At Sparsholt College, our Careers team are here to support each and every one of our students with their next step, whether that be:

  • University
  • Apprenticeship
  • Employment
  • Gap year

All students have access to a varied Careers programme. The central themes of the programme are Progression, Employability and Career/ Industry insights. Activities include but are not restricted to:

  • 1:1 Career or Progression appointments which can be booked via the Careers Hub student TEAMS page
  • Lunch time drop-in sessions at the Careers Hubs
  • Career resources and platforms (via the Careers Hub student TEAMS page)
  • University application support
  • UniBound Higher Education Progression Day
  • Employer and progression talks
  • Apprenticeship awareness workshops
  • Employability workshops
  • Class visits
  • The Careers team also contributes to the College Tutorial Programme and the college wide ‘Futures’ and ‘Choices’ weeks.

Our Careers programme is designed to complement in-class subject specific careers and progression information, class trips and student work experience requirements, and the college wide Study+ programme.

Students also have access to Career resources and platforms; they are encouraged to visit the student Careers Hub Teams page.

 

 

  • All students full, part time or apprentice have access to the full range of career resources via the Careers Hub student TEAMS page. Students can access those pages by clicking on their Teams landing page, and then ‘All Teams’. From there you will see the student Careers Hub page for your campus. Those pages are continuously updated to include useful information on the UCAS application process, apprenticeships, employability, and labour market and industry information. Students can also find links to subscribed career platforms.

    Booking an appointment: For those wishing to see the Careers Advisor or Progression Mentor, you will find the link to book an appointment on the Careers Hub Teams page. All 1:1 appointments are in person however, we can arrange appointments via Teams where necessary. For those with a quick question, drop-in sessions are available over lunch at each campus each day except Tuesday.
    Students with an EHCP or who have experience of Care will be referred to the Careers Advisor for an appointment by their Key Worker, however, all students are welcome to book an appointment using this link.

  • Students will find all the information they need to support them through the application process on the Careers Hub Student page.  On the ‘Applying to University’ channel they will find the buzzword (which links their application to the college), a step-by-step application guide, information on student finance, writing personal statements, applying to competitive universities, researching degrees, making the most of open days, studying abroad and much more.

    Events to support students and parents with the application process include:

    • UniBound HE Progression Day Each Spring we hold a UniBound Higher Education Progression Day which consists of virtual talks presented by carefully chosen university partners.
    • Parent and Carers Higher Education/ UCAS application Information Evening This event also took place in early May and walked parents and carers through the application process, key dates, support available and a quick student finance information session. Invitations and booking instructions are sent to parents and carers of Level 3 year 1 students via email. If you have missed the event and wish to access the information, please look at your child’s Careers Hub Teams page, and click on the channel ‘ Information for Parent’s’.
    • Personal Statement check days: Two dedicated all-day drop-in sessions (no appointment needed) where students can get their statement checked by the Careers team, or a professional from a local university. These dates are in early November and are advertised on the Career Hub Teams page and by the Progress and Academic coaches.
    • Lunch time drop-in sessions at the Careers Hub 
    • Careers and Progression appointments: Students can book a 1:1 appointment with the online booking system. They can find the link on the Careers Hub student TEAMS page
    • Parent’s Student Finance Information Evening: This is a more in-depth session which take you through the finer points of application, eligibility, and additional financial support. All applicants and their parents will receive their invitation via email.
    • Class visits commence in May and run through until the deadline according to need.

    Make sure you also look at the UCAS website for handy guides and information pages on all aspects of application, research, degree apprenticeships, and  Student Finance.

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  • If you did not get the grades needed to confirm your place, try not to worry there are still options.

    If you only just missed the grade requirements, your chosen university may still take you. Get in touch with their Admissions department to ask if your application could still be considered.

    Research options carefully, there is no need to ‘panic shop’ and jump onto a course you don’t really want to take.

    If it all feels a bit too much, you may want to consider a Gap Year and reapplying in another year.  Applications are accepted early autumn, and since you already have your results, you are likely to receive an offer quite quickly.  You will need to create a new application; to receive your reference you will need to link your application to the college. Contact your Progress Coach, or the Careers Team (Careers@sparsholt.ac.uk) for your Campus Buzzword.

