sixth form careers and univerity and other pathways support
With you every step of the way
At KES our UCAS team provide a range of services to ensure that Sixth Form pupils make timely, well thought-through and appropriate applications to university and other higher education institutions or pathways. The team includes specialist support and dedicated programmes for applicants likely to face admissions tests and interviews, such as those applying to Oxbridge or to study Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science. We also have a specialist advisor to guide pupils through the complexities of non-British applications to overseas destinations, with a growing number of pupils interested in studying in America.
The team organise guest speakers, roadshows and help to secure relevant work experience which is so vital for a competitive applicant. Sixth Formers also use Unifrog, the renowned destinations platform, which helps students with the whole onward destination process, from exploring their interests and recording the valuable things they have done, to finding training opportunities and drafting their applications.
Admissions Tests
KES offers extensive support for university admissions testing. Every department provides additional lessons to help with subject specific assessments, such as the LNAT, TSA, ESAT, TMUA and more.
Specialist Support
- Mr Burns, our competitive courses lead, in addition to all the one-to-one sessions he holds with pupils, runs a weekly extension class, called 'Think Tank' where pupils are required to engage in thought-provoking topics beyond the curriculum and challenge each other in their interpretations. In the run-up to application this turns into specific personal statement and interview workshop, making sure our applicants are as well prepared as they can be.
- Mr Mawer, our overseas lead, holds regular sessions with applicants, helping them to research processes, collate documentation and refine their approach to an ever-growing number of different countries’ institutions.
- Mrs Stanford-Tuck, our medical lead, is always on hand to coach our many aspirant clinicians, providing interview support, work experience assistance, application advice and a weekly MedSoc to discuss current and relevant issues.
- Meanwhile, Mr Thomas, our Head of HE&UCAS, runs an open-door policy providing timely and in-depth advice for all our Sixth Formers, as well as creating invaluable resources and delivering insightful talks to pupils, staff and parents. All applicants for courses likely to get interviewed are provided with a practice interview with an external adult.
Careers Advice
Working alongside the School’s UCAS programme is our Careers team, led by Mrs Rees-Roberts who offer bespoke careers advice to Sixth Formers as the latter consider degree options and pathways including Apprenticeships or Degree Apprenticeships. Throughout Sixth Form, pupils have access to a range of subject specific careers events, online webinars and speakers, plus a mentoring evening and biennial Career Fair.
In Year 12, the majority of pupils undertake work experience during the summer term to help inform future choices.
Varied Onwards Destinations
This year:
- 85% of pupils secured their first-choice destination
- Over 25% took up offers at Top 10 universities (Complete University Guide)
- 84% of placements were at Top 30 universities
- Almost 80% headed to Russell Group institutions
Our 2025 leavers progressed to:
- Over 40 different universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, St Andrews, Manchester, Imperial College London, Loughborough, Bristol, Exeter and Durham.
- Undertook Degree Apprenticeships, such as Auditing and Finance with Deloitte
- Went on to The Royal Northern College of Music, a leading conservatoire
- Took up offers to study Medicine and Veterinary Science at the Universities of Manchester and Bristol, among others
- Moved on to study Law at the Universities of Nottingham and Warwick
- Elected to join specialist creative institutions, such as MetFilm School and The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
- Joined Art Foundation courses
- Joined the Royal Marines
Reflecting a rich mix of ambition and individuality their subject choices were varied, and included:
- STEM subjects like Medicine, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering and Physics with Astrophysics
- Humanities and Social Sciences including History, Politics, International Relations, and Anthropology
- Creative and Performing Arts such as Film & Television, Fine Art, Music and Professional Dance
- Languages and Global Studies including Spanish & French, German & Russian Studies and Norwegian & Portuguese
- Business and Economics from Finance and Business Management to PPE and Economics
To learn more about our Sixth Form Careers and Higher Education programme, visit our Careers Guidance, HE & UCAS page, or visit us on our next Sixth Form Open Evening on 26th September 2025.
