Check www.opendays.com or individual websites

UPCOMING CAREERS TALKS/EVENTS:

Mon. 8th June - Year 13 UCAS Planning Day - making a start on applications

Tues. 9th-Fri.12th June - Year 13 Work Experience week - pupils have their placements planned by now and forms submitted. This is a very important element of the Year 13 Careers programme and will support UCAS applications in the autumn.

Northern Ireland Skills Barometer - a summary of Labour Market Information (where the areas of growth are forecast to be for the next ten years - which jobs / career areas will be most in demand)

Click to view presentation above (delivered to Year 12 on 19/02/26 by Sarah Perry, Economist, Ulster University)

Animation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAFtxMcID-4

Infographic - https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-02/Skills%20%20Barometer%20Infographic%20-%20Final%20Draft%20for%20print.PDF

Try university degrees before you apply. Subject Spotlights from Springpod give you a taste of what it's like to study real subjects delivered by university lecturers and developed in partnership with the universities

A quick reminder that ScreenWorks applications are now open. We currently have 16 free work experience programmes across Film, TV, Animation, Games and VFX, with more being added through to June.

What ScreenWorks offers your students:

• Work experience led by NI professionals with credits on productions such as Star Wars, Derry Girls, Gladiator 2 and How to Train Your Dragon

• Free for all 14 to 19 year olds – no previous experience needed

• Public transport reimbursed

See current opportunities and apply now: www.intofilm.org/screenworks

ckelly743@c2ken.net

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/apprenticeships

Oxplore: Home of Big Questions - free monthly webinars (ages 13-18)
 

From September 2025 to March 2026, Oxplore is running a free, live monthly webinar series for learners aged 13–18. Each one-hour session (17:00–18:00, on Zoom) explores a bold, thought-provoking question with an Oxford academic, encouraging critical thinking and discussion. Sessions are ideal for tutor time, enrichment, and home learning. Slides and resources are shared after each session. Parents, carers and teachers are also welcome.

Webinar Schedule
29 October 2025 — Could we end poverty?
26 November 2025 — Can we choose to be healthy?
17 December 2025 — Can we believe the history books?
28 January 2026 — Is falling in love bad for you?
25 February 2026 — Could we live without laws?
25 March 2026 — People’s choice (vote for March's question)

QUB - It introduces nursing as a career for everyone and looks at several different perspectives from our staff and students.  There are breaks in the video, with questions on-screen to stimulate discussion and enable pupils to examine the topics more deeply in their own context

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk9qph4Y8F4

Careers Service NI interviews

Our local Careers officer, Mrs Vicky McCook, will be in every Thursday morning to meet with Year 12 students. All pupils in Year 12 should have completed their Application for Guidance online form prior to meeting with Vicky (group sessions & 1-2-1 interviews):

https://skills.economy-ni.gov.uk/DfECareersManagement/NiDirect_AFGSubmit_YoungPerson

Pupils should check the Careers Google classrooms each week for interviews scheduled. Interviews take place in Mrs Kelly's office.

Super-curricular activities are those that take the subjects you study further, beyond that which your teacher has taught you or what you’ve done for homework.  (Oxford University)

In addition to good grades, the most effective way to demonstrate your commitment to learning and passion for your subject is to show that you have worked consistently and independently outside of the classroom and beyond your A level and BTEC curriculum, and that you have genuine interest in your chosen subject.

When applying to universities and for apprenticeships, students who have completed a range of relevant super-curricular activities are more likely to receive multiple offers or asked to attend interviews.

Consider doing something 'supercurricular' to augment and improve your application for more competitive universities.

Olympiads

University department reading lists

Podcasts

Competitions/essay prizes

https://myheplus.com/

https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/

https://www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/parker-library

https://www.mooc-list.com/

https://oxplore.org/

https://www.coursera.org/

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/super-curricular_suggestions.pdf

https://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate/outreach/students/super-curriculars-and-resources/

https://ials.sas.ac.uk/digital-publications/bailii

https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/lecture-series-2025-26

https://isaacscience.org/

New undergraduate degree options including joint honours and Irish language degrees now open for 2026 entry.

• BSc Games Technologies 

• BA Languages with Business (available soon on Course Finder) 

• B.Liberal Arts – new 3 year pathway 

• Irish and Broadcast 

• LLB Law with Irish 

• Education Studies and Social Policy

• Politics and Sociology 

• Anthropology and Sociology (available soon on Course Finder)

If your students are interested in applying or finding out more, please contact askahss@qub.ac.uk

Sixth Form Courses booklet to assist with A level choices. See Mrs Kelly or any Careers teacher if you have any questions/queries.

