Our talks are made to help your post-16 students with their journey to higher education.
Delivered at your school or college by our friendly and experienced Schools and Colleges team, each talk falls at the right time during the UCAS cycle to give your students the help they need, when they need it, and to help you meet the Gatsby benchmarks.
Below you'll find our main range of talks for post-16s, which cover key themes within the UCAS process and what students should consider, as well as our 'Expert Series' of talks, featuring specialist speakers from across the University.
You'll also find our 1-1 personal statement feedback session, which works like an in-person personal statement checker. This session is an opportunity for every student to have 15 minutes of bespoke personal statement advice with our team.
Our post-16 talks for schools and colleges
Talk 1: Why should you go to university?
Who: Year 12
When: September–December
Duration: 45 minutes
Gatsby benchmarks: 2 and 7
- Delve into the academic, career-related, and personal reasons for going to university.
- Inspire students to consider not just what they could study but where it could take them.
- Explore the vast landscape of opportunities offered by higher education, and how they can get career-ready.
Talk 2: Choosing the right course and university for you
Who: Year 12
When: January–July
Duration: 45 minutes
Gatsby benchmarks: 2,3,4 and 7
- Empower students to make informed decisions that align with their passions, goals, and ambitions.
- Share practical advice on researching courses and universities to help them choose where, when, and what to study.
- Guide them on how to inspect facilities, labs, and libraries to ensure they meet academic needs at Open Days and fairs.
Talk 3: Preparing for your future career
Who: Year 12
When: January–July
Duration: 45 minutes
Gatsby benchmarks: 2,3,4 and 7
- Look at how choosing the right degree sets the stage for a successful career by aligning with industry trends.
- Explore the significance of real-world experience through placements, including Connected Degrees at Portsmouth, the only UK university to offer a three-year course with 4th year placement.
- Show them how courses offer hands-on learning, featuring facilities that mirror real-world industries.
Talk 4: Understanding the UCAS process
Who: Year 12–13
When: May–July (Year 12), Sept–October (Year 13)
Duration: 45 minutes
Gatsby benchmarks: 7
- Demystify the UCAS process, and offer valuable tips to make students’ university applications stand out.
- Insights on articulating their unique story and accomplishments when writing a personal statement for university.
- Best practice for easily accepting offers on their chosen course and what to do after applying to university.
Talk 5: Writing a UCAS personal statement for university
Who: Year 12–13
When: May–July (Year 12), Sept–October (Year 13)
Duration: 45 minutes
Gatsby Benchmarks: 3 and 7
- We'll give tips on the structure for personal statement writing, and key techniques such as the ABC method.
- Explore the key things that admissions tutors are looking for, and the pitfalls to avoid.
- Valuable tips on what universities seek in a personal statement.
- Critique real examples, learning from both strengths and weaknesses to elevate their personal statement game.
Talk 6: Understanding degree apprenticeships*
Who: Year 13
When: January–April
Duration: 45 minutes
Gatsby Benchmarks: 2,3,4,5 and 7
- Earning while learning: we’ll cover the unique aspect of earning a salary while pursuing a degree.
- How students can find apprenticeship vacancies across diverse industries, including application tips, and breakdown of study and working..
*Note: this talk is only available when another one of our talks is booked.
‘Expert Series’ talks for schools and colleges
Our 'Expert Series' talks for post-16 students look at the latest trends in higher education, exploring specific topics crucial to your students' academic and career journey.
These sessions, delivered by expert speakers from the University of Portsmouth, offer the most up-to-date and specific information to help your students receive valuable, real-world insights at key stages of the UCAS process.
Expert Series 1: Student finance information
Who: Year 13 and parents
When: January–April
Duration: 1 hour
Gatsby Benchmarks: 2,3 and 7
Speaker: Claudia Bradshaw, Student Finance Information Officer at the University of Portsmouth
- Give students and parents a full understanding of student finance, including loans and how to apply.
- The array of financial support options available to students, from student loans to scholarships and bursaries.
- The latest student finance updates, including crucial paperwork requirements and how repayments work.
Expert Series 2: Applying for creative courses and developing a portfolio
When: May–July (Year 12), Sept–October (Year 13)
Duration: 45 minutes
Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,4 and 7
Speaker: Sarah Hewitson, Creative and Cultural Industries Recruitment Centre Manager at the University of Portsmouth
- Show students the secrets to curating a standout creative portfolio to secure a place on their chosen course.
- Getting interview-ready, with advice on making a strong impression.
- How we make offers for creative courses at Portsmouth.
1:1 feedback sessions: UCAS personal statements
Duration: 15 minutes per student
Gatsby benchmarks: 3 and 7
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Our expert team will review statements 1:1 with students at your school or college.
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They’ll benefit from a thorough examination of their statement, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.
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We'll help them infuse their unique voice and experiences into their writing.
Request a talk at your school or college
Make a request for post-16 talks, events and HE fairs at your school or college, and we'll process your request promptly.
On the booking form, please suggest multiple dates and our team will reach out to you to confirm if we have availability to deliver this activity.
Please note: your booking is not confirmed until our team confirm this with you directly.
Request HE talks and events at your school or college
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