University, Apprenticeship and Careers Support

We want you to make the most of your time during sixth form and as well as studying hard in your subjects, we will provide you with access to a vast array of support and information to aid your plans for life after Cowes Sixth Form! In addition to our dedicated and award winning careers team, we also work with our Careers Advisor from Island Futures, to offer impartial 1:1 careers guidance. Here is a snapshot of the support we can offer:

Education & Training post-18 - University:

University application: Our university support programme begins in your first term at Cowes Sixth Form. We have excellent partnerships with universities including University of Southampton, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford and the Southern Universities Network (SUN). You will have opportunities to attend taster days, masterclasses and residentials on campus. We offer regular visits from university outreach teams who deliver support and presentations on how to complete university applications and apply for student finance. Our expert team will work with you on an individual basis to ensure you write the most effective personal statement and have the understanding and knowledge required to make a successful application to your dream university.

Aspire is our dedicated Oxbridge preparation programme designed to provide essential information and support for Oxbridge applicants and to offer expert guidance and tailored feedback to help you throughout the application process. Every year our students are successful in their summer school applications to Oxford and Cambridge universities. The Aspire programme will prepare you for the pre-entrance exams and interviews through rigorous mock interviews and specialist one to one support from both our alumni currently studying at Oxbridge colleges and our highly experienced head of sixth form who is a Cambridge graduate.

AspireMed is our specialist Medicine preparation programme which provides you with expert, bespoke information, advice and guidance to enable you to succeed in your application to medical school. We specialise in ensuring you have access to the very best medical work placements through our partnership with St. Mary’s Hospital. Our medicine alumni and specialist university application team provide support with UKAT and BMAT exams and lead you through the varied interview process. We provide rigorous mock exam and interview experience and access to the elite medicine summer schools to ensure your successful application.

AspireLaw is our expert support programme for law degree preparation which provides the information and experiences required to make a successful application to a law degree. We run highly successful debate and championship Mock Trial competition teams. Our specialist university support package will assist your preparation for the LNAT and provide mock interviews and exam support. You will have access to our alumni currently reading law degrees to provide you with information, advice and guidance about the intricacies of the law application process.

If you are considering university as a future option then please explore the UCAS website to start to get a feel of the opportunities that are available to you https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate

Apprenticeships:

We understand that university might not be every students’ choice after sixth form and to provide you with the full range of information, advice and guidance, we work closely with the local apprenticeship providers and ALPHI Network to deliver up-to-date information on apprenticeships; including where to find them, how to apply, what they will entail in terms of work/study balance and how much you can expect to get paid. There is no central ‘hub’ for all apprenticeship opportunities but many can be found either directly on a companies own website, through UCAS or https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Employability Skills – Work Experience and Enrichment

During your time with us in the sixth form, we want you to grow and develop your skills, both academically and to prepare you for future employability! To that end, we work closely with all local employers and industry sectors, to be able to provide you with the best range of work experience and volunteering opportunities. Work experience is invaluable, and in some cases, essential, to demonstrating to future universities and employers that you have the commitment and passion that they are looking for. In particular, students have found placements with the NHS and BAE systems to be extremely beneficial.

We are excited to offer the opportunity for entrepreneurs to take part in Young Enterprise, empowering students to set up and run a company under the guidance of a business volunteer. Students make all the decisions about their business, from deciding on the company name, managing the company finances and selling to the public. YE teams gain practical business experience and key skills.