CAREERS FACTSHEET POST 18 – UNIVERSITY

Are you considering going to university?

University remains a popular route into a job for many young people, as it provides

you with the opportunity to study a subject of your choice in greater detail and gains

you a degree. During your studies you will boost your skills and expertise in your

subject area, and this will make you more attractive to a future employer.

about. This may not be the same as your friends!

• When people think of higher education, they usually think of studying for a

degree, but there are many more options available: Foundation degrees,

higher and degree apprenticeships and higher national diplomas (HND).

• Some courses require you to have top grades in your level 3 qualifications

and there are other courses where the entry grades are more flexible and not

so high. Find out more about these courses:

https://careerpilot.org.uk/information/higher-education-at-18/types-of-he-

level-courses-level-4

• All university applications are made through UCAS. You will be asked to write

about what you are considering. If you have a family member working in the

profession you are considering you should take the opportunity to talk to

them about what they do and what it is like to work in that job. Also

speaking to your subject teachers about your predicted grades and suitability

for courses will help you with your decision making.

Things you should consider before making your degree/university course

choice:

- Are you going to studying in London or in a university elsewhere in the UK?

- Have you considered how your university studies will be funded? University

work experience placement you complete as part of your degree).

- Find out when university open days are, try to visit the ones you are

considering so you get an idea what it will be like to live and study there.

Also speak to students who are already doing or have completed the course.

In this climate many Universities are offering virtual tours

https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/what-and-where-study/open-days-and-

events/virtual-tours

- Look into attending career fairs to speak to employers, apprenticeship

providers and get further careers support – What University Live

https://www.whatcareerlive.co.uk/london. In this climate you will need to do

degree. For example, what support is available through the universities.

What job are you hoping to go into once you’ve completed the course?

- Prepare for your university interview -

https://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers-advice/university-interviews/how-

Useful websites

https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-

interactive/2019/jun/07/university-league-tables-2020

- Research your course, look at modules and course content – refer to the

UCAS website.

- If you are considering a career in law, dentistry or medicine you need to look

at when the prerequisite exams are. Speak to your careers advisor or school

https://www.uhs.org.uk/page/?title=Oxbridge+Programme&pid=206

- Talk to your teachers about your predicted grades and about your career

choices.

- Visit universities on their open days, speak to students already doing the

course, speak to course leaders, look at facilities and make a note of how you

When you’ve finished your A-levels or vocational training you may be considering

going into employment. Government legislation states that young people must stay

in full time education until the age of 18.

• It is important that you carefully think about where you would like to work

and take time to consider what your longer-term career plans are.

• Writing some goals about what you’d like to achieve will help you plan your

next steps. Your school teacher and careers advisor can help you with this.

https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/personal-development-plan-template/

assertive/school/5-ways-to-stay-motivated-and-get-more-done

• You may not know exactly what you want to do at this stage. To start with

you could think about the things you enjoy, your hobbies and what jobs might

be linked to your current studies.

• If you already have an idea of what you’d like to do its important you start to

research opportunities. This can start with conversations with your school

careers adviser, class teachers, friends and family (this is your professional

network). You can look at job profiles online and advertised vacancies on

recruitment websites, in local newspapers and by talking to your network.

https://www.indeed.co.uk/

considering your suitability for the job they are advertising. Further tips on

writing a CV can be found on the following webpage:

resources/finding-job/cv-tips

covering letter. An application form is designed to gather information

that an employer needs from you to make a recruitment decision. The form

will ask for your personal details, grades and a personal statement. This will

give you a chance to write how you feel you are suitable for the job.

skills an employer is looking for. If you would like further support with

learning how to do this, please speak to your careers advisor or a school

teacher.

Interview Skills

• If you have been successful in your application, you will be asked to attend a

job interview. It is important you prepare for this by researching the

company to make sure you know what their business is about. You should

think about some questions you might be asked and prepare for these. It is

also important you prepare some questions to ask the employer. This could

be about training you might receive or about the job you will be doing. The

following website provides some useful tips: https://www.princes-

Other useful websites

https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/employment-help-young-

people/choices/getting-a-job/

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/get-a-job

https://www.indeed.co.uk/

https://www.reed.co.uk/jobs/young-people-jobs

https://targetcareers.co.uk/careers-advice/work-v-uni

https://barclayslifeskills.com/i-want-help-applying-for-jobs/sixth-form/cv-builder

- If you know what job you would like to apply for, speak to friends or family

- Register on recruitment websites.