    There is a full guide to Clearing below.

    https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/results-clearing

  • As a previous student, you can still access support from the Careers department. If you would like to apply to university, you will need an academic reference: to do so you must link your application to the college using the current years’ buzzword. Please give us plenty of time; the internal deadline for degrees with an early deadline is October 1, and November 18 for courses with a January deadline.  For more information, please contact the Careers team on: careers@sparsholt.ac.uk

  • We know that parents and carers can often feel out of touch with the support offered to your child. The Parent’s Portal is an excellent place to start.

    If your child is on the first year of a Level 3 course, you will be invited via email to our Parent and Carers UCAS Application Information Evening held annually in the Spring. Parents of applicants will also be invited to an online talk hosted in February to support you with the  Student Finance application process.

    UCAS produce an excellent  Parent and Guardian’s  guide which can be found here

    Information about Student Finance can be found here

    If your child is considering an apprenticeship, you may be interested in the Parent’s guide found here

    Students have access to our subscribed Career platforms, which require them to log in using password, or their email. You may want to look at the resources together, or you can find some helpful Career profile information on the National Careers Service website, Prospects.ac.uk or the Pathways tool found on our website.

  • As an apprentice, you are gaining both experience and a qualification: a valuable combination which sets you up for a successful career.  After your apprenticeship is completed, you may be thinking about your next step, whether that be moving on to another employer, another apprenticeship or even university.  We are here to support you on your journey.

    All apprentices are encouraged to use our Career resources; you are also welcome to book an appointment with the Careers Advisor if you would like to talk through your options.  The best way to access these resources, and to find the link to book an appointment would be via the Careers Hub Teams page. From there, you will see the channel ‘Information for Apprentices’.

    Please note that all apprentices access the ‘Sparsholt Careers Team Hub’ – regardless of the campus they attend.

  • If you are considering Andover/ Sparsholt College, we encourage you to gather as much information as possible. Our School Liaison team can often be found visiting local schools, so please come say hello and ask any questions you may have about college.  Attending College open days is an excellent way to learn about your intended course, meet the teaching and support teams and view our excellent facilities.  Careers, apprenticeship, finance, travel and admissions teams are also on hand to answer any additional questions you may have.

    If you are starting the process of researching Careers, please feel free to use the excellent Pathways Careers tool located at the bottom of the page . Alternatively, you may want to look at job profiles on:

    National Careers Service

    Prospects

    CareersBox – YouTube

     

    For those considering a career in Heathcare, the NHS Health Careers website is a great starting point

    If becoming a Veterinary Surgeon or a Vet Nurse is your aim, please look at Veterinary careers – Animal Owners (rcvs.org.uk)

    Please note that successful progression to careers in healthcare and the veterinary industry is often reliant on work experience. We encourage you to try and gain work experience before starting college if possible.

    If you are an adult student, considering returning to Education, you may be interested in one of our Access courses, or perhaps one of our English and Math courses offered to adults.  You can book a free 1:1 Careers appointment through the National Careers Service or you can speak to a member of our Careers Team at one of our Open Events.

  • Students wishing to go into employment after their time at College should check out our dedicated Job Board

    Students considering an apprenticeship after college should look at the dedicated support materials on their Careers Hub Teams page. They will find links to vacancy sites, advice on ‘writing a winning application’ and other helpful hints and tips. They will also find a page bursting with information on writing a CV and interview tips.

    Previous students can access information about apprenticeships on The Apprenticeship Guide

    If you are thinking about an apprenticeship which is offered by Andover or Sparsholt College, and require more information, please contact our knowledgeable apprenticeship team on:  0845 850 0916 or email apprenticeships@sparsholt.ac.uk

  • If you have a vacancy which you would like to advertise to our students, you are welcome to post your position on our dedicated Jobs Board

    If you are interested in offering work experience to our students, please contact our Industry Placement team on: 01962 797415 or email ip@sparsholt.ac.uk

    Alternatively if you would like to participate in a  Careers event, please contact us on: careers@sparsholt.ac.uk

  • If you are a current member of staff, don’t forget that you can access Careers information to help you support your students on the staff room page on Teams.