Year 12 pupil presentation - 29th January

Parents Information Evening - 24th February

Careers Guidance Interviews - 3rd March

https://niscc.info/degree-in-social-work/

Really useful case study videos:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXpr12vlnKasB91OtyvawnG0mmtzW2gXk

https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/economy/Careers%20Service%20-%20Careers%20Occupational%20Information%20Unit%20Bulletin%20Health%20and%20Social%20Careers%20in%20Northern%20Ireland%20-%20Final.pdf

The Northern Ireland Social Care Council is looking for NI's next generation of social workers. For students considering their future degree choices, access to information is very important. Therefore this information has been provided to help you. Currently a degree in Social Work is offered at Queen's University, Ulster University, the Belfast Metropolitan College and the South West College, along with the Open University which offers it as a route requiring the sponsorship of a social work employer.

We are just getting in touch to let you and your students know that whilst places are filling up fast, there is STILL TIME for your students to submit an application for our hugely popular 2026 Summer Residential Insight into University courses.

These unique courses are for students in Year 13 taking place at various Top Universities that run over 4 or 5 days during June-August where students will get a taster of university life and an insight into a specific STEM subject.  Students will get the opportunity to experience university style lectures and work on activities and group projects with the support of academics and student mentors. Students will stay in halls of residence and will take part in social activities in the evenings.

Accreditation: Silver Industrial Cadets Award Inspired by its Patron, His Majesty, King Charles III, Industrial Cadets is a widely recognised, accredited awards scheme increasing diversity and inspiring young people through industry-based experiences to become part of the workforce of the future.

ALL YEAR GROUPS - AGE LIMITS VARY

WORK EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES

FACE TO FACE & VIRTUAL

UPDATED WEEKLY HERE

PLEASE KEEP CHECKING AND APPLY IF IT IS YOUR FIELD OF INTEREST

Summer 2026 internships in Tax and in Technology

The Slaughter and May Excellerators Programme is a remote work experience

designed to offer students an insight into working at an international law firm -

from lawyers to business services, including legal technology, business

development and responsible business. Students across the UK will develop

essential employability skills through interactive workshops, activities and

networking sessions online.

The programme features four placements across the year (May, July and October

2026), giving students a chance to develop their skills and knowledge over time.

• Vet Work Experience & Careers Day – Saturday 21st March 2026

• Computer Science Work Experience & Careers Day – Saturday 28th March 2026

• Medicine Work Experience & Careers Day – Saturday 4th April 2026

• Law Work Experience & Careers Day – Saturday 11th April 2026

• Midwifery Work Experience & Careers Day – Saturday 18th April 2026

• Dentistry Work Experience & Careers Day – Sunday 19th April 2026

• Psychology Work Experience & Careers Day – Saturday 25th April 2026

• Architect Work Experience & Careers Day – Saturday 2nd May 2026

• Engineering Work Experience & Careers Day – Saturday 9th May 2026

• Business Work Experience & Careers Day – Saturday 16th May 2026

• Performing Arts Work Experience & Careers Day – Sunday 18th October 2026

Full details emailed.

For the first time the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS) is bringing its Annual Scientific Meeting to Belfast. To celebrate this and to inspire future surgeons, BAOMS is, also for the first time, opening its conference to students from schools and colleges in Northern Ireland.  

DATE:                                  Friday 26^th June, 2026  

TIME:                                   9am-1pm

LOCATION:                     ICC (Waterfront) Belfast

Insight into University summer courses, both Virtual and In-person!  Please find full details below:-

Virtual Insight into University Course

This unique course is for Students in Years 11-13 / S5-S6 and can be completed flexibly over the summer (approx. 30 hours of study).

The course will allow students to explore STEM studies at TOP UNIVERSITIES, including degree apprenticeships, and the career opportunities that that these subjects lead to.  It will provide access to information on student life, STEM projects and activities set up leading UK universities and global STEM companies, first year undergraduate lectures, live interactive sessions with academic, admission tutors, employers and current students.

Residential Insight into University Courses

These unique courses are for students in Year 12 / S5-S6 taking place at various Top Universities that run over 4 or 5 days where students get a taster of university life and an insight into a specific STEM subject.  Students will get the opportunity to experience university style lectures and work on activities and group projects with the support of academics and student mentors. Students will stay in halls of residence and will take part in social activities in the evenings.

