We are thrilled to have been featured in Tatler’s Address Book, alongside some of the UK’s leading education experts, sharing our insights on how high-net-worth families are approaching university admissions in 2026.
The article, written by Annabelle Spranklen, explores a significant shift in how families are planning for university entry. As Charlotte Hyde, founder of Hyde Tutoring, explains, serious preparation is no longer something that begins in the final years of school. University is a topic of conversation as early as Year 6, with meaningful strategic planning beginning in Year 10. The most forward-thinking families leave no stone unturned.
The University Admissions Landscape Has Changed
The days of relying solely on strong grades are over. As Tom Toland, tutor at Hyde Tutoring and teacher at leading UK boarding schools, points out, the route to a top university has become less linear, more global and far more strategic. A decade ago, most students didn’t seriously consider their university options until sixth form. Today, Year 10 and Year 11 have become the new starting point, particularly for families with ambitions beyond the UK.
The international dimension is increasingly significant. Families are now looking seriously at universities across the US, Canada, Europe and Asia, weighing up which system best suits their child’s strengths and long-term goals rather than defaulting to the familiar.
Grades Open the Door. But They Don’t Secure the Place.
Perhaps the most important message from the article is one we share with our students and their families every day. Academic results are essential, but they are just the beginning. Arran Pannesar, Oxford graduate and tutor at Hyde Tutoring, puts it plainly: top universities are not simply looking for students with outstanding grades. They are looking for students who live and breathe their chosen subject, who read beyond the curriculum, who can engage authentically and intellectually in an interview, and who have built a coherent academic story over time.
Interviewers are skilled at distinguishing between students who have ticked boxes and those who have genuinely developed a passion for their field. No amount of last-minute preparation can replicate the depth that comes from years of genuine curiosity and intellectual engagement.
What This Means for Your Child
At Hyde Tutoring, we work with families who understand that securing a place at a top university is a long-term investment. Whether your child is in Year 9 and beginning to think about GCSE choices, in Year 12 preparing for admissions tests and personal statements, or considering universities abroad, early and strategic preparation makes all the difference.
We believe the strongest applications are built on authenticity, intellectual maturity and a genuine love of learning. Our tutors are here to help students develop exactly that, not just to pass exams, but to become the kind of learner that a world-class university would be proud to teach.
You can read the full Tatler Address Book feature here
To find out how Hyde Tutoring can support your child’s university journey, get in touch with our team today.