The Best University Choice Is…

The academic year is now in full swing at St. Julian’s, but for many of our graduating Class of '22, the transition to the next stage is only just beginning as universities begin their induction of new students. For some, it will be the first time they have been the new person in a place since they came to St. Julian’s at the age of 3. However, we know that they are a fantastic group of young people who will make us proud, whether they are joining a university, taking a gap year or pursuing another path.

Competition for entry to higher education institutions has increased in recent years, and universities around the world have seen another increase in applications this year. At the same time, universities have fewer places to fill due to the grade inflation of the previous two years leading to an increase in successful applications combined with many deferred entries. This has led to increased competition for places in all areas but felt most keenly in already competitive courses and institutions.

In this context, it is clear just how important our Student Futures Team is. Our bespoke approach to university and career guidance ensures that all students experience personalised support through individual meetings to ensure that they understand the opportunities available and how best to take advantage of them.

The increase of European universities offering courses in English has continued, and this, combined with the cost of university places for international students in the UK and all students in the US, means that we continue to see a diversification of destinations. Despite this, the UK remains the most popular destination for St. Julian’s students, with 31 students. Our students received offers from some of the most prestigious institutions, including the Russell Group universities, St. Andrew’s, Loughborough and Bath. At these highly competitive higher education institutions, St. Julian’s students have impressive application success, with over 75% of applications receiving offers.

Portugal is the second most popular destination, with the USA, The Netherlands, Spain and Ireland all seeing significant numbers of St. Julian’s students heading to universities such as Universidade Católica, Nova, Universidade de Lisboa, Stanford, Delft, IE, Trinity College and University College Dublin.

All of this comes with some health warnings - the overall university rankings and reviews do not take into account the strengths or weaknesses of different courses or departments within the institutions. So, a university may have a world-leading robotics course, for example, but not feature in the top 20 rankings. Conversely, a university may have strong doctoral and post-graduate research, but the teaching of undergraduates may not be reviewed so positively. The perceived prestige of a university means little if a young person is not happy with the course or the environment, and globally, drop-out rates before the end of a first degree are higher than ever.

We are most proud of the fact that the Student Futures team and tutors support students to find the best pathway in a place that is right for them. Our responsibility is to ensure that St. Julian’s students are well prepared for life after school, that they have their horizons open to a wide range of possibilities and that they make decisions for the right reasons. These factors will, ultimately, lead to the success and happiness which we all want for our young people.

Dan Norbury
Secondary Principal