Careers Information for Students

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Finding an ideal career requires planning, research, organisation, and adaptability. Think of it like using a Sat Nav for a journey - your career journey also needs a clear map.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9)Unifrog – a single, impartial and user-friendly platform that brings the most uptodate information together to help students make good choices and prepare excellent applications:

https://www.unifrog.org/
National Careers Service – job profiles explaining key skills, main tasks, salary details, labour market information, linked subjects and how to get into each role:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
Career Pilot – very useful labour market information, including how many people work in each sector and whether jobs are likely to rise or fall; also covers salaries, Apprenticeships and top employers:
https://careerpilot.org.uk/
iCould – short, engaging videos about a wide range of roles and career pathways:
https://icould.com/
Careers Box – a free resource with lots of videos of real people doing real jobs:
https://www.careersbox.co.uk/

Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11)

Begin planning your post‑16 pathway. In addition to the Key Stage 3 resources, explore the following:

Information on Post‑16 Qualifications:

A Levels – academic, exam‑based study over two years:
https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/uk-schools/advice/a-levels-explained
T Levels – career‑focused qualifications with substantial industry placement:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zdr28hv
T Level – video explanation (BBC Bitesize):
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=t+levels+explained&mid=12CF011FCA0A788E5C4B12CF011FCA0A788E5C4B&FORM=VIRE

Apprenticeships:

There are many different types and levels of apprenticeship, so do your research.
Entry requirements vary by level, so check you have the grades/qualifications needed.
Apprentices work and study towards a qualification at the same time, so it can be full‑on.
You can do an apprenticeship across many fields (e.g. media, business, construction, social care).
Hear from experts about apprenticeships (BBC Bitesize):
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/z6jf92p
Apprenticeships and work (BBC Bitesize):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zhx86v4
Amazing Apprenticeships – resources and opportunities:
https://amazingapprenticeships.com/

Where You Can Study:

Colleges & Sixth Forms (Birmingham Careers Service):
https://www.birminghamcareersservice.co.uk/college-and-6th-form-marketplace/
Training Providers – organisations that can help and support you into work and apprenticeships:
https://www.birminghamcareersservice.co.uk/training-provider-marketplace/
SEND Colleges – organisations providing additional learning support:
https://www.birminghamcareersservice.co.uk/send-colleges/

Sixth Form (Years 12–13)

Use your Level 3 qualifications to move into jobs and careers. Start to think about:

University Options:

UCAS: https://www.ucas.com/
Local universities:

University of Birmingham – https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/
Birmingham City University (BCU) – https://www.bcu.ac.uk/
Aston University – https://www.aston.ac.uk/
Newman University – https://www.newman.ac.uk/
University of Wolverhampton – https://www.wolverhampton.ac.uk/
Coventry University – https://www.coventry.ac.uk/
University College Birmingham- www.ucb.ac.uk

Degree Apprenticeships & Alternatives to University

Find an apprenticeship (GOV.UK): https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
Not Going to Uni: https://notgoingtouni.co.uk/
SACU – career quiz helping you find the right career, degree or apprenticeship:
https://sacu-student.com/
Degree apprenticeships – explainer video (Bing video link used in original):
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=degree+apprenticehsips+explained+bbc+bitesize&&mid=1254ABDB5D2BFFF0A8A41254ABDB5D2BFFF0A8A4&FORM=VRDGAR