In this section you will find useful information regarding Independent Careers Advice and Guidance.  Click on the logo to access the relevant website.

New National Careers Service

The new service provides access to advice and guidance on careers, skills and the labour market. It is free and available online or over the telephone for anyone aged 13 and over in England.

To access this service:
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/
https://www2.cxdirect.com/home.htm
or call 0800 100 900

Useful Websites

  Kudos is a careers matching package that suggests careers that may suit you.

Higher Education

The UCAS website is the website that all students use to apply to higher education. Every course at every university is listed and can be searched by subject and region.  It gives the entry requirement for each course.

 The top universities (Russell Group) guide to choosing the correct A levels, for the university degree you wish to do.  

 The NHS funds a number of courses at degree level. Please check with the university that the course is an accredited course and your tuition fees will be paid. The list of courses includes:  Audiology, Chiropody, Dental Hygiene, Dietetics, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Orthoptics, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Prosthetics/Orthotics, Radiography, Radiotherapy, Speech & Language Therapy

  Prospects is the graduate careers website. There is a wealth of information about graduate careers. It is also possible to download a copy of ‘What do graduates do?’

Unistats allows you to find the best university for your chosen subject. You can compare UCAS points of different courses; examine the Student Satisfaction Survey; graduate employment data i.e. the chances of you getting work and the likely salary you can expect.

UK Course Finder offers help and advice to help you find your ideal college or university degree course. It uses a psychometric questionnaire to find your most suitable UCAS degrees.

 Hotcourses has a search facility that allows you to find courses whether part-time, short courses, sixth form, college or undergraduate. The search is based on subject, course type and location.

You can use Opendays to find dates of open days nationally and at specific universities. Also includes information on subjects, university, accommodation, and train tickets.

Studying Abroad

A Star Future is a comprehensive website giving information about studying abroad. 

The Fulbright Commission is the official source of information on applying to American universities for the United Kingdom

Alternatives to University

 The Notgoingtouni site suggests options for those pupils not intending to go to university. It includes information on jobs, apprenticeships, gap years, sponsored degrees, college courses, foundation degrees and distance-learning courses. The search is based on keyword and regional preference.

 This site offers details of apprenticeships in England. It includes information on what you learn as an apprentice and details of the qualifications you will obtain. Also listed are currently available apprenticeships.

The jobseekers website has a job search facility (based on type of job and distance from your home).  It also has advice about applying for a job, how to look for work, details of Jobcentre Plus, and how to plan a career.

  Businesslink is useful if wish to create your own company. There is information on starting-up, finance and grants, employment and skills, tax and payroll.

The Prince's Trust provides you with help to explore and test your business ideas.  It provides details of grants etc.

Placements and Gap Year

  Camp America – Spend your summer in the USA living and working with either children or ‘behind the scenes' as support staff on an American Summer Camp.

A Year in Industry provides high quality, paid placements for students in their gap year before or during their degree programme. They have placements for students interested in engineering, science, IT, e-commerce, business, marketing, finance and logistics.

EXODUS provides an introduction to living, working and studying abroad

Taster Days and Subject Specific Taster Courses

  The Smallpeice Trust is an independent educational charity that runs hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) activities and engineering courses for pupils in from Year 9 to 12. They offer a range of residential programmes from various branches of Engineering at various universities.

  Residential courses run at University of Nottingham for future Medics (Medlink, Medsim), Vets (VetMedlink, Vetsim) and courses in Nursing, Law, Physics, Journalism, Physiotherapy, Forensics, Chemistry, Business and Management.  Courses are run at various times during the year.

  Headstart has been established as a charitable trust providing hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) activities and engineering taster courses to encourage young people into technology-based careers.  Courses are aimed at students in Yr12   

  UCAS organises events across the UK for those thinking about what and where to study in higher education, providing the opportunity to meet representatives from universities and colleges and find out about the courses and options available.

Careers Advice

  Careers information and advice for young people. Advisers are here to offer careers information, advice and support.

This site gives job profiles - useful outlines of what jobs involve.

Making Choices

Your Choices in Yr 9.  The subjects and qualifications you study over Years 10 and 11 will affect how you spend your time during your next two years at school. It could also help set you up for the career or college course you want later on.

  Choices at 18.  This website helps you decide which option is best for you.

Volunteering Opportunities

This is the website for The Council of Voluntary Services. Opportunities can be searched by local postcode, type of opportunity, time of day and week available.

The volunteering site for 16 to 25 year old students in England. Includes a search facility for opportunities.

Raleigh International is a leading youth and education charity. Their expeditions have inspired over 30,000 people from all walks of life, nationalities and ages to develop new skills, friendships and volunteer to make a genuine difference to communities and environments across the world

   Volunteering with CSV enables people of all ages and backgrounds reap the benefits of putting something back. 

General Advice

 This site provides information on looking for a job, work experience and volunteering, your rights and responsibilities at work planning your future, getting your first job.

The site of the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, providing a wide range of information.

Provides all kinds of information and advice for those pupils with disabilities.