USP College is committed to offering a careers service accessible to everyone, ensuring that all learners are fully equipped with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and work.
The College offers high-quality, impartial careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) that is stable, structured and delivered by experienced College staff who have the right skills and experience. All of our Careers Advisers are trained to at least Level 4.
We are firmly committed to delivering a CEIAG programme that is fully informed by the eight Gatsby Career Benchmarks and to the Baker Clause.
Parent/Carer?
We acknowledge parents and carers' crucial input in helping learners make informed choices about their future career pathways. We work closely with them and welcome their involvement in their young person's progress and future career goals by keeping them informed and publishing the Careers Programme, which can be accessed on the College Careers Calendar. All activities are measured against the Gatsby Benchmarks.
Already a student with us?
Our CEIAG aim is to promote the benefits of learning, helping you address and overcome any barriers to learning and supporting you in making realistic and well-informed choices.
If you are thinking about what your next step might be, need UCAS support or want to enhance your CV, you can book an appointment with the Careers team in a number of ways.
- Ask your Progress Coach to make a referral
- Email the team at careers.all@uspcollege.ac.uk
- Pop along to see the Careers team, located in the Libraries at each campus.
The CEIAG policy is currently in draft and will be published shortly. Please email info@uspcollege.ac.uk if you require further information.
The information on this page will be reviewed in March 2022.
UCAS Guides & Information
Application Process
If you are applying to start university in September 2022, the Careers team at USP have produced a set of resources to help you with the application process.
Should you have any questions then please email the team careers@uspcollege.ac.uk
Click here to view a Guide to UCAS 2022 and instructions on how to apply
UCAS 2022 Form Guide
Click the link below to watch a guide on how to complete your UCAS form.
Personal Statements
Need help writing your personal statement?
Please look at the resources below to support you.
Student Finance 2021 *NOW OPEN*
If you have applied to start your degree this year you will need to apply for student finance. You will need to register and create an account at https://www.gov.uk/apply-online-for-student-finance
Please remember you do not need to have received all of your offers to apply.
Over the next few weeks we will be adding more information and resources to support you with the process.
For further information please use the 'Funding Your Future’ link below to find out everything you need to know about student finance applications.
Student Finance - ARU Guide
USP College work closely with Anglia Ruskin University and they have provided us with a handy guide which gives you information on student finance for 2021/22. Click the Student Finance - ARU Guide link below for more information.
Understanding Student Finance Webinar
The University of Portsmouth have provided this useful webinar to inform you about the funding available, who is eligible, how to apply and all the key deadlines. Click on the 'Understanding Student Finance' link below to view the webinar.
UCAS: Supporting you with your application and university journey
Please click the UCAS: A Guide for Students link below for a comprehensive resource to support you with your application and university journey, including key dates, what happens after you apply and student life.
UCAS: Advice for Parents and Guardians
Please click the UCAS: Advice for Parents and Guardians link below to access resources and information dedicated to help parents and guardians support students who are applying to or have applied to university.
UCAS: Advice for Parents and Guardians
StudentStream
StudentStream brings together video content featuring vital advice, help and expert knowledge from universities and colleges across the UK. Click on the StudentStream link below and use the search function in the top right of the homepage to find the videos that are suitable for you, or select Pre Uni, At Uni or Post Uni in the top left of the homepage.
Careers, Skills & Training
Not going to Uni?
Unsure whether you want to go to university? Click on the Not Going to Uni link below and find out more about the alternatives to the standard university route for college leavers. The site enables you to search for available apprenticeships at all levels, countrywide.
Looking for that perfect career?
Click the Prospects link below to match your skills and personality to 400+ job profiles.
The Career Planner matches your skills, motivations and desires to a career that's perfect for you. To get even more from your results, take them to your University or College career adviser.
Prospects is a comprehensive website giving advice on applying to university, job profiles and sectors, CV’s and interviews and much more.
Interested in a career in the investment management industry?
Investment20/20 is the careers site where you can learn about the investment management industry and all its opportunities. It provides access to school leaver and graduate trainee programmes across 42 partner companies.
To find out more, click the Investment2020 link below.
Labour Market Information (LMI)
Explore UK data relating to pay, weekly hours or work and future employment prospects for different occupations.
Careerometer can be used to explore and compare key information about occupations, help you learn about different occupations and identify potential careers. It provides access to a selection of UK headline data relating to pay, weekly hours of work and future employment prospects for different occupations, as well as description of the occupation.
