Aged 16 and over

If your son or daughter is in Year 12 here's a guide of what to do and when to do it...

Autumn

If your son or daughter is worried about their choice of course? Recommend that they talk to their tutor, careers teacher or Personal Adviser as soon as possible. They may be able to switch.
Maybe they're worried about something else... it's best to talk things through and get some help or advice. What your son or daughter does now could affect their future in a big way. Who better to turn to than a Personal Adviser?

Spring

If you son or daughter is still undecided about the path they're going to take? Suggest they speak to a tutor, careers teacher or Personal Adviser about possible options, for example, jobs, courses and training. It's important for your son or daughter to know they are not alone.
Using a Connexions library (at school or college) to find out more information about jobs, courses or training opportunities is well worth doing. Or you son or daughter can come to one of our Connexions centres!
You can encourage your son or daughter to look up any jobs theyre interested in on Jobs4u and see what they need to do to get into them.

If your son or daughter is in Year 13 here's a guide of what to do and when to do it...

Autumn

Your son or daughter should start applying for jobs, training and Apprenticeships if that's the route they want to take.
Check out Vacancies Online for local opportunities.
If they're considering higher education remind your son or daughter to check theUCAS closing dates and look at the application system in their school or college.
If your son or daughter is plannning to study medicine, dentistry, veterinary science or nursing, or if they are an Oxbridge applicant, they'll need to apply during the October* of the year prior to starting the course.
Some art and design courses also have Autumn* deadlines.

Spring

The general closing date for UCAS is mid-January*.
Your son or daughter will receive confirmation from colleges and universities about their chosen courses in the Spring.
Still not made a decision on training or starting work? Then you should encourage your son or daughter to get a move on!
If they're thinking about taking a gap year (travelling, working, volunteering or doing a Year in Industry) your son or daughter should be planning for it now.

* Deadlines may change, so you could remind your son or daughter to check the UCAS website for application dates.

Want to know more about your son or daughters options?

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