University Applications 2026 - Support Thread

[Ventress]

DS is applying to start university in Autumn 2026. He's done several open days and has a reasonable idea of where and what he wants to wants to study - History or History & Politics.

He loved UCL and Exeter, liked Warwick, didn't like Bristol. He's also talking about early application but can't decide whether to apply to Oxford or Cambridge. He's also muttering about Durham, which he didn't visit but others in his History class did and loved it.

Anyone join me for a thread to support our DC as they navigate this process? DS is my only child so this is all new to me!

Quick question re: ‘my Cambridge’ - should DS be putting why he chose the college he’s applied to in the additional personal statement?

also in the section about the topics he’s studying he’s refusing to put the topics for the geography A Level he’s doing. As he’s applying for engineering and he says it’s ‘not relevant’.

Fees going up to £10k next year and then in line with inflation each year.

There was quite a bit of talk about how the admissions tutors wouldn’t know if the application was an open application or not and that it really didn’t matter so I don’t think the personal statement is the place to say why you want to go to that particular college. I don’t think that’s what they’re looking for.

And solidarity on the whole argument about the geography topics thing. I keep falling out with DD if I suggest or ask to check anything. I think they do want the topics for all the A-levels and there is certainly no harm in writing them in. See if you can persuade him but in the end it’s his application and he knows best!

I read something online that said not to mention specific colleges as sometimes candidates are pooled and won’t end up at their initial choice anyhow. My daughter wrote a couple of things about the supervisions and collegiate system generally at Cambridge.

Hurrah! DD has now completed her MyCambridge application and seems quite sanguine again, like the tears and drama have passed. For now.

And today she got an offer from Southampton so (although that's probably her least likely choice as closest to home) is a very achievable choice at ABB or ABB with EPQ.

For anyone applying to do Maths at Cambridge, the STEP Support Programme is running a (free) series of webinars in November. See https://maths.org/step/events for sign up details.

Also useful is the webinar by Oxford on interviews (late November: https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate-study/maths-admissions-test/mat-livestream)

The TBO booklet is also good (but make sure you download the questions before the solutions) https://www.drfrost.org/downloadables.php?rid=261

@Fifty50Fifty Fantastic news on the offer! Congratulations to your DD. Good luck with the Cambridge application.

Really pleased that at the last minute this afternoon she decided to add the additional personal statement after all, and later on got an offer from York (which she liked a lot). Must cross my fingers now and prepare for the inevitable "but I won't get an A in Spanish, I am not good enough" wobble of self doubt. I need a glass of wine tonight though!

Double post

First offer has come in, from Southampton. It looks achievable (and their offers in clearing seem to be even more achievable, so presumably there is some leeway there).

So, a nice insurance offer, potentially.

I still haven't got my head around the process of how you tentatively accept insurance offers.

Good luck to anyone else doing the MAT today or tomorrow.

I think rule of thumb is you don't do that for any application. LSE stated some time back that they had applications where the PS included a whole song and dance about why they'd chosen LSE and they said it did not help their case at all. I believe the most important feature is why the chosen course of study and what they bring to that. This is what we were told to focus on and my DD applied for entry this year, so its not old advice.

My dd got her application in today, was quite stressful with the personal statement but I think it sounded pretty good, keeping everything crossed now!

Well done to your DD. It’s such a relief to get past that hurdle. What subject is she applying for?

She wants to study Wildlife and Conservation, she put 5 uni choices down in the end I think to cover her bets tbh. We’ve only looked round 3 of them!

She’s already got her college results (on a gap year) so I’m guessing they’ll be able to offer her unconditional places if she gets in.

@VentressWas it you that posted about how Oxford calculate GCSE scores? I think I remember you saying that they only look at the top 8, and count 8s and 9s as 8. Is that right as far as you know? I've read elsewhere that they look at the overall number of 8s/9s (which would seem odd as some schools only let you take 9 while others seem to do 12). Anyway - not much ds can do about it now, but it would be great if you (or anyone else) has any definite info. Thanks so much

DDs been offered 3 unconditional places so far 😁 still waiting on one uni and one wanted her to do the foundation year which she doesn’t want to do.

So proud of her.

She’s now got to decide which one to go for and then start sorting out the finances 🫤

Well done to your DD, @Girliefriendlikespuppies ! This seems a much more civilized way of doing things than only finding out at the last minute where you're going to be going.

Dd just texted to say that her UCAS form has been submitted, so I'm excited for the next stage. I'm glad that there won't be any more agonising over minute tweaks to the personal statement.

Probably @indiecisivebut I can’t find it now. I will have to ask DS - he is getting this info from his school. If I can get the link I will post it for you.

Fantastic @Girliefriendlikespuppies- I hope your daughter is happy with her offers so far!

Has everyone seen the news about Nottingham dropping MFL and music degrees? There are another thread on the subject so I won’t duplicate.

Thank you! Yes, very sad news about Nottingham. I wonder where's next

Well Cardiff have already made similar announcements and if the league tables are anything to go by I'd say the following are likely to have similar courses on the chopping block

Hull
Kent
Liverpool
Newcastle

DD and DH looked at Reading today. Sadly not for her and she had high hopes. 😔

A sigh of relief here as the Sheffield portfolio went in over the weekend. No news from Edinburgh yet, but I don’t think they will ask for a portfolio. The pressure is ramping up on the art coursework for A-level and the other subjects and EPQ all need to keep going so not that much of a relief but one more hurdle ticked off.

@ArchitectureMum , what schools has your DC applied to. I'm surprised they don't all ask for a portfolio, is that a new thing?

DS has finally submitted his UCAS application, just waiting for school input and then fingers crossed time. He has decided on Imperial, Bath, Nottingham, Manchester and Sheffield MChem / MSci, some with a year in industry where offered.