Final Year Students
Your final year of study is an incredibly important time in your education. It is your final year before leaving the relative security of university life and entering the world of graduate employment. For this reason, it can be both very exciting and very daunting. This page aims to offer some tips both on how to make the most of the resources available to you in your final year, and how to prepare for life after GBS.
Essential Actions for Final Year Students
Many employers advertise their graduate opportunities and institutions start to recruit for their postgraduate programmes at certain points of the year, so it is important that you bear these key periods in mind. This page will set out clearly when you should be applying for jobs or further study, and advice on how to do so and where to access support.
Graduate schemes are very popular and very competitive, and often fill up quickly. So, if you are thinking about applying for a graduate scheme, you should start your search as early as possible.
Preparing to apply for graduate jobs
When you apply for graduate jobs, there are several important things to consider – you need a strong CV, you need to know how to write a strong personal statement, and you need to know how to effectively prepare for interviews and assessments. For more information on the support GBS can offer you in applying for jobs, click here.
Searching for graduate jobs
For more information on where to look for graduate jobs, have a look at our dedicated Graduate Jobs information page. You should also think about attending graduate recruitment jobs fairs. Click here to see more information about GBS careers and jobs fairs, as well as other careers events.
You should also look at some external graduate recruitment fairs. These are run all over the country – many are broad in scope, and others are industry-specific. Here are a few resources for finding recruitment fairs near you:
https://www.thejobfairs.co.uk/
https://www.ukcareersfair.com/
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom/job-fair/?hash=2332d326f749dcc6d404d8a6837e78b0&page=1
If you do not yet have anything lined up for when you leave GBS, do not worry. There is still plenty of time to look for graduate jobs and further study options. The most important thing to do is to keep searching.
Keep looking at online job boards, enhancing your CV and developing your skills, perhaps by volunteering or undertaking a short-term internship.
Preparing to apply for graduate jobs
When you apply for graduate jobs, there are several important things to consider – you need a strong CV, you need to know how to write a strong personal statement, and you need to know how to effectively prepare for interviews and assessments. For more information on the support GBS can offer you in applying for jobs, click here.
Searching for graduate jobs
For more information on where to look for graduate jobs, have a look at our dedicated Graduate Jobs information page.
You should also think about attending graduate recruitment jobs fairs. Click here to see more information about GBS careers and jobs fairs, in addition to other careers events.
You should also look at some external graduate recruitment fairs. These are run all over the country – many are broad in scope, and others are industry-specific. Here are a few resources for finding recruitment fairs near you:
https://www.thejobfairs.co.uk/
https://www.ukcareersfair.com/
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom/job-fair/?hash=2332d326f749dcc6d404d8a6837e78b0&page=1
Graduate schemes are very popular and very competitive, and often fill up quickly. So, if you are thinking about applying for a graduate scheme, you should start your search as early as possible.
Preparing to apply for graduate jobs
When you apply for graduate jobs, there are several important things to consider – you need a strong CV, you need to know how to write a strong personal statement, and you need to know how to effectively prepare for interviews and assessments. For more information on the support GBS can offer you in applying for jobs, click here.
Searching for graduate jobs
For more information on where to look for graduate jobs, have a look at our dedicated Graduate Jobs information page. You should also think about attending graduate recruitment jobs fairs. Click here to see more information about GBS careers and jobs fairs, as well as other careers events.
You should also look at some external graduate recruitment fairs. These are run all over the country – many are broad in scope, and others are industry-specific. Here are a few resources for finding recruitment fairs near you:
https://www.thejobfairs.co.uk/
https://www.ukcareersfair.com/
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom/job-fair/?hash=2332d326f749dcc6d404d8a6837e78b0&page=1
I need support with my CV and Job Applications
At this crucial time in your education, it is more important than ever that you take advantage of all the opportunities available to you at GBS. If you require support developing your CV or applying for jobs, you should consider the following resources.
The Careers and Placement Hub is accessible for all students and contains lots of useful tips and resources for improving your CV and applying for jobs. There is even an online job board where you can find active job opportunities.
All GBS students are entitled to ongoing careers advice and guidance. This is especially important for final year students about to finish their studies. If you want to discuss your career options one-to-one with a GBS Careers Consultant, you can find more information here.
The Careers and Placement Hub is accessible for all students and contains lots of useful tips and resources for improving your CV and applying for jobs. There is even an online job board where you can find active job opportunities.
Further Study
While many students go straight on to pursue their careers after completing their undergraduate studies, many also go on to further study. There are many reasons that you might want to consider further study such as:
Enhancing your subject knowledge – postgraduate study allows you to further develop subject knowledge and specialise in a particular area. This will make you even more attractive to employers once you embark on your graduate career.
Career requirements – some career paths, such as teaching and training, require further qualifications on top of your undergraduate degree.
Standing out – In a highly competitive graduate job market, candidates who have undertaken further study and gained a postgraduate qualification are more likely to stand out from the crowd.
The application process for postgraduate courses of study differs between institutions. Rather than applying through UCAS, you apply for postgraduate qualifications directly to the institution. When you apply for a place on a Masters or doctoral course, you may be asked for any of the following:
- CV
- Cover Letter
- Application form
- Personal Statement
Unlike most postgraduate qualifications, you apply for Teacher Training qualifications through UCAS. If you are hoping to explore a career in teaching, look at the below resources for information on the different routes into the profession and how to apply.
To look for Masters courses in your chosen subject, you can search online here:
To look for PhD courses in your chosen subject, you can search online here:
GBS currently offers two postgraduate courses:
The application process for postgraduate courses of study differs between institutions. Rather than applying through UCAS, you apply for postgraduate qualifications directly to the institution. When you apply for a place on a Masters or doctoral course, you may be asked for any of the following:
- CV
- Cover Letter
- Application form
- Personal Statement