4th April 2025
Exploring open days, reviewing league tables and leaning on teachers and advisors for application advice. Top tips from St Brendan’s students for finding and securing first choice university offers.
St Brendan’s students consistently achieve outstanding university and apprenticeship placements, with a 97% UCAS offer rate for September 2025. Many go on to prestigious Russell Group universities, which include Oxford and Cambridge.
Known for their world-class research and academic excellence, currently, 25% of our students have received offers from Russell Group Universities this year with over 500 students looking at Higher Education as their first choice for life after Sixth Form College.
Three Year 12 students share their ambitions for undergraduate study and what helped build their confidence to pursue their goals in academia and beyond:
Heidi:
Heidi is currently studying A-Level Business, Maths and Psychology.
What University's offers have you had and what are you looking to study?
“So far I have offers from Bath and Bristol University for Accounting and Finance, and from Cardiff University for Accounting & Finance, and Accounting & Management.”
What excites you about your future?
“I've only recently started thinking about accountancy, it's nice to see a clear career pathway. I did some work experience and learned about the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales). So, I now have long-term goals to work towards, with regular professional exams for career progression.
In the short term, I'm looking forward to getting the life experience of uni as well as the academic side of it; learning to be independent, learning to cook - things like that.”
How has St Brendan's supported you in reaching your goals?
“All the teachers, all the careers people – they're not here just for a job. They genuinely care. I'm quite a shy person and not that good at asking for help, but I feel comfortable here going up and asking questions.”
Oksana:
Oksana is studying Media Studies, Drama and Theatre, and English Language.
What University’s offers have you had and what are you looking to study?
“I would love to study Politics or International Relations with French at University of Bristol. I've received offers from Bristol University and Exeter, but I'm also waiting for the decision from Cambridge for a foundation year in Arts and Social Sciences.”
What excites you about your future?
“I would love to experience student life, and to study social sciences. I'm fascinated by learning languages.”
What are your aspirations after studying at St Brendan’s?
“Maybe something to do with the social sciences; jobs like journalism or diplomacy. “
How has St Brendan’s supported you in reaching your goals?
“My teachers have been very supportive, and having Gradebook Sessions has helped me a lot. The careers team has helped me with the application process which supported me more mentally than anything”.
What advice do you have for students wanting to apply to Russell Group universities?
“Having a wide range of extracurriculars helps you to better understand your ambitions and career goals. They can be a really valuable for your university application and something to talk about in your interview.
I read some books, and I was lucky to be awarded a scholarship to visit a summer school. I also joined clubs and societies at college.”
Tianna:
Tianna is currently studying Sociology, Maths and Psychology having also completed an ASDAN Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
What University's offers have you had and what are you looking to study?
“I've applied to do a degree in Psychology, and have offers from Manchester, Cardiff, Bristol University, and UWE.”
What excites you about your future?
“I'm looking forward to the independence of living away from home and also seeing what happens with a career in psychology, because I want to be a clinical psychologist."
How has St Brendan's supported you in reaching your goals?
“It's given me the option of doing an EPQ, which is obviously good for university, because I now have experience in research and writing a dissertation. My teachers are very supportive. If I email them with a question, they will get back to me and help.”
What advice do you have for students wanting to apply to Russell Group universities?
“Don't be scared. Just go for it! Go to all the open days and don't just look at the league tables. Actually go to the open days to know which one you want to go to.”
We can’t wait to see what Tianna, Heidi and Oksana go on to achieve! If you’d like to find out more about the courses on offer at St Brendan’s then visit the course finder and explore all the options available to YOU!
St Brendan's has a great reputation for preparing students for their next step in life, empowering them through personalised academic support, dedicated teaching, targeted grade boosts and expert career guidance. These resources help students explore potential, build confidence and successfully prepare for university and professional careers.
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