PiXL6 are an organisation who provide a lot of support and information for Sixth Forms.  They have produced the following article to help you understand some of the things that Universities are looking for in different subject areas.

Historian: Sceptical, don’t take anything for granted or simply accept ‘received wisdom’ or ‘accepted interpretations’ without questioning them. Curious, want to know why and how things happened. Objective, open-minded.  An avid reader, patient, persistent have an eye for detail (as you need when doing research).  Have empathy for the culture, climate, and context in which thing happened, things were written etc.  Be articulate, a good analyst and debtor- as some history teachers have said, they want every parent’s nightmare- people who are awkward, argumentative and bolshie.  Preferably can write well too.

Mathematician: Very logical and rational, enjoys the challenge of problem-solving, doesn’t like to be beaten by things and certainly not the same type of problem twice. Very determined and patient, prefers an elegant solution not just something that is right.  Intrigued by patterns in the world around them and what’s to understand them.

English specialist: A good analyst, who is keen on language, its structure, and uses.  A Keen communicator and avid reader, keen to explore and understand the context I which things are written.  Empathetic, open-minded- sceptical to a certain extent, not blindly accepting traditional interpretations but an independent thinker, coming to independent conclusions.  Objective. Articulate and can write clearly and concisely.

Chemist: A keen scientist, i.e wanting to understand the world and how it came about, a good analyst, taking nothing for granted, keen to test things out and so research and patient, determined, even painstaking when doing it.  Having good practical skills, an eye for detail.  Good at working in a team.

Physicist: A keen scientist, i.e wanting to understand the world and how it kame about, a good analyst, taking nothing for granted, very logical, a good mathematician.  Open-minded enough to embrace new theories and evidence.  Patient with an eye for detail when conducting experiments and research.

Medic: The capacity to get top academic results, a keen scientist and problem-solver, keen to take on life- long learning and with a capacity for hard work and coping with stress. Empathetic, optimistic, dedicated, able to inspire other peoples’ trust and confidence, a good communicator and team worker, able to shoulder responsibility, caring and having a strong sense for moral integrity.

Dentist: A lot of the above along with good practical and business skills.  Even more important to inspire other peoples’ trust and confidence, especially children’s, as so many are scared of dentists.

Lawyer: Logical mind, analytical, with a capacity for hard work, eye for detail and ability to cut through to essential points in arguments.  Articulate, well-read, empathetic, ideally having a strong moral sense, well organised, self-confident.

Economist: Analytical, logical and intuitive. An avid reader but with good mathematical ability and keen on statistic.  Having good debating and communication skills sceptical and questioning, can write well with a strong sense of wanting to get to the bottom of why things happen as they do.

Philosopher: A keen sense of language and meaning matched with a strong desire to understand things.  Capacity for logical thought, well-read, open-minded, with good communication skills and with natural empathy for historical and social context.

Engineer: A keen problem solver, with strong mathematical ability, analytical powers and the capacity to see the full picture and finished products.  A fine eye for detail, meticulous, patient, determined, a good communicator and team worker and able to work under pressure.