Date: 10th February 2023
Dear Parent / Carer,
Please see below information on apprenticeships, careers, courses and degrees.
How to deal with interview stress
Stress can be a normal part of job seeking, more often than not, it’s the result of over-thinking a situation. This article is full of advice on how to prepare for an interview:
Aberystwyth University
- Applicant Days
As with many other universities, Aberystwyth has a number of Applicant (Visit) Days coming up over the coming weeks, giving applicants the chance to visit us, meet academic staff and explore the department they have applied to… oh, and not forgetting taking the opportunity to stroll around town and get a real taste of student life here at Aber.
Applicants have, or soon will, receive information about these events as well as an invite to join us. In the meantime, there’s an FAQ page that learners can access with lots of useful information. Also, just for your info, our Applicant Days are:
- Saturday 04 March
- Saturday 11 March
- Saturday 25 March
Contribution towards expenses
In addition, here’s some really useful information to make visitors to an Applicant Day at Aber aware of. Each applicant can claim a contribution towards visiting expenses, up to a maximum of £75.
- UCAS and UK University Search
UCAS and UK University Search Convention season is upon us! We’ll be at conventions across our region and beyond, up until July. Pop to see us on stand, say hello and grab an Aber bag.
Finally, a quick ‘did you know?’! Undergraduate first year students joining Aberystwyth University in September 2023 will be able to claim a free 1-year 16-25 Railcard which will offer a third off rail fares throughout the UK! Learners can find more information here.
BAE Systems
Opportunity is at the heart of a career at BAE Systems and our apprenticeships offer just that
It’s National Apprenticeship Week, and we’re celebrating the fantastic opportunities apprenticeships offer you to develop both your professional, and personal skills.
We offer an earning while learning experience, where we fund your qualifications and provide you with a salary. You’ll also get paired with dedicated mentors, skills coaches and buddies at every level of the programme, who’ll help you gain the skills you need to take your career in whichever direction suits you. We’re a skilled, increasingly diverse, and dedicated community of 90,000 people in over 40 countries. Together, we create some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace, and security solutions.
95% of our apprentices choose to stay with us – Hear what our people have to say: “The support I’ve been given, and all the learning and development, has helped me become a skilled professional.” Abi, Toolmaker
“You’ll learn so much personally and professionally by working for BAE Systems, no matter which part of the business you work in.” Thomas, Senior Quality Engineer “The business saw that I had it in me to be a manager, they supported and nurtured me to come out of my comfort zone and take on more responsibilities.” Alice, On-Boarding Team Manager
Our apprenticeship programmes – what kind of work will you do? This will depend on your selected chosen business area, but wherever you choose to work, you will be involved in real life, exciting projects which offer endless possibilities in shaping your future career.
Discover our apprenticeship opportunities
Our apprenticeships are ranked Outstanding by Ofsted, and this year we’re hiring more apprentices than ever before. But don’t wait too long to apply – we close 28 February 2023.
Everyone’s welcome. We’re committed to recruiting the best and most diverse talent to our team, bringing their unique insights and perspectives to build a better tomorrow.
Join us – this is a place where you can make a real difference. We look forward to receiving your application very soon – and good luck!
BAE Systems Apprentice Recruitment Team
The Big Assembly – FUTURE INTENTIONS APPRENTICESHIP ADVICE
Please take a look at this link to The Big Assembly which gives advice around a whole host of apprenticeships and general advice about the types of apprenticeship available.
The Big Assembly 2023 – YouTube
BMet open event

Our next BMet open event is on Wednesday 15th February, between 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at our colleges – James Watt College & Erdington Skills Centre, Matthew Boulton College and Sutton Coldfield College.
You can come and have a look around at our amazing facilities, meet the tutors and some of our current students, as well as apply and receive an offer* for a course starting with us in September.
For this open event only….. we also have a presentation on the opportunities available at BMW as well as support at the event to get your applications in. We ask students who are interested to come prepared with a personal statement (which should include why they would like to work for BMW), alongside information on hobbies, interests and all importantly their actual or predicted GCSE grades.
The BMW presentations will be running at 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm at James Watt College, Aldridge Road, Great Barr, B44 8NE.
If you or your students have any questions beforehand, please get in contact schools@bmet.ac.uk
Lancaster University

