Careers & Higher Education

The Careers & Higher Education Department is open to all pupils throughout the school year for guidance on subject choices, careers and higher education. From Year 9 upwards pupils are assisted with subject choices which can assist with their career and higher education aims. We host over 30 universities, colleges, training providers and employers each year to give presentations and answer pupils' questions on specific courses and careers, and how to make a good application. Approximately 85% of our Sixth Form leavers go on to some form of higher or further education in over 90 different UK and overseas universities and colleges.

In Year 11, all pupils have the option to subscribe to the Futurewise New Generation service, which uses psychometric profiling and individual interviews to suggest careers and relevant courses based on interests and expected academic performance. The school is also a member of FutureSmart Careers (FSC), which provides other services designed to support pupils throughout their time at Millfield.

All Lower Sixth pupils complete a Centrigrade assessment provided by Cambridge Occupational Analysts (COA) which helps guide them towards choosing the courses and universities or colleges which match their interests and abilities. Subsequently they attend the UCAS Convention in Exeter, where around 150 UK universities and colleges are represented. We are also keen to involve Old Millfieldians, and at our OM Careers Convention pupils get to choose from a menu of careers seminars led by OMs from different industries.

Those looking to apply to Oxbridge are prepared for the specific requirements of Oxbridge entrance in small seminar groups, overseen by Dr Abi Pringle, Head of Academic Extension.

A full programme of tutoring is also given to pupils applying to American universities, to prepare for the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT), and guidance is provided to help them understand the application process and the options available to them. Millfield is one of only a few English schools that is a SAT Centre and we have been sending pupils across the Atlantic, including to Ivy League universities, for many years.

Those pupils who are looking to take a gap year, move straight into employment, or continue to pursue their sporting careers, are offered 1:1 advice with a professional careers advisor before leaving Millfield.