University applications - advice please!

[GettinTrimmer]

Hi, my ds is in year 13, did a lot better than expected in his GCSEs, he works hard at his studies, and would love to attend a local university to study environmental science.

He takes part in conservation volunteering through the college and is with his elderly grandparents every Saturday helping with gardening. My Dad says he is teaching him some gardening skills and he works hard for them - they pay him.

Anyway - for university admission, can anybody tell me what they looking for? I think my ds's application would benefit by work experience/volunteering/part time work, but I have no experience of htis.

His college should have been giving plenty if advice & support. The main UCAS deadline was the 15th!

Environmental work is often poorly paid, even graduate entry jobs. The conservation volunteering will be useful. Helping grandparents in the garden, less so.

BringOnTheScience thanks for the reply.

He is year 12, we are going for an information evening in Feb. I am just thinking ahead!

I know the jobs are not well paid; my ds doesn't spend much money, so that is not putting him off!

Maybe find a local environmental project for the summer holiday.

I work for a uni and screen/score ucas applications. Im sure every university will be different and different courses will be different.

But paid work and independently arranged volunteering score higher than college arranged work placements.

Ahh ... you said year 13 in your OP. Actually y12 - time to get sorted

Conservation projects that are long term and have some technical knowledge would be good. Get involved with bird ringing for example or badgers, bats, etc.

Making sure he’s keeping up to date with the sector, changes in the sector and doing quite a lot of wider reading is also a good thing to be cracking on with at this point.

He could start to explore courses, making a shortlist and then look at the modules or work experiences open on each and use this as inspiration. Also using national careers service or prospects to see the sort of skills people in this sector have, and try to find useful experience to build these skills.