Our Sixth Form is dedicated to guiding pupils towards successful and fulfilling futures. We provide comprehensive support for all onward destinations, ensuring each pupil is well-prepared for university, apprenticeships, or their chosen career path.
Careers & Onward Destinations
University Application Success
We are immensely proud of our pupils’ achievements in securing places at leading universities. In recent years, 72% of applicants gained their first-choice university, with nearly 40% attending Russell Group or top 10 UK institutions. Our pupils also successfully apply to prestigious US universities, including top 10 ranked institutions.
This success stems from a highly individualised UCAS process, a real team effort involving teachers and dedicated Careers Mentors who conduct regular one-to-one meetings. With our Head of Early Applications and Oxbridge Coordinator, we ensure every pupil’s application presents the very best version of themselves, tailored to their unique ambitions and highlighting the caring nature of our Sixth Form provision.
Diverse Future Pathways
Recognising that a UK university isn’t the only route, we provide extensive support for a wide array of onward destinations. Our careers advice helps pupils navigate choices including apprenticeships (from entry-level to degree Levels 6-7), direct employment and specialist niche colleges such as Norland.
We have a strong record of helping pupils secure places at prestigious overseas universities, including Ivy League institutions in the US. Furthermore, our dedicated support has enabled numerous pupils to gain highly funded sport scholarships at international universities, demonstrating our commitment to fostering diverse talents and helping each pupil pursue their specific passion and career aspirations, wherever they may lead.
Comprehensive Careers Guidance
Sixth Form pupils benefit from multifaceted careers advice designed to help them explore the vast array of available opportunities. Our internal support includes regular workshops throughout the year, focusing on different career sectors and application skills. To further enhance this provision, we partner with external agencies.
Career Smart specialists visit the school to provide expert, personalised advice directly to pupils. Additionally, all pupils have access to Unifrog, an extensive online platform. This powerful tool helps them research and narrow down the wide choice of university courses and employment options by aligning potential pathways with their individual skills, interests and academic profiles, making the decision-making process more manageable.
Valuable Alumni Connections
Our OPM (Old Plymothian & Mannamedian) alumni network is a significant asset for our Sixth Formers. With over 100 dedicated volunteers from a wide range of professions and industries, this network provides invaluable real-world insights and opportunities.
Alumni generously offer their time for work experience placements, allowing pupils to gain practical understanding of different career fields. Work shadowing opportunities provide a closer look at specific roles, while mentoring relationships offer personalised guidance and advice from experienced professionals. These connections not only help pupils make informed career choices but also assist in building their own early professional networks, often opening doors long after they leave Plymouth College.
Alumni Reflections
Our alumni frequently highlight the lasting impact of their Sixth Form experience.
Laura Stephens has risen to prominence as a Team GB butterfly specialist, notably claiming the 200m butterfly world title at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships and representing Great Britain at both the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Ben Andrews, now a Business Support Executive, valued how the school helped him balance elite sport with academic commitments, leading to top A-Level results and becoming a two time British Fencing Champion.
Annabel Kennedy, who attended the Royal College of Music, praised the small class sizes for fostering strong teacher relationships and thorough guidance, alongside a supportive community that celebrated diverse achievements.
These experiences underscore our commitment to individualised support and preparing pupils effectively for their varied future successes, whether in demanding careers, academia, or other prestigious pathways.
Come and See Us
We warmly invite you to visit Plymouth College Sixth Form to experience our environment firsthand. To arrange a visit, please contact our admissions team using the email address or phone number below. Alternatively, you can click the “Arrange a Visit” button to fill out your details and a member of our team will get in touch as soon as possible to arrange a visit.
Email: admissions@plymouthcollege.com
Telephone: 01752 505120
We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our community.
Find out more about the Sixth Form Curriculum
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