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As our Year 13 students approach the final stretch of their school careers, attention turns to what comes next. Whether that next step is university, an apprenticeship or the start of a professional qualification, navigating post-18 pathways can feel highly pressured for both students and parents. At Scarborough College, we place a strong emphasis on structured support and early preparation, ensuring that every student is well equipped to make confident and informed decisions about their future.
This year’s IB Diploma Programme mock examinations have provided an encouraging snapshot of what that preparation can achieve. Students produced an excellent set of results, reflecting both their hard work and the accuracy of the grade predictions made back in October. These predictions are crucial: they not only underpin university applications, but also allow students to gauge how close they are to meeting the conditions of their offers, helping them to focus in the months ahead.
The strength of those applications is already evident as offers arrive from a wide range of highly regarded universities and competitive courses. Our students hoping to study Veterinary Medicine have secured offers from the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Nottingham. All students applying for Medicine have received interview invitations, with universities such as Exeter and Southampton recognising their potential. Particularly noteworthy is a student applying for Physiotherapy – an extremely competitive course – who has been invited to interview while studying in her second language, a significant personal and academic achievement.
Russell Group universities continue to be a popular destination, with institutions including Durham, Warwick, Birmingham, York, Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester recognising the work of our students. Many of these offers have been made to international students, several of whom are studying the IB Diploma in their second or even third language. Degree choices are wide-ranging, from law, economics, finance, maths and sports science, to more specialist routes such as architecture, interior design and sports journalism.
Behind these successes lies a carefully coordinated programme of guidance and support, led by the Sixth Form team and, in particular, our Careers Adviser, Mrs Anna Lowe. Early identification of students aiming for highly competitive courses allows tailored support to begin well in advance. Specialist societies – including the Veterinary, Medical and Dentistry Society – bring in professional guest speakers, provide insight into career pathways and offer valuable mock interview practice.
Support begins early in Year 12 for those considering Oxbridge, with webinars, alumni contact, and a dedicated Oxbridge event each March. Our links with specific Oxford & Cambridge colleges even allow students to experience residential visits ahead of application, helping them to make well-informed choices. External speakers, such as The University Guys, add further perspective, particularly for students considering international study.
While university remains the preferred route for many, it is not the only pathway we celebrate. Apprenticeships and professional qualifications are discussed openly and positively, with past students progressing into roles with companies such as Volkswagen or entering accounting and finance before pursuing professional accreditation.
We are immensely proud of the offers currently being received. It is a testament to the determination of our students and the depth of support around them. An additional advantage of the IB Diploma Programme is its earlier examination and results timetable, allowing students to approach the summer with reassurance, clarity and, in many cases, their future firmly secured.
This article was first featured in the College’s Owl Magazine (February 2026).
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