higher-education-and-apprenticeship-events

The College hosts a series of engaging and informative events designed to support 6.1 students, along with their parents and carers, as they begin navigating the university application process.

Students wishing to apply for an apprenticeship are supported throughout their time at Esher through a variety of events and activities including our Employment Seekers and Apprenticeship Evening.

80+ university, creative arts colleges & US institutions

Higher Education Evening

Anna Young, Director of Careers and Progression Guidance at Esher, hosts a series of talks designed to help parents and carers support their students through the application process.

Speakers this year included:

Tom O’Dea from our work experience partners, 8BillionIdeas, who run our online work experience programme in June called The Internship for first year students.
Martin Bancroft, Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer from Nottingham Trent University on How to support your student to choose a university and course.

You view the live stream below or access the Parents’ and Carers’ Guide to Higher Education presentation

Higher Education and Apprenticeship Fair

Held in the Sports Hall, this event attracts more than 80 higher education providers, including 16 Russell Group universities, alongside American institutions, creative arts colleges and specialist gap year organisations. The day features tutor-led lessons and talks that focus on life as a university student and the art of choosing the ideal university and course. The highlight of the event is the fair, where students engage directly with university representatives and apprenticeship providers, gaining insights into campus life and collecting valuable prospectuses.

In 2026, the college expanded its offering to include apprenticeship providers from a wide range of sectors to match its growing popularity as an alternative to traditional university routes. Representatives from sectors including business and finance, construction and architecture, creative industries, marketing, digital and engineering are available to speak with students. Dedicated talks from organisations such as Procter & Gamble, InvestIN, and our own Esher alumni apprentices gives students real insight into both the application process and the apprenticeship experience.

During the evening, parents and carers are welcome to attend with their student to support and participate in a wide range of talks, covering topics such as making informed university choices, applying to Oxbridge, and accessing higher education with additional needs.

These presentations are from the 2026 evening session and are available for download.

Useful Information		File information
	Presentation on 5 things you need to know about uni	pdf 3 MB
	University of Birmingham - How to support your student	pdf 5 MB
	Brighton University - Applying to University with additional needs	pdf 7 MB
	Oxbridge Applications HE 2026	pdf 2 MB
	P&G Apprenticeship Esher Event Mar 26 v3	pdf 1 MB
	InvestIn Apprenticeship Talk	pdf 5 MB

two female students holding prospectuses at the Apprenticeship fair

Employment Seekers and Apprenticeships Information Evening

This live webinar event is held in February and is designed for Esher Sixth Form College students and their parents and carers. It features apprenticeship experts and Esher alumni who have all successfully pursued apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships provide an excellent alternative to traditional university routes, allowing students to gain valuable work experience and a degree qualification without the burden of student debt.

The talks provided students with the opportunity to explore various apprenticeship options and hear firsthand experiences shared by our Esher alumni.

This year’s speakers included:

Sue Taylor Apprenticeship expert from training provider, from ALPS Partnership
Orla Harper from InvestIn, provider of immersive career experiences for young people
Luna McCann-Matsusaka (松坂) from Sage (Esher Alumni, class of 2016)
Maisie Lawler from Procter & Gamble (Esher Alumni, class of 2018)
Abbie Sheehan from Mondelēz International (Esher Alumni, class of 2021)

If you missed the talks, or would like to revisit, you can watch Apprenticeship Information Evening Talk.

After Esher Day

Held at the end of your first year at Esher, this day is focused on supporting students with their post-college progression plans and offers two distinct programmes of events:

Higher Education. Advice to students focussing on Higher Education including ‘How to write a great personal statement’ and support for students as they start to fill in their UCAS application.
Employment and Apprenticeships. Our careers team runs sessions to help you master psychometric testing, answering competency questions at interviews and how to develop your personal brand.