In this weekly round-up you will find information about a huge range of careers and further/higher education opportunities, including university open days, work experience, careers taster sessions, apprenticeship vacancies and lots more. The Careers section is followed by the Higher Education section.
We hope you find it useful!

Webinars and events taking place during school hours are aimed at Sixth Form students only. 

By listing providers or employers HGS is not endorsing them, so we recommend that you do your own research to ensure it's the right thing for you.

National competition listings

https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/competitions
Writing for all ages

https://globalgoodawards.co.uk/
Recognises organisations and individuals making a positive impact on people, the planet and the global economy

 

The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition 2024/25

• Theme: STEM (innovation projects in areas like AI, robotics, air quality, and more)

• Deadline: 26 March 2025, 5pm

• Ages: Students aged 11–18 in the UK, as individuals or teams

• Prizes: Recognition, awards, and participation in the Big Bang Fair at NEC Birmingham

Learn More

 

Global Canvas – Children's Wildlife Art Competition (UK)

• Deadline: 14 February 2025

• Theme: "Coexistence – how can humans and wildlife live in harmony?"

• Prizes: Art vouchers; exhibition opportunities

• Eligibility: Open to individuals and groups aged 16 and under

Learn More

 

 

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Would you be interested in learning more about student career opportunities with the UK’s largest digital bank? Join us for the Lloyds Banking Group Apprenticeship Insight Event and gain valuable insights into the world of banking, finance, and technology.

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, 4th February

• Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm

• Location: Zoom (link provided upon registration)

Why Attend?

Lloyds Banking Group has 22 million digitally active customers and has invested over £3bn in digital transformation, making it the UK’s leading digital bank. This exclusive virtual event is your chance to learn how you can start your career with one of the UK’s most respected financial institutions.

What You’ll Gain:

• Exclusive Insights: Learn how Lloyds shapes the UK economy and supports businesses and individuals across the country.

• Career Pathways: Explore apprenticeships and early career programmes in banking, finance, and technology.

• Skills for Success: Receive expert guidance on excelling in applications, interviews, and assessments.

• Q&A with Industry Experts: Get your questions answered directly by Lloyds professionals.

Why This Event Matters:

Whether you’re exploring traditional banking, considering FinTech, or simply curious about how the industry operates, this event will provide you with the knowledge and connections to plan your next career steps.

Share this with your friends and register now!

Register now to secure your place and explore how Lloyds Banking Group might just be the place for you to kickstart your professional career.

Register here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LBG-Careers-Feb

As Year 12 are aware, they will be organising a work experience placement for the week commencing 14 July. This webinar could be really helpful if you are struggling with where to start looking.

 

 

Y12 Work Experience with the Civil Aviation Authority

Week of 2 June 2025

At Gatwick Airport or Canary Wharf London, depending on your chosen sector.

• Five-day experience shadowing key experts at the CAA
• Students can choose their sector within aerospace and aviation regulation including Aviation Safety and Security, Corporate Services and Legal
• Tour CAA HQ, meet industry professionals
• Final day to reflect on experience and to celebrate!

Application deadline is 28 February.

Please note that many of the opportunities that are offered by Investin are charged for, but the below is free. Work experience opportunities may be mentioned as part of these webinars - please be aware these may be chargeable.

Media Literacy Programme

March 2025

Ages 16 - 18

The programme aims to break down the barriers to careers in journalism and provide school pupils with the tools and skills to think critically about the media landscape. It provides an insight into what it’s like to be a journalist at an award-winning multimedia news brand. It is open to all 16-18-year-olds across the UK.

The online sessions will be with a range of journalists from departments across the business including news, sports, beauty, music, and social media, with students having the opportunity to learn skills such as headline writing, interviewing and travel writing, and win prizes. 

The programme will run for four weeks, beginning on Tuesday 4th March 2025. Sessions will run from 4 - 5 pm every Tuesday. At the end of the programme, each student will receive a Telegraph Media Literacy Journalism Certificate.

For the students to submit their applications, they will need to go to  https://careers.telegraph.co.uk/jobs/job-details/The-Telegraph-Media-Literacy-Programme-2025-London. They will need to complete a cover letter for their application explaining why they would like to participate.

                  

Causeway Education are working with law firm Wedlake Bell to deliver a free application masterclass to help Year 13 students succeed in solicitor apprenticeship applications.

 

 When: Wednesday 5 February, 4.15 - 6pm
 Where: Online (Zoom)

 

This interactive webinar will walk attendees through the application process step-by-step, focusing on Wedlake Bell’s apprenticeship programme while providing tips that are transferable to other similar applications.

Last year, this webinar scored on average 9.9/10 from students, with 90% rating the webinar ‘very useful’, in particular highlighting the step-by-step breakdown of a cover letter, how to use the STAR method and the Q+A with recruiting managers.

If you are a Year 13 student with sights set on a solicitor degree apprenticeship, this webinar will give you the inside scoop and boost application confidence.

Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/e/P8FgdUY1gc

Further information about Wedlake Bell’s apprenticeship: https://careers.wedlakebell.com/pages/solicitor-apprenticeship-programme

Interactive careers information days for Year 12 Students

Please note these events take place during school hours so you will need to speak with the Sixth Form team before you book to attend.

• FuturesUP; Careers Exploration in STEM: Interactive Careers Event (hosted by Uptree and Google)—in London on Tuesday 11 February 

• Law Insight Day (hosted by Travers Smith)—in London on Tuesday 22 April

Medic Mentor's virtual work experiences provide students with valuable insights and opportunities that may be otherwise difficult to access. Developed in collaboration with Birmingham University Hospitals Trust, this virtual work experience has proven to be transformative for thousands of secondary school students over the past year. It goes beyond being just an alternative to in-person shadowing; it is a crucial step in preparing students for their upcoming physical placements.

