UK G5 Offers｜A note from the University and Careers Counselling
As offers from the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, the London School of Economics, and University College London began to arrive, what they represented extended beyond simply which universities students had gained entry to.
What is equally important to recognise is how students made their choices throughout this process, and how the school provided consistent, targeted support at each key stage.
As of the 6th of May, students from Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou have received 34 offers from the UK's G5 universities, including:
- 2 offers from the University of Cambridge
- 3 offers from Imperial College London
- 1 offer from the London School of Economics
- 28 offers from University College London
Alongside this, students have also secured 18 undergraduate offers from the University of the Arts London (UAL), the UK’s Number 1 Ranked Art School.
A Note from University and Careers Counselling
Our G5 offers this year have been outstanding, based on amazing students who have chosen a range of courses, business, psychology, law, sciences, and many others, that match their experiences and academic profile.
The G5 group of universities is the most demanding among UK universities and sometimes the slowest to respond, meaning students must be both academically strong and patient!
Our DHSZ UCC team is now helping the Class of 2026 choose their destinations, and we'll support every single student as they transition to top universities around the world. We'll be highlighting the students’ stories in the coming weeks and sending a final update for the offers and matriculations for all students in the coming weeks.
The Rationale Behind Their Choices
At Dulwich, choice is not a passive outcome, but a process that takes shape through continuous learning and exploration.
Students are encouraged to develop independent critical thinking, deepening their understanding of academic disciplines while gradually forming clarity around their future direction. This is a clear expression of Academic Excellence in practice.
Within such a framework, there is no single pathway. Different academic interests, learning approaches, and long-term aspirations naturally lead to different routes forward. University choices are therefore shaped through reflection, comparison, and an informed understanding of these diverse possibilities.
UCL is located in London, which means lots of opportunities on research project and potential working experiences to technology companies.
I am most attracted to Cambridge because of its supervision mode and peaceful environment.
UCL’s media programme isn’t solely focused on producing academic papers or creating artistic works but rather combines both aspects to cover media production from start to finish.
I’m especially drawn to the international campus communities and abundant real-world internship resources, which will help me connect theory with practice and grow toward my future career in business and finance.
In Imperial College, there is lots of great projects and opportunities for work placements.
Educational psychology program at UCL deeply integrates evidential learning with developmental theory in real-world settings, giving me opportunities to investigate the path of childhood society, children’s mental health and education.
Future research into infectious diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and population health data.
Beyond the Classroom at DHSZ
At Dulwich, learning extends beyond academics alone. Alongside a rigorous academic programme, students also build a collection of vivid and meaningful memories from their time on campus.
Through activities, competitions, and exploration, students gain not only skills but also experiences that stay with them in lasting and tangible ways.
From co-curricular activities to Worldwise events, from Founder’s Day to community and charitable initiatives, these diverse opportunities together represent another dimension of Holistic Education.
I enjoyed CCAs most, including carting, rock climbing and other academic CCAs; it is a good way to make use of the time after school.
My favourite activity is to join the school's table tennis team and participate in various in-school and inter-school competitions. In the team, I not only improved my skills, but also learned teamwork and mental management in the face of victory and defeat, and I also made many friends.
I can learn about the culture in different areas that are different from Suzhou during Week Without Walls, and have very good experience by visiting different landscapes, that I have not seen before.
My favourite activity was the Color Run. It combined fundraising for a good cause with a chance for the whole school community to come together and have fun.
I enjoy the Founder's Day most because it offers me an opportunity to spend time having fun with friends. The atmosphere was both exciting and meaningful.
Voices of Appreciation
The individualised support at Dulwich is never just an idea; it is something that is lived every day. It exists in the rhythm of daily interactions, through the guidance of teachers, the support of peers, and the many moments of genuine connection in between.
It is this sense of presence and responsiveness from those around them that transforms learning from an individual pursuit into a shared journey, one that is continually supported and allowed to grow.
I initially switched from fine art to graphic design, and it was Ms Zhai who encouraged me with my work and inspired me to develop a deeper understanding of it. Particularly this year, when I was preparing my portfolio and statement for UCL, and she gave me her insights and feedback.
I would like to thank Mr McKelvey for his hard working on teaching Maths in class. His class is always so interesting, and he always has a method to break hard topics into simpler parts. His guidance really improves my Maths grades and saves a lot of time and effort for me.
Ms Murray and I usually discuss about paintings, for example, I shared some new findings when I did research about the painting Guernica, and we will talk about some details about the painting. She also used the paintings by students in the school to teach me about the importance of content when doing research in an artwork.
Mr Sam Cui is a really good teacher and he made me interested in Maths.
I’m grateful to my roommates, we supported each other through uncertainties and studied together before major exams. Those hours in the library are memories I’ll always carry with me.
Support from the Counsellors
University applications are not a phase confined to the admissions cycle, but part of a continuous support system that runs throughout a student’s learning journey.
At Dulwich, the Universities and Careers Counselling (UCC) team provides structured guidance alongside in-depth, one-to-one consultations, helping students progressively develop an understanding of universities, academic pathways, and their own aspirations.
Through this process, students not only make choices that are better aligned with their individual strengths and goals, but also build the confidence and judgement needed to navigate complex decisions in the future.
Back in Year 12, our school counsellors helped organize lots of events about university application guidance. Through these events, I got to know more about characteristics of G5 universities and the major that suits me most. Moreover, in Year 13, my counsellor Ms Shi helped me with choosing the universities based on my external results and other activities.
Ms Chen helped me making decisions by telling me pros and cons of different majors and universities and giving me some advice which are really helpful.
Mr Coyle inspired my personal statement and supported me through many uncertainties.
When I was choosing a university, I was really torn between a comprehensive university and a specialist arts university, as I was worried my grades wouldn’t be good enough to get in. But Ms Ren encouraged me to apply to UCL, and to my surprise, I actually got in.
I would like to say thank you to Dr Sohail and my counsellor Ms. Chen for inspiring me to aim for high university, and I would like to thank Mr Coyle and Mr George for helping me with my English and the interview.
Advice for Younger Students
1. Prepare in advance. 2. Manage your time. 3. Try to apply for multiple countries for uni, do not limit yourself.
1. Focus on what you need to do, what you have, and follow your own pace, instead of looking at somebody else around you. 2. Study is accumulative. Never wait until the last day to work. 3. Construct your own mindset. Develop your unique perception to knowledge, instead of memorising what other people tell you.
1. Try to do past papers as much as you can. 2. Review what you've learnt every week, or you might forget the knowledge in one month. 3. Try to join in more academic-related activities and competitions, but remember that IG and AS, A2external exams matter the most.
These offers represent more than outcomes. They reflect the process through which students have developed their academic interests, independence, and clarity of direction.
As the Class of 2026 prepares for the next stage, Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou will continue to support each student in making informed decisions and transitioning to universities around the world.
If you would like to learn more about our curriculum and pathways, we warmly invite you to contact our Admissions team via WeCom and sign up for our information session on the 30th of May.
Grow in Dulwich, Thrive in Life