VISIT TO UNIVERSITIES IN VALENCIA

During the year, there are several occasions for our Year 13 pupils to attend open door events at the universities in Valencia, both at the University of Valencia and the Polytechnic University of Valencia.

UNIVERSITY TALKS

A number of well-known private Spanish universities also come to school to promote their programmes and provide information to our Sixth Formers, among which are the University of Navarra, Universidad Católica de Valencia, Universidad UCH-CEU, IE, IEB and ESADE.

The school organises this fair, to which a number of prestigious universities from around the world come for students and parents to get to know them.

Information is provided about all of the different degree programmes offered, as well as about admissions tests, programmes of study and scholarships. Each year we have approximately 20% – 30% of students who decide to go to universities abroad with some enrolled in the most prestigious Universities in the world!

Some of the universities that visited us were:

• Lancaster University (United Kingdom)
• Radboud University (Holland)
• Stenden University of Applied Sciences (Holland)
• The University of Sheffield (United Kingdom)
• University of Leeds (United Kingdom).
  

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) allows those students who choose this option to extend their abilities beyond the A-level syllabus and prepare for university or their future career. It allows students to extend and develop their skills in independent research and project management, whilst exploring their passion for a topic. It is worth half an A-level so can also be used to earn extra UCAS points.

The EPQ requires students to carry out research on a topic that they have chosen and is not covered by their other qualifications.  They then use this research to produce a written report of about 5000 words and, in the case of practical projects, an artefact or a production. A student can take inspiration from something studied in class or something completely unrelated to their studies.

 The EPQ allows students to embark on largely self-directed projects. By taking responsibility for the choice and design of an individual project (or an individual role in a group project) students:

•         become more critical, reflective and independent learners.
•         develop and apply decision-making and problem-solving skills.
•         increase their planning, research, analysis, synthesis, evaluation and presentation skills.
•         learn to apply new technologies confidently.
•         demonstrate creativity, initiative and enterprise.

In addition to the report, the EPQ requires students to record their progress in the form of a log book and also to give a presentation to a non-specialist audience.  Students start the EPQ in the first term of Year 12 and will complete the main part of the project by the beginning of Year 13. Final presentations will take place during the first term of Year 13.

This course prepares thoseYear 12 students who choose this option for an exam created by Cambridge Exams and the British Council. The aim of the qualification is for students to prepare for life in an English-speaking environment. It also provides the option to obtain a certificate equivalent to a C2 (Cambridge Proficiency CPE).

IELTS is recognized internationally in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. In fact, British universities are now asking for IELTS instead of CAE (a minimum mark of 6.5 is required, which is equivalent to a C1). Also, many US universities, who do not accept CAE, are accepting IELTS.

This certificate does not expire, however it may be recommended to repeat in the future to prove the current level of English. For the purpose of university entranve internationally this would mot be necessary given the application process is within 2 years of certification of the IELTs exam. One the student begins their degree programme in English, it is the university degree that becomes more relevant.

The exam has four parts: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. All of these activities are practical, based on the basic skills of everyday life in an English-speaking environment. An important note to add is that there is no specific grammar section (Use of English), which students often find difficult.

These lessons allow students to improve their communication and social skills. They will learn to speak clearly in public and practise body language techniques to address an audience.

The exam is given in the month of April by examiners of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, who either travel from London to the school or conduct the exam via Google Meet.