Careers & Enterprise Team Newsletter
Summer 2026
As we reach the end of another busy academic year, the Careers & Enterprise Team would like to celebrate some of the fantastic events, student achievements and progression activity that has taken place this term.

From employability workshops and free professional clothing, to alumni talks, Brilliant Futures Pledge achievements and UCAS preparation, students have continued to take positive steps towards their next stage.

Get Set Go Week: Event Highlights 
During Get Set Go Week, the Careers & Enterprise Team engaged with over 100 students through a range of employability and progression activities designed to help students feel more confident, prepared and informed about their next steps.

Showing Your Strengths: Winning Job Applications

Monday 8th June

We welcomed 25 students from a range of courses to our workshop.

Students had the opportunity to create or develop their CVs, explore how to evidence their skills and learn what employers are looking for in strong job applications. The session helped students think about how to present their strengths, experiences and achievements clearly when applying for jobs, apprenticeships, work experience or further study.

Work Wardrobe Pop-Up Shop

Tuesday 9th June

In partnership with York Cares, we hosted a Work Wardrobe Pop-Up Shop, giving students access to completely free professional clothing.

The Work Wardrobe provides students with professional clothing for interviews, work experience and employment, often including brand-new items donated by Next and other high street retailers. The aim is to remove financial barriers and help students feel confident, prepared and ready to take their next step.

The pop-up was visited by 80 students, with over 40 items of clothing taken by students to support them with upcoming interviews, placements and employment opportunities.

From College to Career: Alumni Insights

Thursday 11th June

Jess Liddle and Grace Butterfield, who are both studying BA (Hons) Media Make-up, Special Effects and Hair Design, spoke honestly about their journeys from college to degree-level study. They shared useful insights into what students can expect from studying Media Make-up at higher education level, including course expectations, workload, confidence, creativity and preparing for the transition.

Student Progress in Numbers
This year, the Careers & Enterprise Team have supported 268 students through one-to-one appointments and drop-ins, including 70 students since Easter.

Student feedback has been extremely positive, with 100% of students saying their appointment was helpful. Students’ average confidence in their future plans also increased from 2.61 to 4.25 out of 5 after their appointment.
The Brilliant Futures Pledge is helping students evidence the key employability skills valued by employers, universities and apprenticeship providers.

So far, students have achieved 5,048 submissions, with 687 students engaged, 1,004 badges awarded and 287 students earning at least one badge.

The most submitted skill is Communication, with Level 1 Construction receiving the most badges.

Brilliant Futures Pledge Celebration
As a final flourish to Progression Month in March, we had the pleasure of celebrating over 65 students who were invited to receive a certificate and Easter egg in recognition of their Brilliant Futures Pledge submissions.

We were delighted to welcome our Principal and Chief Executive, Ken Merry, who joined us in congratulating students from a range of curriculum areas, including Construction, Engineering, Art & Design and A Level programmes.

These certificates celebrate students’ ability to recognise and articulate key employability skills such as resilience, teamwork and communication — skills they can continue to build on and highlight in future applications and interviews.

Throughout Progression Month, the Careers & Enterprise Team engaged with over 1,100 students through a wide range of events and activities, supporting them to explore their options and take their next steps with confidence.

A huge well done to every student involved, including those not pictured.

UCAS Applications: Thinking About University?
Students who are interested in applying to university for 2027 entry can access support from the Careers & Enterprise Team throughout the application process.

Whether you are starting to explore your options, choosing courses, writing your personal statement or preparing to submit your application, our team is here to help.
To link your UCAS application to York College, please use the buzzword:


Minster2027
Start Your Application Here

Key Dates:

  • Thursday 15th October: Early Entry deadline for students applying to Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine/Science courses.

  • Friday 13th November: York College's internal UCAS deadline. Applications submitted by this date will be checked and sent before Christmas

Speak To Us:


For UCAS and applying to university queries, please email ucas@yorkcollege.ac.uk

Former students needing support with an application or reference can contact careers@yorkcollege.ac.uk

From September to Christmas the Careers & Enterprise Team will be running Personal Statement Drop-ins every Wednesday, 12:15-13:15 in the Student Experience Hub. 

Calling Former & Leaving Students
Are you leaving York College this year, or are you already a former student?

We would love you to join the York College & University Centre Alumni Community. Joining our alumni community is a great way to stay connected with the College, hear about future opportunities, share your success story and inspire current students.

Alumni can also get involved in a range of activities, including mentoring, guest speaking, networking, work placements, apprenticeships and careers events.

Whether you recently left or studied with us years ago, we would love to hear what you are doing now.

You can also join our LinkedIn page, to stay up to date with alumni news, opportunities and events, and to find out how you can get involved in supporting and inspiring the next generation of York College students.
LinkedIn
At York College, we offer careers advice for life.


This means that students can continue to access careers support even after they leave college. Whether you need help with job applications, university choices, apprenticeships, career changes or exploring your next step, you can still contact the Careers & Enterprise Team.

To request support after leaving college, please email:

careers@yorkcollege.ac.uk

Careers Appointments:
Summer Support and September Changes
The Careers & Enterprise Team will still be available for appointments over the summer.

We can offer both online and in-person appointments for students who would like support with next steps, applications, course choices, apprenticeships, employment or career planning.

To request an appointment, please email:

careers@yorkcollege.ac.uk

If you are thinking about changing your course, please contact Admissions first at:

info@yorkcollege.ac.uk

Admissions will be able to advise you on the course options available. Once you know what options may be possible, the Careers & Enterprise Team can support you to explore your choices and think through your next steps.
From September, the Careers & Enterprise Team will be introducing a new appointment referral form.

Students will need to complete this form before booking a careers guidance appointment. The form will ask what you would like to discuss, what support you need and what you have already done to prepare.

This will help us make sure that guidance appointments are offered to students who need in-depth careers support, while students with quick queries or questions for other teams can be directed to the most appropriate support.

Careers guidance appointments are usually 45 minutes and are best suited to students who would like to explore their options in more detail, talk through decisions or receive support with future planning.

Our weekly drop-ins will run on:

Tuesdays, 12:15–13:15 in the Student Experience Hub

Drop-ins are ideal for quick careers questions that do not require a full guidance appointment.

Coming Next Academic Year

Future Founders Programme


Future Founders is York College's entrepreneurship programme, equipping students with the mindset, skills and real-world experience to launch and grow their own ventures. From idea generation to pitching, it offers the next generation of Yorkshire entrepreneurs practical support to develop their ideas and build their confidence along the way.

Brilliant Futures Pledge Skills Events

22nd-24th September

Students will have the opportunity to take part in a series of activities linked to the Brilliant Futures Pledge, helping them develop and evidence the key skills valued by employers, universities and apprenticeship providers.

Parent & Carer Event 

1st October 2026, 5:00-7:00pm
Our Parent & Carer Event will provide information, advice and guidance around future pathways, including university, apprenticeships, employment and careers support available at York College.

Higher Education Fair

8th October 2026

Students will have the chance to speak directly with a wide range of universities and higher education providers, explore course options and ask questions about university life, applications and next steps.

Sector Insight Days 


As part of our continued work with curriculum areas, the Careers & Enterprise Team has confirmed two Sector Insight Days with Travel & Tourism for April and June 2027.

The events will provide a full day of activity for Year 1 and Year 2 students, including employer talks, a reverse careers fair and a keynote speaker.

Other curriculum areas interested in developing a similar programme with the Careers & Enterprise Team can contact careers@yorkcollege.ac.uk.

Get in Touch

For anything careers-related, you can contact the Careers & Enterprise Team at:
Or visit us at the Careers Desk in the Student Experience Hub.