Higher Education
Partnerships
Altrincham College has excellent links with universities, particularly with local institutions such as: the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Huddersfield, Edge Hill University and UA92. We also work with Dr Leal, Brasenose College, University of Oxford, who visits us once a year to talk to students about Oxford and how to make a strong application for any university.
We work in collaboration in order to inspire our students and provide them with the necessary information to complete a successful UCAS application. This ranges from organising university visits, delivering workshops and providing guidance on the university application process.
Widening Participation
For students who meet the entry requirements, we fully support and encourage them to apply for university widening participation programmes. Such schemes help students who meet specific background and academic criteria to take their first steps towards higher education. Examples of such programmes include:
- Access Manchester and Manchester Access Programme (University of Manchester)
- First Generation Scheme (Manchester Metropolitan University)
- Social Mobility Foundation
- The Sutton Trust
Preparing for Higher Education
Below is a sample of activities, events and sessions designed to inform and educate students about Higher Education.
| Month | Year 12 |
Year 13 |
| September |
Students selected for the Sixth Form's Aspire 6 group. |
UCAS refresher and application guidance session. Form tutors to arrange1:1s with students to write tutor references. Students to submit 3rd draft of Personal Statement via Unifrog Personal Statement checking. 1:1 guidance. |
| October |
University Widening Participation Talks (University of Manchester, Manchester Met). Form time activities, higher education and career-related trips, assemblies. |
Personal Statement checking. 1:1 guidance. Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine UCAS application deadline. Students to submit 4th draft of Personal Statement via Unifrog. |
| November |
Work Experience assembly Form time activities, higher education and career-related trips, assemblies. |
Personal Statement checking. 1:1 guidance. Students to submit FINAL draft of Personal Statement via Unifrog. This must be approved by Mr Mahmood before being added to UCAS. |
| December |
Form time activities, higher education and career-related trips, assemblies. |
Sixth Form UCAS Application Deadline University interview practice. School deadline for UCAS applications. |
| January |
Form time activities, higher education and career-related trips, assemblies. |
UCAS application deadline. University interview practice. |
| February |
Trip to the University and Apprenticeship Search Fair School Careers Fair |
University interview practice. Student Finance session with MMU. School Careers Fair. UCAS Extra opens for students who hold no offers or who have declined all offers, allowing them to add an additional university choice. |
| March |
University of Oxford Talk and workshop |
Student Finance applications open Deadline for universities to make offers. |
| April | Post 18 Parental Information Evening (students and parents). |
Support with making UCAS Firm and Insurance choices. University accommodation talk. |
| May |
Post 18 Options Drop-down day (UCAS applications, personal statement guidance, apprenticeship talk). |
Deadline for responding to UCAS offers (depending on when offers were received by). UCAS Clearing and Adjustment session – ‘Preparing for Results Day’ |
| June |
Students to submit 1st draft of Personal Statement via Unifrog. Students to register for university admission tests, e.g. UCAT, TMUA |
Deadline for responding to UCAS offers (depending on when offers were received by). |
| July |
University Open Day visits (whole year group trips). Students to submit 2nd draft of Personal Statement via Unifrog. Subject references and predicted grades uploaded to Unifrog. |
UCAS Clearing opens for students who aren't holding any offers, or who wish to apply for the first time. |
| August | Results Day for AS Core Maths students and GCSE re-sits. |
A Level Results Day (8am-1pm). Guidance provided by Mrs Court and teaching staff. |
