Welcome to LEH Foshan's comprehensive guide to navigating the university application process. Choosing the right path to higher education is a crucial decision that shapes a student's future. At LEH Foshan, we understand the importance of providing our students with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to make informed choices and achieve their aspirations.
In this article, we invite Mrs Kirk to share the expertise and best practices at LEH Foshan. This article serves as a roadmap, taking you through the essential phases of university application, from exploration and consideration to application and beyond. Join us as we unveil the diverse opportunities, enriching activities, and valuable guidance that LEH Foshan offers to empower our students on their journey to higher education.
Mrs Kirk is our Head of Mathematics and Head of Sixth Form. She has taught Maths for over 30 years around the world in top international schools, including Colombia, Spain, Dubai and Bangkok. Before joining LEH Foshan she was teaching in the UK where she was not only teaching Maths, but also enjoyed the role of Sixth Form Tutor supporting pre-university preparation as well as being an A-Level Examiner.
The university application process can be overwhelming for students who are not sure where to start. At LEH Foshan, we are committed to providing students with guidance and opportunities to explore universities and research their options in order to make informed decisions about their future.
We encourage our students to research their university options using online platforms such as Unifrog.com which provides a wide variety of universities worldwide. By comparing their A level subjects with different university requirements, students can decide which institutions best suit their academic interests and future aspirations. Unifrog.com helps with the entire university application process by providing a single, impartial, user-friendly platform for finding and applying for any opportunity taught in English anywhere in the world.
Make the most of the University Fair
In addition to online research, the school organise in-house University Fair events and these events are open to all students from Y10-13. During the Fair, representatives from some of the top universities around the world are invited to the school in order to offer our students the opportunity to ask relevant questions about the visiting universities. The one-on-one consultations and school information sessions allow students to gather information that will help them make informed decisions about their future. Parents are also invited and encouraged to walk around with their child(ren), ensuring that the whole family has an informed opinion when it comes time to choose future pathways.
Y12 student Winnie commented:
I very much enjoyed meeting with representatives from some of the finest universities from around the world. Birmingham, Exeter, Loughborough, and Strathclyde were all major highlights. I am most grateful to the LEH team for organising this event as it was an excellent educational experience. I think I displayed a decent level of confidence because I was nervous about the encounter beforehand.
Expert tips from Mrs Kirk on
attending the University fair
1. Research your study options.
2. Prepare some questions.
3. Keep an open mind.
4. Bring a pen and paper for notetaking.
Consideration & Preparation
Factors for consideration
Choosing the right university can be a daunting task for many students. We encourage students to think about what they are hoping to gain from their undergraduate years. The course programme is obviously important but you shouldn’t overlook other important factors such as the location, campus size, extracurricular activities, and the student body while making this decision.
Our Y13 student Scarlett, who was lucky enough to visit universities in England during her holiday, reflected on her visit and evaluated her experience based on these factors. She was able to make an informed choice based not solely on the literature but on her own impressions of the site, its location and the students she was able to talk about the university and course offered.
Consultation sessions regarding university, career and mindset are also available to all students with support from the Head of Sixth Form, tutors and subject teachers in our school and external professionals.
For example, this year we worked with Wilosophy to provide mindset workshop sessions for Y11-13 students and encouraged them to think about their futures, decision making and how perceptions are subjective but can be used both positively and negatively. Students were fully engaged in a variety of activities and discussions, and they will hopefully, take time to consider some relevant moments and their own reactions to some suggestions.
Scarlett commented on the Career Advice in school:
I have added 'careers advice' to my timetable this year, which is run by Mrs Kirk, the Head of Sixth Form. I have used this time, along with additional meetings as necessary, to complete each step of the application. The application was a relatively easy process for me, as any difficulties I encountered were resolved quickly with Mrs Kirk's help.
LEH Foshan introduces the IPQ (Independent Project Qualification) to our students to help them develop independent learning skills that prepare them for university and beyond. One of the highlights of the IPQ is that it gives students the opportunity to earn UCAS extra points and stand out in their university applications, and both British and American universities encourage students who have taken project qualifications to reference these in their applications.
Students choose a topic of interest, conduct their own research, submit a 5000-word report and deliver an oral presentation. Currently, our Y12 students are working on some thought-provoking topics such as the concepts from the film Interstellar, the effects of the internet on youths; the link between physical health and mental health and was the atomic bomb attack in Japan ethical.
In the Application phase, as a UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) Registered Centre, LEH Foshan provides professional support to students in their university application process. As part of the service, the school guides students and their parents or advisers on the right route to take and provides the necessary support and advice for making an informed decision about their future. For UK applications LEH Foshan has unique access to the students’ forms from submission to acceptance by higher education institutions in Great Britain, the school can monitor and track the progress of the applications and ensure that students complete all the necessary steps in due time.
Our experienced teachers, with their diverse backgrounds and extensive international working experience, possess in-depth knowledge of the application processes, requirements, and nuances of various regions. This enables them to provide valuable insights and personalised assistance to students seeking higher education opportunities beyond the United Kingdom. Whether it's navigating the application procedures for universities in the USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Japan, or exploring educational opportunities in European countries like France, Germany, the Netherlands, and more, our teachers are well-equipped to guide and support students throughout their journey.
So when should you start the application
Here is a tip from our graduating student Scarlett:
My advice would be to start early. The main deadline for UK universities is mid-January, and the deadline for Oxbridge is October 15. As Year 13 can be very busy, I wouldn't recommend delaying your application as it can cause a lot of unnecessary stress. Even if you are not applying to Oxbridge, I would expect you to complete your application by the end of November so that you can focus on your studies for the rest of the year.
Expert tips from Mrs Kirk on
writing a Personal Statement
An exceptional personal statement can increase your chances of admission or getting a job offer. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate to a prospective employer or school that your skills, experience and education have prepared you to excel at university. The first thing you need to do is make a plan. Writing a personal statement off the top of your head is difficult. Start by making some notes, answering the following questions:
What do you want to study?
Why do you want to study it?
What is there about you that shows you’re suited to studying this subject at university? Think about your personality, as well as your experiences.
What are your other interests and skills?
Universities want to see what have you done. OK, so you’ve got some good grades, but so do a lot of other applicants. What have you done that’s different, that shows you off as someone who really loves the subject you’re applying for? Spend some time thinking about all the experience you have in that subject or that you have read about. Reading around the subject is a great way to show your real interest.
LEH Foshan places great value on parental involvement during their child's important educational decisions throughout the whole process. To ensure parents are well-informed, we invite them to parent-teacher conferences, university fairs and private discussion sessions. These opportunities provide a platform for open dialogue, allowing parents to discuss their child's progress, aspirations, and university options. Parental participation also helps us offer personalised guidance and insights. By actively engaging parents, we foster a collaborative and supportive environment.
As we conclude this guide, we want to emphasise that at LEH Foshan, our commitment to our students extends far beyond the application process. We are dedicated to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in higher education and beyond. Through our personalised approach, experienced teachers, and comprehensive support, we strive to empower our students to pursue their passions and achieve their goals. The journey to university is an exciting and transformative one, and at LEH Foshan, we are honoured to be a part of our students’ educational journeys, guiding them every step of the way. Together, let's embark on this incredible adventure and unlock a world of possibilities for our future leaders and change-makers.
