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.
Find out what's happening in Careers
Not sure what career you'd like?
Discover a range of sectors, including possible careers, average salaries, courses you may need to take, apprenticeship routes and available jobs.
UCAS Guides & Information
Application Process
If you are applying to start university in September 2023, the Careers team have produced a set of resources to help you with the application process.
The UCAS 2023 Guides include instructions on how to apply.
Personal Statements
Need to write your personal statement?
Student Finance - ARU Guide
As we work closely with Anglia Ruskin University, they have provided us with a handy guide which gives you information on student finance for 2022/23.
Read the Student Finance ARU Guide
UCAS: Supporting you with your application and university journey
Want to find out more about the UCAS process, key dates, what happens after you apply and student life?
Find out all you need to know at UCAS: A Guide for Students
UCAS: Advice for Parents and Guardians
If you're a parent/carer of a young person applying to university, UCAS has lots of resources and information dedicated to helping you support your young person.
StudentStream
StudentStream brings together video content featuring vital advice, help and expert knowledge from universities and colleges across the UK.
Visit StudentStream for more information.
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?
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.
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)
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 2022 have now closed but check their social media pages for information on when the application portal for 2023 opens.
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
Find an Apprenticeship
If you're looking to do an apprenticeship, you can find current roles and even set up alerts on the government 'Find an apprenticeship' website.
Apprenticeship pack for parents/carers
Amazing Apprenticeships, a leading organisation in the education sector, have a number of really useful handbooks for Parents/Carers.
Higher and degree apprenticeships
Higher apprenticeships go from level 4 to 7 and are equivalent to a foundation degree and above. Degree apprenticeships are available at levels 6 and 7 and are equivalent to a full Bachelor's and Master's.
Learn more and find out about upcoming opportunities for programmes starting in 2022.
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
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 |
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