Careers Education and Guidance
Careers Education and Guidance
At Exeter College, we provide high-quality, impartial Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)
to help every student make confident, informed decisions about their future.
Careers Support
Impartial advice and guidance
Every student has access to one-to-one careers guidance, helping them explore all post-college pathways.
We support students with:
- Understanding their options after College
- Exploring employment and apprenticeship routes
- Choosing the right university course
- Writing applications, CVs and personal statements
- Preparing for interviews
Support is also delivered across faculties to ensure all students can benefit.
Careers Hub and drop-in support
Students can access ongoing support through our Careers Hub in Greystone House, open daily from 11am–2pm.
This provides a welcoming space to:
- Ask questions
- Get advice
- Access careers resources
All 16–19 students are entitled to a 30 minute one-to-one appointment, available throughout the year (in person or via Microsoft Teams). This is requested through their eILP and Parents and carers are welcome to attend by arrangement.
How Careers Support is delivered
A structured careers programme
Careers education is embedded throughout College life and runs across both years of study. Our programme is regularly reviewed to ensure it:
- Meets the needs of our students
- Reflects current labour market information
- Provides timely and relevant guidance
Students and parents can be confident that careers support is consistent, accessible and tailored.
Connecting learning to careers
We help students understand how their subjects link to future careers. Through tutorials and curriculum delivery, students develop awareness of their skills and how these relate to their next steps.
Our approach
Our careers programme is shaped by the Gatsby Benchmarks , covering:
- A stable careers programme
- Labour market information
- Individual student needs
- Links between curriculum and careers
- Employer encounters
- Workplace experiences
- Further and higher education pathways
- Personal guidance
We are also accredited by Matrix, the national quality standard for careers advice and guidance.
Real World Experiences
Employer, industry and university experiences
Students benefit from a wide range of employer and education encounters, including:
- Employer and industry speakers
- University talks and visits
- Careers fairs and progression events
- Trips linked to career pathways
These experiences broaden horizons, raise aspirations and provide insight into the workplace.
Work experience and industry placements
Work experience is a key part of many study programmes.
- T Level and BTEC students complete up to one week of work experience
- Placements may take place as a block or across the year
- Students gain real insight into roles and working environments
Each faculty has a dedicated Industry Placement Liaison Officer to support students.
Contact: industryplacements@exe-coll.ac.uk
Additional employer encounters (EXtra)
Students can take part in additional career-focused activities through our EXtra programme, including:
- Industry insights and talks
- Short work experience placements
- Employer-led projects and competitions
- Workshops and masterclasses
- CV and interview support
- Workplace visits and volunteering opportunities
University Next Steps Support
University applications and UCAS support
We provide structured support for students applying to university, including:
- Course and university research
- Personal statement guidance
- UCAS application checks
- Tutor reference coordination
This ensures applications are accurate, competitive and submitted on time.
Support for former students
Students who left within the last two years can continue to access careers support, including UCAS guidance and references.
UCAS Key Dates
Key dates for 2026/27
UCAS Parents Guidance Evening (2nd year parents/guardians only): Monday 21 September 2026
College internal UCAS application deadline for most Medical/Dentistry / Veterinary courses and applications to the Universities of Oxford & Cambridge (early applicants): Monday 28 September 2026 (5pm)
External UCAS deadline for Conservatoires – Music Programmes Thursday 1st October 2026 (6pm)
External UCAS Equal Consideration Date for most Medical/Dentistry / Veterinary courses and applications to the Universities of Oxford & Cambridge: Thursday 15 October 2026 (6pm)
College internal UCAS application deadline (main applicants): Friday 20 November 2026 (5pm)
External UCAS Equal Consideration Date (main applicants): Wednesday 13 January 2027 (6pm)
Year 1 UCAS Parents Guidance Evening (online): Monday 7 June 2027
Year 2 UCAS Parents Guidance Evening (online): Monday 14 June 2027
University application timeline
Year 1 (Summer Term)
- Explore options and begin research
- Start drafting personal statements
- Gain experience to support applications
- Early applicants (e.g. Medicine, Oxbridge) begin applications
Year 2 (Autumn Term)
- Complete and submit UCAS applications
Year 2 (Spring Term)
- Apply for Student Finance and DSA
Useful Information
Careers resources
Current students can access additional information via the Careers SharePoint page, including:
- Pathways Explore – search 800+ careers and match interests
- National Careers Service – careers advice and funding information
- UCAS – university and course search
- Prospects – graduate careers and courses
Key dates for 2026/27
Parents Progression Guidance Evening (in-person): Tuesday 2 February 2027 (1st Year parents / guardians only)
Parents Progression Guidance Evening (online): Thursday 4 February 2027 (1st Year parents / guardians only)
Information for Parents / Carers
Parents and carers play an important role in helping young people explore their options and plan for their future. Here are some resources that can help inform conversations that you have with them:
Contact the team
Our careers programme is aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring structured, progressive support that prepares students for university, employment, apprenticeships, gap years or further study.
All guidance is delivered by Level 6 qualified Careers Advisers, offering personalised support focused on each student’s ambitions.
For Careers Support
Email: careersteam@exe-coll.ac.uk
Careers Lead: Sarah Stevenson
For Applicant Advice:
Email: cat@exe-coll.ac.uk