Key principles

• • Write in bullet points only.

  • Provide evidence and anecdotes that connect directly to the subject the student intends to study.

  • Use specific examples, data, or measurable outcomes wherever possible.

  • Avoid vague praise; show how the student demonstrated their ability.
    
    

Extenuating Circumstances

If relevant, provide a short bullet on challenges the student has faced along with how they have managed/overcame it in a way that links to their subject. This section is OPTIONAL.

Example (English applicant):

• • Anna has dyslexia and compensates by reading ahead. She read all six set novels for the year before September, enabling her to participate confidently in seminar discussions and provide original interpretations in essays.
    
    

Example (Maths applicant):

• • Samira missed 15 classes due to illness but still scored 87% in the Mechanics mock exam (highest in the group). This demonstrates resilience and mathematical aptitude despite limited classroom time.

Evidence of Subject Fit

Give specific evidence that shows the student’s skills and habits of work match the demands of their chosen course.

Example (Law applicant):

• • Mhairi averaged 72% on sociology essays (above class mean of 60%).

  • In her extended essay on gender roles, she analysed 12 academic articles, compared statistical data on childcare in three countries, and built a clear, structured argument.

  • Demonstrated the ability to synthesise complex information—crucial for Law.
    
    

Example (Engineering applicant):

• • Hamza designed an outdoor play structure for children with disabilities.

  • Interviewed staff and families at a local children’s hospice (5 site visits, 20+ survey responses).

  • Used CAD software to create a prototype meeting government accessibility guidelines.

  • Showed problem-solving, independence, and application of technical skills to a real-world issue.
    
    

Linking Skills to Subject

Frame academic strengths in terms of their relevance to the student’s intended degree.

Example (Finance applicant):

• • Isabella consistently scores above 80% in applied maths assessments.

  • In a project on modelling projectile motion, she built equations that predicted experimental results within 2% accuracy.

  • Her work demonstrates precision, logical reasoning, and applied mathematical thinking—skills directly transferable to Finance.

Example UCAS Reference (Bullet-Point Style)

Extenuating Circumstances

• • Anna has dyslexia and compensates by preparing ahead: she read all six set texts for the year over the summer.

  • This preparation allowed her to contribute consistently to seminar discussions, often leading group debates with detailed textual evidence.

  • Despite reading more slowly, she maintains essay scores between 68–75%, showing resilience and effective strategies that will support her in an English degree.

Evidence of Subject Fit (for English applicant)

• • Scored 73% in her comparative essay on Othello and A Streetcar Named Desire—demonstrated sophisticated literary analysis by integrating critics’ viewpoints with her own.

  • Consistently asks challenging interpretive questions in class, e.g., linking Blanche’s fragility in Streetcar to broader discussions of gender and power in Shakespeare.

  • In her independent research project on postcolonial literature, analysed four novels and presented findings to the class, highlighting themes of identity and migration.

  • Strong oral communication: chaired two class debates and was praised by peers for her ability to summarise complex points clearly.

  • Work shows transferable skills for English at degree level: close reading, critical analysis, synthesis of multiple sources, and clarity of argument.