A Future Focused Approach

Building Strong Applications

Before any UCAS application is submitted, we work closely with our students to ensure it is polished and ready to make a strong impression on universities. From personal statements to references, we guide students through every aspect of the application process, ensuring all elements reflect their strengths, experiences, and potential.

We establish earlier internal deadlines for UCAS application submissions. This is because once students complete their application forms, we conduct a thorough review to identify and correct any errors and suggest improvements to enhance their chances of acceptance. This meticulous process requires time, which is why we set these earlier deadlines to ensure a high-quality application.

The university application process at OICB involves several important steps to ensure each application is as strong as possible. Students begin by drafting their personal statement with support from both their strategy and subject tutors. Once a solid draft is completed, it is sent to the Head of 6th Form or the Deputy Principal Academic for initial review. Following this, an external review is conducted by Leading Education, and students make any necessary revisions based on the feedback. The Head of 6th Form then meets with each student to review their full UCAS form, ensuring accuracy and completeness. Lastly, the references are checked and reviewed by our principal, before being finalised. This process is typically completed within 72 hours of the student completing their application.

We ensure our students’ personal statements stand out to Admissions Tutors by highlighting their passion and qualifications in a compelling and authentic way. While the rest of the application focuses on information, the personal statement is the student’s opportunity to explain why they are excited about the course and showcase relevant skills and interests. We guide students to back up their claims with strong evidence, ensuring their statements are both persuasive and credible. As Kirsten, our Head of 6th Form, often reminds them: 'show, don’t just tell.' Students are encouraged not just to state their interest in a subject, but to demonstrate it through detailed examples and thoughtful reflection.

We encourage our students to share their personal statement with only a select few individuals. It’s important to remember that there isn’t a single "correct" personal statement—each one should be unique to the individual. Kirsten, our Head of 6th Form, advises students not to seek feedback from too many people, as this can dilute their authentic voice. Every personal statement will be thoroughly reviewed before submission to ensure it maintains the student’s unique perspective while meeting the quality and tone expected by universities.

Evidence-Based Predicted Grades

One of the key components of a UCAS application is the predicted grades. We take great care to ensure that these are both optimistic and evidence-based, giving our students the best possible chance of success. By closely monitoring academic progress and using solid performance data, we provide realistic yet positive predictions that align with each student’s aspirations.

Predicted grades are only adjusted after careful consideration, always with the student’s best interests in mind. Students are kept fully informed about the evidence supporting their predicted grades and have the opportunity to provide additional evidence to potentially improve them. This process takes place following the October Mid-Term assessments, ensuring that all relevant factors are taken into account.

Strategic UCAS Guidance

Our dedicated team also supports students in crafting an effective UCAS strategy. This involves helping them choose the right universities and courses, ensuring their choices are balanced between aspiration and achievability. We provide tailored advice to help your child position themselves strategically, maximising their chances of securing offers from their preferred institutions.

We remind students that it's crucial for them to carefully review the course details at each university they plan to apply to, as every institution designs its own syllabus and course content. This allows students to choose the university that best aligns with their academic interests and study goals, ensuring they find the perfect fit for their ambitions.

Admissions Test Support

Many top universities require additional admissions tests, and we make sure our students are fully prepared for these as well. Whether it’s the LNAT, UCAT or any other specialised assessment, we offer targeted support to help students perform their best on these crucial exams.

If students are ready and well-prepared, we strongly recommend they sit the earlier admissions test dates. Once applications are submitted, universities begin reviewing them and may start releasing offers. The sooner a student completes their admissions test, the sooner they may receive an offer. As Kirsten, our Head of 6th Form, advises, “opting for the earlier test date allows students to focus fully on their A Levels once their application is submitted, freeing up time for other important academic work”.

At OIC Brighton, our goal is to provide every student with the tools and guidance they need to submit strong, well-prepared UCAS applications, paving the way for a successful transition to university.