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UCAS Preparation & Oxbridge
Planning Your Next Steps
Applying to university is an exciting milestone — and at Chiltern Hills Academy we make sure students feel supported and confident throughout the process. Whether you’re aiming for a local university, a specialist course, or applying to Oxbridge or medical school, our team will guide you every step of the way.
We provide workshops, one-to-one advice, and access to excellent resources so that every student can make informed decisions and present their best self in their applications.
We also have a useful walk though guide on how to apply though UCAS:
Personal Statements – Changes for 2026
From 2026, personal statements will change from one long essay to three shorter sections, each focusing on a specific question:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you prepare?
- What else have you done outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
Each section will have a minimum length of 350 characters, with an overall 4,000-character limit (the same as before).
Helpful on-page guidance will be included on the UCAS application form.
At CHA, we will guide students through these changes with a series of personal statement workshops in the summer term of 2025 and into Year 13.
Guides, Help and Dates
Support and Resources
Every CHA student has access to Unifrog, our online careers platform. This provides tools to:
- Research and compare universities and courses
- Explore career pathways
- Build and refine personal statements
Additional resources include:
- How to start your Personal Statement
- How to end your Personal Statement
- Personal Statement builder tool
- Filling out your application
- How to structure your personal statement
- Writing your personal statement
- The Dos and Don’ts
- What else to include
- Using AI or Chat GPT in your Personal Statement
- Filling in your UCAS Application form
- Personal Statement workbook
- Personal Statement worksheet
- Deadline for UCAS Application
- Create your shortlist of Universities with Unifrog
Universities such as Leicester also provide excellent support, including a Personal Statement Hub and group chat opportunities.
We also host an annual UCAS Information Evening for parents and students, giving practical guidance on the process and key deadlines.
UCAS Timeline – Key Dates for 2025–2026
Oxbridge and Medical Applications
Each year, we support students applying to Oxford, Cambridge, and medical schools. These applications require extra preparation, and we provide targeted advice, mock interviews, and mentoring to help students succeed.
Useful resources:
Standing Out – Super-Curricular Activities
To strengthen their applications, students are encouraged to take part in super-curricular activities. These are experiences that go beyond the classroom, showing curiosity, commitment, and independence. Examples include:
- Wider reading and research
- MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)
- Work experience
- Summer schools or academic competitions
Ask for our Guide to Super-Curricular Activities for 10 great ideas to get started.
Supporting All Students – The Sutton TrustTHE SUTTON TRUST
We are proud to work with organisations such as The Sutton Trust, which supports young people from less advantaged backgrounds to access leading universities and careers. Their programmes — covering travel, accommodation, food, and activities — are completely free and help ensure that opportunities are open to everyone.