The University Counselling Programme
Year 12: Exploration and preparation
Year 12 focuses on building the foundations for informed university choices. Students explore possible countries, courses, institutions and career pathways and learn how different admissions systems work around the world. Through individual guidance and timetabled University Counselling learning, students begin developing their own university plan, driven and shaped by their interests and ambitions rather than a single predetermined route.
Students considering early-deadline routes, including Oxbridge and other highly selective courses, begin additional preparation during Year 12 and work to internal school timelines ahead of the main application cycle.
By the end of Year 12, students have a clearer sense of the countries, institutions and courses that interest them and have begun preparing for the requirements they are likely to encounter in Year 13.
Year 13: Applications and individual support
In Year 13, support becomes increasingly individualised. Students work closely with the University Counselling team to develop and manage their applications, understand deadlines and admissions requirements and prepare the documents each application needs. This includes support for UK and UCAS applications, US applications and a wide range of other international and specialist pathways.
Regular individual check-ins run throughout the year, allowing the team to track progress against each student’s plan and step in early wherever additional guidance is needed. The aim is for every student to move through the year with a clear application strategy, well-prepared materials and the confidence to make informed final decisions.
Applications and specialist pathways
Some routes require earlier planning than the standard application timeline. These include Oxbridge applications, Medicine and other highly selective courses, US Early Decision or Early Action applications and other pathways with early deadlines.
Students considering any of these routes should identify their intentions as early as possible so that the University Counselling team can help them work to the required internal school deadlines well ahead of external deadlines.
Working with parents
Successful university planning is a partnership between the student, family and school. Students remain responsible for engaging actively with the process, completing agreed actions and meeting deadlines, while the University Counselling team provides guidance, challenge and application support throughout.
Parents are kept informed at key stages of their child’s journey and are encouraged to engage with the University Counselling team when significant decisions or concerns arise. The School provides guidance on how families can support their child through each stage while ensuring that the student remains actively responsible for their own application process.
Parents are welcome to contact the team with questions. Please see the Contact the University Counselling team tab for details.
Universities, visits, fairs and partnerships
RGSV hosts university fairs and other university engagement events during the year, bringing a range of institutions to campus for students and families to meet directly. Alongside these events, the University Counselling team runs workshops that enable students to explore courses, pathways and application topics in greater depth.
We use feedback and experience from RGSV alumni to help develop our University Counselling programme and give current students insight into different pathways after school.
