Most UK students choose to follow a specific degree path but there are an increasing number of courses which allow for a wider range of study where students can build their degree by choosing a number of different modules. Even within a particular academic field, there are many different options available. As you begin to explore subjects, be guided by your long-term interests, browse the Web sites of the universities you might consider and take some of the quizzes available on the internet. The UCAS Web site has a search engine that will help you narrow down your range of interest by area, size, and subject. Of course, make sure that you have taken the right courses to qualify; for example, a student who wants to study Mathematics would need to have taken Mathematics HL in the IB programme or a French Bac S, preferably with a specialité in Mathematics. Nevertheless, if you do not have the qualifications for a specific course of study, the Year 0 that several universities have instituted may help you qualify for your chosen course .

All applications go through the UCAS apply system, which can be completed on-line from any place in the world. The documentation expalining the process and the buzzword to enter the EABJM pool are available from Mr Bunch or Miss Talavera.

Some universities require that, for certain subjects, specific tests must be taken such as the BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test), HAT (History Aptitude Test), LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) or the TSA (Thinking Skill Assessment). You should therefore carefully review the subject requirements at each university you wish to apply to.

January of première (Year 12  in the UK) is the ideal time to begin researching possible courses of study and different institutions. Ideally, you should be writing your personal statement over the summer. The personal statement is 500-550 words in length (written in Times New Roman 12 point, 48 lines). It includes information about your background, interests, reasons for taking the specific course of study, and reasons for studying in the UK. It should be as precise as possible. Details about articles, magazines, books, theories that intrigue you will contribute to help the reader form a picture of you as an individual. Although the deadline is January 15 (October 15 for Oxbridge and medicine) of the terminale year, the internal deadline is in November.

Predicted marks for the baccalaureate are a key element of the admission process. The College Counsellor reviews records, asks teachers for predicted marks and talks to the student. Predicted marks are important: if too low, the student will not get offers from his chosen institutions; and if too high, the student may find that he cannot make the offer and will have to enter "Clearing" in August to apply to any places that are still open at that time.

The UCAS fee for applications is £19 which is a separate cost from the EABJM college counselling fee outlined in the school documentation. At the same time the UCAS website provides a wealth of free information on all aspects including student finance. It is a veritable 'All you ever need to know....' source.

Art and Design students are in a special category. Very few high school graduates enter Art schools directly; they usually apply to a Foundation Year to have the time to mature, prepare portfolio work and explore different art options for admission the following year. Although Foundation Year applications do not follow the UCAS procedure, the UCAS Web site has a useful information about Art & Design foundation studies. These applications must be completed by mid-December and include a portfolio (around 20 pieces that show creativity, skills, and interests).