WOULD-BE students increasingly need to show evidence of their outside interests and life experience when applying to university, it has been suggested.

New research shows that institutions are placing more importance on candidates showing what they do outside of the exam hall and classroom, such as volunteering or work experience.

Whilst academic grades are still the most important measure considered by admissions officers, 97 per cent of universities and students say that candidates should demonstrate their involvement in extra-curricular activities as part of their application, according to research by World Challenge.

Over half of universities questioned (58.5 per cent) said that it is now more important for candidates to show their experience and skills beyond academic achievements in their applications compared to 10 years ago.

This evidence is particularly important for universities deciding between applicants with similar grades, for courses that interview prospective students and vocational subjects - such as medicine that attract high numbers of candidates, the research suggests.

Under the current system, as part of their application, students have to complete a personal statement.

According to the new study, there is general agreement that between 20 per cent and 30 per cent of this document should be devoted to outside interests, and should not be included as a "tick-box" exercise. It does add that different universities and courses will be looking for different things.

Both universities and students said that the three types of activity that add most value to a personal statement are work experience, volunteering and the Duke of Edinburgh award.

Matt Eastlake, of World Challenge, said: "This research has shown that whilst having the required academic grades remains the most important factor in securing a university place, universities are now placing more value on broader experiences and life skills.

"The challenge for students and teachers is to know exactly what universities are looking for due to the range of different perceptions throughout the sector. Overall the general advice is that students need to really think about what extra-curricular activities are going to be most relevant and have most impact on their personal development.

"It is about quality over quantity; not necessarily filling your time with every opportunity possible but focusing on a couple of really key activities that will best prepare you for where you want to go in life."

Overall, the number of students securing places on degree courses at UK universities and colleges through the application service UCAS last year topped half a million for the first time in 2014, with 512,400 people in total gaining places.