Careers & Higher Education Guidance
Tomorrow’s role models, shaped today.
Welcome
The principal aim of the Careers & Higher Education Department at Malvern is to provide each and every pupil with up-to-date information and impartial and independent guidance about the higher education and vocational choices that are available to them in the Sixth Form and beyond.
We recognise that pupils can feel overwhelmed when making career decisions and university course choices, so this booklet has been produced to give guidance about how the Careers & Higher Education Department supports pupils as they research and consider the options available to them. It explains how the department is structured and staffed, and clarifies the processes in place that will ensure our pupils have a clear understanding of the many resources and options that are available to help them navigate with confidence their next steps, whether that be on to further education, into employment or off to pursue a gap year.
Throughout the year there are a series of Careers and Higher Education events and talks. These provide a good opportunity to find out more about the steps that need to be taken and the guidance that is available.
We are delighted to have been recognised by the Talk Education Innovation in Education Awards as the winner of ‘Best Support Beyond the Classroom’ for the care and support we offer our pupils.
Please do feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions you may have.
Best wishes
Richard Thurlow Head of Careers & HE Guidance, UK
University Applications, Gap Years
Helping Every Pupil to Thrive
Pupils at Malvern College are ambitious when it comes to considering their futures beyond College. We encourage all pupils to work in partnership with the Careers & Higher Education Department staff, their tutor, housemaster or housemistress and subject teachers, who all provide a network of support in terms of information, resources and advice.
We work with independent professional careers advisors from SPW Careers and fully utilise the “MyFutureChoice” on-line profiling questionnaire to assist pupils in making choices that are right for them.
It is recognised that, in a rapidly changing international environment, relevant careers advice is essential and pupils are welcome to continue to seek our help up to 23 years of age. Our alumni (OMs) and the Malvernian Society, play an important role here. The Malvernian Society’s group on LinkedIn allows current and former pupils and parents to get in touch with each other for advice, mentoring and arrange work experience and employment opportunities.
Early Guidance is Key
In the Lower Years, pupils are helped to investigate the world of work with the Head of Careers, their tutors and through the Life Skills programme, using information provided by the “MyFutureChoice” website and the Department (e.g., the “MyCareerChoices” questionnaire).
All pupils in the Hundred (Year 11) and all new pupils entering the school in the Lower Sixth (Year 12) take the on-line careers profile assessment. These assessments are followed by an in-depth interview with a qualified independent careers advisor and the resulting Careers Guidance Report provides a clear picture of a pupil’s strengths, aptitudes and interests. This means pupils are in an informed position and equipped to make sensible decisions about A level and IB subject choices.
Higher and Further Education
The vast majority of our pupils go on to study at university, either directly from school or following a gap year, with 67% of pupils gaining places at elite universities, including London School of Economics, Imperial College London and Brown University (Ivy League).
Pupils are encouraged to visit universities and to attend University Fairs, both at the College and elsewhere. They are supported by the department to gather information on-line, using resources such as the powerful destination platform Unifrog and the UCAS Course Search website.
We offer advice about courses, university entrance procedures and interview techniques. Pupils are also kept informed about alternative pathways at 18+, such as sponsored degrees, degree apprenticeships, non-degree qualifications, school leavers’ programmes, apprenticeships and employment.
At all stages, the aim of the Careers & Higher Education Department is to help pupils make informed decisions about their future.
University Applications
The vast majority of pupils at Malvern decide to continue their education at university. In the increasingly competitive environment of higher education, we believe it is critical to manage the university application process effectively, as well as provide thorough, comprehensive and impartial advice about which courses and institutions might suit each pupil.
Throughout the Lower and Upper Sixth years, a carefullymanaged programme of information and advice is provided by the Careers & Higher Education Department alongside Sixth Form tutors and, as a result of this, every year over 80% of pupils gain places at the university of their first or second choice. The Careers & Higher Education Department maintains comprehensive resources on universities, and department staff are on-hand throughout the decision and application process (including Results Day) for informal chats or more in-depth discussions.
The Head of Careers, Mr Richard Thurlow, leads the process of UK University Applications, assisted by Dr Stewart Vaughan (Science and Medical School Applications), and Mrs Jennifer Major (Head of Sixth Form).
While the majority of pupils apply to UK universities through the UCAS application process, students seeking to apply to international institutions are fully supported through both aptitude tests such as SATs and the application process for particular universities. Over the past few years, pupils from Malvern have applied successfully to the top universities in the US, Canada, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Holland. Malvern College is a SAT Testing Centre and is fully equipped to support our own pupils in preparing for and sitting SATs. Dr Martin Harris is Head of International University Applications.
Events: Careers & Futures Evenings and University Fairs
Every year the Department hosts a Careers & Futures Evening which gives all pupils the opportunity to quiz both current parents and former pupils about their career-path choices and to find out what qualifications and skills are required for specific careers.
We also host University Fairs in the Lent and Summer Terms. Representatives from both UK and international universities come to Malvern to speak to pupils about their institutions, degree courses, financial support and university life. These are always informative and inspirational evenings.
Gap Year Choices
An increasing number of pupils now take a gap year between school and university for a variety of reasons which include gaining work experience, earning money, travelling and personal challenges and goal-setting.
The Careers & Higher Education Department has information about many organisations which offer gap year programmes and the accumulated experience of former pupils enables the College to recount those experiences and be well placed to offer impartial guidance about the opportunities available and appropriate choices that a particular pupil might make based on genuine feedback.
Lydia Thurlow OM, chose a Gap Year teaching work placement with an association called Amesip in Salé in north-western Morocco at a small school for street-children. Lydia went on to study French and Philosophy at Bristol University, and is now Marketing Manager at Thyme, a luxury hotel and spa in the Cotswolds.
