Over 200 universities offer approximately 50 000 degree courses in a wide range of subjects. Students studying Level 3 BTEC or A Level courses and who have a minimum of Grade 4 in GCSE English and Maths make successful applications to university. Please note: the minimum requirement may vary for specific universities and courses, please check before you apply.

More information on making applications can be found on the following websites:

www.ucas.com: The official UCAS website where applications are processed. Use the “Course Search” page to search for degree courses and find out the entry requirements for each

www.unistats.ac.uk: The official website for comparing UK higher education course data. The site includes official data on each university and college’s satisfaction scores in the National Student Survey, jobs and salaries after study and other key information for prospective students.

www.russellgroup.ac.uk: The Russell Group represents 24 leading UK universities which are committed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience and unrivalled links with business and the public sector.

www.gov.uk/student-finance: Find out information about loans and grants to cover tuition fees and living costs whilst at university

Every year employers are seeking to recruit apprentices with good grades at BTEC Level 3 or A Level. An apprenticeship allows young people to work towards recognised qualifications in a specific employment sector whilst earning a wage and gaining experience. Many apprentices successfully gain full time employment with their company at the end of an apprenticeship.

Vacancies for apprenticeships vary from year to year according to employer demand. There is no central application system, but the following websites are useful in finding vacancies.

www.apprenticeships.org.uk: Find apprenticeship vacancies across the UK. It is free to register with and will provide e mail notification of suitable vacancies.

For existing Featherstone students, please visit Firefly and go to Careers to find out more.

Many blue chip companies are looking to recruit school leavers with excellent BTEC Level 3 or A Level grades for intensive in house training programmes.

Whilst earning highly competitive salaries successful candidates undergo a rigorous training programme leading to degree level qualifications. Companies offering these programmes include Virgin, KPMG and Siemens. Existing Featherstone students can find out more by visiting Firefly and going to the Careers section.

Every student has a fortnightly tutorial with a dedicated Sixth Form tutor. Discussion is always centred on the student’s progress and predicted grades to help students identify suitable progression routes. In Year 13 students are supported in writing outstanding personal statements to accompany applications.

The school’s Connexions adviser works with students in the Sixth Form to support students in identifying and applying for opportunities after Year 13.

Please go to: www.youngealing.co.uk/connexions/ for further information

All students are encouraged to participate in visits to employers and universities to experience first-hand the options available. Visits include: university day trips; the UCAS Fayre; and summer schools and master classes at Russell Group universities.

All students following Level 3 courses attend a two day conference in the Summer Term of Year 12. During the two days experienced staffs support students in beginning to write an outstanding personal statement. Following work over the summer holidays, students are further supported during one to one tutorials at the start of Year 13.

Students who are on target to achieve outstanding A Level grades are offered additional support to make successful applications for Oxbridge and Russell Group universities. Support includes regular one to one meetings with an academic tutor and the opportunity to study for the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

FHS Scholars Programme

This programme will be offered to students who have achieved very high GCSE grades (majority 7-9s). They will be competing for places to study at one of the top universities around the country, including Oxbridge (Oxford and Cambridge) and Russell Group Universities for courses such as Medicine, Dentistry and Law. For such courses and universities, students will be required to show that they can be stretched and challenged and achieve outside of their academic field. They will need to demonstrate some of the much sought after skills such as in-depth research ability, independent and creative thinking and presentation and interview skills.

Students can apply for the FHS Scholars Programme at the beginning of Year 12.