Upon completion of these courses students will receive a SILVER Industrial Cadets Award.  Inspired by its Patron, His Majesty, King Charles III, Industrial Cadets is a nationally recognised award they can use as evidence of their experience to support future applications and career journeys.

Fully Funded Bursary places are available for eligible students, our eligibility criteria can be found here.

Student Finance NI opened on Monday 23rd March 2026 for student loans to assist with tuition fees for pupils beginning university in September 2026.

The deadline is Thursday 30th April 2026 to ensure funding is in place on time.

UCAS - pupils in receipt of all five decisions should (by 13th May in most cases - check Track for this)

Select a Firm Choice (first preference) and

Select an Insurance Choice (back up)

on the UCAS website.

See Mrs Kelly for advice if needed.

The All Ireland Scholarship Scheme which is funded by JP McManus provides financial support to high achieving students from low income households. The scholarships were first awarded in the Republic of Ireland in 2008 and became available in Northern Ireland in 2009.

The scholarship offers students financial support of £5,850 per annum for the duration of their course.

Twenty five scholarships will be awarded to students who attend a grant aided Post Primary school or a Further Education College in Northern Ireland.

• Nineteen Scholarships will be awarded to the top ‘A’ Level students from grant aided Post Primary Schools. A minimum of two Scholarships will be offered in each county based on where students live.

• Six Scholarships will be awarded to the top Level 3 Extended Diploma students from Further Education Colleges. One Scholarship will be awarded in each of the six Further Education Colleges.

Applicants must have been in receipt of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) at the time of examination, and due to commence an undergraduate course in university in the academic year of 2026/2027.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 4pm on Thursday 27 August 2026.

Our Undergraduate Open Days are the best way to get a taste of life at Queen's. On Saturday 6 June 2026 and Saturday 3 October from 9.30am - 3pm your students will learn about the courses they can study with us, plus have the opportunity to hear first-hand from current students and teaching staff about learning and living in Belfast.

Students and their families can register online now:

• June Open Day

• October Open Day

Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 June 2026, 9.30am - 12pm or 1.30pm - 4pm

School of Dentistry, RVH, Grosvenor Road

Queen's is providing an opportunity for prospective students to attend a dentistry specific open day. 

The programme for the event will include a review of the course, career opportunities, a tour of the school facilities and a Q&A session. There will be an opportunity for interactive Clinical Technique Lab sessions and to chat to our current students on the course. 

Find out more and register online

Facilitated by The Aviation Guy (I have no reviews or feedback on this, I am simply passing on the info - so would appreciate some if anyone decides to do it)

Cost - £980 for the full course

The course is delivered online for 14 weeks every Tuesday between 6pm & 8pm, starting 8th September 2026.

More details are on the email sent out to pupils.

Register on www.theaviationguy.co.uk

We are launching a brand-new Lean Manufacturing Apprenticeship (Level 2 BIT),  a first-of-its-kind programme designed by industry, for industry.

This 15-month apprenticeship offers young people an excellent route into manufacturing and engineering, with hands-on workplace experience, practical skills development, and real career progression opportunities.

Programme Highlights

• Employed from day one

• Hands-on training in real manufacturing environments

• One day per week in our Learning Factory (Cookstown)

• Learn lean manufacturing, problem-solving, quality, and process improvement skills

• Suitable for students of all abilities with an interest in manufacturing, engineering, or technology

• Opportunities to progress to higher-level qualifications and future leadership roles

This programme has been designed to help young people build valuable workplace skills while supporting local industry.

Students and parents can sign up to the Free Virtual UCAT Conference on Sunday 28th June from 10am - 12pm: https://medicmentor.org/ucat-gim/

The UCAT Conference provides a comprehensive overview of the UCAT exam and its subtests. The conference will cover:
- How the UCAT is structured and scored, and how this impacts your overall performance
- What medical schools are actually looking for in UCAT results, including how different universities use scores in selection
- A detailed breakdown of each section: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, and Situational Judgement
- Guided question walkthroughs, so students can see how high-scoring applicants approach and think through UCAT questions
- Practical strategies for managing time pressure and maintaining accuracy under exam conditions
- How to structure UCAT preparation throughout the summer months
- How to use question banks and mock exams effectively to track and improve performance
- The most effective resources for UCAT preparation, and how to avoid common mistakes students make

https://www.ulster.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/open-days