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Making decisions about what to study next year

Now's the time to think about your strengths and interests. If you're taking exams, these might give you an idea of what you're good at and what you enjoy, and help you decide what to continue studying next year, as well as what you'd like to do at university.

It's time to get serious about understanding the qualifications needed for the courses and places you're interested in. What you do next year could have an impact on which universities will offer you a place.

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The offers that the universities send might be based on grades, UCAS Tariff points, or a bit of both. Go to the Tariff on ucas.com and see how your expected grades relate to the points. This will give you a good idea about whether you're on target to meet the points needed.

Use Entry Profiles to help you decide

Take a look at the UCAS Course Search and read the Entry Profiles for each course - they're written by the universities and tell you about what sort of qualifications and experience they're looking for, as well as any other requirements.

When looking at what the universities want, think about:

  • what they need (what's essential to get onto the course, eg specific subject or grade)
  • what they'd like (not essential but would help towards being considered)
  • subjects you're good at
  • subjects you're interested in
  • subjects you need for a specific course or career
  • subjects which 'fit together' in your school/college timetable
  • new courses available (eg a new AS, or OU course)
  • how your exam results compare with predicated/expected grades
  • any required or suggested retakes to get the grades you need
  • work experience
  • whether AS results are taken into account or not
  • qualifications that do and don't have Tariff points
 

This should help you see if you'll have what you need, or if you might want to take on any specific qualifications, work experience or additional reading around a subject.

Get some advice

Speak to your tutors or careers adviser at school/college - they'll help you decide what to study and tell you what's available. Also get onto yougo and talk to other students about what they did. Planning what you'll study next year will help you get onto the university course you want when you finish school or college.