Higher Education

Advice and guidance on Higher Education, Careers and Employability play an important role in the lives of pupils as they progress through the School.

Pupils work with a team of staff, who are always on hand, and have a dedicated and unique programme to help guide pupils through decisions that can have a significant bearing on their lives.

The Higher Education Team (left to right): Head of Overseas Applications, James Sinclair; Academic Administrator, Cheryl Brookes; Head of Higher Education, Marc Gillingwater

Pupils will meet and begin working with the Careers and Higher Education teams early in their time at the School, beginning a process that continues right through to the Upper Sixth and beyond.

The majority of St Edward’s pupils go on to study at some of the most prestigious institutions, both in the UK and overseas, with some 80% of leavers attending Russell Group or equally prestigious institutions. The School offers expert advice on the wide range of options available to pupils in the USA and Canada, highlighting options that would be most suitable to pupils considering applying overseas, and can give guidance on the application process. You may view the recent Higher Education destinations of leavers here.

For more information on all aspects of the Higher Education team and the School’s approach, please click on the headings below.

For more information on Employability and Career Education, click here

Higher Education

The team dedicated to advising on Higher Education begin discussions with pupils early to ensure that they are well equipped to make informed decisions in the Fifth Form, selecting subjects they will need for their chosen university course and/or the career they have in mind.

Beyond offering guidance on their subject choices, whether for GCSE, IGCSE, IB or A Level, the pupils also receive support in identifying and preparing for any additional tests they may be required to take, such as LNAT, UKCAT, HAT, SATs, and are given advice on others, such as ACTs.

Teddies also benefits from having an expert on the US application process to help guide pupils looking to study in North America, including Ivy League colleges.

For those with an interest in continuing their education in the UK, the School offers a comprehensive programme, with guidance on application processes whether through UCAS or otherwise. St Edward’s offers a tailored programme towards the Oxbridge entrance requirements, for more information see below.

The main programme for Higher Education in the Sixth Form is concentrated primarily on the Lower Sixth. We help pupils with their research, provide opportunities for discussion with experts and tutors and prepare them to write a good Personal Statement. The Upper Sixth continue to receive support and guidance when making choices based on their offers.

Pupils are encouraged to make the most of the advantages of being situated in a world-renowned university city. Oxford offers not only academic opportunities but also a wide-range of museums, galleries, concerts and other amenities. The proximity of London also means that pupils are able to easily attend any events in the capital useful to their applications.

The department organises a number of events, some compulsory and some optional. Examples include:

  • Research training in the Lower Sixth to ensure pupils have a full understanding of courses’ entry requirements.
  • A talk from a Russell Group representative to the whole Lower Sixth in January, explaining what admissions officers are looking for in an application.
  • A talk from representatives of the major London universities: Imperial; KCL; UCL; and LSE.
  • A visit from A Star Future, a company that specialises in aiding British pupils looking to study abroad.
  • A workshop in June to help prepare pupils for writing their Personal Statements.

The School has a strong team advising on Higher Education, all of whom may be contacted by email to discuss or meet with those parents with questions as required:

Contact Marc Gillingwater, Head of Higher Education

Contact James Sinclair, Head of Overseas Applications

Oxbridge Programme

St Edward’s offers a tailored programme towards the Oxbridge entrance requirements.

During Fourth and Fifth Forms, the Higher Education team, subject tutors and House staff work together in identifying and having conversations with pupils who have an interest in, or would be suitable for, an Oxbridge application.

Staff are always available to give individual guidance on a pupil’s suitability, ensuring that each pupil is confident in, and comfortable with, the path they are taking. Pupils are also given every opportunity to equip themselves with the information they need in making their decision. Admissions Tutors are invited to give talks to pupils at the School, and visits to colleges and open days are regularly arranged, whilst there are also opportunities to meet and speak with current Oxbridge OSEs. 

Parents are also kept fully briefed by the team on suitable upcoming events in support of their child’s application, and will receive regular communication on their individual progress.

When pupils are preparing to apply, they can expect to receive a carefully considered and individually tailored support package, with weekly meetings with Subject Mentors, critical thinking workshops, and a comprehensive – not to mention inspiring – framework for pupils’ independent super-curricular explorations.

When making an application, pupils will again receive individually tailored support on:

  • The application process throughout the Autumn Term, guiding them through the process.
  • Interview preparation workshops and rigorous mock interviews.

The interviews for Oxbridge applicants have a reputation for being challenging and good preparation with a team well versed in their rigours is a huge benefit to pupils at Teddies.

All of the benefits above are available to OSE wishing to apply to Oxbridge after leaving St Edward’s.

For more information:

Contact the Head of Higher Education, Marc Gillingwater

If you are thinking of applying, or believe you have what it takes to pass an Oxbridge interview, why not test your mettle with some real questions asked in previous entrance interviews:

  • How would you poison someone without the police finding out? (Medicine, Cambridge)
  • How do you organise a successful revolution? (History, Oxford)
  • What would happen if you drilled through the Earth all the way to the other side and then jumped into the hole? (Engineering, Cambridge)

Overseas Advice

James SinclairOur Head of Overseas Applications, James Sinclair, works with pupils considering an application to overseas institutions. Together with external advisor Steve Fenoglio, who specialises in US and Canada institution applications,  he advises pupils and parents, giving one-to-one guidance, and liaises with house staff, tutors and universities for all those interested in overseas university applications. This includes guiding pupils through the intricacies of the Common Application, or other entry forms for those institutions not subscribing to the Common App.

Northeastern University, USA – Campus in Fall

During Fifth Form, when ACT/SAT exams are being planned, James advises pupils about effective channels of research and constructive preparation for their exams.

With a programme of speakers from overseas universities visiting the School and workshops for pupils to build on the different elements required for their applications.

For those considering making an application for any type of scholarship, we offer insights into the process, guiding pupils and parents along all the steps of the application.

For more information about the advice and guidance offered to those making overseas applications, please contact James Sinclair. 

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