To apply for Oxbridge you will need to have outstanding GCSE grades (average of grade 7+) and be on track for A* and A grades at A level.

SUPPORT AT CARMEL:

• Information day in January to introduce you to the application process
• Dedicated Co-ordinator for your chosen subject
• Support sessions delivered by tutors from our super-curriculum.
• Oxbridge supervision hours to develop your ability in discussions that stimulate critical thinking.
• Visits to Oxford and Cambridge Universities
• Visiting lecturers from Oxbridge Universities.
• Advice and support on selecting a college.
• One-to-one support with writing your personal statement.
• Guest alumni support including application and admissions tests, interview and offer.
• Practice interviews and admissions tests support
• Post application support and guidance

The STEM High Achievers+ Programme will help get you ready for a future degree or job in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics. We will also support your UCAS and Degree Apprenticeship applications in the STEM area.

At Carmel you will:
• Attend subject specific High Achievers+ sessions.
• Take part in local and national competitions.
• Network with students across the STEM subjects.
• Take part in trips and speaker events
• Get support for university admissions tests such as MAT, TMUA, STEP, ENGAA, PAT, NSAA etc.

Find out more about Science and Engineering activities:

View the SciSoc video

This is a comprehensive enrichment course that runs alongside A level studies. It is designed for students who are aiming to apply for prestigious MDV courses.

You will enrol on the MDV Programme as soon as you arrive in September and will need to attend weekly 1-hour sessions.

MDV degrees are highly competitive so you should aim to achieve the highest grades possible at GCSE. Different universities have different requirements, so you need to do your research. Most Medical and Dental schools expect a minimum of grade 6 in the core subjects. Most applicants usually have 7s, 8s or 9s at GCSE. Most Veterinary schools require a minimum of five grade 7s to apply.

WHICH A LEVELS SHOULD I CHOOSE?
• You must study A level Chemistry.
• Your second choice can be A level Biology or Physics.
• Your third subject must be an academic A level. Popular choices are Maths, Psychology, Spanish* or French*, or a humanities subject.
*Having an A level language will help you stand out from other applicants.

WHAT DOES THE MDV PROGRAMME INCLUDE?
Weekly sessions and workshops will cover the following:
• Understanding the job roles.
• Online and in-person talks from Doctors, Dentists and Veterinarians.
• Work experience support.
• MDV Ethics lectures, debates and presentations.
• Problem Based Learning (PBL) and developing critical thinking. PBL is a method some universities use, so it is a great opportunity to find out if this is something you like.
• Entrance exam revision sessions.
• Personal statement workshops.
• Interview practice workshop

VIEW OUR MDV VIDEO TO FIND OUT MORE

LISTEN TO OUR STUDENTS TALKING ABOUT THE MDV MOCK PROGRAMME

These universities have:
• Outstanding teaching, research and student facilities.
• On average, more teaching staff available per student than other universities.
• Their graduates have a great reputation for gaining high-paying jobs.

We work closely with the University of Liverpool to promote progression onto this group of universities:
• Our students attend an Open Day at the University of Liverpool in June of Lower Sixth, which is specifically for Carmel College.
• The day includes a welcome talk from the university and bespoke talks from the different faculties to enable our HA+ students to explore progression routes to these universities.
• Our Oxbridge applicants will typically apply to this group of universities in addition to Oxbridge

Bespoke support is available  for students pursuing competitive progression in the Arts.

Students progress to specialist courses including Art & Design, Architecture and Performing Arts courses.
• Specific application, portfolio, audition and interview support.
• University of the Arts London progression partner. Bespoke workshops, portfolio guidance and paid university specific visits.
• Bespoke workshops with prestigious drama schools for audition techniques (these have included Mountview / ALRA / RADA / ArtsEd / LIPA / Royal Central School of Speech and drama / Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Wales).
• Participation in the National Theatre Connections Festival and working with NT to perform a specially written play, performed in college and also at the Lowry Theatre.
• Participation in the National Theatre New Views project and Barbican Box projects.
• Exhibitions in local and national venues.
• Support with developing an industry focused CV.
• Enrichment sessions delivering a range of live briefs and competitions.

In recent years, degree apprenticeships have grown in popularity. They allow you to combine work and study by:
• Offering you degree level qualifications (your employer pays all your tuition fees).
• Paying you a competitive wage. Degree apprenticeships are offered by many prestigious organisations. Some examples include Deloitte, KPMG, Jaguar Landrover, BAE Systems,  Sellafield, Merseyside Police, the BBC, the Civil Service and many more.

At Carmel, our Careers Team will help you look for suitable degree apprenticeship opportunities, and will support you with the application process. We offer talks from visiting speakers, and we keep in contact with our former students who are currently on degree apprenticeships, many of whom have mentored our current students through the application process.