University applications · Years 12-13
The right university. Then the right career.
Specialist UCAS guidance for students aiming at top finance careers. Course and university choice, admissions tests, personal statement and interviews, led by advisors from LSE and Cambridge.
LSE and Cambridge advisors · DBS-checked
UCAS deadline, most courses13 January 2027, 18:00
TMUA, second sitting4-8 January 2027
Year 12? Build the shortlistNow to summer 2027
For students applying now, for 2027 entry. Sources: UCAS and LSE.
Why it matters
The choice made now decides who looks at them later
The course
Subjects open or close doors
The most competitive economics courses expect A level Maths, often at A*.
The university
Some campuses see far more firms
Top firms hire from many universities, but they visit some much more than others.
The timing
First year starts fast
Spring week applications open in the autumn of first year, weeks after arriving.
What we do
Four steps, one plan
Your child leaves with a shortlist with reasons, a test plan, a finished statement, interview practice and a plan for first year.
Choose
The right course and university, or a degree apprenticeship, using official entry data and where top firms recruit.
Prepare
Admissions tests such as the TMUA, and interviews for the most competitive courses.
Apply
A personal statement that answers all three UCAS questions with real substance.
Look ahead
A plan for spring weeks in first year, before most students have started.
The application year
From Year 12 to results day
Year 12, spring
The shortlist
Course and university shortlist. A plan for wider reading.
Year 12, summer
The substance
Work experience, wider reading and a first statement draft.
Year 13, September
The final list
Five choices agreed. Admissions tests booked.
Year 13, October
Early deadlines
Oxford and Cambridge deadline. First TMUA sitting.
Year 13, January
UCAS deadline
The deadline for most courses.
Year 13, spring
Offers
Interviews and offers. Then a plan for first year.
Your school and onDesk
Your school does a great deal. We add the finance view.
Your school
- The UCAS process and deadlines
- References and predicted grades
- General guidance on courses
onDesk adds
- +Which courses and universities suit a finance career
- +TMUA and interview preparation for economics and finance
- +A statement with real finance substance
- +A plan for spring weeks from the first day
Free first step
Start with onTarget
Shortlist finance and economics courses from official Discover Uni data, filtered by grades and region.
Who your child works with
Advisors who have made these choices themselves
Every plan is led by our Founder. Every advisor is DBS-checked.
The programme
University Programme
From January of Year 12 to January of Year 13, with one-to-one sessions, document reviews and a written parent update every month.
Years 12-13
University Programme
- 10 one-to-one sessions, online, evenings and weekends
- Course, university and route decision
- Personal statement and CV
- Admissions test and interview preparation
- A plan for university year 1
Already in Year 13? Ask about support before the 13 January deadline.
See the University ProgrammeQuestions parents ask
The honest answers
Do you write the personal statement?
No. It must be your child's own work, and UCAS checks for copied text. We help them find their best material and say it well.
Do you help with Oxford and Cambridge?
Yes, for courses that lead to finance careers, such as economics and maths, including TMUA and interview preparation. Their deadline is 15 October of Year 13, so we start early.
What about degree apprenticeships?
Yes. We help families weigh both routes honestly, and prepare students for bank apprenticeship applications too.
Is this only for finance?
We specialise in students aiming at careers in high finance. Our advice on courses and universities is built around that goal.
We live abroad. Can you help?
Yes. Sessions are online, evenings and weekends, in UK and Gulf time zones.
Is your child applying this year or next?
Book a free 30-minute call. You leave with a clear view of courses, universities and the next steps.