NEW WAYS OF MAKING THE GRADE

Potential Oxbridge candidates working towards a top A-level grade can, from this year, gain the newly introduced A* grade, which should mark them out as exceptionally able.

For students about to embark on the A-level stage, the range of qualifications acceptable to Oxbridge has just widened. The Cambridge Pre-U, a two year course which some schools are beginning to offer instead of A-levels, was especially designed to prepare students for academic life. It is expected to be very popular among the admissions tutors of all top universities.

The new diplomas in the sciences, the humanities and languages recently introduced by the government will offer yet another route into higher education. Despite a government suggestion that such a diploma might count for more than an A-level, though, the Oxbridge attitude to the new qualifications is said to be one of “wait-and-see”.

Meanwhile, students determined to aim high would be wise to embark on a bit of self-education alongside their school work. For various DIY reading and research suggestions, see chapter 2 of
OXBRIDGE ENTRANCE: THE REAL RULES.