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Post-18 Careers Guidance

Post-18 options

Taking a gap year

  • UCAS: information about taking a gap yea, with gap year alerts available too
  • Should I take a gap year? Information from Prospects about gap year possibilities.
  • Legal and law internships: Information about roles in the legal profession and internships to gain experience.
  • Internships and work placements: information about internships from Careerpilot.
  • Special opportunities: Unifrog login in required for these, which mostly require payment – be aware of this.
  • Working in a gap year: sign up with local recruitment agencies for temporary work to get experience. Agencies may specialise in the type of work they can offer you so check this before you sign up with them. Examples are Office Angels and Sue Ross Recruitment.
  • Omio.com: lots of information about Gap years – from why to do one, to how to plan and how to enjoy one!
  • Real Gap: travel, volunteering and work experience abroad.
  • The Year Out Group: includes over 30 gap year organisations that provide opportunities at home and abroad.

Higher education

  • A-level explorer: online guidance from The Student Room showing where A-level combinations could lead to.
  • UCAS: university admissions service as well as guidance and resources to help decision making.
  • Apply to uni: information on applying for uni including tuition fees, open days, A-Z of universities.
  • Whatuni?: helps students find universities and courses in the UK.
  • Which? University: help with finding the best UK university and degree course for you.
  • The Complete University Guide: information about university rankings, where and what to study, how to apply, student finance, student life, graduate careers, distance learning and studying abroad.
  • The University Guide: The Guardian’s guide has information on courses and university rankings.
  • The Good Universities Guide: print and online directory of universities and colleges.
  • British Council: information for international students interested in studying in the UK.
  • The National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT): is used by universities to select students for their law courses.
  • The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT): used in the selection process by a consortium of UK university Medical and Dental Schools.
  • Uni Stats: compare and contrast university data to include student satisfaction and employability figures.
  • Push: Information about options after sixth form.
  • Studential: information on FE, gap year, HE, apprenticeship, enterprise and British Army options.
  • Unipod: Oxford Brookes University’s guide to choosing a university, choosing the right course, organising finance, writing your personal statement, etc.
  • The Student Room: advice on applying for universities and courses including a personal statement builder and ‘University Connect’ (recent examples of offers made).
  • The Open University: offers degrees through distance learning.
  • HESA: comprehensive data on UK higher education.
  • People and Planet: annual rankings of UK universities by environmental and ethical performance.
  • Careerpilot: aimed at 13-19-year-olds in SW England has general information about progression opportunities including higher education
  • UCAS support for parents and carers.

Local universities

Studying abroad

Student finance

…and while at university, Student Beans can provide offers, discounts, entertainment features, advice and money saving opportunities.

Apprenticeships

Other options