In either Year 8 or Year 9, you will choose what subjects you want to study at GCSE.

If you need help deciding your GCSE options, take a look at this webpage for some guidance.

Preparing for your GCSEs can be difficult. GCSEs are really important as they can impact what you go on to study.

Visit the BBC Bitesize website for subject-specific revision and study tools to support your learning.

Look out for opportunities offered by your school to visit universities and find out more about higher education. You can learn about university and student life on summer school programmes.

Start building the skills you’ll need when you finish school. Having some work experience, a part-time job or building up your extracurricular activities will help you in the future.

When looking at work experience, try looking for some in the field that you would like to study in as this will help with writing personal statements.

During your final years in secondary, start researching your options for post-16. If you choose to study A levels or equivalents, you will need to decide what subjects you would like to study.

If you are interested in higher education, it would be wise to choose subjects that relate to the field you would like to study at university.

The Uni Guide has a range of resources to help you with your research.

At this point you will be taking or have completed your GCSEs and enjoy your time before moving onto Year 12 and 13.

Spend your summer celebrating your achievements, but also researching your future options and gaining more skills and experience!

Now its time to focus on your A level or equivalent qualifications to ensure you have a positive start to your studies.

In September, applications for Routes to the Professions open, which includes subject tasters, university application support, and career sessions among other activities.

For support with revision and preparation for university, have a look at our study skills resource Skills4Uni. The modules cover many topics including essay writing and learning to research.

From February to June, you will be able to visit UCAS exhibitions for a chance to compare universities, and courses and to ask any questions you have about further study or your options.

Another great way to get information about universities and their courses is to order or download their prospectus. 

University of Birmingham pre-application open days start in June of Year 12 and run until November of Year 13. You can also watch our video campus tour below.

We know it is important to get a chance to visit your future university, so there are many opportunities to come visit us.

You will have the opportunity to look around, speak to current students and staff about the courses that you're interested in, and get an idea of what life on campus could look like for you.

We recommend undertaking work experience to support your university applications that may have this as a requirement for certain courses.

The University of Birmingham intranet has a range of resources in helping to find work experience.

Only one more year left of school/college education so make sure to focus on your studies and planning for the future.

UCAS opens for applications in September of Year 13. You can apply for five courses at this time.

Access to Birmingham applications open in September. To qualify, students must be applying to study a full-time undergraduate course at UOB and meet the Pathways to Birmingham eligibility criteria.

If you don't apply to us via Pathways to Birmingham, have a look at our contextual offer scheme instead. 

Find out if you are eligible below.

If the university makes you an offer to study, you may be invited to an offer holder visit day which typically run from October to April.

On offer holder visit days, you will get the opportunity to meet staff and students as well as tour the facilities.

Universities will start making offers of places. You will be able to monitor your application through your UCAS Hub and you will be notified when you receive offers from the universities.

October 16 - Deadline for UCAS applications for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary courses or to study at Oxford or Cambridge.

Some courses will require applicants to take part in an interview or an audition to consider them for a place.

You may also be asked to provide a portfolio or examples of your work for art or design courses.

The UCAS deadline for applications will be the 31st January, to be guaranteed for equal consideration.

Access to Birmingham applications close soon as well, so make sure you submit yours as soon as possible.

In February applications for student finance will be open until May.

Don't wait until you receive offers from your universities to apply for tuition fees and maintenance loans. Apply early!

Once you've heard back from your universities, you'll have to make your final two choices on UCAS. Deadlines for this decision depend on when you received your offers.

In late May applications for student accommodation will close.

You must apply by this date to be guaranteed a place at University of Birmingham accommodation (either Birmingham owned or partner accommodation).

In August, the results are released for A levels or equivalent qualifications will be released and you will know if you got into university.

Depending on your results, clearing is also available on results day.