking, introduce new ideas and recommend further reading. Teachers may be able to help, and we also offer university preparation sessions as a forum for discussing a wide range of ideas.
Going through the process of choosing, reading and talking will put you in a strong position to make a competitive application. This sort of preparation takes time, so it is best to begin early, but even a short period of concentrated effort can make a significant difference.
