Alongside academic studies, one way in which Sixth Form students will really benefit from being at Denstone over the next two years is the help and advice you will get towards getting into a good university. The university application process begins during the Michaelmas term in the Lower Sixth year, raising awareness and holding discussions with students and parents as appropriate, with applications themselves finalised and sent away in Michaelmas of the Upper Sixth year.
The majority of Sixth Formers proceed into some form of higher education, with most moving on to degree courses. Gaining entrance into higher education institutions is a time-consuming and demanding process. Denstone College carries out a number of schemes and initiatives that are designed to help you in this. Mrs Watson (Head of Higher Education), Dr Baker (Oxford and Cambridge Admissions), Heads of House and individual tutors all help in this activity.
Most universities make offers of a place on the basis of three full A level grades or equivalent, whilst others – typically the newer universities – often make offers of a place on the basis of the total UCAS points achieved. The current UCAS tariff system is listed in the following table:
Points
GCE A2
GCE AS
BTEC/CTEC (our sport and ICT courses)
Extended Project
56
A*
D*
48
A
D
40
B
32
C
M
28
24
20
16
E
P
12
10
6
The tariff for the BTEC National Diploma in Sport reflects its equivalence to two A Levels, with a D*D* grade gaining 112 points, D*D gaining 104 points, DD worth 96 points, DM worth 80 points and an MM gaining 64 points. MP and PP grades are worth 48 and 32 points respectively.