University & Graduate Advice

How can university and Higher Education help you shape a life and career you love?

Applying for University?

What’s YOUR route to a degree?

Didn’t get the exam grades you wanted? You’ve got lots of options, from UCAS Clearing to degrees via remote learning (like Open University courses) or even getting a cost-free degree with an employer through Degree Apprenticeships.

How To Apply For University

See All Uni & Graduate Advice

Further vs Higher Education

Higher Education (HE) is the next level up of education offered at universities and some FE colleges. In addition to bachelor’s and master’s degrees, HE qualifications can include foundation degrees, PGCEs, HNCs and HNDs. HE qualifications can be both vocational and academic, depending on what you’re studying.

Further Education (FE) qualifications help you gain practical skills and knowledge to follow a specific career path. Which qualification is right for YOU?

Applying For University?

University Student Life

We’ve got Freshers’ Week tips to get you started, but it doesn’t end there. Check out our student finance and mental health sections to ensure your wellbeing and wallet are topped up during your studies. If you’ve got a problem of any kind, these student helplines can support you in your time of need. Finally, if you’re thinking about building experience during your degree, be sure to check out our Youth Advice Hub for tips on work experience, part-time job hunting and much, much more!

Once you get to college or university, money matters. Check our student finance tips to help you stretch your money (and student loan) further.

Student finance tips

College and university bring more freedom, but also potential stress. Take care of yourself, because you know it’s important.

Student mental health

Advice for Graduates

You’ve graduated! What next?

Once you’ve graduated, sustaining your independence and getting life and work experience in a career you love are probably at the top of your to-do list.

Remember, your university can still help you after you graduate. Brush up your graduate CV, download the government’s graduate employment and skills guide for inspiration, then start exploring opportunities.

Apply for graduate roles

Check our #CreateYourFuture graduate opportunities. Even if a deadline has passed, it’s a great way to find employers that offer amazing graduate opportunities on a rolling basis.

The majority of Youth Friendly Employers in our network offer immensely satisfying (and fairly paid) graduate roles in a wide variety of sectors, so check to see what they offer. They all value your worth and care about your career development.

 

Graduates: Discover Youth Friendly Employers & Organisations

These are examples of employers and organisations who carry the Youth Friendly Employer Badge. That means they work hard to offer good opportunities, fair salaries, and a chance for career growth and personal development.

Discover Youth Friendly Employers

Surrey County Council Careers Thinking about rewarding apprenticeships and early careers in a diverse environment? Fire up your career with SCC! EXPLORE VHR Technical Recruitment The VHR talent academy can help you get into a successful technical recruitment career - with NO experience! EXPLORE Careers in Eyecare From healthcare lab to high street fashion - you don't need a degree to open your eyes to eyecare careers EXPLORE ABP Foods Apprenticeships, graduate schemes and an AMAZING early careers academy in the world of sustainable food EXPLORE Get Into Teaching You can get a teaching degree for FREE with apprenticeships! EXPLORE Prezzo Restaurant Careers Prezzo offers so many early careers, from cooking great food and giving great customer service to managing like a boss! EXPLORE Martin Brower Careers Break into business, admin and supply careers with Martin Brower. Don't settle for the status quo. EXPLORE Aspiration Training Traineeships & Apprenticeships in childcare, dental nursing, teaching, health/social care, and business admin EXPLORE Careers in Racing Horse racing is a great career choice! British Racing is the 2nd largest spectator sport after football. EXPLORE Historic England Discover early careers in heritage for all backgrounds, skills and interests. EXPLORE Essex Youth Service Aged 13-25 and live in Essex? Get involved in fun activities, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and online Plan B Traineeships. EXPLORE The British Library Work experience, internships and apprenticeships with The British Library open up a WORLD of possibilities. EXPLORE IHG Early Careers Discover how you can grow your career in hospitality! EXPLORE Coach Core Apprenticeships See how Coach Core Apprenticeships get you into sport careers EXPLORE Royal Air Force There’s nothing like a career in the RAF, it’s not just a job but a way of living. EXPLORE Catch22 Youth Services Want to overcome barriers in life, whatever your background? Want employers to give you a chance? We can help. EXPLORE Coca-Cola EuroPacific Want to work for one of the most well-known brands in the world? They work hard to develop their young people! EXPLORE Environment Agency Careers Our work helps to protect and improve the environment to make it a better place for people and wildlife. Join us! EXPLORE Generation: Free Skills Training Get FREE skills and careers training today! Generation gives you skills and connects you with employers to find a job fast. EXPLORE Haven Joining Haven is more than just a job. Our early careers are a breath of fresh air! EXPLORE Working in local government Local government touches everyone's lives every day EXPLORE McDonald's Early Careers You probably knew you can get McDonald's Apprenticeships. Did you know you can also study for a FREE Management Degree? EXPLORE NCFE Vocational Qualifications Young people get amazing perks when they work for the NCFE, with apprenticeships and more. The training is great, too. EXPLORE Pret Apprenticeships & Careers When you apply for a Pret Apprenticeship or junior role, you’ll belong to a community of achievers. Get support on your own unique career journey! EXPLORE Severn Trent Careers Discover opportunities for apprentices, graduates and undergraduates in the office and beyond! EXPLORE
Severn Trent
VHR