UCAS has a CV Builder tool that might be of interest to those of you considering alternatives to university. Access it here. 

The aircraft maintenance company, Caerdav, has opened applications for their apprenticeship scheme which is suitable for STEM students who will be finishing A Levels this summer. The course involves one year at CAVC, then two years on the job training working on the live aircraft at their Saint Athan base. At the end of the course, there is a guaranteed job as a junior aircraft mechanic as well as gaining modules towards your licence to become an aircraft engineer.

The course was also the winner of the apprenticeship programme award in the aviation industry awards U.K. 2024 so it’s recommended for STEM students who are strong practically. 

Here’s the link with the full breakdown of what the course involves (also on the Caerdav website).

https://caerdav.com/aerospace-apprenticeship-programme-2025

UEA offer a comprehensive programme of online taster lectures, open to all

Taster days are a great way to see if you like a subject and it can help with your personal statement. Register here

Aspire is a collection of free careers, university and further education resources. It is designed to give state-educated students the tools and knowledge they need to make more informed decisions about their future. Their ‘guide’ is a free resource, full of information and guidance, designed to inform you and help you navigate the range of careers and further education out there. Access the online version of the Guide, alongside other resources, on the Aspire website

Please sign up for Uptree here and then check out all the opportunities they have: https://schools.uptree.co/opportunities/  

Current events include:

• Deloitte ASPIRE Programme Insight Day (Online): Thu 23rd Jan (10am-12:30pm)

• Trowers & Hamlins, Solicitor Apprenticeship Application Masterclass (Online): Thu 6 Feb (4:30-6pm)

• KPMG, Work Experience Day (Bristol): Tue 18 Feb (10am-3pm)

• Arm, Technology Work Experience Day (Cambridge): Wed 5 Mar (10am-3:15pm)

• KPMG, Work Experience Day (Leeds): Thu 6 Mar (10am-3pm)

Speakers for Schools has a range of work experience opportunities, just be aware some are aimed at students in England - especially the Healthcare ones which relate to NHS England. Use the link here to see whether there’s anything relevant to you. 

Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors. January’s lectures include:

Science-Based Targets, Greenwashing and Brownscraping: Net Zero in the Private Sector Professor Myles Allen, Tue, 14 Jan 2025 Touching the Sun Professor Chris Lintott, Wed, 15 Jan 2025 [Nb. later start time: 7pm]

Ravensbourne University has Online Portfolio/Showreel Advice Sessions coming up. They are interactive online sessions providing top tips, structure and project ideas for students developing their portfolio or showreel. There will be opportunities for 1:1 feedback and to see examples of excellence. They’re scheduled for:

• 22/01/2025

• 12/02/2025 

They will run 4.00-6.00pm online

University of York

MOOC - University Interview Support 

This online course is a brilliant free resource for Year 2/Year 13 students who might be interested in learning more about university interviews. This free online course covers: preparing for an interview, completing an interview, and how to understand feedback following an interview. Free to access now.

Bangor University has information about their Bangor University Entrance Scholarships for 2025 entry, worth up to £3,000.

The application form and examples of past papers can be downloaded from their website. The closing date for application forms is Friday, 31st January 2025 and the Scholarship examination will be held on Wednesday, 12th February 2025.

Funding is also available through many of the Coleg Cymraeg scholarships if students study part of their courses in Welsh. All the relevant information can be found on their website www.colegcymraeg.ac.uk/scholarships.

King's College, London

Tynybedw Law Bursary - King's College London Law School is offering The Tynybedw Law Bursary to a selected Welsh student who begins an undergraduate Law degree at King's College London in September 2025. Applications for this bursary are open now to learners in Wales who are in Year 13 and are currently making applications to study Law at university. The cash bursary is worth £8,000 in the first and second years of the recipient's degree, and £9,000 in their final year.

USW has Open Days coming up. Book here. 

They also have other opportunities such as Guaranteed Mock Interviews for Nursing and Midwifery:

• Students who apply to study a Nursing or Midwifery course at the University of South Wales AND receive an invite to interview, will be guaranteed a mock interview with the Schools and Colleges Team. Students will receive an email with a link to book their mock interview online. These are conducted via Microsoft Teams and last no longer than 30 minutes, allowing students the flexibility to participate from a comfortable environment of their choice

• They also have a guide to applying to healthcare courses: Application Advice - University of South Wales

Bath University Apply with Bath 2024  - Applications Open

Apply with Bath is a free, flexible online programme for Year 13 students who are thinking of applying to Bath. Apply with Bath provides support with applying to university and includes the opportunity to hear from current Bath students as well as help with your UCAS application, including 1:1 personal statement support sessions. It will provide you with a wealth of resources and support on relevant topics such as personal statements, accommodation, student finance and student life. The flexible nature of this programme means you can choose the parts which are most useful. 

Who is eligible?

