It should explain why you wish to do the course(s) you have chosen. This may be a problem for those students who have opted for a diverse range of courses. However, advice from admissions tutors suggests you ensure that a clear reason is given to justify a range of different courses. Admissions tutors overwhelmingly suggest that they want students to enthuse about their course. It is here that you might talk about your career aspirations, if you have any at this stage. If you are applying for a deferred entry then you might try to explain what you intend to do in the year between finishing you course and entering university.

It is useful to show an admissions tutor that you have what it takes to survive university life and the rigours of an Higher Education course. Hence you could mention genuine skills which show that you are, for example: self-disciplined, self motivated, hard working, committed and sociable.

See Sections Two, Three, Four and Five in the step-by-step guide.

• SHOW THAT YOU ARE SOMEBODY WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM LIFE AT UNIVERSITY

Universities spend large sums of money providing opportunities for students ranging from the obvious sporting facilities to specialist clubs and societies, theatre, extra lectures, research opportunities, as well as the facilities to aid social life eg. bars, concerts, and nightclubs. You might well show that you are somebody who already takes advantage of opportunities and will continue to do so. You might even state that you are looking forward to the options available at university. Remember, at the end of the day, you are at university to study. Some students have suffered because they have not got the balance right between work and social life.

• SHOW THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BENEFIT FROM THE COURSE

It is useful to inform the admissions tutor that you enjoy your existing course by explaining which areas interest you most. You might also indicate which areas of the degree/HND interests you. If you have chosen a course which is vocational (ie. Leads to a specific career) then you might have to indicate why you which to pursue such a career and what experiences have influenced your decision (eg. work experience). It might also be useful to discuss particular skills that you have developed throughout the course which will help you on the degree/HND eg. essay writing, note taking, problem solving.

Few people are incredibly outgoing, have travelled the world twice over, been captain of the hockey team, and have completed a period of work experience in exactly the area suited their degree/HND. Most of those applying for university are under twenty years of age though increasingly numbers of mature students are entering university. However, show the reader that you have seized opportunities that have arisen despite how modest the experience. Be imaginative but honest about the areas which you have experienced and how your interests or responsibilities may set you apart from many other students. Try to be specific (eg. provide detail or an example) rather than general about your interests and experiences.

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