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Career Options
At St Ignatius we help our students to make the right informed choices regarding their future and help them to choose from one of the following:
- University
- Apprenticeship
- Sponsored Degree
- Employment
- Gap Year
University
Advice for students interested in Higher Education
Writing a Personal Statement is an important part of your UCAS application. It is your chance to describe your ambitions, skills and experience to university and college admission staff. At St Ignatius you are given workshops in year 12 and year 13 on how to complete a good Personal Statement:
https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/personal-statements-for-university/
TARGET careers university profiles give details such as number of students, student-staff ratio and average UCAS tariff needed: https://targetcareers.co.uk/university-hubs
A course search function allows you to browse thousands of courses by university, qualification level, study mode and region: https://targetcareers.co.uk/search/courses
Find out what university rankings mean by looking at how they are calculated and what measures are used: https://targetcareers.co.uk/uni/choices-about-uni/384889-what-university-rankings-mean
Take a look at these degree subject guides to help you decide what to study at university. Look at what content, teaching methods and contact hours would suit you best as well as what careers each subject might lead to: https://targetcareers.co.uk/uni/degree-subject-guides
If you have a career area in mind, look at these various articles to help you understand what degrees would benefit your chosen path. From law to photography, design and TV. There are over 15 different areas to explore: https://targetcareers.co.uk/uni/degree-subject-guides
These university reviews tell you what the universities are really like and are written by current students: https://targetcareers.co.uk/uni/university-reviews
Find out how much university will cost and get advice about tuition fees. https://targetcareers.co.uk/careers-advice/choices-about-uni/50-university-tuition-fees-and-funding
Find out the 50 most popular universities in the UK as voted for by school pupils: https://targetcareers.co.uk/top-50-unis
Find out how to ace your UCAS application with advice articles on starting your statement, what you should include, how it should be structured and how you should handle offers: https://targetcareers.co.uk/uni/applying-for-uniOpportunity for Year 1
Discover what is appropriate to wear for a university interview and what clothes you should avoid: https://targetcareers.co.uk/uni/applying-for-uni/314689-what-to-wear-for-a-university-interview
Use our guide to deadlines to find out the key dates you need to know when applying to uni: https://targetcareers.co.uk/careers-advice/applying-for-uni/52-when-to-apply-for-university-through-ucas
University open days are a fantastic way of finding out about the universities that you are thinking of studying at and the courses you might want to take. Here are some top tips for making the most of your visits: https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/open-days/
UCAS - Taster Courses:
https://www.ucas.com/events/exploring-university/learn-about-uni-taster-course
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| University Taster Courses | UCAS What should I expect if I go on a taster course? Most taster courses include lectures, discussions, and tutorial sessions. These give you the chance to meet departmental staff and get hands-on experience of the facilities. www.ucas.com |
Apprenticeships
There has never been a better time to consider an apprenticeship. Young people can ‘get in and go far’ with an apprenticeship at some of Britain’s biggest and brightest companies. They can gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, in some cases up to degree level, while working and earning.
If you are aged over 16 you can apply for an apprenticeship. There are various levels of apprenticeship you can undertake depending on your current skills and qualifications:Intermediate apprenticeship (level 2)
- Advanced apprenticeship (level 3)
- Higher apprenticeship (level 4-7)
- Degree apprenticeship (level 6-7)
All apprenticeships are real jobs so all apprentices earn a salary. You must be paid at least the minimum wage, many employers will pay significantly more.You should be working at least 30 hours per week with most of the training being delivered in the workplace, so you will learn the skills you need to do the job well. The rest of the training will be given by a training organisation, either at the workplace, off-site (at universities or college) or via e-leaning.
The sky is the limit, with the growth of higher and degree apprenticeships, you have a real alternative to traditional university study.With a degree apprenticeship you can achieve a full Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and just like traditional degrees, an apprenticeship is a great route to a great career.
Apprentices are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay after three months of working and an NUS Apprentice extra discount card, this has been developed by the National Union of Students and offers apprentices many of the same discounts and benefits as other students.
These links will help you to find out more about apprenticeships:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship/
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/information/apprenticeships/being-an-apprentice
Sponsored Degrees
With sponsored courses and degree apprenticeships you can go to university to get a degree, while having your employer pay your tuition fees and give you a salary. It is true, companies around the UK are offering students years of valuable work experience and a salary! The arrangements varies company to company. For example, you could work with the company during holidays or part time, and study at university for a degree related to your job for the rest of the time.
The following links will help you to find out more about sponsored degrees
https://www.studentladder.co.uk/year-13/sponsored-degree/
Employment
If you would prefer to go straight into employment instead of college or university, the following links will help to make the right choice:
Make sure your online application form stands out for the right reasons and helps you get the apprenticeship place you want:
Find out about online ability and aptitude tests for school leaver programmes, including numerical and verbal reasoning tests:
Target Careers website https://targetcareers.co.uk/
Take a look at the 100 most popular employers for school leavers as voted for by school pupils:
https://targetcareers.co.uk/school-leavers-100
Put together a CV that will show you in the best possible light, whether you are applying for work experience, an entry-level job or apprenticeships or similar programmes:
How to write a good CV:
https://gothinkbig.co.uk/features/need-another-way-to-enhance-your-cv-read-on
Employment:
The Lawyer Portal is excited to announce our new partnership with Vantage, a ground breaking free platform which matches talented aspiring school students, from all backgrounds, to top law firms.
By signing up to Vantage, students will be showcased to some of the world's leading firms and given exclusive access to a variety of exciting opportunities including:
- Law work experience
- Open Days
- Solicitor apprenticeships
To access this website click here
What career would suit you:
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER EMPLOYER VACANCIES FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS
For the latest vacancies for school leavers see here
CIVIL SERVICE APPRENTICESHIPS
Please click here for a link to the website for further details
Gap Year
Advice for your gap year
Thinking of taking a gap year before starting university or beginning work on an apprenticeship? Plan ahead so you get what you want out of your time out:
https://www.omio.com/travel/gap-year
https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/student-life/gap-year
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/gap-year
For list of gap year providers for work, volunteering, courses and travel see The FutureSmart Careers Guide to Gap Year Providers 2023
