Keystone Tutors Blog
Sign up to our newsletter to be kept up to date about our latest news and offerings.
Upcoming Webinars
Here are details of our upcoming webinars. Do join us live to ask any questions you might have or register below to receive a recording after the event.
Applying to Study History at Oxford or Cambridge University 2025
Between them, Oxford and Cambridge admit around 500 students each year to read History or joint honours degrees such as History & Politics. Until quite recently – in fact, up until 2023 – the two universities operated broadly similar admissions systems for students applying to read these subjects; each set a written test and required the submission of one or two pieces of written work before offering final interviews to successful candidates.
A Guide to A Level Retakes
If results day did not quite go as planned and you are considering an A Level retake, we have outlined the options and answered the questions we are commonly asked at Keystone.
The Oxbridge History Interview
Tips for giving a great Oxbridge history interviewOxbridge interviews typically start relatively straightforwardly, but quickly get complicated. It’s entirely normal for candidates to emerge from the experience feeling wrung out and as though they have never thought so hard in their lives. And, while it’s thankfully less common than it used to be to encounter aggressive or self-satisfied dons, even the kindliest interviewers are still going to force you to think carefully.
How to Write a History Personal Statement for Oxbridge
What are Oxford and Cambridge looking for in candidates to read history? How should candidates prepare for the admissions process?It is critically important for applicants to realise that Oxbridge looks for potential in its candidates – not at current levels of achievement.
Engineering Super Curricular Activities
If you’re aiming for a place on a competitive Engineering course, strong grades alone are not always enough. Admissions tutors want to see that your interest in the subject goes beyond the curriculum. That’s where super-curricular activities come in. Whether you’re discussing ideas from a book or lecture that inspired you, testing your skills in a competition, or carrying out an independent project, these experiences demonstrate that you are passionate about studying Engineering.
How to get a Grade 9 in Religious Studies GCSE
Achieving a grade 9 in GCSE Religious Studies takes more than last-minute revision, it requires a clear grasp of the entire syllabus and a deep understanding of each topic. Too often, students drop marks by overlooking topics, misreading the mark scheme, or neglecting to use key quotes and terminology. In this guide, one of Keystone’s experienced tutors shares his top tips to help you build knowledge, sharpen exam technique, and secure a top grade in Religious Studies GCSE.
Theology and Religious Studies Super Curricular Activities
Theology is a potentially interdisciplinary subject with opportunities to learn more about the ideas, history, practices, sociology, literature and languages of belief. Its scope ranges well beyond what you cover on the A-Level Religious Studies syllabus.
Chemistry Super Curricular Activites
While chemistry is in large part a practical subject, there is much you can do to explore the subject matter further at home. The following recommendations allow you to deepen your understanding and follow a thread that might not be well covered in the A-Level syllabus. Supercurricular work will be helpful for you UCAS application, but that should not be the main motivation. It is more impressive when a student evidences genuine passion rather than merely goes through the motions of it.
Biology Super Curricular Activities
When it comes to applying to study biology at university, academic excellence is only part of the picture. With many highly qualified applicants competing for limited places, admissions tutors are looking for more than top grades — they want to see genuine enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity, and a sustained commitment to the subject. This is where super-curricular activities make all the difference.
Webinar: Navigating A Level Results Day and UCAS Clearing
In this webinar, Jenny McGowan (Keystone's Director of Asia) spoke about about preparing for A Level results day and what to expect. Using a structured presentation, Jenny went through what you can do before receiving your results, what to do on results day, and when you can expect to hear from UCAS/universities. Jenny also summarised what your options are if you don’t receive your required grades and provided information about how to navigate clearing.
Medicine Super Curricular Activities
When it comes to applying to study medicine at university, academic excellence is only part of the picture. With thousands of highly qualified applicants competing for limited places each year, admissions tutors are looking for more than just top grades - they want to see genuine motivation, intellectual curiosity, and a clear commitment to the field. This is where super curricular activities come in.
Biochemistry Super Curricular Activities
Applying to study Biochemistry at a top UK university is about more than achieving excellent exam results. In a competitive admissions landscape, universities are looking for candidates who can demonstrate a genuine passion for the subject and the ability to think critically beyond the school curriculum.
Economics Super Curricular Activities
Relevant super curricular learning for Economics covers some surprising material. One Cambridge college helpfully advises that you should have ‘a working knowledge of British politics since 1945’ and should revise your existing maths and statistics skills. The resources below are a great start.
Maths Super Curricular Activities
Those who have been through the Oxford or Cambridge admissions processes report that the emphasis is largely on an applicant’s mathematical ability, so that should be the main focus of any utilitarian supercurricular work towards competitive university entry. The other suggestions below (after maths problems, puzzle books and YouTube channels) are therefore for developing your passion in the subject matter and to understand its academic field rather than to improve your skills.
The Oxbridge English Interview
What’s an Oxbridge English Interview Actually Like?Oxbridge interviews were once shrouded in mystery. Mythical tales of the intellectual torture of candidates in the squashy sofas of dons’ book-lined offices used to abound. These days, the process is a lot more transparent. Both Oxford and Cambridge have had to modernise and adjust as application has become far more competitive and highly scrutinised.
