University Offers are in for Wycombe Abbey Pupils
14 February 2025 - All
We are delighted to share the excellent outcomes that have been received for this year’s UVI pupils applying to university. The year group undertook the process of thoroughly researching where and what they wanted to study with great diligence, with applications made to over 40 different institutions across the UK, with London remaining the most popular choice for our pupils. It has been particularly pleasing to see the variety of courses that pupils have chosen to apply for, ranging from the more traditional – such as Medicine (9), Economics (13), History (8) and Law (3) – to newer and more niche courses such as Creative Arts and Humanities, Electronic and Information Engineering, Comparative Literature, Biomedical Technology Ventures and Artificial Intelligence.
Around two thirds of our 95-strong applicant cohort chose to make an application to Oxbridge, and we are delighted that 21 pupils have received Oxbridge offers. Particularly notable is the number of offers achieved from Oxford, where 14 of the 22 pupils interviewed were offered a place. Some particularly noteworthy areas of success were four Oxbridge offers to read History, two to read Classics, two from Cambridge to read Human, Social and Political Sciences, and two offers from Oxford to read Mathematics. It is great to see some particularly competitive courses represented in our offer haul, including Medicine, PPE, Economics and Management, Engineering and Natural Sciences.
We are so proud of all the UVI pupils for their dedication to the higher education application process. Although the 2025 cycle is still ongoing, we have already received a significant number of offers from prestigious institutions, including Imperial College, UCL, Edinburgh, and Durham. Receiving a university offer marks the fruition of many months of hard work. Throughout the LVI year, all pupils undertake taught University Preparation lessons, which provides them with faculty-based experience of undergraduate level study. In addition, the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) or our internal version, the UPP (University Preparation Project), allows them to encounter higher level reading and research into a chosen area of academic interest. Our Future Ready Days provide them with all the groundwork for making their UCAS application, a chance to hear from recent Seniors about their experiences at university, and a whole day of focused departmental advice and preparation. Where required, pupils also spend significant time preparing for interviews and admissions tests, with specialist lessons, numerous mock interview opportunities, and the UVI Academic Forum with pupils from other schools.
Over the next few months, universities will finalise their offers and the Sixth Form Team and Tutors will be helping pupils decide on their firm and insurance choices.
Over the past year, applying to US universities has become increasingly competitive, with a rise in global applications and fewer acceptances in Early Decision and Early Action rounds. To support Wycombe Abbey girls in securing spots at their top-choice universities, significant time and effort are dedicated to developing their university lists, refining personal statements, and curating co-curricular profiles.
Weekly group meetings feature guest speakers, university admissions counsellors, and recent UVI graduates who share valuable strategies. Additionally, each girl receives one-on-one counselling with the Head of US and International Universities to discuss college lists, applications, and undergo thorough personal statement reviews.
This year, the UVI US Cohort of 20 applicants submitted over 180 applications to nearly 60 US colleges and universities. Their hard work has paid off with early acceptances from prestigious institutions such as Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Michigan, University of Southern California, American University, University of Virginia, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The cohort eagerly awaits decisions from over 160 remaining applications, expected between February and April.
US and overseas university destinations
Our bespoke support for US university applications
Beyond the US and UK, nine UVI girls submitted 12 applications to universities in Canada, Hong Kong, Italy, and Spain. We are delighted with favourable outcomes from IE University, Hong Kong University, Chinese University of Hong Kong, McGill University and the University of Toronto. With different application timelines, we anticipate further decisions from Canadian and Italian universities soon.
Wherever they choose to apply, we are incredibly proud of each girl’s achievements, recognising the considerable time and effort invested alongside their rigorous academic and extracurricular schedules. As competition for admissions grows each year, this year’s successes are truly cause for celebration. We remain optimistic that all girls awaiting decisions will receive positive news soon and we look forward to sharing further news later in the academic year.
Ms Emma Bowen (Head of Higher Education)
Mr Kenny Scupp ( Head of US and International Universities)
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