Work Experience
Pupils in the Hundred and Lower Sixth are strongly encouraged to spend one week of their holidays on work experience placements closely linked to their own interests and possible future career paths. This enables pupils to gain invaluable first-hand experience of the world of work and provides an important link between the careers information and advice given in the Lower School and the exploration of and application to Higher Education, which forms the main focus in the Sixth Form.
Work experience also has educational value and can be used when making university applications and cited as references. We recommend that work experience placements should be for a minimum of one week and a maximum of two weeks, during which time the pupil should be exposed to the routine working-day demands and disciplines of the organisation in which they have secured a place. Ideal times for work experience would be in the holidays after the Hundred year and/or after the Lower Sixth year.
Pupils should consider the following criteria:
» They are placed in a working environment of their choice;
» Their placement is near their home or other family accommodation;
» Their placement takes place during the school holidays.
Although the College cannot arrange placements, the Head of Work Experience, Mr Bashir Mahyub, is always happy to offer advice to parents and pupils about this.
Leavers automatically join the Malvernian Society and have access to the Malvernian Society’s LinkedIn Group, to explore the connections and opportunities available on this network.
Case Study: Eily Lo
Data Scientist at Starling Bank, UCL and the University of Oxford
Eily has followed an exciting path since leaving Malvern, combining her love of people and problem-solving with the power of data. After studying Social Sciences with Data Science at University College London, she went on to complete a Masters in Social Data Science at the University of Oxford. Her Masters thesis was awarded Highly Commended by the University’s exam board. She describes her university years as hugely rewarding, filled with opportunities to research independently and connect with inspiring peers. Today, Eily works as a Data Scientist at Starling Bank, one of the UK’s leading digital banks.
Her role involves using data to answer important questions: defining problems carefully, selecting the best approaches, and communicating insights clearly. She credits Malvern, and particularly the IB programme, with shaping the qualities that underpin her success.
Curiosity, open-mindedness, and the ability to ask thoughtful questions were nurtured at school and continue to guide her work. Just as importantly, the spirit of collaboration she experienced in her House has translated into how she works with colleagues today.
Still at the beginning of her career, Eily is determined to deepen her technical expertise and hopes to play a role in shaping the future of AI ethics and policy, ensuring advances are fair and responsible. She is also open to further study, including the possibility of a PhD.
Eily’s fondest memories of Malvern include long conversations with friends from House No.3 and performing at Unplugged concerts, which built her confidence. Her advice to current pupils is to make the most of every opportunity, try new things, and let curiosity and collaboration guide your journey.
Careers Guidance Programme 2025-2026
Careers Guidance in FY (Year 9)
» Tutor group discussions on careers via on-line questionnaire (October-November 25)
» FY ‘Apprentice’ project: design, make and market hand cream (June 26)
Careers Guidance in Remove (Year 10)
» Careers talks by former pupils (October-December 25)
» Careers exploration in Careers Guidance Sessions (throughout the year)
Careers Guidance in Hundred (Year 11)
» Tutor group discussions on careers (October 25)
» Careers briefing, psychometric profiling and interviews for new pupils (October-December 25)
» Careers talks by former pupils throughout the year and at the Careers and Futures Evening (27 February 26)
» Work experience (arranged through parents and/or OMs: July-August 26)
Careers
Guidance in Lower Sixth & Upper Sixth (Years 12 & 13)
» Tutor group discussions on possible careers (October 25)
» Careers briefing, psychometric profiling and interviews for new pupils (October-December 25)
» Careers talks by former pupils throughout the year and at the Careers and Futures Evening (27 February 26)
» Careers/job/university interviews for Upper Sixth pupils (January-March 26)
» Work experience (arranged through parents and/or OMs: July-August 26)
Higher Education Programme 2025-2026
University Application in Lower Sixth (Year 12)
» Introductory talks to pupils about using Unifrog and UCAS to research degree courses and universities, including Oxbridge and international universities (November 25)
» Elite universities’ discussion group meetings (November 25 - May 26)
» SAT preparation classes (January-March 26)
» US and international university talks (October-March 25-26)
» Talks on how to choose universities and courses (March 26)
» Open Day visits to universities (April-June 26)
» Elite universities departmental seminars (April-June 26)
» University Fair and UCAS Application Workshop (16 June 26)
University Application in Upper Sixth (Year 13)
» Application to UK universities (SeptemberDecember 25 – ie, well ahead of 14 January 2026 deadline)
» Open Day visits to universities (SeptemberDecember 25)
» Elite universities’ departmental seminars (September-December 25)
» Interview practice (October-December 25)
» Application to US universities (OctoberDecember 25)
» Interview invitations and offers received (November-April 25-26)
» First and second university choices confirmed by pupils (June 26)
» IB and A level Results Days and advice on offers, Adjustment and Clearing (6 July & 13 August 26)
Careers & Higher Education Department Personnel
Mr Richard Thurlow
Head of Careers & HE Guidance, UK University Applications, Gap Years
e: richard.thurlow@malverncollege.org.uk
Mrs Jennifer Major
Head of Sixth Form
e: jennifer.major@malverncollege.org.uk
Dr Martin Harris
International University Applications
e: math.harris@malverncollege.org.uk
Dr Stewart Vaughan
Medical School Applications
e: stewart.vaughan@malverncollege.org.uk
Mr Bashir Mahyub
Work Experience
e: bashir.mahyub@malverncollege.org.uk
Tomorrow’s role models, shaped today. Malvern College, College Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3DF, UK
t: +44 (0)1684 581 500 e: enquiries@malverncollege.org.uk
www.malverncollege.org.uk