University
The following resources might be useful if you are considering university as an option for the future. The very best website to use is the UCAS website, which has a lot of information about making decisions about higher education and the UCAS application process, as well as having the facility to search for universities and courses.
If you are considering your post-16 option choices, the Russell Group’s Informed Choices website can help you to identify possible pathways with your chosen combination of subjects.
Russell Group Informed Choices
The guides below give some helpful information about what university life involves, and why you might want to consider higher education.
Birmingham University Junior Prospectus
Exeter University guide to university
Don’t understand any of the terminology? The guide below might be useful!
Exeter University Jargon Buster
The guide below explains the difference between campus and city universities.
Which subject should you study? The following guides from UCAS are really useful.
What factors should you take into consideration when deciding which university to choose?
Which choosing a university guide
UCAS questions about higher education
If you want a way of capturing or summarising your research about particular universities, the resources below might help.
The articles and resources below might help you if you are starting to write your personal statement.
UCAS personal statement worksheet
Writing your personal statement
Sussex University personal statement tips
Surrey University personal statement tips
The Guardian: how to write a personal statement
Goldsmith’s University: how to write a personal statement
How to structure your personal statement
York University: how to write a personal statement
Durham University personal statement tips
The videos below gives some great tips and “dos” and “don’ts”
The information below explains the UCAS tariff system.
Apprenticeships
Searching for apprenticeships in the local area
Search for current apprenticeship vacancies using the government search tool:
Degree apprenticeships
UCAS guide to degree apprenticeships
Writing CVs
When you apply for a part-time or full-time job, it is often helpful to submit a CV or “Curriculum Vitae” as part of the application process. Your CV summarises your qualifications, skills and experiences and is a way of demonstrating that you have an appropriate set of skills for the job that you are applying for.
The following web-sites give suggestions about how to write an effective CV and covering letter.
Guidance from Sheffield University
Guidance from Leicester University
Guidance from Edinburgh Univeristy
Guidance from Manchester University
In addition, the template and example below from Barclays’ Life Skills materials are also helpful.
Barclays chronological CV template
Barclays example of chronological CV
Preparing for an interview
Whether you are applying for a part-time job, a place in the sixth form, or an apprenticeship, it is always a good idea to prepare carefully for your interview. The following web-sites and resources give some top tips and advice about how to present yourself effectively in an interview situation.
Guidance from Leicester University
Typical job interview questions
You might find it useful to have a look at some of the web-sites below to find out what sort of questions you are likely be asked at a job interview.
Job Interview Questions, Answers and Tips
Most Common Interview Questions
The Muse – 31 Most Common Interview Questions
Glassdoor – 50 Most Common Interview Questions
Tests at interviews
For some apprenticeship programmes, you might be asked to complete a series of tests to assess your skills. Try the tests below and see how you get on!
Sample numerical comprehension tests