- Look at examples personal statements and how to complete an application

form online.

- If you don’t have any relevant work experience, try to think of examples at

school where you have had to use certain skills. For example, team working

in a group project.

- Ensure you prepare for an interview, research the company online and have

questions prepared to ask the employer. Take a copy of your CV with you to

the Interview.

CAREERS FACTSHEET POST 18

HIGHER LEVEL APPRENTICESHIPS – LEVELS 4 & 5

Higher apprenticeships are especially suited to those who have done well in their

GCSEs and A-levels. They are also suited to those who have completed an

Advanced Apprenticeship but want to progress without taking the university route.

Typically, applicants are required to have a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent,

• They are a great option for school and college leavers who are looking for an

• You may spend most of your time working for an employer and learning on

the job but you will also spend some time at a training institution, college or

university. Typically, you may spend one/two days in the office/workplace and

the remainder of the week at college.

• You will study towards vocational or academic qualifications that are relevant

to your job, such as the ATT (Association of Tax Technicians) or the CTA

(Chartered Tax Adviser) qualifications -if completing a Higher Apprenticeship

with a tax and accountancy firm, for example.

• Often at the end of a Higher Apprenticeship, you will at the same level as

employees who took the university route and then a graduate scheme. There

employer web pages, recruitment sites and via the government

apprenticeship websites.

Useful websites

https://successatschool.org/advicedetails/226/higher-level-apprenticeships/

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship/

https://amazingapprenticeships.com/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships/

CAREERS FACTSHEET POST 18

DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS

Degree apprenticeship (Level 6 qualification)

Degree apprenticeships are primarily targeted at 18 to 19-year-old school leavers as

an alternative route to gaining a degree, especially those who are unsure about

university due to high tuition fees and student debt.

- Degree apprenticeships may offer you the opportunity to gain experience and

form working relationships with high profile, well respected companies.

- For students studying Level 3 qualifications or A-levels who are not sure

whether they want to go to university or do an apprenticeship it is advised

that you apply to a university through UCAS (you can decline any offers

later). You should also look for an apprenticeship at the same time.

- A real alternative to full-time university study, you will build your career, gain

professional skills, status and accreditation all whilst being in a job and

- Apprenticeships are available in: Accountancy, Aerospace, Banking,

Broadcasting, Civil Engineering, Cyber Security, Healthcare, Laboratory

Science, Law, Management, Nursing, Policing, Solicitor, Surveying, Teaching

and many more.

- Applications for higher apprenticeships can be made directly through

employer web pages, recruitment sites and via the government

apprenticeship website.

Useful websites:

https://www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk/

What is an assessment centre?

Many companies run a series of extended selection procedures, often called

assessment centres. These centres allow organisations to

assess your whether you have the necessary skills and abilities to join their

organisation. Also referred to as selection centres, they present candidates with a

round of interviews and before the final selection. They are commonly held either on

employers’ premises or in a hotel and for many companies they prove a successful

way of selecting the right graduates to join their schemes.

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/interview-tips/assessment-centres/

Psychometric tests:

Employers today are using psychometric tests more than ever in the graduate

selection process. They can involve the following:

to answer a number of questions under exam conditions, usually within a thirty

minute period.

The tests normally occur before the first interview as a way of measuring whether

you can continue the application process.

https://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/free-aptitude-tests/

Personality tests:

These assess your personal qualities through your responses to a number

audience) and use notes as a prompt, not a script. Brushing up on PowerPoint skills

prior to the assessment day is a must.

https://www.assessmentday.co.uk/personality-questionnaire.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/personality/

https://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/personality-test/

In-tray exercises:

With this kind of exercise, a candidate will be asked to handle a typical pile of papers

that simulate what you might encounter in the role. These papers may include

letters, internal memos or emails, reports, ‘junk mail’ and so on. It is up to the

candidate to deal with and prioritise them accordingly.

https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/assessment-centres/275463-what-are-in-

Group assessments:

These involve completing a task or activity within a small group of your fellow

candidates. The way in which you perform individually and as part of the group is

monitored by assessors.

https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/assessment-centres/275425-group-exercises-

what-to-expect