A Guide to Dulwich College Admissions
Founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, Dulwich College is a boys’ selective day and boarding school in London. Dulwich has a strong global brand with 11 outposts in other countries, including China, South Korea and Singapore. While it is certainly a very academically selective school, it also fosters an inclusive educational and social environment, and partners closely with its sister school James Allen’s Girls’ School.
A Guide to Charterhouse Admissions
Founded in 1611, Charterhouse is one of the great historic public schools of England. With four centuries of history behind it, the school is committed to being at the forefront of educational progress in the twenty-first century. Charterhouse has recently undergone huge changes, becoming fully co-educational in September 2021: the school now has the ambition to become ‘the best co-ed boarding school in the country’.
A Guide to Tonbridge School Admissions
Founded in 1553, Tonbridge School is one of the oldest schools in the world. Academic standards are extremely high with boys achieving exceptional results. Tonbridge offers both day and boarding options. The extra-curricular programme can be demanding but despite this fast pace, Tonbridge is characterised as much by individual needs as by collective endeavour.
Applying to Medical School Including Oxford & Cambridge
Medicine is generally considered the most competitive course in the UK, thus applications require a great deal of commitment from both domestic and international students. Understanding exactly what medical school involves can really help you decide whether it’s right for you and give you the very best chance of securing a place at the school of your choice.
HSPS Super Curricular Activities
HSPS (Human, Social and Political Sciences) is a course unique to Cambridge, combining the disciplines of Politics and International Relations, Social Anthropology and Sociology. Students may specialise in one of these after the first year, or can continue with a combination. The final award after three years is a Bachelor of Arts (BA). There are no required A-Level subjects, although obviously the content of Politics or Sociology would be helpful.
Guide to the London 11 Plus Consortium Entrance Exam
Parents who are interested in the top independent schools for girls that are part of the London 11 Plus Consortium need to ensure that their child is well prepared for the entrance exam the Consortium uses.In the article below, Keystone’s expert tutors have compiled a list of extensive answers to the key questions most parents ask about the Consortium and the exam itself, as well as their top tips for preparing effectively and achieving the best possible results.
A Guide to Westminster School Admissions
Westminster School is one of the older independent schools in the UK. It was originally a charity school founded by Benedictine of Westminster Abbey. Its existence ensured its survival during the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540 and his daughter Elizabeth I re-founded the school in 1560. Today, Westminster educates 750 students and has two entrance points, in Year 9 and Year 12.
A Guide to Rugby School Admissions
Rugby school is a historic, well-established, co-educational school that is steeped in tradition and is probably best known as the birthplace of the sports that shares its name. The school has been educating children since 1567 and went fully co-educational in 1992. Rugby has always been at the forefront of innovation in teaching methods. The popular Extended Project Qualification was developed here, and academic facilities are outstanding, in particular for Languages and Sciences.
Applying to Engineering Degrees at UK Universities
Engineering is one of the most diverse and dynamic degree choices available to students in the UK, offering both theoretical and vocational pathways across a broad range of specialisms. If you're considering pursuing engineering at undergraduate level, understanding the landscape of courses, entry requirements, and long-term career outcomes is essential.
A Guide to Oundle School Admissions
Oundle is one of the largest co-ed boarding schools in the UK with just under 1,120 pupils, around 820 boarders and 310 day pupils, set in a Northamptonshire market town from which it takes its name. Oundle is a true all-round boarding school, with strong academic results, some of the best DT facilities in the country and fantastic sports and music. The school has three main entry points: 11 plus,13 plus and 16 plus.
A Guide to City of London School Admissions
City of London School is set within the iconic City landscape, surrounded by instantly recognisable institutions. The buzz of the school exudes enthusiasm for the opportunities that the school provides. One of the school’s main visions is to encourage boys to be the best version of themselves, in order to make progress and flourish in the modern world. The City of London School (CLS) is one of London's leading academic day schools, with over 950 boys between the ages of 10 and 18.
The Modern and Medieval Languages Admissions Assessment at Cambridge
Most candidates applying to study Modern Languages at Oxford or Cambridge will have to sit a written paper as part of the admissions process, The Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT) at Oxford and the Modern and Medieval Languages Admissions Assessment at Cambridge. This blog describes the latter.There are big differences between the two tests, from what they are testing to when they are sat.
The Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT) at Oxford
What is the MLAT and do I need to take it? The MLAT, or Modern Languages Admissions Test, is an assessment that almost all students applying to study a modern languages course at Oxford are asked to sit. The assessment is administered by Pearson VUE and taken on a computer. It largely tests your grammar and translation skills.
A Guide to St Paul's Boys School Admissions
St Paul’s is an independent boy’s school set within 45 acres of open space in Barnes, South West London. The school was founded in 1509 by John Colet with the vision to provide an outstanding all-round education to prepare boys for a successful future. The school welcomes all academically eligible students, regardless of either economic or social circumstances.
