Allied health professions

Year 10

Review pathways and check entry requirements for post 16-options. Some require a relevant subject at A-level or Level 3 equivalent e.g. Biology or Applied Science.
Weigh-up the pros and cons of full-time study vs apprenticeship and apply to all the options you are interested in. You can find information about NHS apprenticeships here.
Consider a back-up plan if results don't go the way you hoped. This could be level 2 health/care/science courses, intermediate apprenticeships or a job with accredited training/time off for study.

Continue researching careers and discuss your ideas with teachers, careers advisers, family and friends, and develop a network of potential contacts for experience, work shadowing, job-study opportunities. The NHS has advice and guidance for those looking at careers in healthcare.
Research Higher Education courses (degrees/foundation degrees) Pay attention to entry requirements, personal statement advice and selection methods.
Attend open days at universities and compare choices.
You could also start looking at the government apprenticeship database and job NHS job vacancies. Use this information to work out what steps you need to take to be able to make good applications for similar opportunities next year - what skills and experience will you need to develop?
Look for NHS work experience opportunities and extra-curricular activities that will help your personal statement.
Start following news stories and policies related to health especially those related to the roles you are interested in. This will help broaden your understanding of current issues and prepare you for applications and interviews.
Become familiar with the NHS values and constitution and how you could demonstrate these - the NHS use values-based recruitment so this is really important. You can use our interactive NHS Values activity to start thinking about what these values mean to you.

September-November: Attend open days and finalise choices and personal statements for UCAS applications. Allow time for your school/college to add references and predicted grades for submission by the deadline of 6pm 31st January 2024. Universities arrange interviews from late autumn so an earlier application can be helpful
December: Start looking for degree apprenticeship opportunities, apply and keep a record of your applications
January-March: Check UCAS Track for replies from HE providers and prepare for and attend interviews (school/college may provide mock interviews). These may include psychometric and physical tests (e.g Paramedic Science) and group tasks
February: Start to receive offers. You can now start applying for student finance.

March-May: Continue to receive offers and add an extra choice if you get no offers.
Undergo selection for degree apprenticeships. This could include online and/or in-person tests, interviews and group tasks.
If unsuccessful, research a backup plan – Your options could include studying a related degree and then completing postgraduate training, Alternative healthcare/science career paths via apprenticeship/degree apprenticeship or full-time degree or even taking a gap year and applying again (consider how you will boost your application in future)
As an alternative to degree apprenticeship, consider an entry-level job or apprenticeship at Level 2 or 3, to enhance your skills and experience, or foundation degree, HNC/D, or Cert HE (level 4/5 Higher Education courses) at college full or part-time, or via distance learning eg HND Health and Social care
Accept firm and insurance offers (you’ll go to your firm choice if you get the grades they’ve set) by reply deadline (shown in UCAS Track)
Apply for student finance preferably by end of May, and any scholarships or awards you may be eligble for
May (approx.): Research location of study, course materials, budgets, travel etc. and apply for accommodation
June (approx.): If your degree is eligible for the NHS learning support fund you can apply for a training grant of £5000 per year of studies