Sixth Form
Careers & University

Careers & University

Applying to university

Most of our students decide to continue their educational journey at university. Every year our students attend some of the top universities in the country with many accepting offers at Russell Group universities as well as Oxford and Cambridge.

We offer a comprehensive UCAS support programme designed to guide you through every stage of the process, from choosing the right course to writing a standout personal statement and preparing for interviews.

Please see the link below about UCAS applications and personal statements.

How to Sign up to UCAS.pdf

Our students make informed, well-researched choices that reflect both ambition and realism, maximising their chances of securing offers from their chosen universities. With personalised advice and expert guidance, we’ll help you submit a strong application that showcases your strengths and sets you apart.

UCAS - information for parents

Parents often ask for information on the UCAS process. Below is a link for guidance for parents, along with helpful links and websites to support your child. It illustrates the benefits of higher education, outlines the application process, and advises parents on what they can do to support their child.

UCAS Parental Guide.pdf

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service) is the admission organisation for higher education in the UK. Students can also use Unifrog to search for courses, create shortlists and much more.

The UCAS information tool for parents can be used for advice, hints and tips to help your child, or someone you care for, through the application process or to subscribe to the parent newsletter for regular updates.

The UCAS website also includes student finance information, where you can find out more about fees and the range of financial support available.

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a real job that offers hands-on experience while also providing the training needed to gain a relevant industry qualification. Some of our leavers choose this route after completing a vocational pathway, having already developed a targeted skill set for the workplace. Others opt for apprenticeships because they prefer a more practical route into their career and do not wish to attend university.

There are different levels of apprenticeships, and it is vital that you choose the correct level before applying:

Intermediate – this equates to five good GCSE passes (Level 2 qualifications)
Advanced Apprenticeship – this equates to two A Level passes (Level 3 qualifications)
Higher Apprenticeships – this equates to either a Foundation Degree/Higher National Certificate (Level 4 qualifications)
Degree Apprenticeships – this equates to a full bachelor's or master's degree (Levels 6 and 7)

There are lots of benefits to studying for an apprenticeship. Some of them are:

You are earning a competitive salary and not getting into debt
You are not investing in further studies at university
Your employer is investing in your learning
You are achieving an industry-recognised qualification
You are gaining invaluable work experience
You are developing your soft skills which are transferable

You can learn about apprenticeships in a variety of ways. In addition to support from your careers adviser, there are also plenty of useful websites to explore, including:

How to get involved as a former student

If you are a former student of Harris Academy Beckenham, we encourage you to sign up to our Harris Futures Alumni Network. Please visit the Harris Futures page to sign up and find out more.