Apply with Bath is aimed at academically-able Year 13 students who meet their Widening Participation criteria and are planning to apply to study at the University of Bath from 2025.

To be considered for a place you will need to:

• have obtained at least six GCSEs at grades A* to B, and at least a grade C in GCSE English and Mathematics

• be on track to achieve the required entry grades to study your chosen subject at Bath

• meet one or more of their widening participation criteria

 Find out more and apply here

UCL

UCL Study Prep (Access now) 

UCL Study Prep helps students in Year 13 to prepare for university. This course is free and open to all students in Year 13, regardless of where you go to school or college or which universities you have applied to study at. 

Swansea University has a few things coming up:

• A Q&A session for Year 13 students this Wednesday, January 15 at 18:00. It’s a panel of current Swansea University students talking about their experience of studying at Swansea; they will discuss their application journey, why they chose their degree subject, and what life is like as a Swansea University student.

Register your place here: Zoom Registration - Applicant Q&A

• Social Care Wales and England have confirmed that for BSc Social Work 2025 entry, university courses no longer require a specific number of work experience hours for students to apply for this course.

The changes are:

• Relative social care experience is still encouraged but there’s no requirement for 360 hours to be evidenced

• Maths GCSE is no longer a requirement, only Grade C minimum in English, alongside Level 3 qualifications.

Even though the formal requirement for work experience has been removed, students may still want to include any experiences they have of social care, on their personal statements.

BSc Social Work

Their 2025 on-campus Open Days are Saturday 15 February and Saturday 22 March.

These open days are great for both early researchers in year 12, and year 13 students who have submitted their UCAS application but haven’t had the chance to visit Swansea yet or are questioning their choices on their application form. You will have the opportunity to:-

• Find out about more about courses

• Speak to staff and current students studying your chosen subjects

• Take a tour of of the  campus and department facilities. Register your interest here. 

Bristol UWE also has upcoming Open Days. Book here. 

Students who are interested in Business and Finance. Application tips

Tuesday 14 January 18:00-19:00 Apply here

Students who are interested in Technology. Elevate your applications - advice from Accenturev. Wednesday 02 February 18:00-19:00 Apply here

Deloitte Insight Evening. Tuesday 04 February 18:00-19:00. Apply here

EDF are open for applications, if you're interested in: Nuclear Engineering, Cyber degree apprenticeships, Countryside Ranger and Worker roles, Chemistry degree apprenticeships, Associate Project Management, HR and Construction roles, plus many more

These are just some of their apprenticeships, but for details of everything available, please keep an eye on the EDF website and sign up for job alerts to be kept up-to-date throughout January. And don't forget, applications close on the 31st January, so make sure to get yours in with lots of time to spare. Find out more here. 

Watch this recent webinar to meet the Early Careers team at EDF and learn more about their apprenticeship opportunities. Find out more about EDF’s early careers programmes with these Frequently Asked Questions.

Visit their website for more detail. 

has Digital product management, data analytics, software engineering, trading & shipping, people & culture (HR), engineering and commercial apprenticeships available.

There’s a starting range of up to £24k, plus a settling in allowance and a generous benefits and wellbeing package. 

Learn more about their recruitment process hints and tips

Find out about their apprentice opportunities and upcoming events

Those of you interested in apprenticeship, could sign up for the Apprenticeship Vacancies newsletter designed to make it easier for students to find out about relevant apprenticeship opportunities. Sign up to this new free mailing list and they’ll keep you updated with a variety of roles from a wide range of brilliant apprenticeship employers.Sign up here

Amazing Apprenticeships have a ‘Student Zone’ with information that might be of interest. 

RENISHAW APPRENTICESHIPS 2025 NOW OPEN

Renishaw Employer Profile - Early Talent Academy

https://earlytalentacademy.co.uk/apprenticeship-employers/renishaw/#viewjobs

BAE SYSTEMS - GLASCOED - APPRENTICESHIPS 2025 NOW OPEN – closing date currently 28th Feb – Early application is advisable as may close early.

BAE SYSTEMS, GLASCOED – APPRENTICESHIPS

Advanced Apprentice Electrical Maintenance Technician 

Advanced Apprentice Business Administration

Advanced Apprentice Quality Technician

Advanced Apprentice Non-Destructive Examination

Advanced Apprentice Safety, Health and Environment

Advanced Apprentice Civil Engineering Technical

Advanced Apprentice Mechanical Maintenance Technician

Higher Apprentice Finance

Higher Apprentice Procurement and Supply

Higher Apprentice Project Management and Control

Degree Apprentice Design Engineering

Degree Apprentice Ordnance Munitions and Explosives Engineering

Information from Careers Wales:

https://careerswales.gov.wales/apprenticeships/employers-who-offer-apprenticeships 

Network 75 is a combined work placement and part-time study route to a degree allowing students to Work, Earn and Learn. Read more about it here.