Year 12 – Choosing a Course and University

With HE Fair season just around the corner, now is a great time for Y12 students to be conducting their university research. We recommend these top resources for students:
- Prospects – the ultimate research tool when it comes to subject choice. We love the area ‘What can I do with my degree?’
- UCAS Hub – all the tools and information students need, in one place. You will also find lesson plans developed by expert careers advisers to help inspire, organise, and inform your students’ future plans
- Choosing a Course/Making the most of HE Fairs – in this recorded presentation, Student Recruitment Assistant George talks through the whole process, including preparation for HE Fairs
We also encourage students to make the most of universities’ digital content. To pick out a few, our Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences have recently published their course videos – and many more from across the Faculties can be found through our course webpages.

T-Levels/BTECs
It’s important that students understand their qualifications at the outset of their university research. Lancaster’s guide to qualifications can be found on the link below (and our Admissions team are always happy to help!):
Upcoming events and news-stories

IAG Conferences for Students
Saturday 11th March & Saturday 10th June 10:00 – 13:00
The Universities of Lancaster, Bath, Cardiff, Exeter, Keele and Warwick are hosting a series of online conferences aimed at providing information, advice and guidance to those considering university as the next step.
Conferences will include the following sessions:
- the UCAS process and personal statements
- choosing a course and university
- applying to competitive universities
- panel sessions with admissions experts and current
university students from each of the host universities
Sports and Exercise Science: Opportunities for Y12/13 on Friday 17 March
Y12 Taster Day
Taking place at Lancaster’s campus (10:00-16:00), students will experience campus life first-hand and sample content delivered across the programme. The day is free and offered on a first come first served basis. Due to the limited number, a maximum of 20 places will be available to any one school or college. Read more about the itinerary here and enquire by email via the link below to reserve.
Y13 Revision Session
Specifically for A-level PE OCR specification, this session will take place at the Lancaster campus. For more information, please contact Dr Sarah Powell via the email link below:
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)


Deadline approaching for Year 12 students to apply to LSE Explore and the LSE Black Achievement Conference
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) run programmes that provide students with a taste of university-level teaching and learning as well as the information needed to apply to LSE and other high-tariff universities. This opportunity is available to students aged 16-17 (in Years 12 or equivalent) and the deadline to apply to both programmes are approaching this month.
Applications close at midnight on Sunday 19 February LSE Explore is a series of online academic taster events for Year 12 students which offer an insight into selected undergraduate degree subjects at LSE.
Subjects for this academic year include:
Sociology
Monday 6 March 17:00 -18:45
Management
Tuesday 7 March 17:00-18:45
Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method
Thursday 9 March 17:00-18:45
International Relations
Friday 10 March 17:00-18:45
Geography and Environment
Monday 13 March 17:00-18:45
Student Life Q&A Panel
Saturday 11 March 11:00-12:00
LSE Explore will allow participants to find out more about studying these subjects at LSE and consolidate their understanding of the higher education application process and the specifics of making an application to LSE.
Attendees to the Q&A will also hear from current LSE undergraduates with the chance to have their questions answered.
National Apprenticeship Week

Severn Trent Water
Severn Trent Water is offering a free seminar supporting students and parents with apprenticeship applications.
It’s on 11th Feb and can be booked here- Apprenticeships and Severn Trent – For Parents, Teachers and Career leaders Tickets, Wed, Dec 14, 2022 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite
University of Wolverhampton
HE how-to sessions from the University of Wolverhampton
Virtual sessions take place on 31 May and 1 June
The University of Wolverhampton is running a series of online events to support you with applications to HE for September 23/24. The how-to series covers topics like:
– applying for university and budgeting tips
– writing a Personal Statement
– preparing for interviews and portfolios
And answers any questions you may have about these processes.
Students looking to apply to the university can also check out its ‘not too late to apply’ events in February and April.
> Find out more
Pingback: 12/2/23 Roundup – Key messages & Term dates (all year groups) | Thomas Alleyne's high school