University Applications

We encourage pupils to start thinking about university when they begin to consider their Sixth form options in Fifths (Year 11). It is very important that A-level/IB subject choices dovetail with potential degree course requirements and career aspirations when they leave Charterhouse. 

Pupils take part in a full programme over the course of Sixth Form to help them make the most competitive application.  This includes an introduction to UCAS, how to research courses and universities using Unifrog and how to write a competitive personal statement. 

Students applying to the most competitive universities in the UK learn about the extra reading, activities and work experience they should do to support their application. 

We have a programme of talks with many UK universities throughout the year.

Please contact the Futures Department for further information. 

An application to the most competitive UK universities is appropriate only for pupils with high A*/A predicted grades.  Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, Durham, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Warwick, UCL and Kings, now have significantly more applicants than places, particularly for certain courses. They are therefore much more selective and generally require pupils to have predicted grades much higher than published entry requirements.

Having a strong personal statement and a good reference is the only way that the most selective universities can differentiate between candidates with top grades, (except for Oxbridge and some Maths courses where they have admissions tests).  We offer dedicated personal statement workshops and individual sessions for pupils. 

For those applying to Oxbridge, we have a Head of Oxbridge Admissions who is supported by a team of designated teachers in each Department to help each candidate make as strong an application as possible.  We offer a number of talks and presentations throughout the year and run extensive practice sessions, mock interviews and tests.  Pupils and parents also have the option to engage with Oxbridge Applications, a company with whom we work who can provide further tailored opportunities for practice admissions tests, feedback and interview training.

Both Oxford and Cambridge require candidates to take aptitude tests for almost all courses. Other universities may require tests for Medicine, Law, Maths and STEM courses. These are generally held in late October or early November, and often take place during half-term.

There are special arrangements for Organ, Choral and Instrumental awards. The application forms are available online and prospective candidates must consult the music department in order to complete their application forms by the earlier deadline. 

Please contact the Futures Department for further information. 

While a high proportion of Carthusians choose to go to university, an increasing number of pupils are exploring apprenticeships as an alternative. These programmes are a combination of traditional apprenticeship style training, professional skills development and in some cases provide access to a university degree (degree apprenticeship) or professional qualification (professional apprenticeships). There are new schemes coming online each year. Companies last year included PwC, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Amazon, GSK, IBM, Fujitsu, the BBC, Unilever, Tesco, Morrisons, Nestle, Airbus, Dyson, Mott Macdonald, Land Rover, Knight Frank, Savills, Accenture and BAE systems. 

We can help pupils explore different opportunities and help with the application process. Most of these programmes are applied for outside the UCAS process. 

Medical courses are very competitive, and the application process is arduous. Medical courses almost always require pre-tests, interviews, expect work experience for the personal statement and test a much broader range of competencies that other courses.

Charterhouse has a comprehensive framework to support pupils with Medical applications (including Dentistry and Veterinary Science).  

• There is an active pupil lead Medical Society.  A typical meeting will involve a pupil presentation followed by a debate on ethical questions posed by the presenter over a pizza. As well as being interesting and fun, this builds vital interview skills.  In addition, external speakers present on the application process or on medical issues.   
• Pupils have in school training for the UCAT which involves question practice, mock tests and personalised feedback. 
• Interview training for multiple mini-interviews or panel style interviews is conducted in conjunction with other local schools.  
• The group of medical applicants get to know one another very well through the programme and can be of considerable mutual support through what can be a very tough process. 

While the School provides this specialist support, it is important to note that those pupils who are proactive in driving their own applications, using the guidance and help provided, are generally the most successful.  Please contact the Futures Department for further information. 

Each year around 45 Carthusians apply to universities in the USA and Canada, either exclusively or alongside applications to the UK.  In the last few years, North American destinations have included UC Berkeley, Boston College, Cornell, Harvard, Columbia, NYU, USC, UPenn, Wellesley College, Tulane, Yale, Parsons, SCAD, University of Chicago, McGill, and the Universities of Toronto and British Columbia.  

Support for the many aspects of a US application is provided within the Futures department and by a dedicated international applications consultant. We run application workshops on how to generate college lists, to test or not to test, essay workshops, how to get strong letters of recommendation, how to show demonstrated interest, and how to highlight strong extracurriculars. 

Charterhouse provides an SAT preparation course aimed at First Year Specialists (Year 12) run by UES Education.

We also run several talks and events with US and Canadian Universities throughout the year. Please contact the Futures Department for further information. 

There has been a noticeable trend of families looking to pursue international university options as a “hedge” against their perception of the challenges of UK admissions. In addition to US applications, there has been an increase in applications to Canada and the EU, with McGill, Bocconi and IE universities being the most popular with our students, to round out their university list.

We can assist with any overseas university applications and pupils should seek advice as early as possible, as there can be a considerable amount of work attached to these applications. Previously Carthusians have been successful in applying to institutions in France, Switzerland, Australia, Malta, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Please contact the Futures Department for further information.