Options Overview and Personal Statements

With so many options for students to choose from at age 18, it can be daunting and overwhelming! Students who want to carry on gaining qualifications (and therefore increasing their earning potential) often ask: ‘Should I go to university or take an apprenticeship?’ This video – presented by industry professionals – gives some insight into what future employers look for in apprentices and university graduates, once they’re ready to start work.

UCAS has provided this useful template to help your decision-making about whether you would like to go to university, go to work or start an apprenticeship.

Download your copy of the template.

Exemplar Personal Statements – These are all really good DRAFT examples, written by our own students, but remember that you need to write your own – employers, apprenticeship providers and universities ALL use plagiarism software! Click here to view the templates.

An independently-published ‘Parents’ Guide to Post-18 Options’ that provides additional information and help. Click here to view the guide.

Personal Statement

UCAS Choose your future screenshot

Struggling with your personal statement? Help is at hand!
Click on the image above for resources and advice designed to help you get your personal statement right!

How to write a UCAS personal statement screenshot

This article explains what you should include in your personal statement, answer some common statement struggles and share statement examples to get inspiration from. Click on the image above for more information.

How to write your personal statement for university screenshot

Please click on the image above to read the full ebook.

Personal statement video information

Personal statements – Finding a formula

Advice on how to write a personal statement, a cover letter and a CV, if you are planning to take an apprenticeship or go straight into employment:

Apprenticeships CV guide screenshot
How to write a cover letter guide screenshot

How do I choose my starting career? HELP!

Another really useful tool you can use to help you to decide your future is to take a Morrisby Test. While this is not a free service, you pay once and then have lifetime access to the service. This could be really handy, as careers experts estimate that students leaving school now are likely to have at least 8 different careers during their working lifetime! You can visit the Morrisby website here.

‘Careerpilot’ is a GREAT website that can help students to explore Post-18 options. They can identify future careers – based on their preferences, skills and aptitude – and then find out whether they are better off going straight into employment, taking an apprenticeship or going to university. This service is FREE and can be accessed here.