This page links to over 60 sixth-form advice articles written by cife college staff to help pre-university students through their sixth-form studies. It's probably the biggest collection of sixth-form-specific advice available on the web. If you can't find an article that helps with your question, feel free to contact us and we'll try and help!
We've arranged the articles in boxes under the three main headings below.
Sixth-form advice articles about study skills
Advice articles about sixth-form choices
Sixth-form advice articles about university entrance
We hope you find these articles interesting and helpful. Do contact us if you need advice which isn't covered here or to suggest an article you would like us to add.
Sixth-form advice articles about study skills
These articles cover the key skills you need to make a success of the sixth form and include topics such as revision, managing your time, coping with stress etc
How to revise
How to organise your main revision before the exam
Make your revision more effective
Make your revision effective by making it active. Here’s how to do it.
Making the best of a revision session
Getting the most from each time you revise
How to do well in exams
How to give your very best under exam conditions
Getting Easter revision right
An article about the importance of effective revision during the Easter holiday, how an Easter revision course can help and how to choose the right one
Easter revision course comparison
A table showing college-by-college details of subjects, class sizes, costs and dates for Easter Revision Courses
Managing time in the sixth form
A step by step guide to making effective use of your time in the sixth form.
Succeed with the new linear A levels
Tips to make sure you tackle the new A levels successfully.
How to do research
A guide to how to get started, what to do and when to stop reading and start writing
How to write essays
A guide to how to analyse, plan, structure and write effective essays for work and for exams
How to make good notes
Explains what notes are for, how to make sure your notes are effective, how to use notes for revision etc
Managing exam stress
How to make sure that stress doesn’t damage your revision or your exam performance.
Advice articles about sixth-form choices
These sixth-form advice articles include information about choosing the right subjects, FAQs about retaking, alternatives to A level, choosing a college etc
Independent sixth-form colleges
Explains what independent sixth-form colleges offer and what’s special about them.
Questions to ask cife colleges
Gives a detailed list of questions which will help you choose the cife college which is best for you.
FAQs about A-level retakes
Answers the questions you might have if you’re thinking about A-level retakes
Guide to individual A-level subjects
Introduces a series of pages each giving you key facts about specific A-level subjects
Choosing the right A level subjects
Describes the main things to take into account, how to find out more, and which subjects you need for specific degrees
FAQs about A-level choice
Answers the questions students often ask about A-level choice (eg ‘Are some subjects better for university entrance?’)
The new A level and GCSE exams
Describes and analyses the impact of the major changes to exams which have brought in linear exams.
Problems with the new GCSE exams
Describes the impact of new GCSE exams and grading system on the class of 2017 and beyond.
EPQ – the Extended Project Qualification
Describes an addition to the sixth form curriculum which adds interest and impresses top universities
Choose the right accommodation
Describes the different sorts of student accommodation available at cife colleges, and explains the benefits (and possible drawbacks) of each
Crammer, tutorial or sixth-form college?
An article which explains what these names mean and how they apply to cife colleges
A levels and alternatives to A level
Compares A levels with International Baccalaureate and the Cambridge pre-U in terms of origins, purpose, structure, availability, university attitudes etc
FAQs for international students
Explains costs, qualifications, entry requirements, admissions, English exams etc to help students from other countries choose well
A levels or International Foundation course?
Compares the plus and minus points of A levels and Foundation courses for the older international student
Choose the right University Foundation Programme
Describes the range of courses on offer, explains how they can differ and what you should find out in order to choose the one which is right for you
Recognised ESL qualifications
Describes why you might need a recognised ESL qualification if your first language isn’t English, and describes the main ESL qualifications recognised by schools, universities, employers and the visa authorities.
How cife colleges help international students
Explains the ways cife colleges help students prepare for study in England and how they support international students after they arrive.
What happens on A Level results day?
This article advises on exactly what happens on A level results day, how to find out if things have gone according to plan, and what to do if you have a problem.
Getting a remark of an A level or GCSE exam
Describes how to get a remark, the pros and cons of a remark request, where to get advice, timescales, getting exam scripts back etc
Appealing against your GCSE or A level results in summer 2024
Describes how to appeal against your A level or GCSE result in summer 2024
Sixth-form advice articles about university entrance
Articles cover how to write a good UCAS statement, tips for an outstanding UCAS form, dealing with interviews etc
University or not? 10 questions to ask yourself
Even if you’re certain you’ll be going to university, pause a moment and check through these questions to make sure what you’re doing is right.
How to write a good UCAS Personal Statement
Detailed advice on how to get this most important part of a UCAS application right
Six Top Tips for an outstanding UCAS form
Tells you how to make sure that your UCAS form does the best possible job in persuading university Admissions Tutors to make you an offer.
University interviews Oxbridge and medicine
Tells you what admissions tutors are looking for and how to prepare yourself to cope effectively with the interview.
How to increase your chances of studying Dentistry at University
Advice on what to do to try to improve your chances of being admitted to study Dentistry at University.
How much will university cost me?
All you need to know about the cost of getting a degree: tuition fees, living expenses and our top tips on finding student discounts and how to budget
Get the best out of university Open Days
Explains what university Open Days are for, how many to attend, how to prepare to get the best out of an Open Day, questions international students should ask etc.
Financial help at university
Tells you about the main sources of financial help at university, and where to find out more.
A gap year after A level?
Explores the advantages and disadvantages of taking a gap year, as well as what to do and the impact on your future including whether to opt for deferred university entry