Simply type in the title of the job you are interested in and the widget provides a series of options from which you can select the most relevant to you. You can then look up another two occupations and compare. You can also select ‘display the UK average’ and compare the information with the occupation you have selected.
Supporting Young People
Youth Employment UK is an independent, not for profit social enterprise founded in 2012 to tackle you unemployment. Their Skills and Careers Hub provides 14-24 year olds with free resources, advice and guidance. Designed with input from young people, the Skills and Careers Hub offers practical tools to support young people through education, transition into employment and beyond in a process of lifelong learning.
Aspiring Professionals Programme (APP)
The APP is carefully designed to open up professions for those with the ability to join them in the future, but without the means or networks to get there.
The programme aims to give young people a real insight into top professions and to provide them with the skills needed to achieve their aspirations. They offer support through mentoring by a professional via email, tailored skills sessions and career workshops, university application support and guidance and internships with top employers.
Applications for 2021 have now closed but check their social media pages for information on when the application portal for 2022 opens.
Click on the Aspiring Professionals link below for more information.
Essex Opportunities Portal
Essex County Council is pleased to announce the launch of the Essex Opportunities Portal, a virtual One Stop Shop providing young people and adults with information and advice around careers, skills, training and employment opportunities.
Essex County Council and Southend Borough Council have worked in collaboration with employers, FE Colleges, Training Providers and a range of partners to develop the Portal, which can be accessed by clicking the Essex Opportunities portal link below.
Features include Explore Careers pages, a Training Provider showcase with links to post 16 provision, an Employer showcase and information around employment growth sectors.
Employability Skills
Employability skills are transferrable skills that are useful in nearly every job. They involve development of an expertise, knowledge base or mindset that makes you more attractive to employers. Employability skills are also often referred to as employment skills, soft skills, work-readiness skills or foundational skills.
We have put together some resources to help in all aspects of finding a job. Click the link below to view the recources.
Apprenticeships
Amazing Apprenticeships
Amazing Apprenticeships is a leading organisation in the education sector and is the approved communication channel, commissioned by the National Apprenticeship Service, to support the Apprenticeship Support & Knowledge for Schools project. Click on the Amazing Apprenticeships link below to find numerous resources to support students/parents and carers.
Apprenticeship pack for parents/carers
Amazing Apprenticeships is a leading organisation in the education sector and they have put together a really useful handbook for Parents/Carers which you can view by clicking the Parents' and Carers' link below.
Thinking of applying to Oxford or Cambridge University, or applying for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science?
If you are considering any of the above options then the application process is slightly different to the majority of degree courses.
To support you with this the team have put together below a number of resources that will guide you through the process. Please use the additional links provided to aid your research so that you are informed and well prepared for the process.
Applying to Oxford or Cambridge - An Overview
Applying to Oxford or Cambridge - A Guide
Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine Applications
Interested in studying in the USA, Canada or Ireland?
If you are interested in studying overseas and are not sure of the process, please refer to our list of resources below that have been written to support you with the process.
You will also find the link to the UCAS website which has a specific area on studying overseas.
Applying to University in Ireland
Applying to University in Canada
Applying to University in USA
UCAS - Studying overseas
Careers Newsletters
Keep up to date with the latest work and apprenticeship opportunities.
Click below to view the latest Careers newsletter.
To view previous issues please click the link below:
University Newsletters
Keep up to date with the latest UCAS information, open days and much more.
Click below to view the latest University newsletter.
To view previous issues please click the link below:
Top 20 University choices by USP Applicants
The institutions listed below are based on UCAS applications made by USP College students for 2021 entry to University.
| Anglia Ruskin University www.aru.ac.uk No open events currently advertised |
City, University of London |
|
King’s College London |
Kingston University London |
|
The University of Nottingham |
Loughborough University |
|
London Metropolitan University |
University of Greenwich |
|
University of Essex |
University of East London |
|
Queen Mary University of London |
Birmingham City University |
|
London South Bank University |
University of Westminster |
|
University of Portsmouth |
Nottingham Trent University |
|
De Montfort University |
Middlesex University London |
|
University of Southampton |
Canterbury Christ Church University |
University Open Days
For University Open Day Information: www.opendays.com
UK University Search: www.ukuniversitysearch.com
UK University Finder: www.universityfinder.org.uk
Whatuni: www.whatuni.com
Discover Uni: www.discoveruni.gov.uk
The UniGuide: www.theuniguide.co.uk
The Complete University Guide: www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk
UCAS: www.UCAS.com