Medic Mentor have designed a 6-month medical e-learning work experience programme, focusing on one specialism each month, allowing students to set their own pace of learning. From structured teaching to direct interaction with doctors and healthcare professionals, the programme ensures students not only observe procedures but also gain a broader understanding of roles within the medical field.

Covering everything from ethics to procedures and broader team roles, this virtual work experience provides an overview of students' desired career paths and the skills that medical professionals are looking for, thereby enhancing their UCAS applications.  

Parents' sign-up code is: GIRWparents and you can sign up here:
www.unifrog.org/code

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A&O Shearman - Their Solicitor Apprenticeship is a unique opportunity to earn a law degree while gaining hands-on experience with a starting salary of £28,000. Over six years, apprentices combine paid on-the-job training with academic study, supported by expert mentors and a collaborative team. This innovative programme offers a direct pathway to qualification as a solicitor.
Find out more (apply by 19 Feb 2025)

University of Bedfordshire - They offer scholarships worth up to £2,500 per year for 2025 entry. Students can get closer to their dream career by finding out how the university's financial support can help them thrive.
Find out more

KPMG - Applications are now open to join KPMG in Audit, Tax or Business Services apprenticeships in 2025. With a starting salary of £23,000-£25,000 depending on location, students can expect exceptional learning and development, and a structured training programme as they work towards a professional qualification or degree. Early application is advised as roles will be removed as spaces are filled. 
Apply here

Durham University - Learn about contextual offers for applicants who meet certain eligibility criteria (like free school meals, state schools, or certain postcodes). Students could receive reduced offers of up to two grades below standard entry requirements. 
Find out more 

Unilever - Unilever's diverse apprenticeship programmes offer hands-on experience and nationally recognised qualifications across various fields. With opportunities from Level 3 to degree apprenticeships, students will gain valuable skills and support while shaping their future. Apply now for September 2025.
Find out more 

Airbus - Airbus pioneer safe and sustainable aerospace from passenger jets to satellites. Their 2025 apprenticeship opportunities are now live and offer valuable practical training from Level 3-6 at sites across the UK. Roles on offer include electrical, mechanical and design engineering, craft and business apprenticeships. 
Find out more

BBC - Apprenticeships are now open for 2025 applicants. From degree apprenticeships in digital user experience and data science to Level 5 journalism and Level 3 broadcast and media systems, the BBC has a role and location to suit all students. A second wave of opportunities will launch in December including business, marketing and production opportunities. Salary starting from £21,840.
Find out more

British Airways - These apprenticeships are designed to give students the best possible career launch into British Airways' Customer, Business, and Operations teams. From Aspiring Leader and Business Professional programmes to Aircraft Engineer and Customer Service apprenticeships, there's opportunities at different qualification levels. Salaries range from £16,916 to £26,900. 
Find out more

 

Women and Non-Binary people in STEM series - multiple dates 

This series is run jointly by Somerville, St Catherine’s and St Anne’s Colleges. They will be running 13 online sessions covering a variety of STEM subjects taught at Oxford.  Each session will include an introduction to the course at Oxford, a short taster session given by a member of one of our colleges and a Q+A with current Oxford students. Find out more about which subjects are being run on which dates by taking a look at the event series. Booking is required.

Essay Writing Masterclass Programme 2025

The Essay Writing Masterclass Programme (EWMP) is a free, 12-week programme in Humanities and Social Sciences research and essay writing for women in the UK in Year 12 or equivalent. Between March and June 2025, through a series of expert-delivered virtual workshops, independent research, and a Cambridge-style supervision, participants will work towards producing an essay for submission. Each participant will receive a grade and personalised feedback on their work.

Participants can expect to receive specialised instruction in research, critical thinking, and essay writing. The EWMP aims to improve academic independence and confidence, fostering the knowledge and skills that will prepare participants for university-level work, as well as application to selective universities.
The content and essay topics will appeal to a broad range of subject interests; questions have been designed as open-ended and relevant to current public and academic debates. Applications are encouraged from all students interested in Humanities or Social Sciences.

Apply and find out more here.

This form should be completed by the applicant by 09:00am Thursday February 6th.  

 

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Opportunities across Cambridge University

Y11/Y12 Subject Taster Days: Girton College
Girton College have launched in-person subject taster days, including:
- Molecules & Monkeys: Tuesday 25 February
- Life, the Universe & Everything: Thursday 27 February
- People, Pots & Poetry: Tuesday 4 March, 10:00-16:00
More information here. Teacher Nomination deadline: 7th February 2025.

Y12 Cambridge Future Museum Voices Residential: Clare College 
This innovative programme invites young people from across the UK to spend a week in Cambridge co-curating a public exhibition on the relationship between people and the natural world at the Museum of Zoology and Kettle’s Yard. Participants stay in Clare College undergraduate accommodation, explore behind the scenes at the University's museums, and meet world-leading researchers. Travel to Cambridge and all residential accommodation, activities and meals are fully funded for participants.
More information here. Application deadline: 7th February 2025. 

Y12 Humanities Writing Competition: Girton College 
This is an opportunity for students to research and write beyond the curriculum, using one or more of five selected objects from the Lawrence Room museum objects, as their focus. Essays or creative responses (such as dramatic monologues, short stories or poems) are equally welcome. It is open to UK students in Year 12 who have an interest in the Humanities. The prize is up to £500 cash and books to the value of £400 from Cambridge University Press, the latter to be shared between the winning entrant/s and their school/s.
More information here. Submission deadline: 20th March 2025.