The Careers and Higher Education Team give advice in whatever routes a pupil is considering after their Sixth Form studies. Careers guidance and personal skills development are central aspects of a pupil’s education at Cheltenham, with more time dedicated to this from the Fourth Form onwards.

The department has purpose built offices, a meeting room, and a specialist library of resources – based next to the main Library. With a Sixth Form of over 300 pupils, Cheltenham College handles a large and diverse range of university, apprenticeship and employment applications and has a great deal of experience (and success) in placing pupils at their first choice destination.

Which universities and courses do our pupils progress to?

Below shows the higher education courses our pupils have chosen in order of popularity over the last few years. In addition to these we have pupils who take courses such as Art Foundation, Creative Writing, and Music at Conservatoires.

• Economics; Business; Finance; Accountancy
• Law; International Relations; Politics; History
• Science-related subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Veterinary
• Social Sciences: Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Criminology
• English; Drama; Film Studies
• Engineering
• Fashion; Textiles; Art
• Geography

Our most favoured university destinations over the last ten years are (in popularity order)

• Exeter University, Bath University, Newcastle University
• Bristol University, Cardiff University, Edinburgh University, Manchester University
• St Andrews University, Leeds University, Oxford Brookes University
• Durham University, Southampton University, Royal Agricultural University

Each year, approximately 25 pupils apply to both Oxford and Cambridge, with around four to six receiving offers. We are also delighted in the increasing interest in work-based learning options and applications for degree apprenticeships in particular. Recent leavers have applied to companies such as JP Morgan, GCHQ, WSP, Cisco, PwC, BT and The Royal Navy. Once pupils leave College, they join the Cheltonian Society, a vast network of over 10,000 Old Cheltonians (OCs) around the world through which our Leavers have secured themselves internships, work experience and even employment.

How do we support Oxbridge and applications for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary courses?

If you are thinking of Oxford or Cambridge, we provide a specialist programme specific to your subject and a subject mentor (usually a Head of Department) to support you with your application, entrance exam and interview preparation. We also provide a tailored preparation programme if you are considering applications to medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses, or if are applying for an apprenticeship.

Applications to international universities are increasing year on year and we have a specialist member of staff to advise and help coordinate your application. This year alone our students have applied to institutions in the USA, Canada and Hong Kong.

How do we help with your applications?

Applications to most UK universities follow a standard procedure and we provide full UCAS support to you throughout the process with the use of the online platform Unifrog, trained tutors, twice-weekly UCAS clinics and Futures Week at the end of the Lower Sixth during which you will take part in talks and workshops to help prepare you for your application and transition from College. At the same time, we recognise that some application processes follow a different route or have more demanding requirements.