Careers and University
Next steps: university, apprenticeships and careers
Whether you are considering university, an apprenticeship, employment, a school-leaver programme, a gap year or are still exploring your options, we are committed to helping you make an informed and ambitious choice about your future.
Choosing what to do after Sixth Form is an exciting step, but we know that the range of options available can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Students receive guidance throughout Sixth Form to help them research opportunities, understand application processes, develop their employability skills and prepare for life beyond school.
Start with Unifrog
Unifrog is our main careers and destinations platform. You should use Unifrog regularly throughout Sixth Form to explore careers, university courses and apprenticeships, record activities and experiences, develop your CV and prepare application materials.
You can use Unifrog to compare university courses and entry requirements, explore careers linked to their interests and subjects, search apprenticeship opportunities, record skills and extracurricular activities, research universities and employers, and support their university and employment applications.
Unifrog for parents and carers
Parents and carers can also create their own Unifrog account. This provides access to careers and university resources, parent webinars and information that can help you support conversations about your child's next steps.
Your email address must first be linked to your child's Unifrog profile by the school before you can activate a parent account.
Create your Unifrog parent account
If you experience difficulty creating an account, please contact the Sixth Form team so that we can check the email address linked to your child's account.
Applying to university - advice for students
Students considering university will receive support throughout Years 12 and 13 to research courses, universities and entry requirements and to prepare a strong application.
We encourage students to begin researching early, attend university open days and events, consider a range of institutions and courses, and think carefully about the subjects and environments in which they are most likely to thrive.
Students submit their university applications through UCAS. The UCAS Hub allows students to research courses and universities, check entry requirements and deadlines, manage their choices and complete their application.
Explore university options with UCAS
University information for parents and carers
Parents and carers play an important role in supporting students through university research, applications, offers, student finance, accommodation and results.
UCAS provides dedicated information and guidance for parents, carers and guardians. See the UCAS advice for parents, guardians and carers or download the UCAS Parent, Carer and Guardian Guide.
Apprenticeships and Degree Apprenticeships
University is not the only route to a successful career. Apprenticeships allow students to combine employment with training and qualifications, while degree apprenticeships can provide the opportunity to work towards a degree while earning a salary.
Apprenticeship recruitment works differently from university applications. Vacancies are advertised throughout the year and employers have their own recruitment processes and deadlines. We therefore encourage interested students to begin researching employers and opportunities early and to apply to more than one opportunity.
Pathway CTM
We use Pathway CTM to give students additional access to apprenticeship and employment opportunities.
Pathway CTM provides students with access to live apprenticeship vacancies, employer events, insight opportunities, careers resources and mentoring. Students can create a free account and receive alerts about relevant opportunities, events, work experience and apprenticeship vacancies.
We strongly recommend that students considering apprenticeships register with both Pathway CTM and the Government Find an Apprenticeship service, as opportunities can appear throughout the academic year.
Find an apprenticeship - search and apply for apprenticeships
Students can search the Government service without an account, but an account is required to submit apprenticeship applications and can also be used to save opportunities and create vacancy alerts.
Pathway CTM also provides dedicated support for parents and carers, including apprenticeship information, employer opportunities, parent webinars and a monthly newsletter. Find out more and sign up for updates.
Careers and employment
Students who are considering employment, school-leaver programmes or who are unsure about their future career can use Unifrog, Pathway CTM and the National Careers Service to explore different industries and occupations.
The National Careers Service provides detailed career profiles covering qualifications, skills, typical responsibilities, salaries and progression routes. Students can also complete a skills assessment and access independent careers advice.
Explore careers with the National Careers Service
Not sure what to do yet?
It is completely normal not to have a fixed career or destination in mind at the start of Sixth Form.
We encourage students to explore before they decide. Use Unifrog to investigate different pathways, attend university and employer events, take part in work experience and enrichment opportunities, speak to professionals, visit universities and workplaces and keep an open mind about different routes.
Students should also consider having a strong alternative or back-up option. University, apprenticeships and employment applications can be explored alongside one another before a final decision is made.
Our aim is for every student to leave Sixth Form with a clear, ambitious and well-researched next step which is why every student has a 1:1 guidance and careers support.
How parents and carers can help
Parents and carers do not need to have all the answers. Some of the most valuable support is simply talking regularly about future plans, encouraging students to research a range of pathways, attending open days or careers events together and helping students keep track of important deadlines.
The National Careers Service also provides dedicated guidance for parents and carers supporting a young person with education and career decisions.
We encourage parents and carers to create a Unifrog parent account, visit the Pathway CTM parent area and use the UCAS parent resources so that you can explore the different options alongside your child.
If you or your child would like further guidance about university, apprenticeships, careers or next steps, please contact the Sixth Form/careers team.
