Lower Sixth pupils spent a dedicated UCAS Day exploring the wide range of opportunities available beyond Oundle, gaining valuable insight into university applications, graduate careers, and alternative pathways as they begin preparing for life after School.
Designed to inform and inspire ahead of the summer holidays and the Upper Sixth university application process, the day brought together leading universities, international institutions, and specialist organisations to help pupils consider their next steps.
The day began with a keynote session from James Darley of Transform Society, who spoke about the changing graduate recruitment landscape and the importance of developing transferable skills that will remain valuable throughout future careers.
Pupils also attended a presentation on the university application process before choosing from a series of specialist taster lectures and advisory sessions. Topics included archaeology, engineering, data science, agriculture, law, business, ancient history, and sports media, alongside guidance on portfolio preparation for creative courses and advice on applying to universities in the United States.
The day concluded with a Higher Education and Gap Year Fair, giving pupils the opportunity to speak directly with representatives from a broad range of institutions and organisations. Universities represented included Bath, Birmingham, Durham, Exeter, Imperial, Lancaster, Leeds, Loughborough, Nottingham, the Royal Agricultural University, UCL, and Anglia Ruskin. International institutions included the University of Southern California, Harvard, IE University Madrid, Bocconi University, Glion Institute of Higher Education, Les Roches, and the European School of Economics.
Pupils were also able to explore a variety of alternative pathways and experiences through conversations with organisations including The University Guys, American Rugby Scholarships, Orchard Cookery School, Art History Abroad, and Powder Byrne Ski.
The day provided a valuable opportunity to bring together Oundelians with pupils from our OPEN learning partnership schools, helping to broaden perspectives through shared academic interests.
Emma Aubury, Head of Careers & Higher Education, said: “UCAS Day is designed to give pupils the information, perspective, and inspiration they need as they finalise important decisions about their futures. We aim for pupils to leave for the summer with a clear understanding of the opportunities available to them, how to choose an option that will be a good fit for them, and of how they can prepare to submit really strong applications in the autumn.”
