Where do I find out about university courses?

[IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads]

When I was at school (80s!) there were books which told you which degree to do for different careers, and what the A level entry requirements were.

Can somebody point me in the direction of the modern internet version of these?

DS is in Y11, absolutely clear on the career he wants (immunological research) and really enjoyed his work experience in this field.. He has an idea of A levels (chemistry, biology and history) and a degree course (biomed science) - but would be interested in alternative degree courses.

He's in Y11 so hasn't had much exposure to university information yet, but is keen to do some investigating.

Many thanks

Just go to the university websites and click on "search for a course" or whatever variant of that they use.

Maybe narrow it down first eg how far from home? campus or city? Big city or smaller town? Likely to get AAA or more like BBB?

GCSE PGs will indicate possible A level grades if that's helpful.

Here's Uni of Bath for example: https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-2025/biosciences/bsc-biomedical-sciences/

There are a small number of Immunology undergrad degrees, but the usual path (I think) would be to start with a BSc in Bio Medical Sciences, perhaps choosing universities that offer opportunities to study immunology in optional modules, or as a 3rd year project (or 4th year for an MSc/MSci at somewhere like Surrey uni?)

You can look at the league tables to see which are the unis that offer BioMed at the following link:

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/biomedical-sciences

Then you just look at the details for each university - they will list requirements, preferred A Levels (usually at least Biology and maths, but chemistry often liked too), and also list all the different modules. When you go on open days you can approach department tutors about his particular interests and what they’d like to see in terms of extra curriculars to make his application stand out.

It is much more complicated and time-consuming, frankly, than when we just went into the careers section and lifted out the UCAS guide and copies of the most recent uni prospectuses at school/college!

(My son was going to do similar, hence I’m a bit clued in, but he stuffed up his GCSE Biology so we’ve had to rethink!)

UCAS is used to apply for university and lists all courses available. Once he's found some courses he's interested in look for more information on the university sites. They'll also have information on open days when you can look round and ask questions.
https://www.ucas.com/explore/search

UCAS

Many universities still have paper prospectuses that you can order from their websites. I find them a bit less overwhelming than trying to trawl through courses on the websites when you don't really know what's available. They give a basic introduction and then you can look deeper - entry requirements, course content, optional modules, methods of assessment etc via the website.

Either a biomed or biology degree - he needs to be exposed to far more than just immunology! Then specialise at Masters level, then find a PhD.

Thank you all, and for those details @CautiousLurker01. That website looks exactly thy like what I had in mind.

I think I might order some paper prospectuses, I'd forgotten about them!

It only seems like 2 minutes since I was reading him"Tiddler".

I would also say start with UCAS. Read everything and follow up every possible link by going to the source.

But also - he should try to access some relevant real life experience. Parents’ friends or friends’s parents - or seeing if his school can put him in touch with alumni or current undergrads studying his preferred subject, so he can gain a properly rounded picture of what he needs to do to achieve his ambitions. Some schools have established processes for all this, some don’t.

www.ucas.com/explore/search/all?query=Immunology

Thank you

As it happens, we have a friend who runs a cancer research unit at a highly ranked university. He did some work experience there earlier in the year, and absolutely loved it. He will be talking to her, but for now I just want to be sure that he is applying to 6th form for the right A level - which he does seem to be.

I would suggest maybe maths instead of history - not that history is not a good A level but if he is so sure what he wants to do, maths would link better to the other sciences. But check a couple of uni websites as they will list required subjects,

UCL for example says it prefers maths alongside bio and chem.

I agree with this. One of my kids is doing bio medical science at one of the top courses in the Uk and has found their A level maths very useful.

UCAS and what uni both have guides / filtering

He's not good enough at maths to do A level. The 6th form college he has his eye on requires scientists to do core maths, which is a necessary evil, but he really doesn't want to do A level.

The sixth form college is not really the issue. He may find he’s competing for university course places with people who do have Maths A’Level.

What kind of grade is he looking at for maths GCSE? If maths us a requirement or preferred at unis (even if only some) that suggests it may be useful.

If he is very unkeen on maths is this the right degree? I gather maths A level is especially useful to support chemistry A level. Ds (bio at uni) has found his maths A level useful.

Or if not maths, taking another science – physics, PE, psychology, even geography – might be helpful. Glancing at a few unis that offer this course, some of them prefer a science/science-related subject for the third A level, which history is not.

I never looked at UCAS so don't know what stats it includes but What Uni will tell you what the most popular A levels and grades of students on the course, average earnings and drop out stats etc.

I came on to wonder out loud about whether Maths would be more helpful for Immunology than History. At some point DS will come up against Statistics, and having elected the Stats modules in the Maths A Level could be very useful.

Perhaps your friend in Immunology could give an opinion on this?

Not surprised that @clary thought of it first!

Sorry, OP, I had not read this.

Biology and chemistry are perfect. Maths isn't that important at A level, but a good grade at GCSE is recommended.

DD achieved a first in biomed and took geography for her 3rd A level.

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads there are a lot of helpful posters in the higher education topic so it might be worth asking there as well.

Some of DD's biomed friends went on to do their masters in immunology.

Is he looking at Greenhead?

sounds like he has a good plan! For Y11s in your sons situation, I’d also recommend going to a local university open day after his GCSEs - can be a great motivator and help him start to think about what he wants from a uni.

DD went to a UCAS fair at Sheffield Arena in the June of year 12. I think this happens every year in most major cities.

There is a UCAS event at the London Excel on 24-25 March if you're in the SE?

https://www.ucas.com/applying/you-apply/what-and-where-study/ucas-events/ucas-discovery-events