Further and higher education, including apprenticeships

Planning

First, take a look at our Higher Education Planner, to help you understand the timeline for researching, applying and interviewing for a university place.

Next, think about which universities you might like to go to. There are lots of places to choose from, so go along to some open days to see what courses are offered. Local university open days can be found here:

• DMU
• University of Leicester
• Loughborough

You could also contact Propel for comprehensive information about what each university across the county is able to offer to care leavers.

Writing your Personal Statement

Writing your personal statement can be tricky. But it’s a vital opportunity to tell the Admissions Tutor why they should consider you for the course.

Tutors can recognise copied texts and won’t consider you at all if they know the statement isn’t yours.

Make sure your statement is clear and concise, with no spelling mistakes or repetition and lots of interesting, varied vocabulary. It should have a beginning, middle and end.

University websites provide guidelines to help you, and we’ve provided some tips below.

• Say why you have chosen the course
• Demonstrate an understanding of your chosen subject
• Talk about your current studies with interest
• Discuss your ambitions and aspirations for the future
• Mention any work experience, volunteer work or extra curricular activities
• Describe examples as evidence of relevant skills, strengths and interests
• If you have overcome adversity in some way, explain how that has made you a stronger person - be proud of your achievements

Once you’ve finished the first draft, proof read it, re-draft it and ask your carer and teacher to read it and give you some feedback.

Useful resources

Funding university

Apprenticeships are a way of combining working with studying.

During a typical apprenticeship you would work for a company but also be allocated time in work to study further or go to college to study a related subject. You would be supported by an experienced member of the staff who will teach you the hands-on skills you need.

Over a period of between 1 to 3 years, an apprenticeship allows you to combine earning and learning and you would finish the course with an NVQ (or a BTEC or City & Guilds).

Intermediate Apprenticeships usually result in a level 2 NVQ (roughly the same as doing 5 GCSEs) Advanced Apprenticeships result in a Level 3 (about the same as 2 A-levels). Higher Apprenticeships incorporate a work-based learning programme and lead to qualifications at Level 4 and above, where Level 4s and 5 are equivalent to a higher education certificate, higher education diploma or a foundation degree, Level 6 is equivalent to a bachelor degree and Level 7 is equivalent to a master’s degree.

If you are interested, create an account on the National Apprenticeship website as soon as possible - this will enable you to be notified as soon as vacancies come online.

Leicestershire County Council has agreed to reserve some of its own apprenticeship opportunities for Care Leavers.

These opportunities come through the Virtual School who alert social workers and personal advisors to the vacancies when they arise, who in turn reply to the Virtual School if they are aware of any children in care or care leavers who might be interested.

Apprenticeships offered so far include Business Admin, ICT, Plumbing, Painting and Decorating. If you think you might be interested in an apprenticeship with Leicestershire County Council, please let your social worker or PA know, so they can inform the Virtual School, or contact the Virtual School direct by email virtualschool@leics.gov.uk

Higher Education doesn’t just mean going to university. You can also get a higher education qualification from other courses, such as Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships. (You might even be able to use UCAS points earned on these courses to get into uni later if you want to.)

It’s not too late to do a higher apprenticeship, which provides an opportunity to gain Level 4 qualifications or above, with most apprentices achieving an NVQ Level 4, HND or foundation degree. Some apprenticeships offer the opportunity to progress to Level 7, which is degree level.

Entry requirements can include:

• At least 5 GCSEs (grade 9-4), including English and Maths
• Level 3 qualifications (A Levels, NVQ or a BTEC)
• Some employers will require applicants to have studied relevant subjects

Competition for higher apprenticeships can be tough, as there are often only a limited number of vacancies but also because people already in employment with a company can apply for them for career progression.

Find out more about higher apprenticeships

You may also want to consider degree apprenticeships. These are designed in partnership with employers and are similar to higher apprenticeships but provide an opportunity to gain a full bachelor’s degree (Level 6) or master’s degree (Level 7).

You’ll study part-time and depending on the course level, can take between 3 and 6 years to complete. These are still quite new, so there are a limited number of vacancies. It’s anticipated that this will increase over the next few years though.

Find out more about degree apprenticeships

If you’re going to start looking for a job, we’d recommend starting by writing or updating your CV with your latest qualifications. Also include any work experience, interests, sporting or other achievements.

Register with recruitment agencies and keep an eye out for jobs on the government's Find a job page and on the Leicester Mercury site.

Don’t wait for vacancies to be advertised though. Think about which companies are local to you or that you’d like to work for and send your CV to them with a good covering letter explaining why you’d like to work for them and why they should consider you.

While you’re looking for a job, it’s a good idea to do some voluntary work. This will give you lots of new experience that you can talk about in applications and help to show how hard working you are. You’ll likely enjoy it and meet new people too.

You might find these links helpful:

• The Care Leavers Association
• Disability Rights UK
• National Careers Service
• BECOME - The Charity for Children in Care and Young Care Leavers
• Not Going To Uni
• Get My First Job
• UK Youth