Aged 16 and over

You can use our complete guide to ‘18+ Options’ on Passportfolio.com or plan your next steps using the Year 12 and 13 calendars below for more advice…

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, they should talk to their tutor, careers teacher or careers adviser in school 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.  

Spring

• If you son or daughter is still undecided about the path they're going to take, they should speak to a tutor, careers teacher or careers 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 the school or college's careers information in a library or online, finding out more information about jobs, courses or training opportunities is well worth doing.

• You can encourage your son or daughter to look up any jobs they're interested in using our Careers4U guide on Sortitonline.

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 info on SortItonline for local opportunities. 

• If they're considering higher education remind your son or daughter to check the UCAS closing dates and look at the application system in their school or college.
• If your son or daughter is planning 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?

• Information about searching for job opportunities

• Higher education information on SortItOnline for your son or daughter

• Gap year information on SortItOnline for your son or daughter

• Work or training on SortItOnline for your son or daughter

Years 12 and 13 information on SortItOnline for your son or daughter

For information on qualifications click here