This week our main story steps away directly from the university application process. For better or for worse, most people view university as a route to a better job. And jobs need skills. So what could be more important than understanding exactly what skills employers are looking for so you can make sure you develop them at university? We then look at a small hack in the UCAS application form that might just help if things go wrong. And finally a simple quote about what it really means to...

This week we have a look at preparing a portfolio for Art and Design - and all those other related creative courses. We check the UCAS deadlines, and discuss whether you need to meet them. And we finish with a thought from Mark Twain all about reading.

This week we take a closer look at how universities make admissions decisions, and find out “Just who are Admissions tutors anyway?”. We discuss whether there are any benefits from leaving some UCAS choices blank until later in the year. And we find out exactly what you learn from falling over.

This week, we ask the question: How ambitious should you be with your UCAS choices? How do you turn all of that research you’ve done into a sensible list of five courses for your UCAS form? We look at how Data Protection affects your right to see your UCAS reference. And we hear some smart advice from a successful entrepreneur on getting what you want from life.

This week, we talk university Open Days. I use my 20 years of experience organising open days to help you see beyond the obvious, to make sure you see, do and ask all about the really important stuff! We also discover a simple truth about universities and email, and we hear from one of the finest politicians ever to walk the planet.

This week we look at two different options for those of you who don’t have access to expert advice and support in your school: we look at choosing an Independent Education Counsellor and we look at applying through a student recruitment agent. And we learn the importance of making mistakes… quickly!

This week we look at how to get the very best from working with your school or college’s university counsellor. We have a quick look at the UCAS tariff. And finally, we discover a true superpower!

This week I give you the run down on my top 10 learnings from attending a University of Cambridge Open Day earlier in the summer. In addition, we look at the importance of knowing your predicted grades, and we learn the essentials of doing great work!

This week I give you the run down on my top 10 learnings from attending a University of Oxford Open Day earlier in the summer. We learn that grades are not everything. Not by a long shot. We also find out what one of the main barriers to learning is. And it’s not what you might expect.

This week we hear from Warren Buffett, who has a piece of advice that sounds like it would be impossible to follow. Except it isn’t, and I’m living proof.  We learn what to do if you are applying to university and have special needs.  And we hear about the difference that just one hour a day can make.

This week we attempt to embrace the chaos of trying to make your choice of university. We examine why having a fall-back option is crucial. And we learn about the two types of people in the world.

In this episode we explore a little bit of Japanese philosophy together with a brilliant way of working out if your planned career could give you the sense of purpose you are looking for. For those of you who haven’t found that perfect career yet, we find out about a super-simple (and uncannily accurate) careers quiz. And we learn what’s more important than university.

This week we ask question whether league tables and student reviews can really tell you what is the best university for you. We discover an amazing resource for those of you who are into sport. And we hear some very simple inspiration from a young entrepreneur who just interviewed the Prime Minister.