Careers Information for Students

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)

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  • 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/
  • Women in Engineering: She’s An Engineer - Women's Engineering Society

  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):
    T Levels Explained

  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):

• • Apprenticeships and work (BBC Bitesize):
  • Amazing Apprenticeships – resources and opportunities

  Where You Can Study:

  • Colleges & Sixth Forms (Birmingham Careers Service):
  • Training Providers – organisations that can help and support you into work and apprenticeships:
  • SEND Colleges – organisations providing additional learning support:

Sixth Form (Years 12–13)

• Key Stage 5, (Sixth Form)

  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 
  • Birmingham City University (BCU)
  • Aston University
  • Newman University
  • University of Wolverhampton
  • Coventry University
  • University College Birmingham

   

  Degree Apprenticeships & Alternatives to University

  • Find an apprenticeship (GOV.UK): 
  • Not Going to Uni: 
  • SACU – career quiz helping you find the right career, degree or apprenticeship:
  • Degree apprenticeships – explainer video (Bing video link used in original):