University applications are given a high priority. Consultations with a principal begin early in the first term and continue until the university application (UCAS) is submitted. Most tutors are also qualified to advise on university education. Some students are quite clear about their university courses, others have a more general idea, whilst others need full guidance. All need some form of advice on the attractions and also the drawbacks of both the university in mind and the course envisaged. Our procedure is first to assess the student's interests and abilities in the context of his or her ambitions and then to draw up a profile. Students are surprisingly realistic about themselves when all facts are presented. Most university courses are opened-ended to allow for students' changing interests.

Students are encouraged to write a list of questions during their first consultation. They are then directed to university prospectuses held in the college and advised to write down questions for their second consultation. At this point fine but not final decisions are taken. The College advises all students to chose two or three high condition courses, with two conditionally lower courses and one or two insurance choices with lower conditions, six in all. Having made these choices, the mind is concentrated, and students are advised to examine their intentions more seriously and to consult as many people and sources as possible. Other consultations follow until, we and the student are satisfied all critical questions are answered.

The student is given the UCAS Guide to Applications and an Application is prepared in rough before it is checked by a principal and before final completion. Students are invited to discuss their Personal Statement and a principal will be pleased to read and review this Statement. The College's Reference may be read by the student. Photocopies are taken of the full Application.

The College urges all students and parents most strongly to chose courses which lead to viable careers and to anticipate future career developments. All students are qualified for university entrance on completion of A level courses. For the entire period of the university final placements, late August to September, college principals are on hand to assist with advice and help in contacting university admissions tutors.

Apart from having the right A levels universities look for the personal qualities of mature responsibility and self directed learning. Our tutors, we believe, meet the demands both of the students and the university.