Careers & Higher Education

Making the right decisions about university choices and preparation for future careers are undoubtedly some of the most important decisions that students will be faced with during their time at the RGS.

Regarding careers, senior pupils affirmed that they greatly appreciate the excellent help and support that is readily available to them.

ISI Report 2022

Individual Guidance

The design of the curriculum ensures that critical decisions are not made until students make their A Level choices. Plans are discussed individually with each student so that they are aware of the potential implications of choices made in terms of university and career aspirations. This same rationale underpins the guidance on university applications.

Universities

The School is very proud of its record in securing places at leading universities: over the last six years, on average, 25% of students have gained a place at Oxford or Cambridge with large numbers also studying at Durham, Exeter, Warwick, Bath, Bristol, Nottingham and the London universities of Imperial, UCL and KCL.  Support is also given for those choosing to apply to American Universities or to follow the increasingly popular Degree Apprenticeship route.

 

Results 2022-23

The most common grade achieved by RGS students was the A* grade; 81 students achieved a clean sweep of grades at A or A*, 37 of those achieved 3 or more A* grades: an incredible achievement in the current climate.

A Levels

2023 Results

Subject A* A B C D E/U Entry
Ancient History 1 2 2 5
Art 3 1 1 5
Biology 13 11 2 1 1 28
Chemistry 20 14 3 2 1 40
Design & Technology 2 2
Drama & Theatre Studies 1 1
Economics 24 25 16 1 1 67
English Literature 3 3 2 1 9
French 1 4 5 10
Further Mathematics 18 15 2 2 37
Geography 6 10 3 1 20
German 1 1 2 4
Government & Politics 5 6 4 2 17
Greek 1 1
History 3 6 7 1 17
Latin 3 1 3 1 8
Mathematics 53 26 20 3 4 106
Physics 27 7 7 6 47
Physical Education 3 3 2 8
Religious Studies 3 3 2 13
Spanish 3 5 1 9
Totals 192 155 85 19 8 1 460

 

Leavers' Destinations

2016-2023

University Number of Students
Durham University 125
Cambridge University 121
Exeter University 95
Bath University 86
Bristol University 70
Nottingham University 66
Oxford University 59
Birmingham University 42
Warwick University 41
University College, London 39
Imperial College, London 33
Leeds University 32

Oxbridge Numbers

2014-2023

Subject Cambridge Oxford Total
Ancient History and Archaeology 1 1 2
AMES 2 2
Anthropology 1 1
Architecture 1 1
Biological Sciences/Biochemistry 4 4
Biomedical Sciences 2 2
Chemistry 7 7
Chinese Studies 1 3 4
Classics 6 8 14
Computer Science 6 1 7
Earth Science 1 1
Economics 13 13
Engineering 19 5 24
English 5 4 9
Experimental Psychology 2 2
Geography 3 3
History 5 10 15
HSPS 5 5
Land Economy 4 4
Law 4 5 9
Material Science 1 1
Mathematics 23 4 27
Medicine 1 3 4
Modern Foreign Languages/Linguistics 12 7 19
Music 1 1 2
Natural Sciences 42 42
Philosophy 3 3
Physics 6 6
Philosophy, Politics and Economics 13 13
Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics 1 1
Theology 2 2
Veterinary Science 2 2
All Subjects 157 94 251

University Courses

Top 21 degree choices 2016-2023

Degree Programme Undergraduates
Economics 146
Engineering 130
Mathematics or Computer Science 75
Finance and Management 60
Geography 57
Medicine 55
History 55
Modern/Asian Languages 50
Natural Sciences 49
Biological and Biomedical Sciences 43
International Relations or Politics 43
Flexible or Combined Honours 41
Physics 38
Classics 33
Philosophy (inc. with Theology) 28
English 25
PPE 24
Law 21
Music 15
Chemistry 12
Psychology 8

Careers

Students are given plenty of opportunities to investigate and explore potential career paths. All Fifth Form students undertake a period of Work Experience following the completion of their GCSE examinations.

The annual Careers Convention, at which over 80 professions and companies are represented including many alumni, and the programme of career-specific seminars which run throughout the year provide further opportunities. The fortnightly Careers and Higher Education Bulletin provides advice on university applications and the opportunities available in and beyond school to develop their own particular interests. In addition, as Director of Careers and Higher Education, Mr Dunscombe is always available for one-to-one consultations with both students and parents.