The university admissions season is now in full swing with students anxiously checking the UCAS website to see if their applications have been successful. With a squeeze on available places predicted it is clear from the offers students are receiving that the better universities are finding new ways to differentiate between high flying applicants.

Rochester Independent College students with Cambridge offers are amongst the first to be asked for A*AA in their A levels- the standard asking rate for all courses at that university this year. While others such as Oxford are waiting before using A*s UCL and Imperial have also confirmed that they will be using the new grades to discriminate between candidates. The highest advertised offer of any degree course in the country is Imperial's Maths and Computer Science BSc which is asking for three A* grades at A level. The new A* carries 140 UCAS points rather than the 120 given to a Grade A.

Today's sixth form students are also faced with a choice between taking A levels or the IB Diploma. The IB involves six separate subjects, with specific requirements in maths, science, English, a foreign language and a humanity. It gives those with all round ability a real breadth of educational experience. A levels, where it is usual to only study three or four subjects, gives students a greater depth of knowledge in specific areas and suits those who are looking to specialise in sixth form.

Whatever you're looking for at sixth form you should seek out a school or College that while helping you get the grades to match your potential also offers a range of extra curricular activities and exposure to new ideas, like minded people and exciting opportunities to develop both academically and as an individual.

Alistair Brownlow, Co Principal,
Rochester Independent College.