University Advice and Support

Entry to top ranking universities is very competitive. With the vast majority of our students going on to university honours degree courses, we put great emphasis on making sure that they receive the specialist professional support and advice necessary for success. Choosing and applying for degree courses is an area that is much too important to be left to chance and at David Game College we ensure that from start to finish, students are given every support.

From the moment students begin their GCSE, AS or A Level courses they are introduced to the university applications procedure and their teachers and personal tutors speak to them about possible career plans and degree courses. This is important for a number of reasons:

  • Quite often university degree courses demand specific subject qualifications, at both GCSE and A Level and this must be taken into account when selecting a programme of study.
  • Some courses and universities have different deadlines for applications, such as
    •  Oxford and Cambridge universities and
    •  Degrees for medicine and dentistry.

At David Game College we identify as early as possible students applying for such courses and universities, to ensure they are fully prepared and that deadlines are met.

  • Last, but by no means least, we believe that it is beneficial to instil a sense of destination with students. This has the effect of giving them a sense of purpose in their studies and an added determination to do well academically so as to achieve their goals.

David Game College has a very successful track record in placing students in the top British universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, London School of Economics, Imperial College and University College, London. This is achieved by ensuring that students are given all the advice and resources they require to choose courses and universities.

The starting point for most students is a counselling session followed by regular meetings with the College’s UCAS Adviser. At these meetings possible career and degree choices are discussed and students also begin to select the universities they are interested in.

To help students with their research the College offers –

  • A UCAS Handbook for each student with comprehensive information on university procedures.
  • An extensive range of book resources, including prospectuses, reference books and league tables.
  • Regular meetings with the UCAS Adviser to monitor progress and receive guidance with the application form.
  • Help in composing and writing a strong and relevant Personal Statement for their UCAS entry.
  • Full online IT facilities to enable students to visit university websites and look at the curriculum requirements of degree courses.
  • Organising seminars with University Admissions Tutors, who visit David Game College as well as organising student visits to university Open days.
  • Giving individual interview preparation, including mock interviews as well as information and advice regarding aptitude tests where relevant.
  • Giving information on work experience where this is necessary.
  • Liaising and negotiating with UCAS and University Admissions tutors on behalf of students, both during the academic year and at results time.
  • Helping with information on finding and applying for scholarships and bursaries.
  • Giving specialist advice and preparation for students applying for competitive courses and universities. See separate sections on  Entry to Medicine (BMAT & UKCAT), Entry to Law (LNAT) and Entry to Oxbridge

For more detailed information regarding university success by David Game College students see under Exams.