Portsmouth College

A Big Step on the Road to Your Chosen Career.

If you decide to join us at Portsmouth College you’ll probably be here for one, two or three years.  In that short time you’ll be making decisions which will have a huge impact on your career and your future in general.  For example:

• Should I go on to study for a degree at university?
• If so, where and which course?
• What about a gap year first?
• Should I look for employment or an apprenticeship straight from College?
• Should I continue with further education and training, perhaps in a specialist skill or trade?

The College is here to help you make these decisions, to ensure that you achieve the qualifications that will maximise your choices, and to provide a sociable and fun time along the way.

CAREERS ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

Portsmouth College has a well established record for providing outstanding support and guidance for students on their future options.  The team is led by our highly experienced Head of Guidance, Oona Taylor .  Oona and her team (often working in partnership with Connexions, Aim Higher, universities and other local institutions) deliver a carefully planned programme of events to support our students whatever their future aims. 

1.  FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

The Careers staff are essential members of our Schools Liaison team.  We will be visiting your school during the early part of the academic year to provide information, advice and guidance on your future options, as well as specific details on opportunities at Portsmouth College.

Please do use this website to look at the wide range of course available at the College, and the GCSE grades you will need to be able to start those courses (see ‘courses’).

2.  FOR CURRENT STUDENTS

The following events and opportunities are highly valued by our students.

• Progression events for students on all levels of courses
• Higher Education Fair hosted by Portsmouth University
• Portsmouth College Higher Education Fair and HE Week
• Trips to university conferences
• University Fees and Finance – an event for students and parents
• The Employment Fair and Employability Week
• Part-time Jobs Fair (helping you to find work during your life at College)
• Conferences on opportunities in particular subjects or fields.
• Support for volunteering and work shadowing

And of course one-to-one support is always available - it is easy to get an appointment to discuss your options.  If you know what you’re interested in this is an opportunity to find out more.  If you’re not so sure, don’t worry, the careers staff will explore possibilities, provide information and further references and help you to focus your ideas.

Finally, we will continue to run our specialist programme for our students with high academic and/or artistic ambitions.  The Able and Talented Programme supports students who:

1. are intending to apply to Oxbridge, Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Warwick and other leading universities
2. are seeking university places for medicine, veterinary science, dentistry, physiotherapy, law and other very competitive subjects
3. who have a special talent; for example in music, drama or sport (please see the information on our Sports and Performing Arts Academies)

What the Students Say

"I knew I wanted to study Law but was dubious about my chances because of the level of competition at prestigious universitites. However, encouragement from the careers people really made me feel a lot more confident. Meetings with legal experts and access to e-mentoring were arranged. I was also helped to gain a place at Oxford Unversity on the Sutton Trust Summer School which was an amazing experience. I received plenty of help with the whole UCAS application and interview proecess and I'm really happy with my post-college prospects."

Samantha Smith: Samantha is now studying for a Law degree at Warwick University.

"To be honest, I wouldn't have normally have thought to seek out careers advice. However, having experienced the enthusiasm and help offered by the staff at Portsmouth College, I would advise everyone to take advantage of what they have to offer. They have a staggering amount of knowledge about qualifications and career paths and an amazing ability to put a name to every face they come across! It's a remarkable one-to-one service and it really makes a difference.
I learnt so much from Careers about all the different possible paths in Engineering and, crucially, about the availability of jobs in whichever branch I chose. They were also quick to let me know about any new apprenticeship or scholarship opportunities that came up. I'm really grateful for all the encouragement and the efforts made to give me a good start on the career ladder."

George Hafiz: George has secured an Engineering Apprenticeship with the aerospace engineering giant, BAE Systems.

"I do not think I would have made it to Sheffield without the regular, friendly support and advice from Careers staff and my teachers. I've had lots of help with career ideas, degree choices, the whole university application process and trying to secure scholarships. The staff here are always willing to help."

Abiodun Adamson: Abby is in her first year of a degree in Chemical Engineering at Sheffield University.

"I have just completed A levels in three different languages but I've had many different ideas about which career ideas to pursue. The Careers staff have provided excellent advice on all the options I've considered and left me feeling very confident about pursuing a career as a linguist. I feel I've been very well supported in my two years at College.”

Tom Newman: Tom is now studying Chinese and Spanish at Nottingham University.